These are both excellent tools; but I really love the class A sound.....big!!!..I will use it on my master buss for sure...also the green model does some awesome stuff on guitars...I really like Plugin Alliance.
Just bought the class A today upon recommendation from a producer friend and very excited to dive in ! Thanks for making this video to give me quick overview !!
The differences are due to presets having polar opposite settings. When the old version uses stereo mode and nickel (saturation on highs), the new one uses dual mono and steel (saturating lows) etc.
I like the classic best. Better glue in the mid range I'm hearing. But maybe I'm just tripping. I own the class A though. Will probably buy the classic too!
Hi! Question: How do you compensate for the HIGH CUT which starts at 15000kHz and goes down to 22000kHz on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A? This high cut is only active when the First OPTO Compressor is turned on. It really knocks me off my feet every time - when I'm Mastering an already well balanced mix in frequency response. How do you deal with this "problem" - CUT? In the old version (green) - we know that this "problem" is not present.
Nice comparison! I`m, about to hit the trigger on the SH Class A and the Lindell 80. I know the songs in both of your videos from PLAP very well, cause I mixed them, too ;-)
I have both, I would not say class A is better. It’s got more features yes and It’s got more depth... but it’s softer sounding and not as good on drums. I feel like depending on the material both can have their uses.
Hi! Nice video. Question: How do you compensate for the HIGH CUT which starts at 15000kHz and goes down to 22000kHz on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A? This high cut is only active when the First OPTO Compressor is turned on. It really knocks me off my feet every time - when I'm Mastering an already well balanced mix in frequency response. How do you deal with this "problem" - CUT? In the old version (green) - we know that this "problem" is not present.
I feel that the Class-A and the classic can sound similar, but I feel when using the Class-A, I can get to the sound I’m looking for quicker. Maybe that’s the real difference between the 2. IMO.
To me it sounds like the class a is in stereo and the original is in dual mono. I personally prefer the sound of dual mono over stereo compression for mix bus. Here I feel there is more depth on the original… is that just me?
Thank you for this video. I see on the right that you have Slate Digital plugins. While not sure if you have all of them, but did you ever find the Shadow Hills comparable to Slate's FG-X Mastering Processor?
I do have FG-X, but it's in a different category. The Shadow Hills is a compressor, not a limiter, used for dynamic control. The FG-X has a comp, but is mainly used for it's limiter section to add gain.
Class A has a little more depth to it, so if you're planning on using it on the master buss I would use the class A. They are both very good, and the difference is subtle.
I think Class A is Awesome ... very close to Original shadow hills (i did not hear a real class a anyway)... deep - punchy ... a big win for digital mastering.
this is the 3rd or 4th video of yours Ive checked out, and the music in all of them is pretty darned cool. Is it your music, or stuff you work on for other folks?
What is the reason behind PA Alliance recommending the original for Drums? Just to keep it viable? I'm hearing the snare pop more (clarity and punch) in the Class A. Toms as well. Also clearer bass and strings. If you have both, why would you use the Original?
I thought the same exact thing. Appeared to me the class A adds more energy to drums high end at least for more modern music. Not sure why the recommend the original for percussion.
Interesting - I instantly preferred the original on drums in this demo - sounded more natural and transparent to me. But we don’t listen to solo drum busses in real life and maybe in practice the extra grit and weight in the class A sets them in the mix in a nicer way?
If you compares dual mono with stereo settings you're gonna get a different stereo image. Not a great comparison IMHO but still thanks for the vid interesting stuff
I don't use Ableton, but usually the plugin alliance presets are within the DAW's plugin preset manager. In Studio One I have to refresh the plugin list to get them to show up, so maybe try that if you can do that in Ableton.
I own both. The Class A is leagues better in my opinion. Much more ”open” sounding with hardware-like sonics. More life-like transients and depth. The old version screams “plugin” to my ears comparatively, much more 2 dimensional. Just my 2 cents...
The something not right is that brainworx/Shadow Hills made identical presets for both plugins with different settings for each. I should have mentioned it, but I bet the difference wouldn't be dramatic.
