I can actually HEAR the compression in your video!!! Most of the time, I don't really hear a difference, and the guy is nodding his head & saying "Yeah, I like that!" I'll be thinking "Yeah, I like how it sounds the same whether you bypass or not." 😅 This one actually sounds great!
Great video and overview as always Mike!!!!! Softube did a set of these same 3 compressors for Native Instruments about 10 years ago (called the the VC collection) and I thought those were amazing so when I saw these pop up yesterday I had to have them. The Native Instruments versions aren't Apple Silicon Native and probably never will be and I use them all the time. The Native instruments VC76 was always my first choice 1176 emulation. Now it's the Softube FET 2!! I have 4 DBX 160s and the Softube VCA sounds like a brand new one right out of the factory, my hardware 160s are not as clean sounding as I wish they were since they are almost 50 years old. Also no one is talking about this, all 3 of these are zero latency so you could use them live with apps like Apple's Mainstage or the App my band uses live Loudlab's SoundDesk! Since we only need 20 inputs and 10 outputs when playing live I switched to using a Thunderbolt Interface and process everything in SoundDesk. The plugins we have now that are Zero Latency are light years better than anything a stand alone digital mixer can offer. The latency round trip form the computer to our in ears is less than 3 millisecond and with my M1 Max Macbook Pro I stack effects and plugins all over the place to get a 10 times better sound than even digital mixers that cost 50,000 dollars. Most digital mixers run at 48K and have a latency around 4 to 5 millisecond roundtrip only the really expensive mixers can run at 96K and still they have a 4 to 5 millisecond latency. We rehearsed tonight and I used the FET 2 on 4 vocal mics and the VCA on snare and it was REALLY GOOD!! Everyone noticed how much cleaner and Hi-Fi these plugins were compared to the older Native Instruments versions we had been using. I also ran all 20 channel through the Softube Tape plug which is Zero latency as well and it ran smooth for 5 hours. My M1 Max was sitting at 25% to 35% all evening. that is along with 20 SSL Channel Strips and a BX Ampeg Bass amp plus 2 instances of Amplitube and 4 midi channels running Cherry audio synths at 96K with a SSL UC1 and Behringer X-touch one controlling it all!! Softube has really outdone themselves with these compressors.
@@SomebodyPickaName I'm using the SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and all of the Brainworx Channel strips. The SSL Native ChannelStrip is Zero latency as long as you don't use the HQ mode, and all of the Brainworx Channel Strips are Zero Latency. Cheers!!
@@anissbenthami You are right but the new ones do have more options and some new tweaks that make them better. Plus you don't have to depend on Native instruments to update them 5 years too late. Native Instruments is bad about releasing a product and not really updating it for years at a time. Which can be a problem when you have to buy a new computer. Softube are great about updates and quickly supporting new computer hardware so in that respect it is worth switching over to the softube models. Cheers!
Softube made these initially for native instruments . It seems that the new merger has allowed them to release these units with softube beautiful gui and it seems some additional features not available in the NI versions. I’m going to test these and see if they null. I’m not knocking them. I love softube and their entire ecosystem and anything that allows me to use more compressors inside console 1 is welcome as I can’t currently use an La-2A or even dbx style with out going to the inserts page in cubase
@@FunnyVideoCollector not so new anymore but Plugin alliance , NI and isotope are now under the same umbrella . Soft tube initially developed these series for native under a contract
I almost want to buy all the plugins that Softube releases, really like Softube's plugins. Unrelated, but recently the plugin market has released quite a few compressor compressors that look very promising like: - AMEK mastering compressor - Acustica Audio Tiger - Pulsar Modular Abyss Would love to hear your thoughts on these plugins. Thank you, Mike!
Pulsar Moudular vs Pulsar. Not the same company. Modular is expensive, and has weird convoluted features....Pulsar is more technologically advanced...hard to beat... and cheaper.
I was wondering if you could help me in which to get. I'm building a digital studio let's say and I don't like having too many choices but want to have 1 of each classics, FET OPTO etc.. I was thinking on getting these 3 from Softube or MC77 & Acme XLA-3 by Plugin Alliance. Cheers!
Softube already releasd them under Native Instruments 10 years ago in the Vintage Compressor bundle (VC160, VC2A and VC76). Because back then, their rationale was to not release plugin versions of devices already done by competitors… I guess they changed their mind…
@@Rhuggins companies are desperate for plugin ideas these days. They'll put out the same thing everyone else does, with their own graphics and 1 added feature. But they have mouths to feed; I honestly don't blame them *at all* for putting it out, they make great stuff, and I guarantee these are updated algorithms compared to the NI days.
