The Famous Tube Compressor | SPL IRON V2 Review

After a long time of testing, I finally can give my verdict on the SPL Iron.
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Variable MU Explained
01:28 - Hardware Overview
01:59 - Input/Output Trim
02:53 - Tube Bias
03:13 - Auto Bypass
03:58 - Air Base
04:19 - Tape Roll-Off
05:24 - Rectifier
07:41 - Sound Demonstration & Examples
09:48 - Playing Around with the Threshold
11:21 - Using the Hermes for Parallel Compression
13:13 - Tube Bias in Action
15:59 - Different Rectifier Modes
19:13 - Sidechain EQ
19:49 - How Does the SPL IRON Sound?
22:21 - SPL IRON vs. Thermionic Phoenix
23:03 - Conclusion
23:41 - Outro
Phable is a german-based singer, vocalist, musician, and DJ with deep roots in House, Techno, Deep House, Dub and Tech House. In the last years, he released on labels such as #Armada, #Ostfunk, #LightMyFire, #WonneMusik, #Pure*, #AudioSafari and recently on #PlasticCity. Sometimes his tracks are melodically sensual, sometimes pumping groovy, his style unique.
GET IN TOUCH:
BEATPORT:
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INSTAGRAM:
► / phablemusic
WEBSITE:
► www.phablemusic.com/

[@phable]

What should I review next?

[@MannyXO]

Alpha

[@AudioJanitor]

- Neve MBP if you haven't already. - Overstayer - any

[@scott_free5816]

Would love to hear you demo and review the Alpha next.

[@thrale]

One thing I would correct. There are 6 different rectifier circuits, germanium, silicon and LED diodes which change the attack and release but also the character. This is stated on main SPL page for the Iron on the SPL website and it is why that dial is called Rectifier. Ive had one for years, it does have 6 different circuits. But they are rectifiers not, compression circuits. But the rectifier will change how the tubes react, which will give a different character.

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Maag Compressor !!!!

[@shermanhesse]

Oh my gosh. So good. My dream compressor. The plug-in sounds pretty good, but here, even when the compressor settings are "wrong", the hardware just still sounds incredible. And with a little work on the timing, it's perfect. Man, I want one.

[@phable]

Glad that I can help out :)

[@neal_laugman]

I agree with your opinions on the Iron and its usage. Thank you so much!

[@donkeyfacekilla1]

Thank you so much for making this series of videos. Your content is great!

[@phable]

Thanks man. This means a lot to me :)

[@maaaquemeseyo]

Love the video, thank you!

[@johnhigueradelmoral9964]

Thanks for this great video! SPL has really good quality in hardware! 🎉

[@phable]

Thanks mate!

[@Griuofficial]

Thanks for a video, great compressor

[@phable]

Thank you! Hopefully it was helpful :)

[@RedSeaMastering]

Thanks for the great and such interesting review. But I founded that something not clear or even not correct about understanding "rectifieres", cos according the SPL website info the different rectifiers are really based on different elements. SPL: "Rectifier The tube stage is controlled by a rectifier circuit. There are six diode control characteristics generated by germanium, silicon and LED diodes or combinations thereof. The attack and release times vary depending on the rectifier circuit selected." All that means that there are an actually few different circuits, not the only "different settings for the attack/release time", as you describe.

[@filipeventura2729]

Looking on Tor what kidney prices are right now, thanks

[@phable]

Haha, the liver is also quite valuable. Just saying…

[@filipeventura2729]

@@phable cheers man, ill try anything at this point 😬

[@phable]

Please don’t 😂

[@Rhuggins]

This, or thermionic phoenix?

[@dropshadow1932]

When did the v2 Iron come out? I tried googling, but was not able to find the answer

[@cameronpaulaudio7226]

Excellent Video! Love the air bass. Question, could you point me in the right direction for the rack rails you have on your desk? I'm looking to do a custom rack and these look like they're what I've been searching for but can't seem to find anywhere. Thanks!

[@phable]

These are standard Adam hall rails :)

[@cameronpaulaudio7226]

Thank you so much! Exactly what I've been looking for. Also, I think I'm going to have to get the SPL Iron. I've been after a good variable mu compressor to add to my chain, and from the demos it just sounds so smooth and unobtrusive. Love it. Keep making great content! @@phable

[@TouchToneDSG]

Great video man Thanks for making it what VU meter or digital meter do you have sitting on top

[@phable]

Thank you :)

[@phable]

It’s an RTW AES meter.

[@TouchToneDSG]

@@phable Thanks man

[@phable]

@@TouchToneDSG You’re Welcome :)

[@FRANKMUSIKOFFICIAL]

Best bees knees right there.

[@phable]

Absolutely!

[@danielkisel5661]

Could you compare the plugin vs the hardware? 🙂 Thanks, nice video btw.!

[@phable]

Thank you! I’ll try my best!

[@1kingstan795]

How does your Elysia Alpha Compressor compares to this when it comes to hip hop have you ever used the Alpha for hip hop is it worth the price tag Im also a little interested in the 5254 and how it compares to the MBP

[@phable]

Hits very differently. A video is coming up soon!