The best case scenario is to try it yourself. The presenter cannot predict every situation. Please download both and try them. Like me you wu learn so much about both versions
Great review however the green when I tested against the red was very similar. Even from a graphic standpoint the green is more refined. I just got the green today and putting through the paces, but I really like it and wanted to like the red more
@@GreenLightSound I get that. But it makes it pretty difficult to tell the actual difference. Now I'm sure some genius wannabe will tell me that I'm deaf, and should be able to hear anyway... Its a well known fact that volume differences trick the ears. Shame, as there's a promotion on for a few days, and I'm away from my computer, so I can't demo it for myself.
I know. I guess I really could have compared them both ways. I do highly recommend the class A though - it is excellent and a steal at $30 with the current promo.
@@GreenLightSound Hopefully I'll try it tomorrow night. I have so many plugins I no longer use, that they seem a waste even though I got them on various sales. I need to be more picky.
like them both, though still sounds absolutely plain and digital. I guess compression in the mastering chain is one of those things u simply cannot find a substitute for... :( Better save money for at least a decent analog compressor for dealing with the mixbus. Nice video though!
How do you know if they sound plain and digital when you state you should save for an analog compressor? After you have spent some time with your analog compressor, please come back and state your findings. Until then, please don’t deter others from a trial process of their own
for real? So you ask me how do i know the difference between analog and digital in this very chance? I mean, do you really think i've never tried analog before?, lets say, at school, working in studios? i mean, do you actually imply we all live in a small little bubble with not a single chance to get our hands in any analog gear by these days, or at least once in our lives? Or is it so hard to you to understand what the difference between emulation and actual circuitry is no matters what? You may want to go back to school for some ear training then, please!. So yes, I actually do not own a master compressor, but I work with them very often (SPL, the phoenix and MLA2) as I also own some decent gear at home apart of some great emulations as well (UAD, Brainworx, etc), I just cannot afford a Mastering one for me, that was the point! oh yeah, and so it was to say this plugins still sound plain to me and to many many others around the globe, so anyways, thanks for your "advice" and for assuming I am any sort of a miserable little neophyte rat behind my screen. I´ll stick to what is obvious and undeniable; it was before and still it is today: "digital is amazing, but will never EVER replace cables, capacitors, transformers, chips, valves, and yet even better PHYSICS". I believe some awesome results will improve in the digital domain in the years to come though. Have a very nice day.
@@b.f.m.1906 I appreciate your passionate reply. I also am very passionate about analog gear as I own analog gear: Neve, Avalon, MOOG, Dave Smith, etc and their digital emulations. It’s fun to compare and experiment with both. This is why we are having this discussion. I’m not one to argue, I would rather encourage people to try both analog and digital for themselves, forming there own opinions. Sometimes these posts can discourage new experiences. We all love music and the creation process production and mixing. I hear you loud and clear. No disrespect. I hope we’re all good. I am. Peace and Blessings.
@@famosguider205 he has psychoacoustics, it's like saying a stradivarius is better but its sound is worse! with Brainworx's TMT making the phase interact between the channels, non-linearity is no longer an excuse to buy analog equipment, even because having an AD/DA converter, a passive summing and a preamp you have everything for a 100% perfect sound!
you did not let us hear the before-after compression and the gain reduction barely moving. how is it a comparison when you barely hear anything ? Waste of time.
The video was meant to compare the Class A version to the classic version, not compare the raw signal to the compressed. I would also argue that a lot of the sound of the compressor results from the modeled components, not just the sound of the gain reduction. I hear a lot of difference between the two compressors. Also, while I do push it hard at one point, it's normal for a mastering compressor to be operating in the 1-2 dB GR range.
if it had more saturation from sub bass probably could hear difference.... even putting something like izotope exciter or tape plugin after that compressor could make difference.
Rule of thumb: BUY until you can’t hear the difference. Most likely green is less expensive. By original (green) and copy the Class A (on 14 day trial) presets. Now u kind of have both... for your ears at least
Subpac exist for a reason. So YOU can FEEL the music. Its perfect for mobile users like you. Be prepared to pay $379 on the preorder of there units but IMHO i think there worth EVERY penny.
