I'm also guilty lol.

Ok then...

1. A pair of neve 500s.

2. Petes place 500 pair

3. Elysia mpressor 500 pair.

That would cover all bases nicely.

Then you should consider a vari mu such as the retro sta or the venerable QES Labs Variable Gm, if you're after that wall-of-sound sensation. An overall touch on the mix buss rendered an in-your-face kit with some tube grunge. It gives the track that certain something that says 'This is a record'.

Check the sound clips from the Hardware compressor thread:
https://gearspace.com/board/10641043-post84.html

original flat file:
https://gearspace.com/board/gear-sho...dio-files.html

...and a plugin walk into a bar...

It's like a Compex on Crack™

Thanks for the recommendation as per usual RB. Mine arrives tomorrow.....

A 100 times easier to setup!

I would as always subscribe to the "Three Main Food Groups":

SSL / Smart VCA for Master Buss and Stem Group (Drum Buss etc) stuff
Buzz SOC 2.0 Opto with M/S conversion and width, stereo wide numerous timing options
1176 FET of a decent grade and colour. The exact manufactures type up to you

The things rocks! Have you tried the VCA? Thanks H!

Instead of three comps at $2500 each why not just look at it from a $7500 budget and cover your priorities from there. Some comps you might want to spend more on like a Vari-Mu and some comps you might want to spend less on like the Klark Teknik 1176 clone to cover FET. Some of the VCA's are fairly inexpensive and you may chose to have several flavors there.

Hi Bassmankr, this is something that I am taking into account too. Thanks for your advice! I opened this tread because there some many options and I have to take a decision, and I will evaluate in base to my knowledge and the comments of you guys. I think that in a few weeks I going to end my search! Cheers!

I would go meat and potatoes.

1176 x2 or 1178
LA2A or CL1B (classic vs modern)
SSL or Smart or something very snappy

There are many other options but these cover the base for vocals, drums, guitars and keyboards and master buss. All in the price range used.

I went down this road but was reminded that the OP wants dual channel or stereo

Got it. Well then I would probably change the LA2A or CL1B for something like the Rupert Neve 5043. Not that it is the same but it's a very handy compressor for vocals (one side into the next) or drum buss not to mention the occasional 2buss duty.

So my revised list, keeping things in the price range.

1178
5043
C2

Buzz Audio Soc 1.1
Buzz Audio Dbc 20
Stam Audio sa4000
FCS P3ex
Manley Nu Mu

I believe all these can be had at or around budget.

2 of these would be on my list (and I have a P3EX):
P3EX
DBC 20
Nail

I have a ton of compressors here and I've realized that 95% of my mixing has come down to three compressors.

1. Dramastic Obsidian (500 series VCA) - Magic on the mixbuss and fantastic on piano. I tend to use this strictly for these two.

2. Elysia Xpressor (500 series VCA) - The ultimate Drum compressor. I refuse to use anything else on drums anymore. Also, amazing on bass with the 'warm mode' switch in; makes the bass nice and fat. Its attack is faster than the fastest fet. It really is a do-it-all compressor. Has a lot of features and can handle things smoothly or make the most unruly track behave. Can also make anything groove with all the options. This one continually surprises me.

3. Buzz Audio DBC-M (Rack unit Diode Bridge) - Fantastic compressor with a really organic sounding compression curve. There's no ratio - the louder the track gets, the harder it compresses. It gives you a lot of control without killing the track. It's capable of a lot of control while still keeping things sounding natural. I really love it on vocals for this reason. There's also the DBC, which is cheaper if you don't need stepped switches for dead accurate recall.

Honorable mention:

SPL DynaMaxx (Rack unit VCA) - This is my favorite tracking compressor. It's an auto compressor and really is idiot proof. Very rarely, if ever, gives a bad result. Set it for the amount of reduction you want and don't worry about it. It's a bargain for what they sell for used. Also a godsend if you have a crazy deadline and have to get a mix out the door now. You can just throw it on each track, twist the compress knob until you're getting the reduction or control you want, and then print it. No messing with attack or release settings or ratios. And it's scary how good it calculates the settings for a great result. Fun fact: This unit was designed by Ruben Tilgner, the same guy who eventually went on to design the Xpressor and be part owner of Elysia so I just consider him a compressor genius overall.

All the above units are stereo.

