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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 8, 2017 17:23:54 GMT -6
Hey,
as I look around for another stereo comp, was also wondering about diy kits that are out there as I feel like building something
we talk about so many products here, what comp diy kits are peeps aware of, have used or would recommend ?
thx ?
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Post by mrholmes on Nov 8, 2017 17:48:45 GMT -6
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 8, 2017 17:51:03 GMT -6
thx but I have one already and love it but do feel like building something. I have built the c-12 and mk-u 47 so have some soldering chops  |
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Post by wiz on Nov 8, 2017 18:06:00 GMT -6
A stereo comp I have which I use a lot, Modded Aphex 320A compeller
cheers
Wiz
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Post by jeromemason on Nov 8, 2017 18:22:10 GMT -6
A lot of the SSL clones have a massive issue in how the sidechain is set up. There is a DIY kit I mod and build for friends that uses the platform but fixes this and also adds input transformers, along with removing all but 2 capacitors from the signal path. I mixed on an SSL 6000e with a G buss compressor and my main goal was to remember how it felt to mix into that compressor, I went miles beyond that. It's instant glue, depth and width.
So, you can accomplish the SSL buss comp with the clones, even go well beyond it as in my case, but it takes modifications.
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 8, 2017 19:08:00 GMT -6
A stereo comp I have which I use a lot, Modded Aphex 320A compeller cheers Wiz did you mod it or is it JW mod ? |
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Post by kcatthedog on Nov 8, 2017 19:47:09 GMT -6
I mentioned the ssl but I see at group diy there is a vari mu thread. Anybody involved in building that ?
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Post by wiz on Nov 8, 2017 20:11:08 GMT -6
A stereo comp I have which I use a lot, Modded Aphex 320A compeller cheers Wiz did you mod it or is it JW mod ? Revive Audio cheers Wiz |
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Post by jeromemason on Nov 8, 2017 22:46:55 GMT -6
I mentioned the ssl but I see at group diy there is a vari mu thread. Anybody involved in building that ? The PRR-176 is a vari mu, I built that, and when linked and gain staged equally the compression on the buss is like butter. I put Lundahls, Carnhills and Red Dots in mine. It's dual mono, so I'll always have both channels on my vocal, one fast like an 1176 and the other side slow and it kills. If I'm not using my SSL hybrid buss comp I'll print the vocal and then set up the PRR for my buss. Mostly I use it on the more organic and bluegrass stuff I mix, it's instant fatness and glue. I've got another set of boards that eventually I'll make strictly for my buss, set up and optimized strictly for it, but, haven't gotten around to it. Another compressor that a lot of folks don't seem to mention when talking about buss compression is the PWM boards that dandeurloo has on his site. I see a massive potential with building a buss compressor with that project. |
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Post by Guitar on Nov 9, 2017 8:56:11 GMT -6
Serpent Audio SB4000
That is my plan anyway. I have shamefully been sitting on the PCB and front panel for no less than two years, however the back of my mind is still excited about it.
I'm pretty sure you can get a case from Dan Deurloo. You can also get the bits and pieces from Serpent and just put it together.
It looks like a ton of soldering, so I'd make sure you're comfortable with all of that before diving in.
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Post by svart on Nov 9, 2017 9:02:52 GMT -6
When I needed another SSL style comp, I got the Serpent PCBs. I didn't build it like you're supposed to, I bypassed all the fancy additional sidechain stuff and just built it more like the real SSL. It was a big difference using the multiple VCA adapter PCBs, it seems to hit harder than the GSSL style builds but slightly differently than the real thing.
One thing with the Serpent build, if use the power board, do not use the adjustable regulators as they drift a lot and it really changes the way the unit works. Use the standard set regulators instead.
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Post by adamjbrass on Nov 9, 2017 9:42:21 GMT -6
If I had a budget I would buy the Dramastic Obsidian compressor in a heartbeat. Def my favorite one.
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Post by joseph on Nov 9, 2017 10:09:54 GMT -6
If I had a budget I would buy the Dramastic Obsidian compressor in a heartbeat. Def my favorite one. Yeah but to me the Obsidian doesn't have the glue of an actual SSL, just has crazy snap, width and sheen. |
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Post by adamjbrass on Nov 9, 2017 10:25:59 GMT -6
I guess I don't like the "SSL Glue" then hehehe. I always thought that it gave the bottom end a hair cut when I flipped that button on. Sounded more hairy to me. They are very snappy. The Smart compressor has the best "snap" to it, although the SSL is pretty much like pop corn exploding when I hit on.