These are both excellent tools; but I really love the class A sound.....big!!!..I will use it on my master buss for sure...also the green model does some awesome stuff on guitars...I really like Plugin Alliance.
The Class A does have a big sound and more depth. Plugin Alliance is great.
Just bought the class A today upon recommendation from a producer friend and very excited to dive in ! Thanks for making this video to give me quick overview !!
The differences are due to presets having polar opposite settings. When the old version uses stereo mode and nickel (saturation on highs), the new one uses dual mono and steel (saturating lows) etc.
Both are great
Stereo image is different but one is in dual mono mode and the Class-A is on stereo mode (hence the difference) ;-)
You're right. It's strange that the same presets in each model have slightly different settings.
@@GreenLightSound Yup, and the mode (steel, iron, nickel) is sometimes different as well. Might be a bug to report.
I like the classic best. Better glue in the mid range I'm hearing. But maybe I'm just tripping.
I own the class A though. Will probably buy the classic too!
The two are good and quite similar but the classic sounds best to me. Class A is nice wouldn't say no to it.
I though Classic sounded better every time 🤷♂️
I was just about to buy Class A, but after watching this I kind of only want the Classic.
I've tried both for a couple of days. I'll go for the class A but I sometimes miss a kind of 'dirt' grit that the classic had. Nice demo!
Both have the dirt. It says so on Vintage King: clean, colored and dirt. Please Google the link for yourself.
Hi! Question: How do you compensate for the HIGH CUT which starts at 15000kHz and goes down to 22000kHz on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A? This high cut is only active when the First OPTO Compressor is turned on. It really knocks me off my feet every time - when I'm Mastering an already well balanced mix in frequency response. How do you deal with this "problem" - CUT? In the old version (green) - we know that this "problem" is not present.
You want that grit you stock compressors like Logic Pro X
Nice comparison! I`m, about to hit the trigger on the SH Class A and the Lindell 80. I know the songs in both of your videos from PLAP very well, cause I mixed them, too ;-)
The Shadow Hills and Lindell are great. Nice catch on the tunes.
Thank you for the review!!!
I have both, I would not say class A is better. It’s got more features yes and It’s got more depth... but it’s softer sounding and not as good on drums. I feel like depending on the material both can have their uses.
Hi! Nice video. Question: How do you compensate for the HIGH CUT which starts at 15000kHz and goes down to 22000kHz on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A? This high cut is only active when the First OPTO Compressor is turned on. It really knocks me off my feet every time - when I'm Mastering an already well balanced mix in frequency response. How do you deal with this "problem" - CUT? In the old version (green) - we know that this "problem" is not present.
Dude what strings were used on the track and do you have a link to the track you are mixing it sounds amazing? Are the strings a vst you can buy?
I feel that the Class-A and the classic can sound similar, but I feel when using the Class-A, I can get to the sound I’m looking for quicker. Maybe that’s the real difference between the 2. IMO.
To me it sounds like the class a is in stereo and the original is in dual mono. I personally prefer the sound of dual mono over stereo compression for mix bus. Here I feel there is more depth on the original… is that just me?
Thank you for this video.
I see on the right that you have Slate Digital plugins.
While not sure if you have all of them, but did you ever find the Shadow Hills comparable to Slate's FG-X Mastering Processor?
I do have FG-X, but it's in a different category. The Shadow Hills is a compressor, not a limiter, used for dynamic control. The FG-X has a comp, but is mainly used for it's limiter section to add gain.
Thank you for this. theyre on sale now and I'm doubting if the class A is worth it since I already have the 'green version' . What is your opinion?
Class A has a little more depth to it, so if you're planning on using it on the master buss I would use the class A. They are both very good, and the difference is subtle.
Hey could you share the name of the song? I really loved it and I couldn't find it anywhere
"Paralyze" - Jay Clifford
I think Class A is Awesome ... very close to Original shadow hills (i did not hear a real class a anyway)... deep - punchy ... a big win for digital mastering.
this is the 3rd or 4th video of yours Ive checked out, and the music in all of them is pretty darned cool. Is it your music, or stuff you work on for other folks?
