I have one of these on the way and I'm very excited. Couldn't find much on here about them though.

Anybody who has one want to chime in about their favorite uses?

I just got a pair! Just tried them today on amped clean electric guitar and also on female vocals and they sound phenomenal compared to all of my plugins!

Definitely a great first outboard gear purchase for myself.

I just today got one. I already had the fc526 first version (with 3 2520-sized DOAs), and this xfmr edition is great ... maybe a touch smoother even.

I like the 1176 fast compression, and I like CAPI preamps, so I figured these had to be good. And they are. Not the same as an 1176, but maybe you would use this in even more stuff. It works anywhere you’re ok with a fast attack, but itll work on vox, drums, guitars, bass, anything else

Very cool! Yes, this is my first outboard compressor. I have been using a CAPI VP28 for a few years which I love. Hoping to eventually get a CAPI EQ and have a really nice channel strip.

Excellent! Seems like a lot of people have success using these on anything!

2 weeks ago I built 2 VP28's(now I have 5), and the BT50, and the FC526-XFMR. The BT50 is an incredible sounding EQ. I was able to put it next to an API 550a, and I must say, I much preferred the BT50. I'm surprised there isn't more talk about it on the forum. I plan to order 3 more kits when stock is back in.

As for the FC526, I forgot to buy the test jig, so I haven' t been able to cal' it, but I'm excited to hear what it sounds like. Glad you're digging yours!

It really is great! I've had success using it on vocals, acoustic and clean electric and a drum machine so far. Haven't been able to make it sound bad.

What is your experience with the BT50? Wondering if that's the ticket to a great channel strip a little farther down the line.

I haven't had time to use it much. I spent about 20 mins with it when I was testing all my modules. I ran it as a HW insert over a snare track, kick track, and some elec guitars. To my ears, it was open sounding, with a sweet punch. I was very into what it was doing to the sources.

I'll really need some time with it to further describe the sound, and to see if these bands are going to work for me.....I will say, I did have it next to an API 550a, and I preferred the sound of the CAPI.

Can't wait to build some more, hopefully Jeff gets more stock in soon!

kp

Love them on digital pianos

How often are you guys using the SC HPF on these? And on what sources?

I did on acoustic guitar and it worked well. It's a side chain so I don't see much potential harm in using it but maybe I'm being naive.

Huge Capi fan here... I couldn’t get on with these compressors at all. I had a pair and preferred plug-ins all day over these. I’ve got racks of hardware and really wanted these to rock but they were a no go. I sold them after a week of trying to make them work.

Strange because aside from this thread many people absolutely love their FC526 compressors. I totally understand preference though.

I left it on by mistake when I was tracking acoustic and thought it was great! I noticed and flipped it out, but then immediately put it back because I liked how it sounded. Excited to try it on other sources now.

What didn't you like about them? And what do you prefer hardware wise? I'm just curious. I'm getting on pretty well so far.

Which plugins if you wouldn’t mind divulging? Anything native (I dont UAD)?

I use on a regular basis distressors,1176,cl1b,Alan smart c1LA,api 2500,dbx160’s,retro staylevel,retro 176’s. Just wanted you to know what I was comparing it to.

What all these have in common for me is they make the source feel more excited in one way or another. There is some level squashing happening but something was added besides just level squash that I liked. With the the capi compressor I heard the level squash but never got that “wow that’s a cool sound” extra excitement out of it.

I do get the character of some comps from plugins. I love these native non uad plugs

El Rey - acoustica audio
Cla 1176 bluey and black
Rvox
Ren comp
Soft tube cl1b
Axe comp

FYI the Uad distressor is awesome sounds like my hardware but the slate one is pretty good to. It just has a more pronounced transient on the front end which can be nice sometimes.

All the above statements are only my experience.... my biggest mistake over many years is chasing gear and plugins over making more music

That makes sense. The CAPI definitely isn't very colorful. I understand the disappointment if you were going in expecting a vibe similar to VP28 or something.

What excites me about it is the way it pushes sources forward though. I've found it very useful for tracking. Not blooming with loads of extra harmonics, but still does something nice to my ear.

Someday I'll spring for some colorful outboard comps. I used the Zener at my friends studio recently and my goodness if that doesn't make everything sound better.

Definitely agree with the making more music part! I too have been guilty of chasing a new mic instead of a new song in the past

I sold my distressor for a buzzaudio dbc-20 and soc20. The distressor is a bit boring and has not really a sound. What you might like is the distortion on the unit and for sure it can do a lot... But I compared these and the buzz always won especially on drums, bass and vocals... The only comp I might miss could be a vca like the api2500.... Especially the soc 20 gives Snares and Bassdrums a very big upfront sound that pops out the mix. The release on the buzzaudio units is totally awesome... So musical... Round and inspires me every time. The dbc-20 is a sort of neve 33609 plus ssl feeling or something. Many mastering guys us it. It gives a little angel dust in the highs. This is why I like it on overheads the most. The soc20 has more colour and has a huge sound. It is the best comp I have ever had in my life. It is a beast on everything. Plus awesome look and at a price point that is really good.
However I was thinking taking the Capi comps instead of a 2500 now I am not sure about it. I know I would like also the api 527 as it seems to be a mono 2500.

I gotta say. The more I record with this comp, the more I love it. You can do no wrong.

I’ve found out I’m a big fan of using the SCF on pretty much everything. And I also found I love the slowest attack and fastest release on vocals.

Seeing if I can bring out some other user experiences because I can’t really find much. There is lotttts of talk about the CAPI pres though, so I was thinking there would be a bit more love.

I have the first version. Love it on bass. It's definitely colored but with very few artifacts in the compression. Next most similar thing I have is Distressors, which have a constant bright sheen to them, they can be difficult to integrate in certain mixes. I had access to an 1178 for awhile, never got on with it.

Agreed.

To me it is like the fast side of a Distressor (5 and below attack and release) but with a better sounding line amp.

Excellent compressor.

Another +++ for the 526 XFMR!
Just finished calibrating and running it through some bass, vox, and mono drum room.

Now I need to build another!

Jeff is unreal. This unit makes me smile. Get one.

It’s been a while since the last post. I’m curious how people ended up liking their FC526 XFMR’s ? Looking for vocal tracking compressor.