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Post by joseph on Nov 9, 2017 10:38:26 GMT -6
I guess I don't like the "SSL Glue" then hehehe. I always thought that it gave the bottom end a hair cut when I flipped that button on. Sounded more hairy to me. They are very snappy. The Smart compressor has the best "snap" to it, although the SSL is pretty much like pop corn exploding when I hit on. Yeah it does exactly what you say, can also sound very opaque. Whereas the Obsidian and some of the other derivations are way more hifi. I do like the SSL tightening of the bottom end if that's the older classic sound called for. I guess that's why people so often used pultecs after them. In general I find the SSL sound rather fatiguing but it works so well for some things. And to add to what I said above, for example, if Downward Spiral were done with a current day Moulder Duality and Obisidian/Vari mu combo it would have lost some of its gritty character. |
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Post by jeromemason on Nov 9, 2017 10:59:09 GMT -6
I guess I don't like the "SSL Glue" then hehehe. I always thought that it gave the bottom end a hair cut when I flipped that button on. Sounded more hairy to me. They are very snappy. The Smart compressor has the best "snap" to it, although the SSL is pretty much like pop corn exploding when I hit on. Smooth to me..... But, I run fast attacks and the auto release and that can make all the difference in the world. Now, the channel compressor is snappy no what matter what you do, but, that's what it does and when I was on the console my snare and OH were always those channel comps. Damn I miss that console, I could throw a mix on that board and be done in two hours, that's with rides too. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Nov 9, 2017 11:15:29 GMT -6
I guess I don't like the "SSL Glue" then hehehe. I always thought that it gave the bottom end a hair cut when I flipped that button on. Sounded more hairy to me. They are very snappy. The Smart compressor has the best "snap" to it, although the SSL is pretty much like pop corn exploding when I hit on. The SSL buss Comps adoption as a standard was as much about the convenience of it being in the center of the console as anything else. |
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Post by Ward on Nov 9, 2017 12:34:13 GMT -6
All SSL and SSL-Clone comps have one thing in common:
They are like a press. They squeeze the sound down and out. The stereo image seems to widen as they flatten the dynamic response.
It's a beautifully subjective thing, but a subjective thing, nonetheless!!
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Post by rowmat on Nov 9, 2017 13:17:46 GMT -6
Serpent Audio SB4000 That is my plan anyway. I have shamefully been sitting on the PCB and front panel for no less than two years, however the back of my mind is still excited about it. I'm pretty sure you can get a case from Dan Deurloo. You can also get the bits and pieces from Serpent and just put it together. It looks like a ton of soldering, so I'd make sure you're comfortable with all of that before diving in. I'm about 3/4's of the way through building a SB4000... after two years! It was the hardware, case etc. that was a pain along with the Molex PCB headers that came with the kit. The Molex socket crimps are small, fiddly and not particularly reliable. Do NOT waste your time with these! The original SB4000 photos show screw headers but these were replaced with the Molex's I'm guessing because they were probably 10x the price of the Molex's. I have since purchased screw headers from Digikey, NOT cheap. The SB4000 is not like building a Capi kit where EVERYTHING is supplied. You have to futz around punching holes in metalwork, trying to find, knobs, cases, meters etc (the Sifam meter we bought is overpriced and pretty shitty IMO) We went with the Quad VCA option.   I'll try to finish it in the next few weeks. I hope it's worth it! |
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Post by Guitar on Nov 9, 2017 14:27:14 GMT -6
Cool! These posts are making me want to get to work, haha. I love the 'pro tips.'
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Post by Martin John Butler on Nov 9, 2017 15:17:25 GMT -6
After the Tube Tech CL1B, I like the Retro 176. It's like a cooler 1176. If you had those two, you're basically done. So, maybe a 176 clone could be cool. I'd take the 176 over the 1176 sound any day.
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Post by bowie on Nov 9, 2017 15:31:02 GMT -6
Serpent Audio SB4000 That is my plan anyway. I have shamefully been sitting on the PCB and front panel for no less than two years, however the back of my mind is still excited about it. I'm pretty sure you can get a case from Dan Deurloo. You can also get the bits and pieces from Serpent and just put it together. It looks like a ton of soldering, so I'd make sure you're comfortable with all of that before diving in. I've built a couple of those (which customers of mine ended up buying off me after hearing them) and I've been very impressed. What I wasn't impressed with were the parts kit from Serpent, which were missing several parts. Communication was also lacking. Regardless, the actual build was on-point. Yes, it's a TON of soldering, in small spaces, so make sure you have a steady hand. Once you find a rhythm, it's not so bad. Just take your time because it's tempting to rush through those five thousand resistors but putting just one in the wrong spot will cost you hours in trouble-shooting. Ask me how I know. |
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Post by bowie on Nov 9, 2017 15:37:01 GMT -6
Which I could add photos because one of the ones I build was particularly stylish. What's everyone using now that photobucket put up a wall?
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ssl comps
Nov 9, 2017 15:46:04 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by kcatthedog on Nov 9, 2017 15:46:04 GMT -6
Think you can post a screenshot easy!
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Post by bowie on Nov 9, 2017 15:51:47 GMT -6
Thx Kcatthedog, the pic insert won't pull from my comp so I'm going to try the attachment here and see if it works. Edit; it works. Yay.
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