It all music from other artists. Thanks for checking out the videos.
@@GreenLightSound thanks for making them!
What is the reason behind PA Alliance recommending the original for Drums? Just to keep it viable? I'm hearing the snare pop more (clarity and punch) in the Class A. Toms as well. Also clearer bass and strings. If you have both, why would you use the Original?
Not really sure. I prefer the Class A in both instances.
I thought the same exact thing. Appeared to me the class A adds more energy to drums high end at least for more modern music. Not sure why the recommend the original for percussion.
basically they want you to buy both ;)
Interesting - I instantly preferred the original on drums in this demo - sounded more natural and transparent to me. But we don’t listen to solo drum busses in real life and maybe in practice the extra grit and weight in the class A sets them in the mix in a nicer way?
@@johnjon5448 and they got it, i bought the 2, i'm such an idiot lol
If you compares dual mono with stereo settings you're gonna get a different stereo image. Not a great comparison IMHO but still thanks for the vid interesting stuff
Do you happen to know how to access the presets within Ableton? I don't see a menu.
I don't use Ableton, but usually the plugin alliance presets are within the DAW's plugin preset manager. In Studio One I have to refresh the plugin list to get them to show up, so maybe try that if you can do that in Ableton.
@@GreenLightSound Awesome thank you. Found them!
i noticed you have the limiter before the compressor. Any reason for that?
Don't know why that would be - I never set it up that way. Probably just for this video, and the limiter isn't doing anything.
@@GreenLightSound haha no problem! Just was curious! :)
I own both. The Class A is leagues better in my opinion. Much more ”open” sounding with hardware-like sonics. More life-like transients and depth. The old version screams “plugin” to my ears comparatively, much more 2 dimensional. Just my 2 cents...
sounds like 2 digital eQs back to back. Green version is better, has character.
The class A , to me gives a little more depth and compression than the classic to me.
Why is the Mastering Discrete Steel preset using the Nickel Transformer and not the Steel???? What are you trying to pull here????
Not trying to pull anything. That's the setting for the preset, and I was surprised by it too.
@@GreenLightSound If you were surprised by it you should have mentioned it in your vid. Otherwise is appears like something is not right.
The something not right is that brainworx/Shadow Hills made identical presets for both plugins with different settings for each. I should have mentioned it, but I bet the difference wouldn't be dramatic.
The best case scenario is to try it yourself. The presenter cannot predict every situation. Please download both and try them. Like me you wu learn so much about both versions
The Class A is PUNCHIER, and CLEANER!!!
Did you try it yourself before saying it’s punchier and cleaner? I have both and find them to be quite the same with a few adjustments
just liek a digital EQ stock plugin LMAO. Green has character.
RED means better....Green doesnt hold a candle... Good review
Great review however the green when I tested against the red was very similar. Even from a graphic standpoint the green is more refined. I just got the green today and putting through the paces, but I really like it and wanted to like the red more
jaja..you dumb troll!
You really should have gain matched...
But, as I mentioned in the video, the gain bump is one of the characteristics of the compressor so I wanted it to remain as is.
@@GreenLightSound I get that. But it makes it pretty difficult to tell the actual difference.
Now I'm sure some genius wannabe will tell me that I'm deaf, and should be able to hear anyway...
Its a well known fact that volume differences trick the ears.
Shame, as there's a promotion on for a few days, and I'm away from my computer, so I can't demo it for myself.
I know. I guess I really could have compared them both ways. I do highly recommend the class A though - it is excellent and a steal at $30 with the current promo.
@@GreenLightSound Hopefully I'll try it tomorrow night. I have so many plugins I no longer use, that they seem a waste even though I got them on various sales. I need to be more picky.
Green Light Sound is the promo currently still available
like them both, though still sounds absolutely plain and digital. I guess compression in the mastering chain is one of those things u simply cannot find a substitute for... :( Better save money for at least a decent analog compressor for dealing with the mixbus. Nice video though!
