Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

Hey gang,

From the compressors I currently have, can I get opinions on best Compressor to use on my Master mix bus? Here are the different comp plugins I already have:
- Digi Dyn3 Comp (PT stock)
- BF76
- BF LA2A
- BF LA3A
- Fairchild 660
- Joe Meek SC2 Photo Optical comp

Are any of these any good? Any preferences on individual tracks versus master bus?
Would love to hear opinions !

Thanks in advance!

TDub

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

Of those listed, only the Fairchild, but truth be told, That would only be to add a touch of glue. Not sure exactly what your goal here is so here are some opinions to consider:
1-The Waves SSL Buss Comp does the "glue" thing very well(and sometimes Waves offers it alone on sale. Think I paid $49 for it).
2-Cytomic's The Glue is another SSL with some extras. It sounds great and is pretty cheap. Only reason I quit using it was the company can be a PITA with authorizations(I much prefer Waves on a USB stick, or iLok).
3-The stock plugins can go a long way, but there are some 3rd party things that one really needs to add. For mastering, Izotope Ozone is pretty stellar, especially for those with little mastering skills(watch some videos and you'll see what I mean):o

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

FXpansion DCAM Freecomp is a great bus compressor and free
https://www.fxpansion.com/products/dcamfreecomp/
If you have a Focusrite you probably have Red 3 on your account. I've heard many famous mixers use it.
Another freebie by Acustica Audio, some people love their stuff, some like me can't even run them
https://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/tan-free
TAN and DCAM are simulations of the SSL master bus which has been the device most associated with the term glue, but since glue is a concept not a compressor basically whatever plugin that works for you should be good. I sometimes use Waves V-comp with good results, other times I don't use nothing but 9 out of 10 times the compresor sounds better

About the others, I can only give you ideas, the goal is to use what works but knowing what they are helps. Being optical the LA2A and Joemeek probably work good on vocals and other stuff that benefit from slow attack times, BF76 is one of my favorite, FETs are fast and have great character, I use it everywhere from bass to vocals to drums, etc, especially because the attack and release controls make it very versatile. The Fairchild is a Vari-Mu, it can be unpredictable but it magically works and you will see people using it everywhere not only as a compressor but as a color box if the emulation was faithful. The stock Digi Comp can be all you want, it's a good compressor with internal and external sidechain, soft and hard knee, it has a clear graphic... it does everything and for me was a great tool to learn

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

First of all, thank you both for responding, I appreciate the insights.

Albee, where can I find/download/purchase either the Waves SSL or Cytomic's The Glue? Looking on the site, it seems to say that I need to have Windows 7 or above ... and PT12. I am still running XP and PT8.03. (and I can only assume that I'm still running 32 bit ...?)
This is the challenge I'm having with a lot of these plugins, is even if I can happen to find an RTAS version, it says I need to have minimum Win7. Really frustrating.

Amagras, same thing: the Aqua download says I need Win 7 :(
Also for the DCAM, it says I need to be an FXPansion user, which I'm not I guess.

(ps: if I find plug in that says VST ... is that ok and works RTAS? I'm confused)

Any other thoughts/ideas or direction would be great. So many plugins I wish I'd bought a long time ago! LOL.

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

Oh, and forgot to mention Albee: I do have Ozone 8 :)

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

If you find a Windows RTAS plug, it will might work in XP. I'd ask the plug company directly before purchase. VST is not going to work, only RTAS.

Re: Best Compressors - Mix Buss vs tracking
 

And as it turns out, I do have the Focusrite D3 as well. Not sure if that one is any good, or how it stacks up against the others I listed?
It seems I'm going to have a hard time finding RTAS plugins for my PT8 system .... So of the Comps I do have, any opinions on which ones you would use on certain instruments? And what would you use on the master mix buss?

Again, appreciate all of the opinions/advice!

Tdub