2 types of compressors for mastering ?

[hmnp]

Hi guys. I read a while back about you guys using two compressors when mastering. A "colored" comp to add some flavor to the mix and then a Clean compressor to level everything out. Im just curiouse which compressors do you consider right for this type of jobs. Mention some brands and in what category would they fall ??

-Mastering mainly heavy rock music.
-forget about budget

Thanks alot!!

JP

[Cellotron]

Yes, in general most dedicated mastering studios have both transparent & colored compressor hardware boxes available, but they are usually used as choices - not usually at the same time. Some material works best with a transparent choice, some material needs color, and sometimes it works best leaving the compressor off.

In general what makes a piece of hardware a "mastering" editiion is detented switches for controls allowing complete precise recall of settings, and obviously, a pristine signal path.

some boxes you'll see in mastering studios are:
on the Transparent side:
*Weiss DS-1-mkII
*Cranesong STC-8 (can give some color too)
* Prism Maselec MLA-2
TC 6000
GML 8900
Focusrite Blue
Neumann U473
Requisite Audio L2M

on the Colored side:
*Manley Vari-Mu
*Pendulum ES-8
Pendulum OCL
Chandler LTD-2 (with the "Sterling" mods)
Fairman
EAR 660
Allan Smart C2
API 2500
Cranesong Trakker

I've starred the ones that you'll see more often in mastering rigs. There's a bunch of others I've missed that you'll see sometimes too.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[ValveTone Mastering]

I have RARELY ganged two comps together during mastering. The few times I did, it was to correct some pretty severe dynamic issues when remixing was not possible.

Cellotron's list is pretty much spot-on.

The times I ganged the comps it was an VariMu with STC-8, just FYI.

Damon

[hmnp]

Thanks alot!!

Yes, in general most dedicated mastering studios have both transparent & colored compressor hardware boxes available, but they are usually used as choices - not usually at the same time. Some material works best with a transparent choice, some material needs color, and sometimes it works best leaving the compressor off.

In general what makes a piece of hardware a "mastering" editiion is detented switches for controls allowing complete precise recall of settings, and obviously, a pristine signal path.

some boxes you'll see in mastering studios are:
on the Transparent side:
*Weiss DS-1-mkII
*Cranesong STC-8 (can give some color too)
* Prism Maselec MLA-2
TC 6000
GML 8900
Focusrite Blue
Neumann U473
Requisite Audio L2M

on the Colored side:
*Manley Vari-Mu
*Pendulum ES-8
Pendulum OCL
Chandler LTD-2 (with the "Sterling" mods)
Fairman
EAR 660
Allan Smart C2
API 2500
Cranesong Trakker

I've starred the ones that you'll see more often in mastering rigs. There's a bunch of others I've missed that you'll see sometimes too.

Best regards,
Steve Berson