Symetrix 525 just two channels of the 501...?

mertmo · Post by **mertmo** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:45 pm

Is the 525 basically the same compressor as the 501, just two channels?

Obviously, no attack or release, no dedicated limiter, like the 501...

But is it basically the same sound?

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:39 pm

No.
The 525 is an okay thingy, that works more like an AGC than an aggressive limiter.

The 501 has a separate limiter and compressor section.

The 525 has an expander/gate thing that is almost useful under certain conditions.

The 525 is just a cheap compressor, not a "magic-fun-time-room-mic-destroying-party-box-for not a lot of money-box" like the 501.

The 501 really is the "poor man's" distressor, but even does fun stuff the distressor wont do. I LOVE the 501. Worth having a pair. Worth every penny... all 17 of them it takes to buy one (in relative terms).

buddy holly · Post by **buddy holly** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 12:54 am

I have a 525 and 2 501s. I only use the 525 for utility type stuff, which it does quite well (I use it on bass when the RNC is uncooperative), but I have yet been able to figure out how to make the expander/gate function doing anything but make me mad.

I like the 525, but it's very different from the 501.

--BH

Sean Shannon · Post by **Sean Shannon** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:10 am

I own 5 or 6 Symetrix 525s, a 528, and a couple 150s. I get great results with toms, backing vocals, guitars, bass, etc. Don't set the gate too hard, and don't overcompress. Like anything, it has sweet spots, and I think the gate and compressor sections interact nicely.

mertmo · Post by **mertmo** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:33 am

Thank you very much for the feedback, guys. Greatly appreciated.

E Baxter Put · Post by **E Baxter Put** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:21 am

Anybody have experience with the 522? I've done a search on here, and found a couple of references, but not much about it.

Thanks.

E.Bennett · Post by **E.Bennett** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:27 am

i have a 522 and a few 525s. the 522 seems to suck out too much tone, so i've never found much use for it. the 525 seems to work pretty well on overdriven guitars, if you're looking to round them out. it isn't one of those magical boxes, but it's certainly usable considering you can often grab one for $60.

covert · Post by **covert** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:06 am

Any comments on where the 425 fits in with all this?

mertmo · Post by **mertmo** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:37 am

OK, so I brought home the 525 I saw at the local shop. Only way to tell is to take it home and listen to it, right?

I already have a 501, unfortunately the limiter section doesn't work, but I love the sound of the compressor.

I was underwhelmed by the 525, it will be going back to the store today. I put the 501 on auto mode to be as fair as I could when I compared them. The 501 has better low end response, just thicker sounding in general. And obviously more options for control. But it wasn't a night and day difference, it was subtle. Subtle or not, I liked the 501 better. I'd rather spend my money on getting another one.

Also compared the 525 to my el cheapo DBX 266 compressors. You know, the "project 1"...
Umm, they kind of sound better than the 525. Yes, I just said that I think. The 525 didn't sound bad or anything, just really boring to my ears. I admit I like a little color, but I could get on with a good clean compressor too. This one just didn't make me smile too much.

It's funny how the perception of those DBX 266 compressors is that they are just crap, but they were very useful to me back when I knew nothing, and now that I am a much more critical listener and my skills have increased... it's strange, I still think they are pretty damn useable and sound decent. Maybe I'm a freak. Well, I'm definitely a freak, but that's a whole other story...

Long story short: It is apparently all about the 501.
Thanks again for the discussion, boys.

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 9:48 am

I found an old CL-100... ya know, way before the CL-150 (like 1980?). It has a switch marked "D-essor" on it. What does that do? What is a distressor?

Also, anybody have any experiance/comments on the old CL-100?
Thanks!!

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:06 am

Derrick wrote:I found an old CL-100... ya know, way before the CL-150 (like 1980?). It has a switch marked "Distressor" on it. What does that do? What is a distressor?

Also, anybody have any experiance/comments on the old CL-100?
Thanks!!

The CL100 is great. i had the one with the "rainbow" knobs on it. that little thing was really fun. xformer input, and maybe output.. i dont remember.
I had one for a few years as one of my olnly compressors.
Used it all the time.
I wish i had kept that one.
It is like the xformer version of the CL150 that I have now, along side the 501's.

I dont think mine had a "distressor" switch on it. Is it a mod?
They will "distort and compress" well, just like a lot of things will besaides an actual "distressor."

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:52 am

Interesting. Mine doesn't have the transformers (Dammit!). Also, the "D-essor" switch isn't a mod. It doesn't seem to do anything that I can tell... what is a d-ressor/what do you think this switch should do?
Thanks!

E Baxter Put · Post by **E Baxter Put** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:15 pm

After hearing that the 522 sucked tone... I knew I needed to buy one.

It actually sounds pretty damn good to me. The ducker and expander are great for sound fx. I can get some cool "reverse" sounding fx. The gate actually works good, which is surprising because I have never liked a gate before. The compressor is a little tame but is a nice alternative and has a unique sound.

I highly recommend the 522!

By the way... the data sheet that came with it compared it to the 501 and cl150.

Milkmansound · Post by **Milkmansound** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 8:48 am

I also have a 522. Yes, it completely drains the tone and I love that thing! Its the most colored compressor I have ever heard in my life.

The gates are awesome as well because they are fast as hell - you can really carve out the gates.

When you compress beyond -2 or -3 dB though, the compressor really does some interesting shit with the source signal. Its a fun toy, stereo, and cheap!

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:52 am

Awesome that you guys are making it work!

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Symetrix 525 just two channels of the 501...?

Symetrix 525 just two channels of the 501...?

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