WOW! This sounds positively amazing on the synth! It really gave it a lot more presence and character! That low cutting side chain worked wonders on that sub-kick as well!
Thermionic should endorse you, along with the other gear manufacturers that you demo. I went out and bought this unit because of this demo. Analog just has a life that is very hard to explain. Sure there are words and a whole vocabulary around analog but there is no mistaking it. Thanks for all your videos. It really helped me make my decision. Kool ;)
I’m sold. Especially on house, dance, Pop, or just running your synth stems through it. The keyboard is for Jamiroquai set on a live I asked him what he used and he said this model sometimes. Makes sense.
Love the content. Very helpful. One idea…I wish you’d use the same sounds for a “control” between various units you’ve reviewed. In particular acoustic drums bass and voice. It would help us decide what’s better between two often competing pieces. Just a thought☺️
I like your videos on compressors, EQ, etc. Wish more people did videos with electronic music. I produce Techno so always interested. Interesting point on this compressor video I notice a lot of image shifting with many of the settings you go through, especially the gain.
This brand is absolutely fabulous. I am about my opinion of this brand as I am about Neve. When you do it right, you don’t have to make excuses! Fine as wine and just my kind! Ain’t gonna give it up!😊👍🏻
It would be great if you could post a wav file of both processed and unprocessed so we could load them up in out daws and see how close plugins can get to that hardware sound, I think a lot of people would be surprised, cheers.
Hi, could you test this so you do a hard bypass? I would like to hear the "boxtone" of this - how the box itself affects the sound. I really like how Manley Vari-Mu and MP colors the sound. Dunno if I should get this or Manley Vari Mu.
@Doctor Mix, which converter was used for this? The Atlas, or your Prism ADA-8XR? I'm only asking because I'm seriously considering the Atlas, but after listening to a ton of your videos I feel like I can pick out when the ADR is being used, and this one sounds so tall and wide it hurts in a great way. =)
if I have a uad 610 channel strip can I use that compressor on .wav files that I have recorded also? what files are the ones you are using? Live drums recorded or drum machine? THanks
+Danny Nyman They're different tools, with different sounds. You might find you prefer the Shadow Hills on one mix, but find you prefer the Phoenix on another. It's very subjective and personal, so which is best depends very much on the music and the engineer using them :) Hope this helps.
The effect was very prominent on the drumloop and especially the synth, but i didn't hear a difference at the house track. could you give me some advice on what to look(hear) out for? (And yes i do listen through good headphones)
Sure! The main thing is the actual texture of the sound... there is a kind of tonal shift overall. Before it sounds like the musical elements are separated and a bit "shy", After it sounds like a more cohesive and finished piece of music. The whole mix sounds a bit more "assertive" and forward. One of the clues is in the relationship between bass and kick, they become a bit more compact and they sound more together. These are the best words I can use to describe it! Hope it helps. Happy New Year!
Very cool! It would be soooo helpful if you could mention things like that in your upcoming videos too. This helps an awful lot! Thank you, Happy New Year aswell!
klick2destruct lol i use my tv as a computer monitor and i can hear the difference. listen on speakers, tv, headphones, good monitors, etc. from these different sources you're gonna pick up different "perspectives" which you can then use when you watch these videos for instance, i've been deejaying for a long time, and my ear is very finely tuned. however, it wasn't until i started RECORDING music, that i actually started hearing things that i didn't before it's fun to learn this new stuff, eh? MGTOW Ten Commandments
Sounds amazing. Really seems to give the songs a sleek polish. Are your other compressors able to achieve masters of a similarly high quality? Or is this unique?
+khalidico Hi, the Phoenix is very unique because it gives your sound a very personal edge and conveying that sense of "finished master". It has got a very warm, silky yet punchy sound without ever being harsh or "rude" :-) The SSL for example is a lot different in the sense that is more aggressive with a natural bump in the mids which makes it great for rock and harder styles of music. Hope this helps! ;-)
What is the point when the before and after are not level matched? Totally useless - yes what a difference - because the processed signal is almost twice as loud! And i'm not hating on it or jealous - I own one, I can tell you for sure if I done a test like this it would be mandatory that the processed and unprocessed were perfectly level matched. Also, when in bypass the the transformers are still in the circuit. I can tell you though that even when level matched and hard bypassed The Phoenix still makes most things better, hence why I have held on to it for almost 7 years.