I don't really dig the idea I gotta be honest I think it's kinda half hearted - there are some modern features that seem useful, but I can think of many things they didn't include too (they do sounds great though, but so do others). I think if they go as far as to give an LA2A so many controls, it kind of misses the purpose. For me personally the LA2A is all about 2 seconds set and forget. I do like the UI's, everything is more accessible than let's say Arturia plugins for example, but then on the other hand, Arturia has more advanced features for the dbx160 (basically a sort of lookahead with which you can really tweak the snappiness of it, which is really smart and incredibly useful IMHO). Just my 2 cents, and I DO like Softube stuff, love that they did the Weiss DS1-MK3 port and their tape is great to use on tracks almost like an EQ/compressor simultaneously. Thanks for the video Mike good stuff as always very thankful of your advice over the years I've been watching!
I have the Arturia I wonder how these compare sound wise. I like the side chain eq boost on the Arturia. SSL's channel strip the side chain it falls apart. To me the Arturia is the best and Nickel and I have the uad.
@@joost3783 no. ...Arturia has n 1176, and its one of my favourites when wanting to use internal side chain eq (1 bell or shelf band, I like to use bell and boost it in problem freq areas then back it off with the amount dial thing). My favourite ssl strip is prob the uad ssl channel strip and also the plugin alliance ones so far. )
@@chris-rb7bm ye I use the bx but mainly for compression and the gate to achieve that 80s vibe on mostly drums and stuff. Really awesome that comp is just so quick to use
AA still so weak after such a long time of releasing and releasing so many guis. Either you like their design or not, it's all about design, their comps and pre amps aren't worth one penny
@@danielwetzs9317 I've seen your comments on at least two videos about this compressor talking down acoustica audio compressors in general and I'm just curious, what is/are (in your opinion) the best ITB compressor(s)?
@@prod.lyelye I normally don't respond to stalkers!. Best comp of all time is Reaper's ReaComp, you can imitate almost every comp without having to look at a distracting pseudo analog gui. I am not the only one who ever posted that AA compressors just don't work, you will find it many times
Nope. The Fet mk2 is a totally new emulation. Those other two has the same core as before but a lot of new features, oversampling and fine tuned codes. So all of them should sound quite different.
@@rickyspanish9080 Not just simple features, they added oversampling and a better and more efficient code. So they sound better and have less cpu usage.
@@michaelwirth6843 Sonically they are near identical which is what should be made extremely transparent to customers . There are those of us that benefit from the functionality overhaul tho. The over sampling is cool. But for me the clincher is the ability to now use them in the console 1 eco system . But they need to be a little more forward about the coding since many people already own a version of these in the ni bundle
@@SoundScienceMediaWorks no plugin from 10 years ago is anywhere near hardware...impossible then. Only since 2023 are we able to make plugins that match, or surpass (yes SURPASS) the old analog washmachine boxes from the golden age
I can actually HEAR the compression in your video!!! Most of the time, I don't really hear a difference, and the guy is nodding his head & saying "Yeah, I like that!" I'll be thinking "Yeah, I like how it sounds the same whether you bypass or not." 😅 This one actually sounds great!
I just know the type of compressor impact a lot of vibe in each track like this. Very thank you MIke.
Softube never disappoints. :D They're among the best in emulations, IMO.
Yes, I agree
Great video and overview as always Mike!!!!! Softube did a set of these same 3 compressors for Native Instruments about 10 years ago (called the the VC collection) and I thought those were amazing so when I saw these pop up yesterday I had to have them. The Native Instruments versions aren't Apple Silicon Native and probably never will be and I use them all the time. The Native instruments VC76 was always my first choice 1176 emulation. Now it's the Softube FET 2!! I have 4 DBX 160s and the Softube VCA sounds like a brand new one right out of the factory, my hardware 160s are not as clean sounding as I wish they were since they are almost 50 years old. Also no one is talking about this, all 3 of these are zero latency so you could use them live with apps like Apple's Mainstage or the App my band uses live Loudlab's SoundDesk! Since we only need 20 inputs and 10 outputs when playing live I switched to using a Thunderbolt Interface and process everything in SoundDesk. The plugins we have now that are Zero Latency are light years better than anything a stand alone digital mixer can offer. The latency round trip form the computer to our in ears is less than 3 millisecond and with my M1 Max Macbook Pro I stack effects and plugins all over the place to get a 10 times better sound than even digital mixers that cost 50,000 dollars. Most digital mixers run at 48K and have a latency around 4 to 5 millisecond roundtrip only the really expensive mixers can run at 96K and still they have a 4 to 5 millisecond latency. We rehearsed tonight and I used the FET 2 on 4 vocal mics and the VCA on snare and it was REALLY GOOD!! Everyone noticed how much cleaner and Hi-Fi these plugins were compared to the older Native Instruments versions we had been using. I also ran all 20 channel through the Softube Tape plug which is Zero latency as well and it ran smooth for 5 hours. My M1 Max was sitting at 25% to 35% all evening. that is along with 20 SSL Channel Strips and a BX Ampeg Bass amp plus 2 instances of Amplitube and 4 midi channels running Cherry audio synths at 96K with a SSL UC1 and Behringer X-touch one controlling it all!! Softube has really outdone themselves with these compressors.
