Compressor Shootout - Distressor / UA 1176 / dbx 166 - 266 - For Snare Drums
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- While software compressors and emulators of hardware compressors can get the job done, you'll find that the don't quite have the same studio magic as some of the industry standard hardware units.
To give you some insight into some sounds you can get from hardware units, we are going to shootout 3 different hardware units from the perspective of the snare drum. Hopefully this will help you if you are thinking of making your first big studio hardware purchase.
Compressors used in this video:
* dbx 166 (similar to the newer dbx 266): amzn.to/48NATau
* UA 1176LN (as part of a Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip): amzn.to/4aVNQke
* Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor: amzn.to/3vvq2Uq
If you purchase through the above links, I'll make a tiny commission. That'll make me super happy, as I could buy more drums!
I've set up 4 identical mics on my snare and recorded simultaneously into the same preamps (an API 3124+ unit). Three of those mics then continue onto compressors. Through the wonders of post-production, we'll switch the playback through the different sound sources to get you the best comparison possible.
Introduction: 0:00
The Sound Source: 0:39
About the dbx: 1:13
About the Universal Audio 1176: 1:55
About the Empirical Labs Distressor: 2:56
Compressor Settings: 4:07
Jump to the sound samples: 4:36
Let me know your favorite or if you know of some other killer compressors in the comments. And don't forget to subscribe!
For more info on me, visit:
* www.seandaudelin.com
* / seandaudelin
* / drumdrumdrums
Other Equipment used:
Sonar X1 Producer
Snare Top: Sennheiser e604 x4
Bass Drum (in: batter side): AKG D 112
Overheads: AKG c 430
MOTU 8Pre audio interface
Video:
Sony FDR-AX100 4K UHD Camcorder
Tascam DR10L Digital Audio Recorder with Lavalier Microphone
#recordingstudio #preamplifier #drums 
Видеоклипы
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While software compressors and emulators of hardware compressors can get the job done, you'll find that the don't quite have the same studio magic as some of the industry standard hardware units.
To give you some insight into some sounds you can get from hardware units, we are going to shootout 3 different hardware units from the perspective of the snare drum. Hopefully this will help you if you are thinking of making your first big studio hardware purchase.
Compressors used in this video:
* dbx 166 (similar to the newer dbx 266): amzn.to/48NATau
* UA 1176LN (as part of a Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip): amzn.to/4aVNQke
* Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor: amzn.to/3vvq2Uq
*If you purchase through the above links, I'll make a tiny commission. That'll make me super happy, as I could buy more drums!*
I've set up 4 identical mics on my snare and recorded simultaneously into the same preamps (an API 3124+ unit). Three of those mics then continue onto compressors. Through the wonders of post-production, we'll switch the playback through the different sound sources to get you the best comparison possible.
Very nice and serious comparison, but I could wish for a snare drum with more crack to highlight each compressor better.
1176 definitely
My favorite for snare as well. : )
THANKS!
always great to see informative videos , ill subscribe !!
excellent info
Thanks!
THANK YOU!!!!
You're welcome! : )
The dbx being a 15th to a 30th of the price for 2 channels of distressors did pretty well
Word : )
Distressor wins here for me... it captures the "snap" sound and the body fully. Maybe the dbx 166 needs some output level compensation. Great video! Cheers from Buenos Aires.
Thanks : )
I must really suck at recording and mixing, because I constantly find myself missing the boat or simply not hearing what others describe in the comments; I'm not necessarily new to this either. Most of my time spent is ready, listening, watching, or doing some sort of music recording, mixing etc. However, in this instance I feel everything except the 1176 simply crushed the snare and made it sound oddly muffled. I did feel the dbx was the worst culprit of this sort of squashed sound. In a way, it felt like you went from a nice full transient snare sound to playing the snare with a pillow stuffed inside. The distressor was similar to me, albeit it was less abrupt compared to the dbx. In fact, the only time I felt the snare sounds were acceptable to my ears was at 0db makeup. The 1176 by far sounded best to me out of the three; it felt the most natural and left the sound of the snare much less adulterated. Outside of the 0db makeup scenario for the dbx and distressor, I really prefer the no comp sound of the snare.
This is sort of contentious, but my opinion is the audio/mixing world puts a huge deal of emphasis on various compressors, preamps, EQs, limiters, and the like; all of these are of course useful tools that belong in a studio. But, I think their relative importance is artificially increased in the RUclips era...because it's entertaining to watch gear videos, acquire gear, and watch other people comment and use the gear (I'm as guilty as anyone...I'm watching vid right now). But, one of the most enlightening pieces of info I've received from watching a couple videos interviewing some well-known big names in the mixing world was the very small use of anything during the tracking and mix process...and the HUGE emphasis placed on getting the best recorded tracks possible. If the recording is done truly masterfully, there's no need for compression. I forget who the person was being interviewed now, but he was asked what compression he uses on drums, what compression on bass etc--his answer was none really, very rarely did he use half the gear. He even mentioned a drummer tracking and instead of compression he basically told him to play drums better. When a skilled drummer has very high dynamic control, there's not as much purpose for compression as everyone seems to think. In many ways, I find myself just reaching to stick compression on every track, some EQ etc...because "I'm supposed to be mixing and doing things, right?"...well maybe I'm not. When I objectively listen to many of my mixes, I sometimes find several tracks that when being honest I prefer totally unprocessed and just gain adjusted to fit in the mix. This is far more often and true when the recording process was done with extreme care.
The dbx 166 XL and the distressor are similar. Both have the most "snap". But if you play busier then the dbx doesn't breeze. It's too compressed and looses the transients.
Good analysis! : )
they don't capture "sonic sound" haha right