How do you know if they sound plain and digital when you state you should save for an analog compressor? After you have spent some time with your analog compressor, please come back and state your findings. Until then, please don’t deter others from a trial process of their own
for real? So you ask me how do i know the difference between analog and digital in this very chance? I mean, do you really think i've never tried analog before?, lets say, at school, working in studios? i mean, do you actually imply we all live in a small little bubble with not a single chance to get our hands in any analog gear by these days, or at least once in our lives? Or is it so hard to you to understand what the difference between emulation and actual circuitry is no matters what? You may want to go back to school for some ear training then, please!. So yes, I actually do not own a master compressor, but I work with them very often (SPL, the phoenix and MLA2) as I also own some decent gear at home apart of some great emulations as well (UAD, Brainworx, etc), I just cannot afford a Mastering one for me, that was the point! oh yeah, and so it was to say this plugins still sound plain to me and to many many others around the globe, so anyways, thanks for your "advice" and for assuming I am any sort of a miserable little neophyte rat behind my screen. I´ll stick to what is obvious and undeniable; it was before and still it is today: "digital is amazing, but will never EVER replace cables, capacitors, transformers, chips, valves, and yet even better PHYSICS". I believe some awesome results will improve in the digital domain in the years to come though. Have a very nice day.
@@b.f.m.1906 I appreciate your passionate reply. I also am very passionate about analog gear as I own analog gear: Neve, Avalon, MOOG, Dave Smith, etc and their digital emulations. It’s fun to compare and experiment with both. This is why we are having this discussion. I’m not one to argue, I would rather encourage people to try both analog and digital for themselves, forming there own opinions. Sometimes these posts can discourage new experiences. We all love music and the creation process production and mixing. I hear you loud and clear. No disrespect. I hope we’re all good. I am. Peace and Blessings.
if the green one sounds digital for you - then music production is not for you! it took off so much high end, lmao!
@@famosguider205 he has psychoacoustics, it's like saying a stradivarius is better but its sound is worse! with Brainworx's TMT making the phase interact between the channels, non-linearity is no longer an excuse to buy analog equipment, even because having an AD/DA converter, a passive summing and a preamp you have everything for a 100% perfect sound!
you did not let us hear the before-after compression and the gain reduction barely moving. how is it a comparison when you barely hear anything ? Waste of time.
The video was meant to compare the Class A version to the classic version, not compare the raw signal to the compressed. I would also argue that a lot of the sound of the compressor results from the modeled components, not just the sound of the gain reduction. I hear a lot of difference between the two compressors. Also, while I do push it hard at one point, it's normal for a mastering compressor to be operating in the 1-2 dB GR range.
I heard it. What exactly did you NOT hear?
Now $29.9
It's a steal at that price.
Where?
@@psysword It was a flash sale, over now. Plugin Alliance does have regular sales though.
@ Sonido de luz verde now $14.99 😜
WHERE!!!
Indicate the location! Give me a link...
I see ONLY $ 349 ...
The class a is bigger more wider more 3d more deeper
huuuuuge difference....lol...sure.
After 3 times watching, I'm not sure if I can here anything, I'm just using cellphone headphones, but still.
The difference is subtle, and you might not be able to hear it on earbuds.
@@GreenLightSound yeah, i tried em my self and yes, there is a diferrence
if it had more saturation from sub bass probably could hear difference.... even putting something like izotope exciter or tape plugin after that compressor could make difference.
Rule of thumb: BUY until you can’t hear the difference. Most likely green is less expensive. By original (green) and copy the Class A (on 14 day trial) presets. Now u kind of have both... for your ears at least
Subpac exist for a reason. So YOU can FEEL the music. Its perfect for mobile users like you. Be prepared to pay $379 on the preorder of there units but IMHO i think there worth EVERY penny.
Comparison sucks. Look at the gain reductions meters 🤦♂️
I literally heard no difference at any point through the entire comparison....
これはソフトウェアであって、わざわざ別の製品としてリリースする必要があったのか甚だ疑問だ。プラグイン開発は技術者の良心を捨てなければ出来ない仕事なのかもしれない。
都不错
Class A要清晰一点，音头也猛一点