2 Bus Compression
 

Here is an article from the Production/ Pro Tools Expert blog that I thought was kind of interesting which reminded me I have been intending to explore the M/S option on my hardware comp that sits on my 2 bus/mix bus

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/pro...eid=3af5b4ba3b

Nice piece. Thanks for sharing. I love this topic. I'm working on an instrumental flatpicking acoustic guitar record right now. My "2 Bus Compression" has me mixing into Farbfilter's Pro C2 on the "Stereo Out" of Logic. I'm touching maybe 2, to occasional 3 db, at 2.5:1. I use the "Opto Style" with a soft knee and maybe a 30ms attack time. And then doing the parallel thing by blending back in a little of the dry signal...Anyway, for this kind of thing it's a huge help -along with volume automation- for keeping things glued and sounding like a record to me.

I have a my hardware comp ( a modern vari-mu) set up as an insert so it can pull double duty as both a tracking and mix bus compressor

Thanks for sharing this (I'm the author, BTW).


We're discussing a possible follow-up dealing with just hardware compressors. I have a ton of outboard at the studio that, frankly, doesn't get much use anymore outside of tracking. We thought it would be fun to run things through a bunch of different hardware comps to highlight the differences (FET vs VCA vs Opto vs Diode Bridge).


Let me know what you'd like to see covered...I'll see what I can do.

That is a great article, Steve! I was intending to go back and read it again, just to make sure I got everything!

That is so cool that the author of this article should weigh on here on a discussion of his own article!

- Glenn

Very cool,,, and well done Steve. :up::up::up:

Since I do have ( one) Hardware comp, I would be interested in such an article. As an anecdote I lucked into an pretty good deal on the Comp in that the independent pro audio guy I have made most of my major gear purchases through, actually included my 3U Tubecore as part of his initial "dealer order" so I got even more of a discount than the usual one he gives me on gear.

I have no other first hand experience to compare it to, other than a few times in commercial studios ,, but I must say I do really like what it brings to my mix sound (or perhaps I am just biased :D)

So this my Comp it has a few modern features
like M/S as an output selection which I will be trying and the Bypass for quick checking
From L to R the controls are H Pass filter --input Gain (being Variable MU) the ratio changes with the input --- Attack and Release ---OutPut --- Mix

(Photo is IGS stock Image) Mine on the 2 Bus is usually set to HPF@120 :::::: Gain @ 6 to 8 on gain--- 10 to 30 on Attack --- 1.2 on Release ---- Threshold @ -2 -------Output @ -8 ------Mix @ 14
https://i.imgur.com/NwrPeSL.png

Cool looking compressor, Kev!

- Glenn

No kidding. That thing looks like someone made a really cool steampunk-meets-army-surplus GUI for a plugin, and then someone else make a 3D hardware version of it. I bet it sounds good, too.

Thanks, yes I think it sounds great but I am bias . I guess it has a modern /retro look

Here are some specs
Every single TUBECORE 3U is hand made with high quality, matched components (1% metal film resistors, Wima caps). It is equipped with 6N1P-EW (6N3P-EW) NOS tubes and individually calibrated to give you the unique and unspoiled experience of one of the best vari-mu compressors in history. It is equipped with Carnhill and Sowter audio transformers.

And the back where the user can change tubes easily ( I have not, I just use the supplied tubes.
https://i.imgur.com/WJa2mPr.png

I'm not familiar with that unit. It has a "Shadow Hills" look to it. There are so many really nice pieces of hardware being made now, it's great.

Yes Shadow Hills - ish look, but thankfully no where near $9k.

I can't remember where I first heard about IGS. Probably either on GS or maybe from Tape Op magazine.
At the time I was looking into a Hardware Comp and things like the Manley Vri-Mu was a consideration . I happen to call my independent Pro Audio guy that I use most of time. Who had coincidentally had become interested in them as well, and was putting together an initial minimum dealer order and would give me a special discount if I wanted one .

Nice - always good when you can get in on an opening order deal.


It looks very solid. VariMu can be really nice on guitars/guitar busses.