Regards,
Frank

Hi Frank,

Do you Think that it is not woth to make an investment in a Vari Mu? I saw that you recommend me two VCA style comps (the Xpressor is in my list of possibilities) I'm in doubt if a get the Dual Vandergraph or the Xpressor. In my search about the comments of this two, the guys here say that the Xpressor has more versatility vs the DV is more warm and thick sounding; i'm looking for units with strong and colored character.
About the DBC-M; how can it be compared to the Zener Limiter? is the same Diode Bridge technology. Did you hear the two? Does anybody know a comp with similar sound to the Zener? Thanks!!

The UTA Unfairchild ....
Eric makes some freaking awesome stuff....
this is for sure without question the "ultimate high end compressor"

I find the Zener too dark unless it's cymbals or acoustics. Yes put a Mu in the list for sure.
Roundbadge was right about the Overstayer FET.
Great VCA comps can be had cheap, like the TK audio.

Take the plunge and make music.....

I would choose Manley Nu Mu for the Vari Mu and a Sebatron SMAC for the optical.
I've also used the Buzz SOC 2.0 which I really liked for some male vocals but preferred the Sebatron SMAC overall because it seemed to be faster and tighter around the low end.
As for the VCA I'd probably go for an Alan Smart or one of those STAM SSL copies.

I put vocals through the Zener all day long. Many a modern pop hit have a Zener on the vox.

Which shows how personal these chains are. I use a Mercury 66 or a Fairchild.

Hi Norman,
Did you have the opportunity to compare the CV Phoenix with the Manley Nu Mu?
Somebody here did an A/B test?
Cheers!

Home hobbyist familiar with this rathole. My thoughts. Go with budget approach suggested above and think about how many hardware channels you really want:

FET

- Overstayer Stereo Comp (you should not leave out FET/1176 comp if you are making rock music). Overstayer great on drums and and everything else. Look for latest revision of this model. If you get the Stereo Comp (out of production now), it is half rack space and about $600 used, or

New Overstayer SFE comp $1700 (get one 10% off, should not be hard to ask dealer or wait for one of their 10% sales). New one probably great (I have old one), but consider your budget - you may be happy with older one.

- Probably great value, but not yet out (coming this month) - Serpent Splice 500 series units $2000 list for pair (prob could get for $1800) and have both 1176 Rev D and Rev A capabilities

(So basically, you can cover FET and get great vox, bass, drum, guitar options for $600 to $1800 or $2000 at most)


Opto
The above should save you some cash for getting a pair of optos, which you should have:
- JLM LA500A opto pair - $1000

(All in for 2 opto + 2 FET channels $1600-3000).


In fact, for $3400-3600, you could get a used Overstayer stereo FET comp (to crush your drums) + 2x Serpent Splice units and 2x opto channels. Just sayin', and I would not consider any of these to be compromise options you would want to sell later. Roundbadge uses Overstayer FET, as mentioned earlier in thread, and many professionals use the JLMs as well. The Splice 500s are wait and see, but out soon. ProReplicas 1176 pair also an option under $2K total, but you would need to order from overseas and also have to choose whether Rev D or Rev A, whereas Splice will give you both.


For MBuss Comp/VCA:
- SSL 500 series (get an SSL 500 comp from somebody who gets one on promo buying a Sigma and does not want it - you will save a lot and get one new in box) or go with Smart or Serpent S-Style comps (depending on budget); I suspect Xpressor would make you less happy for rock than the others. I often think of getting one because it sounds good on everything and at a great price, and then I also think it sounds best though on nothing, at least to my my ears hearing clips online, but that is why I don't have that piece of gear. Somebody who owns it next to others could say better. I have the SSL, and to me, the S-Style is sound of rock. (Cost $1000 - $2000)

Total Budget for at least Stereo FET, pair of optos and S-Style comp so far $2600 (if you find Serpent on sale new, or certainly if you get one used).

Total budget for Overstayer Stereo FET Comp (older model), pair of Splices (1176 Rev A or D switchable), pair of JLM Optos and SSL new in box from somebody who gets one and doesn't need it = $5000-5600 for 8 channels, depending on how well you buy them, and potentially <$5K if you get an actually used SSL 500 comp


Vari Mu:
- I think this depends on whether you want for buss work or for great vox or bass. Others can say more, but the above should have saved you enough money and covered your FET/Opto/VCA basic food groups to afford something in this group. On Buss, a used Manley Vari Mu or a new Nu Mu might be good, but vari mus can be great on individual sources, and there are some great single channel units for a lot of money, but where I frankly do not hear a budget alternative that gives me the same quality of sonics. The Retro, Lisson, Highland and Chandler units all sound great. A pair are a small fortune. But one channel could make your lead vocal, and as long as you are ok round tripping the conversion, your bass too. So to me... this is an expensive rat hole. It is an awesome one, but I have put this off because I know I want both a Vari Mu for stereo buss work, and a Sta Level and maybe another single channel unit in this category -- but this category can go into SH Mastering Comp money quickly. So I would tread carefully on this piece. Very expensive, but my ears say you largely get what you pay for, whereas above, I think you can get a whole lot for quite little.


