New to Pro Tools 11...$200 AAX Compressor Suggestions?

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FlowersForHuman
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New to Pro Tools 11...$200 AAX Compressor Suggestions?

Post by FlowersForHuman » Fri Feb 28, 2014 10:37 am

I used to be a Nuendo/VST guy, but I switched over to Pro Tools 11. I didn't realize that they had switched over to AAX, so now I'm feeling a bit restricted because the bundled compressors are a joke and there don't seem to be any free AAX plugs out there. Yes, I know it comes packaged with PT10, but I really don't want to bother with that. Oh, and I'm broke!

...so I suppose I'll be professional about it and actually start buying plugins. My near future projects are pop/rock. I can live without effects and EQ's for the time being, but I simply can't live without at least a clean, surgical compressor, a vibey, chunky compressor, and a mix bus comp/limiter. I've heard good things about the McDSP 6030, but other than that I'm pretty much at a loss as to what's out there in my price range of ~$200. I could certainly make due with one versatile comp for now, if it exists.

Oh yeah, and I'm currently registered as a student so I've got that going for me...

Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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Nick Sevilla
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Post by Nick Sevilla » Fri Feb 28, 2014 1:12 pm

Their default compressor is no joke.
It is transparent.

Maybe you are looking for a "colored sound" compressor.

Since you mention doing rock, you need to get these first, before any others:

UREI 1176 clone

LA2A clone.

Which brand? I like my UAD ones, and my Waves ones.

Cheers
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

FlowersForHuman
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Post by FlowersForHuman » Fri Feb 28, 2014 1:22 pm

I imagine I am leaning more towards color. Thanks
OktavaMod Mics > Yamaha M1516 > BLA MOTU 24io > Cubase 5 > Modded Hafler DH200 > Axiom M3's

Bro Shark
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Post by Bro Shark » Fri Feb 28, 2014 2:40 pm

You could probably find a used UAD Solo card in that range. Comes with 1176, LA2A, Pultec EQ and a pretty decent reverb.

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blungo2
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Post by blungo2 » Fri Feb 28, 2014 7:19 pm

I might be selling my uad solo card, it's an express slot card but i have a firewire adaptor for it. PM me if interested.

John Jeffers
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Post by John Jeffers » Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:21 pm

Within your budget, I'd be seriously looking at Massey CT5 and L2007.
http://www.masseyplugins.com/buy#plugins/ct4
http://www.masseyplugins.com/buy#plugins/l2007

For just a little more, I'd check out Waves CLA Classic Compressors.
http://www.waves.com/bundles/cla-classic-compressors

Bonus: None of these products require an iLok.

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Post by chris harris » Sat Mar 01, 2014 4:16 pm

PT requires an ilok. I doubt that's an issue.

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Post by John Jeffers » Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:05 pm

chris harris wrote:PT requires an ilok. I doubt that's an issue.
Yes, and I still feel better about giving money to people who don't tie me to that thing.

...well, I feel good about giving my money to Massey, anyway.

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Post by drumsound » Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:59 am

McDSP 6030. Its 10 compressors in one that are all cool and all sound different. Some are based on hardware units, but are not "clones." There's a Fairchild, but they varied the balistics of the compression and there's a single knob for time constraints. The 1176 model has continuously variable ratio, not buttons. There's a 33609 called British C that just knocks my socks off. There's LA2A compress and limit. a 160 VU type, Vari-mu, distressor-ish, and a couple of their own design. One, the iComp with just 2 knobs, threshold and ratio, and another, the Frog, with full compliment of controls.

The interface is grea, because you call up one plugin and there are buttons on the side for what model to use, and you can bounce back and fourth really simply to decid which you want on that source.

I freaking love this thing. I can't say enough good things about it.

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digitaldrummer
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Post by digitaldrummer » Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:47 pm

I recently sprung for the Slate VBC. Just put the MU comp on the mix buss and I can't explain it - but it just sounds better. way more open and 3D .
Add the Red or Grey comps in the VBC rack and it's rock and roll. it's on sale for $149 right now and worth it (to me because I will likely never own a hardware version of any of these comps ...) . I just used it on 2 CD projects I finished up.

also +1 on the Massey L2007 and Waves CLA (I have both). In fact on the mixes mentioned above I used VBC and L2007.

Mike
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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blungo2
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Post by blungo2 » Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:53 pm

Dang. I was just checking on one of my favorite software comps Klanghelm DC8C, but it doesn't have AAx...

I've considered the Slate stuff, but i'm super happy with the newer UAD reissues of their Fairchilds, LA2Aa and 1176s.

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xpulsar
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Comp Plugs

Post by xpulsar » Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:13 pm

I would highly recommend the SoftTube FET compressor and Dyna-Mite!


-Collin

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xpulsar
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Comp Plugs

Post by xpulsar » Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:13 pm

I would highly recommend the SoftTube FET compressor and Dyna-Mite!


-Collin

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Sean Sullivan
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Post by Sean Sullivan » Fri Jun 13, 2014 7:06 am

I like the Elysia mPressor (it was $59 last month at Plugin Discounts), Massey CT5 ($75), PSP OldTimer ($99), and while it's pretty long in the tooth Waves Renaissance Compressor is still pretty flexible. Those are all compressors you can use on just about any source and get great results.
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