Symetrix 501 versions

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crunchy
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Symetrix 501 versions

Post by crunchy » Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:51 pm

What is the difference between the different Symetrix 501 versions? I know the toggle switch version has Valley People VCA for smoother sound but what about the grey rectangle and the round push button models?

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losthighway
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Post by losthighway » Wed Nov 09, 2011 5:03 am

I don't know all the differences, but I do know that for a while around here some people thought it was myth.

I have a toggle switch version, it's great. I bought a push button version it was less great. I looked under the hood of each and found there was a difference. The toggle ones are awesome.

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Post by Jim Williams » Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:41 am

Grey's used the dbx 2150 VCA, as found in 160X's. Users can swap it out to the that 2180A. Then it's good.
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joel hamilton
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Post by joel hamilton » Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:41 pm

They are good compressors, regardless.

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mechanicalmastering
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Post by mechanicalmastering » Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:01 pm

Just got a "rectangled-buttoned" 501 so I'm kinda curious as well. Been waiting to grab a 501 for a loooooong time now ;)

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mechanicalmastering
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Post by mechanicalmastering » Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:02 pm

(as per suggestion of Mr. Hamilton himself)

;)

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Post by radkins » Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:45 pm

501's rock on snare drums.

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shedshrine
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Post by shedshrine » Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:25 am

mechanicalmastering wrote:(as per suggestion of Mr. Hamilton himself)

;)
Joel Hamilton wrote:I will purposely let up on the limiter section a little just to get the output grinding. the balance between limiter/comp and output crunch is really the game with those. Once you get it setup and limiting, crank the hell out of the output, like all the way up. then use the limiter to adjust how much drive you get from the output, then use the compressor and its attack/release to keep things from getting to washy/pumpy if you need to. A low ratio with a slow attack/release is what I normally use. "blend" just a bit of that into the explosions you are making with the output/limiter section, and get it to sit right in the track that way....

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Post by joel hamilton » Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:09 pm

shedshrine wrote:
mechanicalmastering wrote:(as per suggestion of Mr. Hamilton himself)

;)
Joel Hamilton wrote:I will purposely let up on the limiter section a little just to get the output grinding. the balance between limiter/comp and output crunch is really the game with those. Once you get it setup and limiting, crank the hell out of the output, like all the way up. then use the limiter to adjust how much drive you get from the output, then use the compressor and its attack/release to keep things from getting to washy/pumpy if you need to. A low ratio with a slow attack/release is what I normally use. "blend" just a bit of that into the explosions you are making with the output/limiter section, and get it to sit right in the track that way....
They are great compressors, regardless of the revision. I fully believe that. I never cared which one I had at any given time, because they totally do what they do perfectly. If I liked one on snare, and it happened to have an octagon shaped power switch and orange lettering, i didnt care about the button or the lettering. I know there are revisions, I know there are people who will compare the two, I know there are people who will care about what revision it is: I never did and I have always liked the 501 a LOT. for years.

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mechanicalmastering
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Post by mechanicalmastering » Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:21 pm

Anyone got any more info on this? Were there different xformers or vca's used? Anything like that? Any noticeable differences? I would be hard pressed to use two of these in stereo, (unlinked), of different builds.

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Post by GREGL » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:52 am

I have an early grey unit with a switch and it actually has a Valley People VCA.

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Derrick
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Post by Derrick » Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:49 pm

I always thought this toggle switch nonsense was BS since mine all have Valley People VCAs and sound awesome. Like Joel says, just get one love it.
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losthighway
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Post by losthighway » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:40 pm

My toggle switch has the Valley People vca, the pushbutton one did not. I did not like it as much, but that's just my ears.

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