my 1/2 cent ...

When I did OS testing on IRON [and iZotope Maximizer], I did notice a more 'open, clearer' sound when OS'ing.

I've used these processes a number of times, and never found issue ... unless I felt the need to go a different direction
with a different plugin.

But when OS happened in Reaper, then I really liked these [and other] plugins even more.
Let me state that these were on native 44.1k Projects.

It just so happened that other plugs were used on 96k Projects ... so with that, the 'improvement' might be negligible [we'll see].

As for 'aliasing' ... I think the Source material significantly affects whether its' and issue or not, and possibly how hard they're hit.
In Mastering, I rarely need more than 1dB of GR ... and if I need more than that, I'm looking to add additional plugs ... or a different
approach.

alright ... maybe not 1/2 cent ... :|

note: lest we forget, their are some that 'bit reduce' without Dithering. They say they prefer the truncation for that Track or Project style.

A Homer Simpson moment here.

I understand the basic idea of EQ side chain filters, but I'm not sure I understand how the various Side chain EQs in IRON will affect the compression.

Can someone explain it to me in practical terms?

Thanks.

For example: The green line has a huge dip at 2k, which means frequencies at 2k will not trigger the compression much, which will result in snares (or anything with a strong 2k peak) not affecting the compression groove.

I see the predefined curves as "groove presets". The needle will bounce very different with the track.

I actually really like the Iron but the 2dB makeup gain is such a bummer and that's why I barely use it.

Did you SERIOUSLY write this friend ???)))
1) Actually, analog IRON also has +/-2db adjustments))
And that doesn't stop mastering engineers from buying them at all.
2) Who is stopping you from lowering / raising the input volume in any way in your DAW? Is this a "problem" at all?))

You made me smile today)) Thank you...

Look for Opportunities!
Don't look for "reasons"...

It was the second biggest reason I sold mine, 2dB steps makes it impossible to properly A/B it with no volume change

There is a good reason for a piece of analogue hardware to have stepped switches/pots. There are literally zero reasons for this to be the case in software.

It is a HUGE pain in the ass not to be able to easily A/B match the volume with the source.

In this day and age of massive amounts of great plugins, I can very well imagine this being a no-go deal for many people. And it's a perfectly valid reason too.

1) Mastering engineers use hardware, where the necessity to recall settings explain the +/- 2db stepped knob.
In the plugin world it's not needed (you know, saving presets, all this...), and it's not rocket science to add a classic continuous make up gain knob to the line of code...
2) lowering/raising the input volume is changing the compression action. So it's not a solution, it's a makeshift fix...

When there is thousands of other compressors plugins on hand that feature the continuuous make up gain, why to bother using one that doesn't let you do this (actually, the only one I know) ?

I like the Iron compressor, but the plugin is badly implemented and it takes more time to set than any other compressor I've got (and I've got plenty). Even 3 seconds wasted on setting a plugin matters when you want to keep the vibe, specially when the alternative is everywhere in your plugin folder (and obviously on the net)...
So the sad result of that is that Iron is not used much often by many of us - at least not used as it should be...

...And then there's that.

I agree. Maybe it's because I run my sessions at 96k. Maybe because I'm often rolling off the highs for one reason or another. Or maybe because I tend to push a device into distortion I roll off the extremes and compensate for it by adding them back in on the other side.

Whatever it is, I don't share their experiences. I think its a great sounding compressor. The only thing I would complain about is I wish they would display the attack and release times, depending which Rectifier we have selected, even as a pop up value.

Memorising every value has just been impossible.

Even in stepped mastering hardware, 2dB is WAY too much.

0.5dB...sure, 1dB..mhmmmm...could live with that but 2(!!!)...

It's the type of compressor where I'd often just compress 0.5 - 1.5dB

I just made and use a pdf cheat sheet with those values and the shapes of the Side chain EQs.

did you make a copy for everyone ? hmmmmm

Sure did. Happy to share.

Thank you can i share them on the internet like youtube to explain the plugin.

Absolutely. I got them directly from the IRON Manual.

They did look familiar ...

Nonetheless ... appreciate the relevant post. Goes good with this Thread.

Thanks !

As did I, but you have to pull it out almost every time. Not as convenient as a plugin simply displaying the times.

I stopped bothering with it, just kind of remember them loosely as...

A: Regular
B: Slower
C: More Slow
D: I Forget
E: Fast
F: Really Fast

Then I kind of do the rest by ear, but finding the right release time can still be a bit frustrating at times.

I agree about the inconvenience. But I'm using this for basically one task - mid side on the Mix Bus, and so dialing it in is very simple.

I have so many other compressors (like everyone else), I'm loathe to use the same one twice because the other ones get mad at me for neglect.

SPL Iron Rectifier Settings:
176 Fast ->
Rectifier = Ge 220 nF
Attack = 0.3 ms (1)
Release = 30 ms (1) to 130 ms (6)
176 Slow ->
Rectifier = Ge 220 nF
Attack = 1.5 ms (2)
Release = 30 ms (1) to 130 ms (6)
CL 1B Fast ->
Rectifier = Si. 330 nF
Attack = 0.5 ms (1)
Release = 80 ms or 0.08 s (1)
CL 1B Normal ->
Rectifier = Si. 330 nF
Attack = 3 ms (2)
Release = 300 ms or 0.3 s (6)
LA2A ->
Rectifier = LED 3.3 mF
Attack = 3 ms (1)
Release = 2500 ms or 2.5 s (4)
Manley Variable Mu ->
Rectifier = GE 2mF
Attack = 30 ms (3) to 70 ms (6)
Release = 300 ms (1), 450 ms (2) & 600 ms (4)
Fairchild 670 ->
Rectifier = GE 1mF
Attack = 0.1 ms (1)
Release = 250 ms (6)
VCA ->
Rectifier = GE 1mF
Attack = 10 ms (3) & 30 ms (5)
Release = 100 ms (1)

Thanks !
How did you proceed to find this ?

Like phaz, I don't get what all this mean.
Are you comparing some rectifier settings to other compressors ?
Like, the Germanium 220 sounds like a 176 ?

And if yes, how are you comparing them ?
My experience with attack and release numbers is that they don't have any objective meaning. You can't compare a Manley Vari Mu 30ms attack to an SSL-G 30ms attack : it sounds and behave completly different...

In the mean time, numbers are known
I did this to visualise them

Those are settings to get you close to the attack and release time of these hardware or so the compression characteristics could be the same as these silly.

You are absolutely right... Even with the attack and release times within the same range as the mentioned units, they won't sound or act anything like them.
Some of the other Delta-MU style compressor may be somewhat closer than the other types.
This is of no much use IMHO... but hey, each to their own