The thing with a compressor is as soon as you start processing the slower attack peaks will shoot the level meter up and so if you level match it will always be quieter unless you set the attack to zero so this is not fair to compare based just on the levels of the attack what you really want to do is level match the before and after by ear that way you ignore the attack peaks and see what a compressor really does, you can do the same with fast attack time that makes it louder and see why louder doesn't necessarily make it better.
What you are saying is perfectly valid, but it's not that simple. Louder almost always sounds better to our ears, I agree. So it can be deceiving. But with a multiple tube stage piece like this, it's very difficult to get the same sound with level matching. How you drive the input and output stage has just as much of an effect on the sound as the compression itself. He should have been adjusting perceived loudness ITB. However, it seemed quite obvious (to me) despite level changes that there were some nice harmonic content being added to the signal, as well as the compression action creating a livelier presentation. I'm referring to the synth and mix bus sections specifically.
Have you had a go on the Cartec THC? Would also love to see you demo the Gyraf G21(although it isnt a compressor) there isnt a whole lot out there about it:)
+Ross Finck The Cartec THC has a lot of build issues and the owner of Cartec isn't the most honest with money. There's a lot written about him and the Cartec THC out there if you google it. He's majorly screwed over some customers and can't be trusted. Don't listen to me - google the Cartec THC and see.
I don't think this unit is that great providing I've got one myself. There are other alternatives out there doing a much better job, for instance the new Audio Maintenance 54F50 compressor.
I m guessing you have all the best sonic weapons of mass destruction in the history of audio. the question is what you dont have in your gear list. you must be making a fortune to buy that toys.
IMO in most of ur videos you overdo with compressor (like in SSL video 4db gain reduction on master bus is overkill IMO). you barely let the gain reduction meter go back to 0. is there any logic behind your actions or u just like pushing the compressors?
Hey Armor! Thanks for your comment. We actually do have a logic :-) We're demonstrating the sound character of the unit, that's why we push it a bit harder than we'd normally do. Having said that there are a lot of occasions where letting the compressor work all the time is perfectly legitimate (hint: parallel compression). Of course for mastering you should just kiss the needle ;-) Hope this make sense.
Doctor Mix yeah all makes sense now. since you have a hardware and software SSL comps I think people would appreciate you making a comparison between them. always wanted to see if emulations stand up to the real thing. thanks for reply
![[ Comparison ] Stereo Compressors Demo and Comparison | Neve, Thermionic, Maselec & Vertigo](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5-VHEJJynOo/mqdefault.jpg)
WOW! This sounds positively amazing on the synth! It really gave it a lot more presence and character! That low cutting side chain worked wonders on that sub-kick as well!
Thermionic should endorse you, along with the other gear manufacturers that you demo. I went out and bought this unit because of this demo. Analog just has a life that is very hard to explain. Sure there are words and a whole vocabulary around analog but there is no mistaking it. Thanks for all your videos. It really helped me make my decision. Kool ;)
How do you like it two years later? Does it still get a lot of use in your studio?
This unit sounds amazing on my cell phone speaker
Hahahaha!! Nice one :-)
I’m sold. Especially on house, dance, Pop, or just running your synth stems through it. The keyboard is for Jamiroquai set on a live I asked him what he used and he said this model sometimes. Makes sense.
Love the content. Very helpful. One idea…I wish you’d use the same sounds for a “control” between various units you’ve reviewed. In particular acoustic drums bass and voice. It would help us decide what’s better between two often competing pieces. Just a thought☺️
Thermionic should send you a unit :-)
Superb demo!
Nice warm sound, the kickdrum gets beter and on the synth, wow thats amazing!
I like your videos on compressors, EQ, etc. Wish more people did videos with electronic music. I produce Techno so always interested. Interesting point on this compressor video I notice a lot of image shifting with many of the settings you go through, especially the gain.
