What can COMPRESS BEST? (Elektro Harmonix VS SP303 Compressors)

[@AlexIsMusical]

Imagine the amount of money Roland would make if they released a 303 compressor pedal with the original circuitry.

[@spvidz]

Would be so good if they re-did some of the legacy SPs

[@robo.2k]

​@@spvidzI would love for Roland to re-release the 303 with updated specs. Kinda like the Rossum sp-1200 but ideally not as expensive lol

[@ArigatoToMyHomies]

Would definitely buy one

[@halfpint90]

Brooooo

[@samdrumlo]

Was the sp-303 made by Roland?

[@AlexIsMusical]

Another interesting option you should check out for transparent mix compression is the FMR Really Nice Compressor.

[@spvidz]

Thanks 🙏

[@xxjoshbrownxx]

This is a good recommendation. The thing all the sp compressors lack is control over threshold which the RNC and other compressors deliver. Threshold is critical for mastering tasks.

[@xxjoshbrownxx]

You mentioned you wanted to explore compressors to get into mastering but I have to say this shoot out is focused around only drum shaping which the sp compressors are specifically designed to handle. However if you tried any other mixing or master task, the SP compressors would fail miserably and a compressor with conventional controls like the electro harmonix would be at least serviceable if not amazing.

[@saardean4481]

Nice comparison. At last someone who level matches the examples. Too many people not doing this properly out there when presenting similar comparisons. As everyone can hear when you compare the EH with the 303 at min 8, the 303 causes a lot of pumping to the textures resulting in this "sidechain" sound that almost gives me dizziness , also it sounds .... well in short it simply "sounds more in generall" as in More obvious= not as transparent as the EH. Many will like it exactly cause of this but if you want transparent compression the EH is on another level from what I hear.

[@spvidz]

Thanks for the feedback yeah there's literally no point in these comparisons where the compressor makes the signal twice as loud. It makes it really hard to hear the difference

[@Makes_Uno]

I’m feel’n the EH for a clean sound, 303 for grit.. 🤔 tough call, in a good way.

[@spvidz]

yeah I think thats pretty much it, it just comes down to what kind of sound you're looking for. Its good to have options!

[@Makes_Uno]

@@spvidz Exactly, one more tool in the tool box.

[@wiggesobk]

The EH Compressor brings more high end but they both sounds nice.

[@midwinter78]

I prefer the EH, it sounds more natural that both the 303 compressor and the 303 vinyl sim. The 303 vinyl feels more natural than the 303 compressor. I suppose another question is UI - what's handiest when you're playing?

[@spvidz]

I'm in the same camp. I think its more subtle and sticks to its job where as the 303 is something that also adds a bit of character too which is not something I want at this point in my chain. I prefer to just have my compressor doing the compressing!

[@shawndiggz8904]

Dope video! I love the warm sounds from the 303 MFXs! Great content!

[@spvidz]

There is definitely a nice warmth there which is good to know. I don't really need that at the end of my mix right now so thats why I'm swaying towards the EH I think!

[@nahuelsabatino5387]

Very good video, thanks for the comparison. I'm currently dealing with the compressors of the different SPs to choose the most suitable one for each of my beats.

[@BagofHoldingHTX]

Nice video. I liked both and think that there is enough of a difference to merit having both

[@Doser_Fu]

would say the 303 is doing more like a cosmetic compression and the EH is doing more of a technical job, much cleaner...etc I think collecting compressors is smart, u never now wich one will be the one for ur last beat!

[@spvidz]

Definitely good to have options!

[@Doser_Fu]

@@spvidz looking at FMR audio too, RNC and RNLA look good!

[@tom22333]

Very well put with the comparison

[@Durian404]

Cool! I would use the 303 for colouring the sound/ beat and the EH for clean compression, but i guess with the drive you can also really push it. A lot more options with the EH, very interesting!

[@spvidz]

It definitely surprised me today. I thought the 303 would easily be my fav but I really dig the sound of the EH 🙌

[@BassyGreay]

Awesome video! Are you keeping your AH at the end of the chain or was that just for this video?

[@spvidz]

I'm using it as an audio interface for my gear. Usually I use my MK2 but because of the outboard gear now, I need something at the other end. There were no FX on the AH for this vid though

[@SclimBeats]

cool video, i like also character of 303 but i enjoy my EH compressor tho : > waiting for more video like this

[@BoombapBodega]

SP303 all day! Nice comparison!

[@remyvegamedia]

I actually think I personally like the EH compressor a little more too 🤔 Seems to really make it shine and bump at the same time. Also, you still thinking of doing Ableton + SP videos?

[@spvidz]

I’ll probably dip back in at some point yeah. Got loads of videos in the pipeline 👍

[@gmmigge]

Hey man, I'm watching all your videos but in a weird order so I'm not sure what questions have been asked and answered already 😂 thinking about the built-in limiter on the EH. If you use the Analog Heat at the end of the chain, then how useful is the limiter on the EH earlier in the chain? I guess you'd like a limiter at the VERY end of the chain for the final polish, but I guess that could be done in a DAW. (Admittedly I'm just looking at if one could get rid of a DAW entirely 😅)

[@orbitfold]

Pretty sure 303 vinyl sim is a multiband compressor in a similar style to ott just less aggressive

[@bopphrases]

great content man, very helpful

[@deebaker4671]

I just bought this compressor, it sounds REALLY good !!

[@spvidz]

Niceee! I’ve not had mine out for a little while. I need to run some beats through it again

[@deebaker4671]

If you put just a bit of the drive on, it sounds so good !!​@@spvidz

[@spvidz]

@@deebaker4671 I'll have to try that!

[@domeniquexander_]

Great! What about the compressor on the mk2 vs the sp303?

[@spvidz]

Yup thats on the list! 👍

[@domeniquexander_]

@@spvidz cool 😎🤙🏼

[@RustyShacklefordIrishHipHop]

Damn, the Platform had been catching my eye for a bit so I was definitely hoping you'd say 303 🤣 I'm cool rocking with it in my chain pre Analog Heat ATM though

[@spvidz]

Haha I was hoping so too so I could send it back but it’s really growing on me now 😆

[@zackcolbourne6921]

You could always just get two Empress Compressor pedals - one for each channel. I want to say this would be comic overkill, but it is cheaper for two of those than an Analog Heat.

[@tyreewilliams7954]

I do like it, it does the job

[@spvidz]

yeah man, Its really starting to grow on me!

[@nahuelsabatino5387]

Does anyone know why the SP compressor adds noise to the signal?

[@BIGVHS404]

303 all day

[@ChillBuddies]

nice vid

[@relative_vie]

303 hands down

[@jameswestonbach]

Biased to Roland, but I’ve never owned the Elektro.

[@lelandchapman1]

aye!

[@jamisondonald384]

Hey, nice

[@jamisondonald384]

Re: the multiple compressor thing... Don't forget that the combo of LA2A and 1176 is pretty standard... A fast compressor for the transients and a slow one for the body. Also, I really like the way that ehx sounds

[@spvidz]

Thanks yeah I need to dial in a bit more and make sure that my compressors are doing different things. I just went for what sounds best out of the MK2 so far, but will look at that again properly for sure!

[@willybobo8846]

doesn't the 404 mk2 have the 303 compressor in it?

[@spvidz]

It does yes, but you can’t beat the real thing 🔥