Other thoughts:
- DBX 560A modded pair - Get them modded by Warren at ZenPro. $500 for a pair (rock bass and drums but specific sound you either want or don't - but very affordable to add the option vs. others)
- RND Portico 5043 - versatile and beautiful on vocals, guitars, busses (half rack sits nicely next to older Overstayer Stereo FET Comp in one rack space). Great all arounder with truly beautiful sonics. Sometimes available used under $1000, but great unit at new price as well. Just a steal if you find a great condition "used" unit for $1K or less.
- AML 54F50 pair - $2600. I do not have yet, but want these too, yet did not make cut above FET/Opto/VCA for me. To me, these are interesting challenge to Vari Mu for next after basics though.
- I also would like a used SH DVDG frankly, but it keeps slipping down my list of stuff I would like. Has a great ballsy sound I would like, but I would not get one over SSL type for buss. SSL style comp is sound of rock to me. And I thought Overstayer Stereo Comp was great for drums, and my other needs were covered by the other stuff above. So I thought, very nice to have, but not yet for me.
- Off the beaten path, but if you don't necessarily want a lot of channels, you could just go BAM! SH Mastering Comp and run all stems though it. You cover opto and VCA with huge balls, and maybe get Overstayer Stereo Comp for $600 for FET alternative and for FET/Opto combination option. For money you have in one chunk -- if you would be happy with 4 channels, an Overstayer Stereo Comp + SHMC? Maybe I should have done this instead myself? I like having more options, but hmmm...


As always, YMMV. Best of luck with it!

I had a chance to spend a few months with the NuMu. I own quite a bit of Manley gear, and also do rock, and a lot of metal. The NuMu is a lot different then the varimu and she will tell you that herself. I was not a fan of the NuMu at all, I thought it was a bit too slow for a 2bus. Especially if you are doing rock style, I think an API2500 and some sort of 76 style compressor is mandatory. The MC77s work well, as they are a bit faster to grab transients and a bit smoother sounding (Imo).

Good point. And just to clarify, I meant in my post only that I might want a Vari Mu to follow my SSL comp in a 2 bus chain with EQs and maybe another flavor piece someday. But I would not want to substitute a Vari Mu for the SSL VCA compression on 2Bus. And that is why I felt I did not need a vari mu in my first round of compressor buying personally. Rock needs VCA (SSL-Style, API or other) and FET/76 compression to my ears.

If you're mixing alt/rock, might I suggest the API 2500? Love that thaaaaaang. Apologies if it's been recommended already - haven't read the whole post. But man, I got an API 2500 early in my career and it is one thing I have never felt a need to replace.

Hi guys,

Thank you for all your advice! . It's good to have different points of view.
All of your experience will give a deeper understanding and it will help me to get a more right decision. Cheers!

https://bymunsonandfletcher.com/

Bam - there you got three covered, 1176, VCA and Opto. With added functionalities (M/S, blend, dual mono/stereo link), at ridiculous prices, that sounds as good as any other equivalent professional comps costing 2-3x the price.

Gustav, the developer is a GS member - Labs, and is super nice and friendly. It would behoove anyone in the market for compressors to check them out.

I did not have a 7.5K budget for compressors. I had a 4K budget. So I went for a pair of EL7's (distressor) and a UBK fatso. both used. A pair of Revive mod warm 76's are next on my list. I may not have the top level of quality, but I have a wide level of controls in a small space and the ability to add or remove smack from tracks as required. Just enough to get buy.

The A-designs Nail is also getting very good reviews on this site as a Swiss army knife type tool that I tend to go for.

I had strong considerations for the form factor as I am fitting an E-drum set and keyboards all around my work station all within reach of a single chair (drum throne) without moving.

I also already had a TCE M5000 w/ MD2 that I call the "unsuck button" I can fix just about any problem track with that unit.

One should be the obsidian on 2 buss. Any buzz compressor will be great.

Cl1b is great but only one channel for $2500. The Buzz Soc20 is great.

BTW, someone (not me) is selling a Safe Sound Dynamic Toolbox - also an awesome compressor - just not sure how to describe it.