Alan Smart C2 is it magic or not.

[Robert Michaels]

Anybody out there use Alan Smart C2 ? I am thinking about purchasing one for mixing. Thank you for the input.

[timcissell]

There is a periodic and spirited discussion of stereo buss or two-mix compression here:

Try Fletcher's forum first

There are many opinions... if I remember a predominant comment about the C2 correctly... I think several people felt it was a little too grabby for the two mix... better on drums and etc. But I only read it one time... I can't remember it perfectly. But you should read it for yourself. Some good ideas and comments.

As far as "is it magic or not"... it's probably just another killer piece of gear. How you use it is where any magic will or will not occur.

[tal herzberg]

Yes!

[syra]

yup!...magic

[decibel]

It is absolute MAGIC, I could not live without it on the mix! It does so much (in a good way) that you almost can't believe it.

[doug_hti]

It may not work for every track, but for those that it does...it's great. It's high fi and doesn't shred the top end. It's also great for a lot of sub duty (drums, gtrs, bgvs).
If you get one, don't try and hammer it...just let it tickle...and it does it's thing. Very versatile.

[audiaudio]

Does the C2 compare to the SSL stereo buss compressor?

Same flavor or completely different? If different, in what way?

[decibel]

it is the same idea, with a more hi-fi twist. it's all about punch and the attack of the music. it makes the mix move together. in order for it to work the best, you have to mix with it on the whole time, you can't just slap it on after you're done. (just like the SSL) Some people like the SSL some like the Smart better, they do sound different from each other, but the idea is generally the same. What I do know is, that it's probably the single biggest improvement you can make for Pro Tools mixes (Smart or SSL). It makes you realize how the compressor is a lot of the sound of the SSL console.

[Nicolasixxx]

Mixing through the Dangerous 2 Bus and into the Smart C2 has made a huge difference for me. My mixes sound much more open and deep than they used to hitting the Digi master bus with either Waves Ren comp or Sony Dynamics inserted. There have been occasions where I've taken an older mix and broke it out into the Dangerous / Smart combo and the improvement is surprisingly dramatic.

Nic

[audiaudio]

Do you like the "Crush" feature?