This brand is absolutely fabulous. I am about my opinion of this brand as I am about Neve. When you do it right, you don’t have to make excuses! Fine as wine and just my kind! Ain’t gonna give it up!😊👍🏻
That synth part sounded incredible through the Phoenix! Nice vids. Subscribed.
Yeah, it really shines on that, doesn't it?
man this thing sounds incredible. Already splurged for the culture vulture....wish i could justify this thing!!
+Geoff martin The Culture Vulture certainly isn't a bad choice though! ;)
Appreciate all your videos, thanks for taking the time to do them.
Aaawww! Thank you so much Steve! I am really glad you enjoy them :-)
Doctor Mix - the quality of your videos are great!
Here my home set up if you have time check it out.
th-cam.com/video/gg91s1WK1AQ/w-d-xo.html
sounds ridiculously good! wow
woow....that peace of gear is just stunning!! thnx4sharing!!!
Yeah, the more we use it the more we love it! Rock on :-)
Our pleasure! Have a great 2015!
Doctor Mix i wish you the same !!! still want that spl qure video though ;-)
3:35 I love that pfhugh! Best comment ever.
It would be great if you could post a wav file of both processed and unprocessed so we could load them up in out daws and see how close plugins can get to that hardware sound, I think a lot of people would be surprised, cheers.
Superb sounding
Still have it?
I love the fattness.
Thinking of getting one for my 2 Buss.
Aaahh yeah, this is great! Thank you once again 😁👍🏽❤
Hi, could you test this so you do a hard bypass? I would like to hear the "boxtone" of this - how the box itself affects the sound. I really like how Manley Vari-Mu and MP colors the sound. Dunno if I should get this or Manley Vari Mu.
HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO A MANLEY VARI MU FOR THESE STYLES OF MUSIC?
nice demo
That thing is REALLY incredible! Wow! Now I must decide... one of these, or a car :P
+Elsif Haha, why would you need to leave the house if you have one of these? ;-)
Doctor Mix haaha lol
damn. buy one of these, then make it work for you and use the money to buy a car.
really impressive.
Manley Vari-Mu demo please !!! PLEASE !!!
Why didn't you use LINK switch?
@Doctor Mix, which converter was used for this? The Atlas, or your Prism ADA-8XR? I'm only asking because I'm seriously considering the Atlas, but after listening to a ton of your videos I feel like I can pick out when the ADR is being used, and this one sounds so tall and wide it hurts in a great way. =)
if I have a uad 610 channel strip can I use that compressor on .wav files that I have recorded also? what files are the ones you are using? Live drums recorded or drum machine? THanks
BRUTAL
Had the same result on Synth with Acustica Violet or Water Compressor
Thanks, Violet bought me here
Which one is better - The Phoenix or Shadow Hills?
+Danny Nyman They're different tools, with different sounds. You might find you prefer the Shadow Hills on one mix, but find you prefer the Phoenix on another. It's very subjective and personal, so which is best depends very much on the music and the engineer using them :) Hope this helps.
That kick bro!!!!! Whew!!!!
The effect was very prominent on the drumloop and especially the synth, but i didn't hear a difference at the house track. could you give me some advice on what to look(hear) out for? (And yes i do listen through good headphones)
Sure! The main thing is the actual texture of the sound... there is a kind of tonal shift overall. Before it sounds like the musical elements are separated and a bit "shy", After it sounds like a more cohesive and finished piece of music. The whole mix sounds a bit more "assertive" and forward. One of the clues is in the relationship between bass and kick, they become a bit more compact and they sound more together. These are the best words I can use to describe it! Hope it helps. Happy New Year!
Very cool! It would be soooo helpful if you could mention things like that in your upcoming videos too. This helps an awful lot!
Thank you, Happy New Year aswell!
klick2destruct lol i use my tv as a computer monitor and i can hear the difference. listen on speakers, tv, headphones, good monitors, etc. from these different sources you're gonna pick up different "perspectives" which you can then use when you watch these videos
for instance, i've been deejaying for a long time, and my ear is very finely tuned. however, it wasn't until i started RECORDING music, that i actually started hearing things that i didn't before
it's fun to learn this new stuff, eh?
