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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Brad Blackwood => Topic started by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 25, 2008, 11:06:44 AM

Title: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 25, 2008, 11:06:44 AM
Hi, folks
I already have one OCL2. Great unit, a smart buy.

I do not have the budget to pick a Crane/Manley compressor, so would it be a good idea to buy a second OCL2 or maybe combine it with a different flavour box, like the Avalon Comp?

Here in Brazil people love the Avalon boxes like the 737, 747 and the AD.
I frankly don´t think the 737 and 747 are all that great. Never used their other boxes.

Once people commented here at Brad´s forum hat the Avalon comp is a bit slow for mastering, bu maybe combining the OCL2 with it would provide me a different flavour? Would it do fine, like combining slow attack/fast attack boxes ?

The main goal is mastering and front end tracking.

My modest chain is:

d/a (02r96) > OCL2 > a/d(02R96) > PSP Neon HR > TC Master X (3+5) or MD3 TDM > PSP Xenon > Dither

p.s: I also might change my a/d d/a to an Apogee Rosetta 200 soon.

Thanks
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Andrew Hamilton on May 25, 2008, 11:30:47 AM
Bom dia, Al
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 25, 2008, 12:21:42 PM
Bom dia (???????)
Smile
Writing in Potuguese- cool!

Thanks, Andrew.

I was comparing prices for the candidates:

1)Compressors/limiters:
a) Avalon 747 U$2400
b) Pendulum OCL2 U$2900 (I paid U$2750 for an almost new box in   Brazil)
c) Manley Vari Mu U$3600
d) Crane STC8 U$3750

2)Converters:
a) Lucid AD9624+DA9624 U$1394
b) Apogee Rosetta 200 U$1750
c) Mytek Stereo96 ADC + DAC U$1798
d) Lynxx Aurora 8 U$1995
e) Lavry Black AD10+DA10: U$2455  (combo promotion)
f) Lavry Blue  MAD8+MDA8: U$2500  (combo promotion)
g) Benchmark DAC1 + ADC1 U$2550
h) Crane Hedd U$3150

p.s:All units are 2-channel stereo boxes, except for the Aurora 8.

Stores visited: Mercenary, Vintage King,Atlas, BH, Samash, AltoMusic, etc.

Any comments about this list/gear?


Thanks for any inputs!
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 25, 2008, 12:32:12 PM
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Patrik T on May 25, 2008, 12:41:30 PM
Al
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: carlsaff on May 25, 2008, 01:30:05 PM
Another vote for the API 2500. Versatile, reasonably affordable, and getting plenty of use in a rack alongside a Cranesong STC-8 and Requisite L2M mk III. I find myself preferring it for "modern" music styles, like hip-hop, metal and "pop" (I don't get much in that latter genre... and that's OK).
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Andrew Hamilton on May 25, 2008, 03:23:28 PM
Al
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: mastertone on May 25, 2008, 04:31:58 PM
Worth checking out is the picocompressor, Very smooth and transparent compression, easy to mod for higher ratios etc.

I would love to set it up next to a Maselec, i know Paul Gold has both... maybe he'll chime in
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: compasspnt on May 25, 2008, 05:43:30 PM
You would really like and use the API 2500 or the STC-8.

You would love the Lavry Blue or Blacks.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 25, 2008, 06:21:52 PM
Wow! Lots of great info.
I have just printed and studied all this carefully.

If you guys permit me, I would like to contact you with PM concerning things that might not be applicable to this forum, like prices, stores and so.

I mostly do the "light side ":
Soul - Light Rock (Emo - Hard Rock, no trash metal and so) - Gospel - Reggae - Dance - Tekno - MPB - Pagode - Funk -Classical.

I have noticed that the API2500 and the AVALON 747 have  global pots. No dual mono tweaking. Sad

Based on research, I realized that one of the 3 products below would fit my needs/pockets:

1)Lynx Studio Aurora 8 + Adat Card: U$2220
2)Mytek Stereo 96 AD/DA: U$1798
3)Lavry Ad DA10 Combo: U$2455

I would have a bigger benefit with the Lynx becasue it would provide me a bigger I/O for my current Pro Tools HD Accel rig also, but between the Mytek (2 channel) and the Lynx, what are your opinions?



Thanks!

Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: compasspnt on May 26, 2008, 12:11:37 AM
Lynx is fine, but it's no Lavry.