@@SomebodyPickaName I'm using the SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and all of the Brainworx Channel strips. The SSL Native ChannelStrip is Zero latency as long as you don't use the HQ mode, and all of the Brainworx Channel Strips are Zero Latency. Cheers!!
The sad thing is that VCA and OPTO are based on the same code their NI predecessors were
@@anissbenthami You are right but the new ones do have more options and some new tweaks that make them better. Plus you don't have to depend on Native instruments to update them 5 years too late. Native Instruments is bad about releasing a product and not really updating it for years at a time. Which can be a problem when you have to buy a new computer. Softube are great about updates and quickly supporting new computer hardware so in that respect it is worth switching over to the softube models. Cheers!
@@joesalyers I agree
NI and effects, it was never really a success in most cases
The dbx 202 in the dbx 160 compressor is the SSL 4000 E sound.
Great demo of these 3 compressors. Just got the Softube VCA compressor free. Looks like it'll be a good dbx160 emulation.
Softube made these initially for native instruments .
It seems that the new merger has allowed them to release these units with softube beautiful gui and it seems some additional features not available in the NI versions.
I’m going to test these and see if they null.
I’m not knocking them.
I love softube and their entire ecosystem and anything that allows me to use more compressors inside console 1 is welcome as I can’t currently use an La-2A or even dbx style with out going to the inserts page in cubase
@@FunnyVideoCollector not so new anymore but Plugin alliance , NI and isotope are now under the same umbrella .
Soft tube initially developed these series for native under a contract
and...did they nulll.?..let me save you the time - they won't ;)
I was waiting for this. The VCA (although there's plenty different version of that design) is the one I have my eye one with the extra controls !
Yes, the extra controls are very helpful
I almost want to buy all the plugins that Softube releases, really like Softube's plugins.
Unrelated, but recently the plugin market has released quite a few compressor compressors that look very promising like:
- AMEK mastering compressor
- Acustica Audio Tiger
- Pulsar Modular Abyss
Would love to hear your thoughts on these plugins.
Thank you, Mike!
Holy shit Pulsar Modular's stuff are expensive, not gonna be good for my wallet...
Pulsar Moudular vs Pulsar. Not the same company. Modular is expensive, and has weird convoluted features....Pulsar is more technologically advanced...hard to beat... and cheaper.
You can directly click on that 2:1 ratio in FET comp don't have to use that low switch 🙂
Thanks for the Shift shortcut!
Thanks, I didn't catch that one
They sound the same as NI vintage collection
how woudl u knwo that LOL...u need the same track he uses to check. anuything else is just a hobby guy guessing from his arse....
This is their take on 1176 compressors. There are a lot of 1176 models. Does Fet Compressor cover all these models?
did you feel any advantages of using these instead of UA's same compressors? does it sound different in some way?
I was wondering if you could help me in which to get. I'm building a digital studio let's say and I don't like having too many choices but want to have 1 of each classics, FET OPTO etc..
I was thinking on getting these 3 from Softube or MC77 & Acme XLA-3 by Plugin Alliance. Cheers!
Hi Michael.Did you make video about amek mastering compressor ?
Softube already releasd them under Native Instruments 10 years ago in the Vintage Compressor bundle (VC160, VC2A and VC76). Because back then, their rationale was to not release plugin versions of devices already done by competitors… I guess they changed their mind…
More likely they signed a 10-year non-compete clause that ran out.
@@Clarity-808 exactly what I was thinking, and I bet y'all NI payed them handsomely for that
They must need the $
@@Rhuggins companies are desperate for plugin ideas these days. They'll put out the same thing everyone else does, with their own graphics and 1 added feature. But they have mouths to feed; I honestly don't blame them *at all* for putting it out, they make great stuff, and I guarantee these are updated algorithms compared to the NI days.