MGTOW Ten Commandments
Always good to draw from different experience!
Sounds amazing. Really seems to give the songs a sleek polish.
Are your other compressors able to achieve masters of a similarly high quality? Or is this unique?
+khalidico Hi, the Phoenix is very unique because it gives your sound a very personal edge and conveying that sense of "finished master". It has got a very warm, silky yet punchy sound without ever being harsh or "rude" :-) The SSL for example is a lot different in the sense that is more aggressive with a natural bump in the mids which makes it great for rock and harder styles of music. Hope this helps! ;-)
What is the point when the before and after are not level matched? Totally useless - yes what a difference - because the processed signal is almost twice as loud! And i'm not hating on it or jealous - I own one, I can tell you for sure if I done a test like this it would be mandatory that the processed and unprocessed were perfectly level matched.
Also, when in bypass the the transformers are still in the circuit. I can tell you though that even when level matched and hard bypassed The Phoenix still makes most things better, hence why I have held on to it for almost 7 years.
Useful comment! Very smart guy here!
The thing with a compressor is as soon as you start processing the slower attack peaks will shoot the level meter up and so if you level match it will always be quieter unless you set the attack to zero so this is not fair to compare based just on the levels of the attack what you really want to do is level match the before and after by ear that way you ignore the attack peaks and see what a compressor really does, you can do the same with fast attack time that makes it louder and see why louder doesn't necessarily make it better.
What you are saying is perfectly valid, but it's not that simple. Louder almost always sounds better to our ears, I agree. So it can be deceiving. But with a multiple tube stage piece like this, it's very difficult to get the same sound with level matching. How you drive the input and output stage has just as much of an effect on the sound as the compression itself. He should have been adjusting perceived loudness ITB. However, it seemed quite obvious (to me) despite level changes that there were some nice harmonic content being added to the signal, as well as the compression action creating a livelier presentation. I'm referring to the synth and mix bus sections specifically.
Have you had a go on the Cartec THC? Would also love to see you demo the Gyraf G21(although it isnt a compressor) there isnt a whole lot out there about it:)
+Ross Finck We haven't tried those! You should let them know you'd be interested in us showing off their gear ;)
+Ross Finck The Cartec THC has a lot of build issues and the owner of Cartec isn't the most honest with money. There's a lot written about him and the Cartec THC out there if you google it. He's majorly screwed over some customers and can't be trusted. Don't listen to me - google the Cartec THC and see.
Level match?
this demo is almost pointless.
AMIZING
Damn 😍
lovely unit! yeah hahaha
90s hip hop sound.
oha!
4:40 -- here it turns out that it almost does not do anything
Agreed
I don't think this unit is that great providing I've got one myself. There are other alternatives out there doing a much better job, for instance the new Audio Maintenance 54F50 compressor.
Agreed. Mine is a dud. Doesn't grab and the Thing it does to the transients isn't that flattering it's like an ugly puff pop
I m guessing you have all the best sonic weapons of mass destruction in the history of audio. the question is what you dont have in your gear list. you must be making a fortune to buy that toys.
IMO in most of ur videos you overdo with compressor (like in SSL video 4db gain reduction on master bus is overkill IMO). you barely let the gain reduction meter go back to 0. is there any logic behind your actions or u just like pushing the compressors?
Hey Armor! Thanks for your comment. We actually do have a logic :-) We're demonstrating the sound character of the unit, that's why we push it a bit harder than we'd normally do. Having said that there are a lot of occasions where letting the compressor work all the time is perfectly legitimate (hint: parallel compression). Of course for mastering you should just kiss the needle ;-) Hope this make sense.
Doctor Mix yeah all makes sense now. since you have a hardware and software SSL comps I think people would appreciate you making a comparison between them. always wanted to see if emulations stand up to the real thing. thanks for reply
Doctor Mix Would also love to see that!
no doubt it's great but you never level match so.......