Avalon is out for mastering.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Adam Dempsey on May 26, 2008, 12:24:31 AM
The HEDD would give you decent enough A/D and D/A, plus the option of the Tape dsp which essentially compresses things a bit, albeit colourfully.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 12:55:24 AM
bu is the Linx unit a giant leap over the 192 I/O?
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: brett on May 26, 2008, 04:30:37 AM
lynx is not a mastering converter albeit an upgrade replacement interface to a PT rig. the apogee da16x and ad16x are going to be the best sounding conveters that connect directly to a PT rig.  But your 192 has AES to connect to a converter so don't limit yourself?  
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 09:51:03 AM
Hi, Brett. I did not mention that I have the 192 I/O Digital as a master and a 24 bit Adat Bridge as a slave, forming a 32 I/O rig.

Last year I almost bought an additional 96I/O (has analog outs) but decided to hold for a moment and maybe pick a 2 channel better quality unit, suited for mastering also.

So, came the possibility of the Apogee Rosetta 200, where you guys kindly pointed me it is not High end.

So, will the mytek AD DA 96 boxes be a nice leap from Apogee Rosetta 200, 96I/O and 192 I/O?

Thanks

Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: compasspnt on May 26, 2008, 10:15:27 AM
Some love the Myteks, some do not.

I tried to look at them when I was searching for mastering quality converters, and could never get a response.  That never bodes well for me.  Contact is important.

I bought the Lavrys, and love them.

Seems that everyone who has the Lavs feels the same way.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: bblackwood on May 26, 2008, 10:16:14 AM
I've considered using two OCL-2's in the past so I could use both the fast and manual modes, but the reality is the OCL-2/STC-8 combo does it all for me...
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 10:22:16 AM
I am waiting for some price quotes. Here in Brzail things arrive with almost 100% taxes.
So, a Hedd, would arrive at almost U$5000.

A the mment I am focusing at this Mytek 96 combo and the Lavry.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 10:24:08 AM
Thnaks, Brad.
generally who comes first at you daily chains?

STC8 > OCL2
OCL2 > STC8
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: bblackwood on May 26, 2008, 11:30:31 AM
Al
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 05:40:57 PM
So the OCL2 gets set with longer attack times or just the opposite, in general use?
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: bblackwood on May 26, 2008, 05:52:04 PM
I actually like the OCL-2 working pretty fast, not uncommon to use it in 'fast' mode here...
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 06:02:12 PM
Hi,
I know I am going off-topic here. I have reached nice results working mostly towards 20-30mS and with the release between 400-600mS.  

Is this setting too much for your taste?

BTW.. I do not use any other analog compressor.

Signal enters digital domain and gets a bit more tweaked with MAster X or MD3 TDM.

Also, I guess (up to now) I rarely needed a sidechained signal.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: bblackwood on May 26, 2008, 06:08:00 PM
Al
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 26, 2008, 06:52:17 PM
Sure, bud!!!
Not asking for a cake receipt. Smile

Smile
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Matt_G on May 27, 2008, 04:06:04 AM
Another vote for the API2500, it just works on so many levels, it's versatile & always sounds great. I'm looking to the TC Phoenix to compliment the API2500 & Weiss DS-1 I already own.

As for converters I'll give you some opinions on the Lynx Aurora 16 soon as I have one in on demo to hook up to my Pro Tools HD rig. Just waiting on the correct db25 connectors as they don't match the Digidesign pin out so I've hit a brick wall for now. I'll be able to compare these to my HEDD, a Benchmark DAC-1 & the Dangerous Monitor DAC (newer CM designed D/A not the Troisi DAC).

More later...

Matt
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 27, 2008, 11:16:46 AM
Thanks, MAtt!
BTW... I would like your opinion at my other thread,concerning a first hardware EQ for mastering.

Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Garrett H on May 28, 2008, 12:48:20 AM
I suggest that you obtain one of the compressors you really want, such as the Vari Mu or API 2500 by purchasing one used.  

These are well built pieces of gear.  Buying them used should not bother you.  The only potential issue is obtaining service because you'll need to ship it to the US if you want the manufacturer to fix anything.  But if you find a good technician near you you should be fine.

No need to purchase new when you're taking about this level of quality.

IMO.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on May 28, 2008, 09:25:27 AM
Thanks, Garret.
In fact it was exactly what I did when I bought the OCL2.
It was almost brand new and arrived with a nice price tag.
The guy sold it to me and bought a Manley compressor.
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: Fabio on June 06, 2008, 08:50:35 AM
Stc8 is surely the best option for your needs so if you don't have enough money wait and then take it!
At the end of the chain, before ad, is incredible! with Hedd it's a relly great team!
Title: Re: A second compressor for my junior mastering chain
Post by: TotalSonic on June 06, 2008, 11:30:51 AM
fwiw -
my API 2500 gets used a lot more than my OCL-2 ever does - especially for things like rock and hip-hop.  So count another very strong recommendation for the API 2500 as it is very versatile and to my ear a great sounding processor that generally gives a very different sound to its compression than the OCL-2 does.

Best regards,
Steve Berson