hey slutz,
I am looking for a new compressor! But i want a really dirty one!
The dirtiest alive!
a unit that changes the sound dramatically!!

I produce electronic music and have no fragile acoustic instruments, where i need one of those great boxes with sweet sound and little artifacts or great control of dynamics and still be unhearable!

I own stc-8, tg1 , ssl g-series, urei 1176, distressors, summit tla-100, neumann u473 and tested massenburg ( nice, really easy to use, when you know what the knobs are for, but definitly not dirty, great for acoustic instruments) groove tubes glory comp (nice and sweet, but too invisible for me), chandler germanium comp ( really nice one, but still too clean) and several others!

I would say, that of those boxes i have/know the tg1 is near to what i want! It has a great character! Its a bit a one trick pony but that doesn´t matter! One great box that can distort (maybe adjustible), pump, sound crazy etc. A box where the output can sounds totally different than the input.

Does anybody has an idea what i should check?

henning

Spectrasonics 610

can you descibe it!

Alesis 3630

THAT'S the compressor you're looking for! thumbsup

Definitely pick up a DBX160 or two. It's another one (or perhaps two) trick pony but it does it really well, and what goes in definitely ain't what comes out.

Of course you can't ignore the LA-2A! Yet another one trick pony, but damn just turn that GR pot and watch as you involuntarily smile!

Shure Level Loc, Altec 436(although a cleaned up one might not be dirty enough)A+R Expressor. or run the signal to distortion thru a tube pre, then hit your limiter. i think I have an old Biamp quad limiter than can ruin anything.

stuart

Tried a big muff?

Are you sure you don't need a distortion/overdrive/fuzz/bitcrusher unit instead? That's where I'd consider "dirt" to come from more than a compressor. Maybe consider getting a guitar effects rack, or even going the software route with something like Amplitude.

I don't know if I'd exactly call it "dirty" as in "it breaks up," but if you've never tried some of those old Joe Meeks, they can impart a very unique, useful sound to things. Just my take. One of my favorite little toys (amidst some API's and Neves and ADM pres) is the little VC6Q. Sometimes, it hits just the right spot on bass or electric guitar with that compressor it's got.

Just my 2.

God bless you - B

Urei LA22, I remember it being pretty aggresive and dirty.

http://www.aamasters.co.nz/images/urei_la22.jpg

Also the old Joe Meek stuff like a VC1. Or I agree with Dirty Halo, those Alesis 3630 are cheap and DIRTY.

I haven't heard anything dirtier and more aggressive than a Distressor with Dist 3 and a fast attack and ratio anywhere above 6:1. I'm sure there are dirtier comps, but it really mangles the audio (in a good way). Otherwise, yeah, you're going to have to do some kind of distortion box.

I see you're in Germany. Try the Elysia. They make them in your country. I got to hear it at AES. It can get pretty brutal if you want it to be.

you can probably find a Fat Man compressor for cheap... it's been described as a distortion box by some... however an 1176 in all buttons mode or a distressor probably have more musical character and grit when pushed hard than the Fat Man....

The LA610 is also a good channel strip to send some distorted signal to a compressor... which sometimes is better than overworking a compressor.

The slutty answer is to have several options for grossing out audio at your disposal and making the choice that works best for that moment.

Spectra Sonics 610. Don't forget the Audio Logic MT66.

yes the 610 is mean

Absolutely- esp brit mode.

thumbsupthumbsupthumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

3630

I have 2 dual comp/ limiters (Bellari rp282) its a beast to control but definitely dirty as hell.

There was a mod to upgrade it to an rp585 I think but check em out. They aren't high end but they definitely exude some peach fuzz

Spectra 610thumbsup

Mosely TFL 280

digital fish phones Blockfish VST or AU plugin. Its free. You wont be dissapointed, plus if you are its free so screw off

Try Ridge Farm Boiler

I don't find the Elysia (either model) to be the least bit "dirty".

The dirtiest compressor alive is a Limpander le-3, very rare old tube comp that does 50 db+ gain reduction, it would make "when the levee breaks" look like a walk in the park. Super dirty in room drum mic, but great on bass and kick, very useable

i think he is talking about the mpressor from elysia, used in heavy settings...

Try an MXR dynacomp - the "worse spec" newer Dunlop version, say from 1990 onwards - sounds awesome and very dirty on drums... also Joemeek

IMO the LA-22 is not a dirty comp.

It's actually classy sounding, some bite and attitude but in a smooth way with a nice "sheen" on top. 1176 in a white suit, but a lot more tweakable. Good range on both attack and release plus that awesome freq dependent mode.

I'm gonna shut up now.

With you on that for ITB land! Best freeware comp...period. But it still seems like a gentleman with kerchief gingerly tucked in, sitting at the table in mute anticipation, while the LexiComp (ancient VSTware), replete in rocker-length hair (on its back), hurls itself loincloth-first into the kitchen to eat the raw ingredients.

Damn, I wish I could still use it!!

im going to have to say Spectra Sonics 610