Hi everyone,

I want to get my first hardware comps. I can spend 2.500 for each one. I was thinking to get different types: Vari MU, Opto and VCA.
One option is the new Manley NU MU, Buzz Audio Soc 20 and Elysia Xpressor.
Let me know what do you think about it guys. Thanks!

PS: As far as possible, the less money i spend, the better.
The units must be dual channel or stereo

Well, I have a few comps myself and I would say, do yourself a favor and make one of three the Nail from a-designs.

Get an Overstayer SFE.
you wont regret it.

Of course it depends on what you intend to use them.. But I'd suggest:

- An original 1178 (fet)
- SSL 384 or some sort of SSL-ish VCA comp or an API 2500
- A used Manley Vari Mu (also the Gyraf would be great, but unless you'll get a clone SSL comp it might be out of budget).



Cheu

Thanks for your comments guys. To be more clear. I mostly mix alternative music, rock and electronic. I want to hear the character of the unit, so i prefer devices that have a warm sound, that can be aggressive as well; not in the transparent side. Thanks!

absolutely try the AML 54f50

The Fatso and the RND 5043 are in budget and wildly versatile. The Fatso is an absolute dream piece for electronic stuff.
Lee

RS124 / 1176 / LA2A

SSL / Distressor / TG1

I think those combos come in under 7500. Maybe have to go used for a few.



Edit: ah I missed the stereo part! My fault

What about an Alan Smart C2 ?
Nice , tight and punchy.

1176 Type
Distressor (no competition)
SSL G-Comp Type

1176

LA2A

Vari Mu or bus compressor

Vari Mu is a good idea. Purple MC77. Maybe a Dual Vandergraph if you can house it.

Personally, right out of the gate, I would stick to the standards: 1176, LA2A and some type of SSL bus comp. When I was in your shoes I started with a pair of Distressors, a pair of Mohog 76s to cover the 1176, and an LA2A to I had Gregory at Drip Electronics build for me. I recently added at Serpent 4000 to cover the SSL bus comp vein. Best of luck.

I might go with a Manley Elop and then to the 500 series for the Serpent Audio SSL clone and the Elysia xpressor...

Hi guys, thanks for your suggestions. My first choice is the Shadow Hills Dual Vandergraph in the VCA side. No I have to decide for an Opto and a Vari MU, or a Fatso or one previous two.

I'd like to try every one of the suggested comps. Comps, especially for a particular color in addition to function, are such a personal choice. Your budget for each piece doesn't get you a number of the best suggestions, but it gets you out of the strata of bad examples of the types you want. Of the suggested pieces I have tried, I did not like the Fatso. I was never fully convinced that it was doing more good than harm. I do like the Vari-Mu, but it might be a little soft for your genres, and is out of your price range. The Nu-Mu is less expensive and promises to be tighter in the low end, but I haven't tried it. I have not liked some VCA comps, but I do like some SSL types. It's a matter of taste, so I can't offer much there. Same with Opto... There aren't many good stereo examples. I have a Revive-modified ART VLA that is really surprising, but that's a convoluted path to follow.

For the Fatso, it's the UBK version you should check out.
Distressors are great to have in the toolkit for versatility
I have not tried, but the Nail is getting great reviews for both mixbux and tracking
Having 76 and 2A flavors is important for tracking, warm is the cost effective way to go, revive mods can help the warm quality up.
One SSL flavor for the glue is good.
I don't know anything about Varible MU flavors.

Have a look at some stuff from Tegeler Audio from Germany.

Well priced and specked.

Cheers

1. An La2a. It will last a lifetime, and is as good as everyone says it is. Vocals and bass.

2. A pair of KUSH tweakers - VCA compression that is really versatile. It can sound like an FET too. It can get very dirty or clean. Extremely wide parameter ranges. The sidechain does as advertised.

3. An API 2500. Another "staple" compressor. You will never regret it.

I would definitly trow in the Nu-Mu for the vari-mu part.

Something opto, maybe just a single ch.

And something very very fast, probably Neve.

Haven't tried the Soc 20, but I do have a Buzz Audio Soc 1.1 here that is just amazing. I can't tell you how much I love that thing. One of my favorite pieces of hardware hands down. Won't ever get sold.

The API 2500 is of course also a keeper. When it works (depending on the material), it REALLY works.

I'm personally a sucker for the SSL bus compressors. Always was. Wouldn't want to be without one (or a good clone).

Distressors are great. Upgraded mine to a pair of EL8-X last year and it was clearly worth the extra cash.

If going for a Fatso, I'd definitely urge you to get the UBK version.

Having to pick three... I'm going to have a think about that and get back to this thread. In any case, getting some quality compressors is certainly worth it. I have a small arsenal of them here and it's honestly such a massive advantage over being stuck with plugins - even the best ones (I know, because I have a bunch of those too). Money well spent for sure.

(my random 2 cents)

As far as vari-mu's, not much will beat a sta-level. For opto, an la2a or on the cheap, a HCL s2, which is also stereo. I really dig FET's, go for a pair of hairball blue stripes or the even cheaper (though discontinued) overstayer FET's. Never been the greatest fan of SSL-style stereo comps, would much prefer an API 2500, or even a lowly pair of dbx 160's. Or a dynamite if you're feeling adventurous.

A diode-bridge comp like the AML or a 33609 is also a completely different color that is cool having.

Any reason to not stick to some standard studio workhorses?

1176
La2a
something stereo for the buss?

I'll suggest the CL1B

The original post specified dual mono or stereo and about $2500 for each of three kinds. A number of responses are for (admittedly classic) singe comps or comps way above $2,500. For example, the API 2500 is not 2500 dollars. "2500" is the model number. It is about $600 above the specified price.

I totally missed that!

In that case I recommend a Foote buss compressor of some kind. There are a few to choose.

I own a P3S and P4S.

POM Fairchild

That is all.

Thanks again guys for all of you suggestions! There are so many options out there that I have to take a decision and choose one over others. Maybe I will take two instead of three. What about if I get a Dual Vandergraph and a Thermionic Phoenix. Cheers!

It's a Vari MU with a bit of character. I've had 2 they are nice, not too clean, not too dirty.

I ordered 2 vandergraphs and both arrived broken. I decided they were too expensive for a 500 series compressor.
I'd look at an Elysia Mpressor or a Vertigo VSC-2.

Foote P3EX is $1595
Stereo, hand built, Class A output stages, built in variable frequency HPF, rock solid stereo image, thick gooey compression for miles.