►Join the live Q&A after the presentation with Dave Derr, founder of Empirical Labs and longtime designer of hardware and software compressors: ruclips.net/video/5VTGyQ4gauU/видео.html ►RSVP for more MixCon presentations at mix-con.com ►Enter the MixCon Mega Giveaway here: delicious-audio.com/mixcon-2022-mega-giveaway/ ►Big thanks to Empirical Labs for hooking us up with their Distressor analog compressor and Arousor digital compressor to compare. Find out more at empiricallabs.com
I agree.. And to think the empirical labs distressor isn't even the best compressor out there for vocals or drums, not by a long shot. I'd like to see a comparison between the Arousor and a hardware API 2500 on drums, I bet the difference is tremendous.
The hardware (to my ears) sounds like it's performing better a smoothing the transients. But the plugin gets very close. Not sure if its a $1300 difference tho. Lol! Both sound good 💯🙌🏼👏🏼
One of the best and calm video about this topic! Usually people tent to do the HW vs SW videos in a hysteric way. I own 2 distressors. Do I use them: yes Do I use the usd or arouser: yes Thanks
External Compressor made the voice softer and warmer, while the digital had some more harsh things going on in the upper midrange, il bet the hardware compressed vocal is easier to EQ, then the digital one.
The most important thing with plugins is that they can easily be upgraded to add new features and also make improvements. And plugins can be automated.
Thanks for the video, it is very nicely presented! ... as most people mentioned: the hardware sounds more natural to me, more open, less harsh...; but I believe plugin's outcome can be adjusted with some eq-ing and adding a tube or a tape plugin to help making it smoother.... I would like to see that comparison. :). Otherwise - the plugin does a good job! And at the end of the day: a listener will never be able to compare; there are more steps in a chain that will determine the final outcome: such as good mixing, high quality effects (reverbs, delays), a good mic and preamps etc..Even with the most expensive equipment a mix can be butchered.
the only difference is in some frequencies the plug in is a little harsh... but other than that there is no big difference, although it is an important one
A slight improvement here and there eventually adds up. You can't hear much of a difference on just vocals alone, but, you'll really just how much a difference the hardware can make when applied throughout. Also the distressor isn't really the greatest hardware you can run vocals through.
Yes it’s a $1300 difference. I think there’s math that shows that the last 1% is actually a 10x difference. Plus you have to pay for the physical thing which might add up to around $750. I think a lot of plugins are close or indistinguishable but the distressor hasn’t been perfectly emulated yet.
I heard a difference it’s very slight but the vocals running thru the hardware sounded fatter and warmer,just slightly. Not much of a difference that your average listener will care but it does sound slightly better.
What’s warmer? Duller? Not as bright? Shave off top and you get more bottom ala thicker. You can get around that. I own 4 hardware distressors and it’s not the tone that differs. Plugins get the initial snapshot correct. It’s the reaction when pushed that’s different. It’s the attack that differs. Again you can work around that.
This is video has been done and overdone way too many times by way too many people on way too many YT Channels already. Why adding this one ? Even all the comments have all been said over and over and ... Dangenoir
Objectively describe this "3d sound" and explain, objectively, how "0s and 1s" can never replicate it because of physics. I can't wait to see the math on this.
►Join the live Q&A after the presentation with Dave Derr, founder of Empirical Labs and longtime designer of hardware and software compressors: ruclips.net/video/5VTGyQ4gauU/видео.html
►RSVP for more MixCon presentations at mix-con.com
►Enter the MixCon Mega Giveaway here: delicious-audio.com/mixcon-2022-mega-giveaway/
►Big thanks to Empirical Labs for hooking us up with their Distressor analog compressor and Arousor digital compressor to compare. Find out more at empiricallabs.com
Hardware sounded better to me, it's kept the highs intact while also adding body and a nice crispiness that I think just sounds amazing ;)
CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE ARE BLIND AND DEAF... YOU ARE SICK OF PLACEBO ILLNESS
I agree.. And to think the empirical labs distressor isn't even the best compressor out there for vocals or drums, not by a long shot. I'd like to see a comparison between the Arousor and a hardware API 2500 on drums, I bet the difference is tremendous.
The hardware (to my ears) sounds like it's performing better a smoothing the transients. But the plugin gets very close. Not sure if its a $1300 difference tho. Lol! Both sound good 💯🙌🏼👏🏼
One of the best and calm video about this topic!
Usually people tent to do the HW vs SW videos in a hysteric way.
I own 2 distressors.
Do I use them: yes
Do I use the usd or arouser: yes
Thanks
External Compressor made the voice softer and warmer, while the digital had some more harsh things going on in the upper midrange, il bet the hardware compressed vocal is easier to EQ, then the digital one.
Great presentation, well done to Charles
Yes a difference and worth it all the way using Access Analog cloud technology!
The most important thing with plugins is that they can easily be upgraded to add new features and also make improvements. And plugins can be automated.
Good thing about hardware is that it doesn't need updates
@@Aporeticrypto true, but you can't upgrade hardware with new features, you have to buy new hardware. And they are not cheap 🙂
Absolutely. Good point. And you can use the plugin on as many tracks your computer can handle and use as many computers you have to share the load.
Thanks for the video, it is very nicely presented! ... as most people mentioned: the hardware sounds more natural to me, more open, less harsh...; but I believe plugin's outcome can be adjusted with some eq-ing and adding a tube or a tape plugin to help making it smoother.... I would like to see that comparison. :). Otherwise - the plugin does a good job! And at the end of the day: a listener will never be able to compare; there are more steps in a chain that will determine the final outcome: such as good mixing, high quality effects (reverbs, delays), a good mic and preamps etc..Even with the most expensive equipment a mix can be butchered.
the only difference is in some frequencies the plug in is a little harsh... but other than that there is no big difference, although it is an important one
Hardware definitely sounds warmer.
A slight improvement here and there eventually adds up. You can't hear much of a difference on just vocals alone, but, you'll really just how much a difference the hardware can make when applied throughout. Also the distressor isn't really the greatest hardware you can run vocals through.
Yes it’s a $1300 difference. I think there’s math that shows that the last 1% is actually a 10x difference. Plus you have to pay for the physical thing which might add up to around $750.
I think a lot of plugins are close or indistinguishable but the distressor hasn’t been perfectly emulated yet.
I heard a difference it’s very slight but the vocals running thru the hardware sounded fatter and warmer,just slightly.
Not much of a difference that your average listener will care but it does sound slightly better.
What’s warmer? Duller? Not as bright? Shave off top and you get more bottom ala thicker. You can get around that. I own 4 hardware distressors and it’s not the tone that differs. Plugins get the initial snapshot correct. It’s the reaction when pushed that’s different. It’s the attack that differs. Again you can work around that.
@@d3vp131 the attack / release are probably different and a faster attack seems darker etc...
I can’t hear a 2 thousand dollar difference lol and space for it
Are you really wearing makup??
Digital is clear, but it stays stuck in the 2D world.
This is video has been done and overdone way too many times by way too many people on way too many YT Channels already.
Why adding this one ?
Even all the comments have all been said over and over and ...
Dangenoir
so untrue... the 3D sound of hardware will never be replicated by 0s and 1s... it's physics....
Objectively describe this "3d sound" and explain, objectively, how "0s and 1s" can never replicate it because of physics.
I can't wait to see the math on this.
How is 3d defined in frequency?
😮
Only that it has. Please step out of the 1980s.
@@vigilantestylez Preamp plugin emulations don't compare to the real units, honestly. If they did I would sell mine in a heartbeat.