[@AdamE22030]

Nice video. What meter is that?

[@phable]

Thanks Adam, it’s an RTW peak meter.

[@millenniummastering]

Did you play with the V1 before? V2 is sounding way better to me. More round, classic, smooth. V1 sounded very transparent in compression movement but with a forward edge to the upper mids even with low input levels from the audio I have heard. Also, do you find that the parallel channel on the Hermise has a bit of that 120v rail transient enhancement thing going on compared to the passive signal path or is it invisible? Also I highly recommend the SPL Mercury. Those analog filters doing nyquist are amazing. I tend to work at the target level eg 44.1 now rather than downsample post capture. Always wins in blind ABX.

[@phable]

Exactly my findings as well. The original sounded „stressed out“ in some areas. Don’t know why though. Just heard audio examples. Could’ve been „wrong“ input levels i.e. too hot levels.

[@millenniummastering]

@@phable Yeah I don't think so. Even Thom Wettstein's videos he is running it really conservatively it has this enhancement to the mids that sounds mildly edgy and the compression action is totally different. The compression is invisible like my Fairman TMC but not as good sounding. Where as the Iron v2 has a real feedforward movement to it and the presentation is more like the top end details come out in a smoooooooth way. Instantly one of the best-sounding compressors I have heard! Anyway, I am getting the only V2 in Australia sent over this week! I have no doubt its a keeper. Thanks so much for the videos on it! Amazing.

[@millenniummastering]

@@phable Iron V2 arrived. Yep very smooth and super wide soundstage. Those new Cryogenically treated tubes sound amazing. Better compression action and sound. Never gets that upper mid forward thing. Quite a strong change to the soundstage. Lots of increase in detail. Much appreciate the video for putting me onto it. It excels on electronic music.

[@phable]

@@millenniummastering wow, really glad to hear that!

[@millenniummastering]

@@phable Alright so I know my way around the Iron V2 quite a bit now. Lots of testing over the last 3 days. Mastered 2 albums an EP and a few singles. So part of what is happening is the supra opamps are doing that level lift thing when you engage the input and output trims. Massive lift in the sound, extra details and separation, extra weight and solid image. Very similar effect that you get when running the DMC and using its insert pathway, just without the valves. Without the trimmers engaged its more transparent if you hit it lightly enough. Interestingly because the input trimmers and the whole unit has such high headroom it can sound nicer when driven hot at the end of the chain and using them to turn the level down and back up again. Similar to the PQ in the way that thing loves to be fed a really hot signal before it starts to shine. Something about that 120v rail stuff loves to be smashed. Just not the valve compression part, but all the solid state and transformer stuff in the Iron loves it.

[@skiiizo]

You are a liar sir !!! The most requested video was the one i asked you almost 2 years ago ! The one about your HDE 250EQ. i'm still waiting 😁 By the way thanks for this very nice video, and although I don't have your ears, I can hear that this SPL is marvellous. You did a very good job with this video and it gives me the need to get one. I already sold many of my inner organs, what could I sell more to get this jewel ? hahaha

[@phable]

Michel, I’m sincerely begging for your forgiveness 😂

[@phable]

What is it again, what you would like to see from the HDE 250?

[@skiiizo]

@@phable 🤣😂 I forgive you ! hahaha

[@skiiizo]

@@phable First of all, let me say that I like very much your channel. I saw a lot of videos you made for RME at the time I had an RME interface, you did a very good work. What I'd like you to do if it's possible with your schedule, and only if you want to of course, is to make a detailed review like the one you did these days for the SPL Iron V2. I cannot find a video talking about the HDE-250, I mean a good one, explaining the manufacturing quality, the sound, how it compares with other great EQs etc... And since you happen to have one and you are making very good videos, it would be fantastic to get one about the HDE-250. But that's just me, maybe no one is interested to see that...

[@phable]

@@skiiizo thanks Michel. What is missing from my HDE video that I did? You want more audio examples?

[@dougleydorite]

Is the V2 new? Or is it a facelift like the transient designer?

[@phable]

V2 has different tubes :)

[@SDA-Sound]

if you had to pick, this, or the vertigo vsc-3?

[@phable]

Phew, that’s a tough question. Never had them side by side. I think I have to pass on this one.

[@sudbenzer6603]

läuft bei rme :)

[@phable]

Der Iron geht leider zurück :/

[@timk.145]

​@@phable Warum ging der Iron zurück? 😮

[@INeedsMoneys]

@@phablewhy :o

[@phable]

Musste leider ein paar andere Sachen bezahlen (man will ja auch essen). Aber der Iron kommt bestimmt zurück :)

[@timk.145]

@@phable Danke für deine Antwort. Ich hatte den Iron hier. Der Klang und die Bühne waren super. Leider war bei mir in fast jeder Einstellung der Rectifier Settings das VU Meter im Modus GR nie auf 0 DB.

[@RayoBeatz]

so like an 1176