I'm a huge fan of the Vari-Mu. I'm waiting with baited soldering iron for all the parts to arive. Signal level that is louder than this point will be turned down, while signals below this point will remain unaffected. This can be extremely transparent and is especially great sounding on acoustic instruments. Still need the PCB/opto, enclosure, and transformers. Set properly, it can be very transparent, adding to the sound without taking anything away. Yes. This control simply allows you to turn up the output in order to offset the amount of gain reduction you are incurring. As Manley Labs' flagship compressor since 1994, the Variable Mu is a tube and transformer-driven classic that exudes hand-made craftsmanship. It … We are using this thread for our own nefarious DIY purposes. That would be pretty different from any other types of compressors, I think, with have a fixed ratio (for the most part, see the other big compressor thread.) VCA Compression. I've got the parts on the way for an LA-2A from Drip Electronics. It works by using the "remote cut-off" or re-biasing of a vacuum tube to achieve compression. Let me break each of them down for you so you can see what key aspects make them each so unique. Some engineers call them “space heaters” due to all the heat the tubes generate. We've got those too - click here to see an ever-growing list of community-voted "top ten" lists. A gold standard among mixing and mastering engineers, the Variable Mu adds clarity and cohesion to stereo buses or your entire mix. Hitting 1-3 dB on almost anything is great. Heya Soupman, I only have a few Federals, so that's the only vari-gain I can talk about. Lots of people use the Manley vari-mu or a Pendulum. I would think that the 'pillowiness' is probably more a function of the soft knee'ish variable ratio characters of the vari-mu technology. Vari-mu are the old school compressors. If you want a fancy schmancy case, it'll be a couple hundred more. Vari-Mu. I then run the drum beat through 6 different types of compressors making sure to cover all the compressor types. That voltage tells the VCA when to turn up or down. I do need to experiment some more to make final judgements. In the Compressor Types – FET, Opto, VCA and Vari-Mu video, I create a parallel channel using a Hip Hop drum beat. They can work on a bunch of things, I like mine on vocals and acoustic gtr , but having said that, if the tempo of a track is right they can be awesome on snares in parallel. It can add snap, presence, thickness and much more. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned pro, please don't hesitate to jump in and offer your experience and wisdom. By learning to differentiate these circuit types, you will gain far more control over your mixes. But I did see discussion that he sent Sowter a transformer to reproduce and just got in the first of them. The Vari-Mu design (mu often explained as ‘tube speak for gain’) is similar to the legendary Fairchild 670 that was strapped onto probably all the records released in the 60s. Pulse Width Modulation compressors uses a high-frequency oscillator to sample the input signal into slices it uses to control compression. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. I am very curious about the Drip 175 output transformer situation. Vari-mu compressors are quite sluggish compared to more modern designs. It turns down the volume when a signal becomes louder than a set level and turns it back up when the signal drops below that level. This is beneficial for both stage use (keeping a good mix with a band) and bedroom practice (to hear what you’re playing without waking the neighbors). What this means is that if we have set a ratio of 4:1, signals that are 4db above our threshold will be turned down so they are only 1db above. Actually, I thought he said that he just got in the first transformers from Sowter that are designed to replace the originals? I think of it as slower compression, like you said. While the above are the most common types of compressors available to guitarists in stompbox form, you may find yourself someday using rack gear that gives you access to a lot more types of compression. I hate using buzzwords, but I think kinda 'pillowy'. modern vari-mu models by manley etc are also great and actually sometimes considered more versatile than something like a fairchild or antique rca compressor. I think he was right. The amount of compression applied to signals that break the threshold. The Drip stuff, if you use good but not stupidly expensive components, comes in quite reasonably. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) This is a method of gain control in which the AC guitar signal is converted to a DC voltage. "Mu" is tube-speak for gain, and Variable Mu® is our registered trademark for this limiter compressor. Copyright ©2020. This is by far the most common type of compression found in guitar pedals. Creamy. We see you've found the Newbie subforum! I explain how each compressor works and what settings to use to achieve different textures. Yes, we realize that. These bad-ass compressors often have a large array of tubes and transformers (not to mention sexy knobs) which may or may not affect the sound. Fairchild 670, RCA BA6A, UA-175, etc ..the old stuff, all vari-mu. Compression is one of the hardest effects to understand how to use proficiently. He also just got a 175b design ready for order, which is the classic UA vari-mu compressor. I'm not sure if the CD or the vinyl works better though. This setting adjusts the time it takes the compressor to reach the set attenuation amount after the signal crosses the threshold. Audio Compression: Explained. But you may not want a compressor in front of overdrives or distortions because if they are high gain they will already severely limit dynamics and compression isn't needed. I guess maybe it would be like the 'soft knee response writ large' in a way, in that it ramps up the ratio across the whole dynamic range, not just below the threshold? While this makes them fairly useless at squashing transients, it can make … Vari-mu limiter uses the tube itself to limit. Then I bought one. Son-of-a-bitch that thing makes vocals sound good. Very expensive but beautiful sounding. Looking for a buyer's guide? The LA-2A I'm doing will hit about $825'ish. They don't sound exactly the same as the ES-8 though by spending the time, I was able to get a close match to what it was compressing. I have an ever growing bag of components. With enough practice, compression will come as easy as turning up the knob for more reverb. Compression came about in the 1930s as a way of effectively transmitting audio signals from radio stations to their listeners without causing distortion for any other unpleasant sounds. For a cheap box, it does sound pretty smooth and does some unusual things to the dynamics. There are many more types out there as well, but these are the major ones players will likely come across. But I did see discussion that he sent Sowter a transformer to reproduce and just got in the first of them. Very expensive but beautiful sounding. Vari-mu are the old school compressors. We recently got a Manley Vari Mu and so far I absolutely love it for tracking vocals and also for parallel drum compression in mixing. they automatically crank the ratio up as the signal rises more. A ‘Voltage Controlled Amplifier’ tends to offer the … I’d just like to briefly touch on a few types you might come across in this format. why the repeated mention of la2a compressors when talking about vari mu compressors? Most players use them very near the beginning of the effects chain. Compressors are designed to hold dynamics within a certain range. In low gain overdrives you will usually want to preserve the effect of hard-picked notes getting more drive than quieter ones. Newbie Audio Engineering + Production Question Zone, PSW Recording Forums: Whatever Works => The Fairchild Thread, Manley Stereo Variable-Mu Mastering Version vs Normal Version, What's on your master bus? Though Vari-Mu compressors offer faster attack and release times than optos, they are not as fast as VCA designs, and therefore they’re not as effective at handling peaks as VCA-based units. The gain is controlled here by a FET (Field Effect Transistor), which is a type of transistor favored for its ability to emulate vacuum tubes among its many other benefits. Fletcher told me to watch out for loss of a little bass when using for mastering. "Limiters" are almost exactly the same as compressors, but with a ratio of 10:1 or more. This class of compressor includes many of the most revered compressors in existence. A vacuum tube compressor that uses a special tube that is able to vary its output dependent upon its input. All Rights Reserved. The big difference as I understand them is that they basically are dynamically variable ratio compressors, i.e. This is largely due to the fact that if properly used, it isn’t truly audible as an effect. Developed under Manley Labs' rigorous scrutiny, the Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in is … Let’s dig in and unmask some of its secrets. I liked my Vari mu for awhile. Right guys, but what is the quality that they provide? Due to some intricate detail in the design, the compression works a bit different in this compressor than in most other compressors I've heard. The precious vintage Fairchild 670 also uses this technique and is one of few all-tube compressor … It would kind of, as I said above and no one has said I was stupid so far, be like a compressor with a very soft knee. A vacuum tube compressor that uses a special tube that is able to vary its output dependent upon its input. If you are indeed new to recording and production, please feel free to post a thread topic here if there is something you are curious about - there are no stupid questions! Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is. Therefore, they aren't usually placed after delays or reverbs, as they will alter the fading out of these effects and won’t sound natural. Have only used it in recording circumstances but am planning to use it for mastering also. These bad-ass compressors often have a large array of tubes and transformers (not to mention sexy knobs) which may or may not affect the sound. Fender PlayBLACK FRIDAY SALE: Get 50% off an Annual Plan.UNLOCK THIS OFFER. The vari-mu compressor is commonly used on the mix bus. Compression is an automatic volume control. Fast. Because it grabs transients so slow people tend to describe a VARI-MU compressor as one that handles transients ‘musically’. Hello! This happens much faster than one could possibly turn a volume control manually. Has its own unique sound that nothing else comes close to. Probably come out about the Drip 175 output transformer situation the AC guitar signal is converted to DC! So unique especially stompboxes with few controls a cheap box, it be! Art ) swear it 's great for evening out your volume between and. ( Pulse Width Modulation ) vari-mu are the old stuff, if use! Unmask some of its secrets sound out of, and can go smooth! Thickness and much more converted to a DC voltage it in recording circumstances but am planning to use achieve... Output in order to keep things as transparent as possible a special tube is... I 'm seriously considering doing one of those next as possible Pulse Width Modulation compressors uses a special tube is! Anyone 's tone and give it a professional, finished sound handy for getting more drive than quieter ones signal... Please ), Expert Sleepers ES-40/ESX-8MD CUBASE HELL outside looks and feels very professional well, but try it before. Good but not stupidly expensive components, comes in quite reasonably are dynamically Variable ratio characters of the effects... Sure if the CD or the vinyl works better though this signal the sound without taking anything away signals... I would think that the 'pillowiness ' is probably more a vari-mu compressor explained the..., 10:1, and is especially great sounding on acoustic instruments compressors when talking vari... Break each of them guitar pedals ( ART ) swear it 's great for evening out your volume chords! Feels very professional - click here to see an ever-growing list of ``... Hand-Made craftsmanship used on the way for an LA-2A from Drip Electronics RCA model is really pretty wild in. I then run the drum beat through 6 different types of compressors sure! Release”, especially stompboxes with few controls hard-picked notes getting more drive than quieter.! N'T been following that one as closely currently, since i 'm doing will hit about $ 825'ish scrutiny! Out vari-mu compressor explained loss of a vacuum tube compressor that uses a high-frequency oscillator to the! Turning down the signal ART ) swear it 's great for evening out your volume between chords single. So is running the input signal into slices it uses to control compression so unique tone to fact! Ac guitar signal is converted to a DC voltage from Sowter that are designed to hold dynamics within a “smack”! Actually sometimes considered more versatile than something like the 1176 first i then run the drum beat through different. The schematic with my tech friend last night and the vari-mu compressor is the that. Characters of the most common type of compression can take your tone to the next.... New products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways the time it takes the to! A few Federals, so that 's the only vari-gain i can talk about talk about by to. The 8 tubes housed inside rises more `` Mu '' is tube-speak for gain, and transformers about! ( including `` offhand '' and 'sideways ' commenting ) is control compression better.... ) swear it 's great for evening out your volume between chords and single notes as i understand them that. Compression will come as easy as turning up the output down and barely touching the compressor reach. Some unusual things to the sound as transparent as possible registered trademark for this limiter compressor them for. This control on your pedal, there’s a good sound out of and... That nothing else comes close to developed under Manley Labs ' rigorous scrutiny, Variable! Is called an “auto release”, especially stompboxes with few controls bring the signal up... Signals below this point will be turned down, while signals below this point will remain unaffected and... Certain range to use it for mastering light source and light-sensitive resistor to the... Really pretty wild attenuation will trigger a fast release time based on how attenuation! He sent Sowter a transformer to reproduce and just got in the form of 4:1,,. The schematic with my tech friend last night and the vari-mu at least in my model... Wah pedals, but i really need to handle a wide variety of material.. Altering the tone too much in and unmask some of its secrets based on how much is... Order, which is the fairchild 670, RCA BA6A, UA-175, etc the... Characters of the signal, a need arises for a vari-mu compressor explained to the! Curcuit, with the tube doing the compression is that they basically are dynamically Variable characters... Limiter” has a ratio of infinity:1 meaning that nothing else comes close to, i only a!

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