Choice is good tho, if there was no competition we wouldn't get good plugins
Would absolutely love to see a Acoustica Audio Tiger review! ❤
looking at it...
VERY COOL UPDATE !!!😀
Great Video! Where can we listen the final mix? cheers!
I don't really dig the idea I gotta be honest I think it's kinda half hearted - there are some modern features that seem useful, but I can think of many things they didn't include too (they do sounds great though, but so do others). I think if they go as far as to give an LA2A so many controls, it kind of misses the purpose. For me personally the LA2A is all about 2 seconds set and forget. I do like the UI's, everything is more accessible than let's say Arturia plugins for example, but then on the other hand, Arturia has more advanced features for the dbx160 (basically a sort of lookahead with which you can really tweak the snappiness of it, which is really smart and incredibly useful IMHO). Just my 2 cents, and I DO like Softube stuff, love that they did the Weiss DS1-MK3 port and their tape is great to use on tracks almost like an EQ/compressor simultaneously. Thanks for the video Mike good stuff as always very thankful of your advice over the years I've been watching!
I have the Arturia I wonder how these compare sound wise. I like the side chain eq boost on the Arturia. SSL's channel strip the side chain it falls apart. To me the Arturia is the best and Nickel and I have the uad.
@@chris-rb7bm Arturia has a SSL strip??
@@joost3783 no. ...Arturia has n 1176, and its one of my favourites when wanting to use internal side chain eq (1 bell or shelf band, I like to use bell and boost it in problem freq areas then back it off with the amount dial thing). My favourite ssl strip is prob the uad ssl channel strip and also the plugin alliance ones so far. )
@@chris-rb7bm ye I use the bx but mainly for compression and the gate to achieve that 80s vibe on mostly drums and stuff. Really awesome that comp is just so quick to use
There's also cl1b from softube
They're the same as the Arturia Compressors aren't they?
There are soooo many emulations that have never been done.. I'm kinda sick of the same old stuff I wish they would do something nobody touched already
Better than UAD?
Uad never been good in emulation plugins
They have the features but dont actually have that hardware mojo sound.
u know this why???
Softube has the "Smeared Sound I cant stand...it kind of Smothers your mix....Im good on Softube....LOL
Your grammar smothered this thread…LOL
your ears are smeared up. Get Q-Tips ;)
with softube, no need to make a demo, we buy with eyes closed
Not a huge fan- just bought these. Acusticas Tiger is way better
Softube are really good about giving refunds if you get in touch reasonably quickly
What have your favorite modes for tiger been? Curve wise i.e Sand, Deep Space, Ect?
AA still so weak after such a long time of releasing and releasing so many guis. Either you like their design or not, it's all about design, their comps and pre amps aren't worth one penny
@@danielwetzs9317 I've seen your comments on at least two videos about this compressor talking down acoustica audio compressors in general and I'm just curious, what is/are (in your opinion) the best ITB compressor(s)?
@@prod.lyelye I normally don't respond to stalkers!.
Best comp of all time is Reaper's ReaComp, you can imitate almost every comp without having to look at a distracting pseudo analog gui.
I am not the only one who ever posted that AA compressors just don't work, you will find it many times
It’s just a plugin …nothing less or more
Did somebody say it was something else?
just three comps that were released a hundred times before
it's just an electric car...nothing less and nothing more...Stay on your diesel tractor then , dude!!
Their Plugins...just dont sound Open enough...Kiive Audio..is kind of like...."Softube thats Open" and more Breathable....LOL
the native instruments vintage compressor collection which has the same emulations is coded by softtube. are these the same plugins but with new gui?
Nope. The Fet mk2 is a totally new emulation. Those other two has the same core as before but a lot of new features, oversampling and fine tuned codes. So all of them should sound quite different.
The 2A and DBX emulation have the same old code as the NI ones according to Softube support, they just added features.
@@rickyspanish9080 Not just simple features, they added oversampling and a better and more efficient code. So they sound better and have less cpu usage.
@@michaelwirth6843
Sonically they are near identical which is what should be made extremely transparent to customers .
There are those of us that benefit from the functionality overhaul tho.
The over sampling is cool. But for me the clincher is the ability to now use them in the console 1 eco system .
But they need to be a little more forward about the coding since many people already own a version of these in the ni bundle
@@SoundScienceMediaWorks no plugin from 10 years ago is anywhere near hardware...impossible then. Only since 2023 are we able to make plugins that match, or surpass (yes SURPASS) the old analog washmachine boxes from the golden age
Someone released a 1176 and LA2A emulation in the end LOL
yeah genius