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Compressors

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    Locomotive Audio WT-Comp | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    The audio examples available on this page accompany my SOS April 2023 review of the Weight Tank compressor by Locomotive Audio. I’ve provided before and after examples along with the settings I used and a few thoughts on what I was trying to achieve with the compressor in each setting.

    01_Drum Room_RAW

    A mono drum room mic without any processing applied.

    02_Drum Room_WT-Comp

    This is an example of the WT-Comp being used to add character and excitement to the drum room mic. The attack was on the fastest setting, the release set at 11 o’clock and the drive setting was engaged. Around 7-8 dB of gain reduction was applied.

    03_Bass Guitar_RAW

    A bass guitar captured via direct input without any processing.

    04_Bass Guitar_WT-Comp

    An example of the WT-Comp used on a bass guitar DI to add more dynamic consistency. With upwards of 10 dB of gain reduction applied, you can hear how the compressor makes the part more solid but at the expense of a little low-end and a general change in tone. For this example, I had the drive setting engaged, the attack at 2 o'clock and the release at 3 o’clock.

    05_Acoustic Guitar_RAW

    An acoustic guitar recording with no processing.

    06_Acoustic Guitar_WT-Comp

    With the WT-Comp in its ‘round’ setting this is an example of I used the review unit to make a strummed acoustic guitar part sit more confidently in a mix. The attack was set at 2 o'clock and the release at its fastest setting.

    07_Electric Guitar_RAW

    An example of a slightly driven picked electric guitar recording.

    08_Electric Guitar_WT-Comp

    With the attack at 2 o’clock and release at its fastest setting, I used the WT-Comp to add more saturation and make the guitar part cut through the mix more easily. The drive setting was used and as much as 10dB of gain reduction.

    09_Female Vocals_RAW

    An example of a female vocal recorded without any processing.

    10_Female Vocals_WT-Comp

    In this example, you can hear how the WT-Comp adds more weight to a female vocal. I found I had to tread quite carefully on vocals and this has just 3-4 dB of gain reduction applied with both the attack and release set at around 12 o'clock. This is in the ‘round’ setting.

    11_Male Vocals_RAW

    An example of a Male vocal recorded without any processing.

    12_Male Vocals_WT-Comp

    For this example, I used the same settings as for the female vocal but with the drive setting engaged to add more harmonics to the vocal. I generally preferred the WT-Comp on male vocals that benefited from the extra low-end weight and a more coloured sound.

    Reviews Apr 2023
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    Eddie Bazil

    Compression And Expansion | Podcast

    Seven Practical Examples

    Eddie Bazil demystifies Compression and Expansion with a detailed explanation of their uses, which he demonstrates using plug-ins through seven practical examples.

    Techniques Apr 2023
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    Locomotive Audio WT-Comp

    Vari‑mu Compressor

    This characterful valve processor offers vari‑mu compression at a very attractive price.

    Reviews Apr 2023
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    DOCtron IMC

    Stereo EQ & VCA Compressor

    Billed as an instant mastering device for on‑stage use, the DOCtron IMC could well be an entirely new class of audio processor.

    Reviews Feb 2023
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    Heritage Audio Herchild 670

    Dual-channel Valve Compressor

    Part of their new American Heritage line, the Madrid‑based manufacturers’ latest offering is their take on the mighty Fairchild Model 670.

    Reviews Feb 2023
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    Soundevice Digital VoxDucker

    Ducking Plug-in

    VoxDucker aims to make the ducking process more intuitive, so that podcasters and the like can get consistently good results.

    Reviews Feb 2023
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    Waves Spherix

    Compressor & Limiter Plug-in

    Designed from the ground up for processing multi‑channel Atmos sources, Spherix boasts some innovative and useful features.

    Reviews Feb 2023
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    Rockruepel Sidechain.one

    VCA Compressor

    This quality analogue processor offers precise and intuitive control over your compression.

    Reviews Jan 2023
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    Source Audio Atlas

    Compressor Pedal

    Right out of the box, the Atlas compressor offers six types of digitally modelled compression based on revered studio hardware...

    Reviews Dec 2022
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    Sonible Smart:Comp 2

    Compressor Plug-in

    Sonible have packed even more ‘smarts’ into their second‑generation AI‑driven compressor.

    Reviews Dec 2022
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    Wes Audio Rhea

    Stereo Vari-mu Compressor

    This powerful 500‑series processor combines Wes Audio’s cutting‑edge digital control technology with the timeless sound of valve compression.

    Reviews Nov 2022
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    Multi-stage Compression

    Tips & Techniques

    When and why might you want to reach for more than one compressor to process the same signal?

    Techniques Oct 2022
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    Drum Compression

    Choosing The Right Settings

    The right compressor settings give you endless power to shape the sound and groove of a multi‑miked drum recording.

    Techniques Aug 2022
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    IGS Audio Zen

    Dual-channel Zener Compressor/Limiter

    Diode‑based compressors can be delightful but also rather noisy. True to its name, the Zen promises a more peaceful approach...

    Reviews Jul 2022
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    Solid State Logic The Bus+

    Dual-channel VCA Compressor & Dynamic EQ

    A stunning overhaul of SSL’s bus compressor, the Bus+ goes much further than most imitators without sophistication undermining ease of use.

    Reviews May 2022
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    Hazelrigg Industries VNE

    Single-channel PWM Compressor

    With its unusual method of applying gain reduction, the Hazelrigg VNE is no ordinary compressor.

    Reviews Mar 2022
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    Warm Audio Bus Comp

    Stereo VCA Compressor

    This homage to a famous console compressor is keenly priced and offers some thoughtful extra features.

    Reviews Mar 2022
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    API Select T25

    Dual-channel Valve FET Compressor-Limiter

    API have been making excellent solid‑state outboard and consoles for decades, but their latest venture sees them using valves for the very first time.

    Reviews Feb 2022
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    Slate Digital MO-TT

    Multiband Upwards & Downwards Compressor Plug-in

    Slate have taken the famous OTT effect and added a whole load more control, creating a unique dynamics processor.

    Reviews Jan 2022
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    Gainlab Audio Dictator

    Stereo Valve Compressor

    This keenly priced device offers a bit more control than most valve compressors.

    Reviews Dec 2021
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    Pulsar 1178

    Analogue-modelling Compressor Plug-in

    A four‑band side‑chain EQ is just one of many nice touches in this new take on an analogue classic.

    Reviews Dec 2021

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