Your go-to compressor circuit types for specific instruments

[alexfsu]

Just wondering if anyone had certain circuit type preferences for various instruments compressed, i.e. strings, synths, piano, etc. Thanks!!

[shivermetimbers]

I will post this before someone else does. ...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun11/articles/logic-tech-0611.htm

[alexfsu]

I will post this before someone else does. ...

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun11/articles/logic-tech-0611.htm

excellent, thanks matey!

[lagerfeldt]

Opto for bass, though Logic's "Opto" circuit doesn't work anything a real opto. Try the Waves Renaissance Compressor in opto mode instead, it's got fast release during lots of GR and slow release with small amounts of GR. It's great for getting punch and controlling flabby tails.

The Electro mode in Waves R-Comp is great for low level compression since it "caps" the total amount of GR and reverses the behavior of the release compared to opto, i.e. slow release with lots of GR and fast release with small amounts of GR. Great for pulling up details in vocals, etc.

On vocals I often use an 1176 which is a FET compressor/limiter. It's quite organic and changes the frequencies in the signal when pressed hard. It's also great for fattening snare drums and extending tails.

On the mix bus I sometimes use the SSL G-series compressor (hardware), which is a VCA compressor. Simple, clean and bouncy with a nice full auto-release.

For mastering I also use a Crane Song STC-8/M which is a Class A compressor with an optional auto-release that mimicks traditional opto characteristics.

[alexfsu]

nice man, thanks for that--were u referring to Class A_U or A_R for mastering? the fact that Apple emulated those big time compressors just makes me like Logic that much more!

[lagerfeldt]

I wasn't referring to the Logic compressor circuits, but the specific units I named. The VCA emu in Logic's compressor is a fairly accurate representation of how many VCA compressors act (like the SSL) and the FET emu has a bit of the characteristics of e.g. an 1176, but the rest I'm not sure about - and certainly not the opto

That doesn't mean the various circuit emus aren't usable, in fact the original Platinum algo is very useful because it won't overdrive even with massive amounts of gain reduction and very short release times. Try doing that with the VCA and Opto and you'll hear what I mean.

[alexfsu]

I wasn't referring to the Logic compressor circuits, but the specific units I named. The VCA emu in Logic's compressor is a fairly accurate representation of how many VCA compressors act (like the SSL) and the FET emu has a bit of the characteristics of e.g. an 1176, but the rest I'm not sure about - and certainly not the opto

That doesn't mean the various circuit emus aren't usable, in fact the original Platinum algo is very useful because it won't overdrive even with massive amounts of gain reduction and very short release times. Try doing that with the VCA and Opto and you'll hear what I mean.

thanks, very useful info!

[Ashermusic]

The Logic compressor emus are ok, but the UAD ones, especially the new 1176 group, are in another league IMHO.

[lagerfeldt]

Yeah, the UAD 1176 has always been very good and with the new version it'll pass a blind test IMO. We did a big 1176/emu shootout on my forum including various hardware versions some time ago.