What Compressors Do You Use When Mastering And Why?

In this video I discuss what compressors I use when mastering and why. Having some of the world's best mastering compressors to hand is a huge luxury we have here at Audio Animals. But each compressor has it's own unique purpose.
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[@b.hornetiii.6771]

It depends on the mix, but yes, at least two compressors you'll normally use in a mastering, three is the norm for me. One for "stability" (light) and two "all in" compressors. You have so called "hidden compression" in a form of transformers and "color boxes" so you could count this as comp. No. 1:))

[@davidpereira4455]

Tone Projects Unisum Mastering Compressor 👌 for my tracks i literally only use this one, but because i have an extremely uncommon workflow. I usually use meldas compressors, ableton glue and unisum in the master bus

[@freewheelinghorn]

I'm curious if you've had a chance to use the DW Fearn VT-7. I've been hearing that unit get a ton of praise over the last few years - actually, the Fearn stuff in general always gets lots of love - so yeah, curious about your experience with/knowledge of those units. Obviously you might not need another tube compressor since you've got the Unfairchild, but then again it's a different compressor with a different sound, doing a different job (potentially).

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I've never actually used one but like you have always heard great things about it. One thing I don't do is give advise on gear I haven't used or have any personal experience with. So the only thing I can say really is I've heard it's brilliant and the price tag would suggest it is good too.

[@freewheelinghorn]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio haha yes it sure would, thanks anyway!

[@drea7772]

The DW Fearn VT-7 is in my book, the Holy Grail of compressors. It is not a clone of any previous design, and it has its own unique sound just like the DW Fearn EQ, as well as the Hazelrigg gear which are all based on Douglas Fearn's designs. For classical, jazz, blues, and country music, you will not find a better option.

[@lordberly]

I'm curious why did you remove Shadow Hills MC from your mastering chain?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

It's a good compressor but very temprimental unit and constantly getting faults. We swapped it out for the unfairchild which is a far better compressor. We will get another one at some point as a luxury item.

[@Rhuggins]

Do yall have a shadow hills mastering comp?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes, we have the very rare Shadow Hills Optograph Compressor. Very lucky to own one.

[@014Marines]

Speaking of the unfairchild, any opinions about the herchild by heritage audio?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I will have one with me soon to do a comparison with against the unfairchild. I'm quite interested on this. One thing I do know is the herchild doesn't use fairchild tubes. The unfairchild does. The herchild when comparing features has only half of what is possible to control on the unfairchild. The unfairchild should win a shootout hands down.

[@014Marines]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio hmm very interesting, thanks.

[@moisesjimenez3468]

It depends on the song... Shadow Hill, SPL Iron Compressor, and Maselec MLA-4. (Each compressor has its own character each song is unique and it aldo depends on the music style)

[@stefanhansen5882]

Interesting to hear your perspective. I'm curious: How much does the whole mastering chain you are using cost? Thanks! And Happy New Year!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Studio A Mastering Chain £150,000+ Studio B this Studio mastering chain £65,000+

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thanks! I have been away from music production for 20 years, and getting curious. Is it possible to do good mastering these days with only software? I see a lot of people doing that.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@stefanhansen5882 in my opinion, no. It's OK, but it is subpar and inferior when compared to analogue mastering.

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I am not surprised. But how much difference are we talking? You seem to strive for near perfection (which is great!). However, will a mastering done by a skilled mastering engineer with software only be at 99 %, 95 %, 90 %, 75 %, 50 % or... of the mastering done on good quality hardware? I know it's not a an easy question to answer. Still, I'm curious to hear your guesstimate. Thanks again!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@stefanhansen5882 to be fair let's say it's 70%. This video linked below highlights the difference between analogue and digital mastering. 75% is a big difference. I will shoot a dedicated video on this subject. I'll do a master digitally then a master using analogue, then we can compare the two. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnfNdYqLapt9m8Usi=y9p4XBA8Fp85pbdc

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

Hey, can you help me sir!? I want to start a mastering chain, not sure which compressor to start with. Which compressor would you consider? I work mostly on hip hop, 808 trap, and r&b music. Which compressor would be ideal in my case vari mu compressor, Vca? Or Elysia? I could afford the elysia compressor, also could afford the elysia but I could only choose one.

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

Also, I mainly get mixes with a 2track instrumental

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The SPL iron is a great choice.

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

.I really needed that input from someone that has hands on experience mastering. I was thinking between elysia or the unfairchild. I’m sure the spl iron will do it’s job and it’s versatility. I will give it a go. Thanks!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@tennac tennace robert I mean if you have the budget get the Elysis Alpha. It is the best.

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

.I do have the budget to get the alpha compressor. In my case, I could only get that or the unfairchild. Fortunate to get one of them but wasn’t sure which one would better suite me. I played with alpha plug-in and loved it. Vari mu plug-ins sound cool just never heard of a hardware vari mu im action.

[@drea7772]

The DW Fearn VT-7 should also have a place among the Elysia Alpha, the Undertone, the Maselec or any other compressor made on Planet Earth!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm going to get one on demo to try out

[@patricioo1419]

Hello very good video, as always. It would be interesting if you made the video about limiters that you mention: Greetings,

[@medwaystudios]

Does the Unfairchild work on bass heavier mixes like EDM?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes. Compressors aren't genre specific. If anything they are dynamic range specific.

[@medwaystudios]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thanks. I find with some valve stuff the low end gets too soft.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@medwaystudios the great thing about the unfairchild is harder you go the better it sounds.

[@medwaystudios]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Cheers. Just saw the video you made running material through it will give that a listen :)

[@simeonmatthews4584]

That's Nicks studio. Why do you use the SPL Iron in your studio if you have the money to get an Unfairchild. I'm hoping to get an SPL Iron so I would like to know the benefits of this compressor.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I have 3 studios. Studio A is Nicks studio which has the UnFairchild, alpha, maselec mla3 and shadow hills optograph. Studio B I have the SPL iron. In studio C I have a Wes Audio NG bus comp. I could buy any compressor for the studio I master in but I try not to ever buy the same gear I have in other studios. The iron is similar to the fairchild. You wouldn't want both. The irons a brilliant compressor I'd highly recommend for all round compression. In my workflow I don't require more than one compressor.

[@simeonmatthews4584]

@@AudioAnimalsStudioThanks once again for your response. Always good advice. On point 😊

[@bachelorgamer8001]

question no ask is, if there mix has a bus compressor lets say ssl would still need a compressor on when mastering

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes, as soon as you start processing the master the dynamic range will change. A compressor will then be required to tame the transients.

[@kool-movies]

Strohm 1660 Compressor , "This compressor was hand built in Sweden, using 16 high quality tubes and 8 Lundahl transformers".

[@Limit5482]

I have 3 compressors and I rarely use more then one at a time. Most material coming in these days is so over compressed I’m doing more expansion then compression I get using different compressors for tone but that person is right. You only really need one compressor. Multiband compressor like the Maselec is a different story Mastering=always eq, sometimes compression

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

So you don't use one in stereo, one in mid side, one as a multi band compressor. You should look into using compressors in more than one way.

[@Limit5482]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio if I need to but that’s not always the case. I could technically live with just an API 2500 and a m/s switcher for the rest of my life and I would be good to go. Too much tubes and transformers sometimes just doesn’t work together well I agree on the Maselec though..nothing does it like that thing does

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@Limit5482 yes but it is sometimes the case. Why limit yourself. I'm sure if you had an alpha comp and unfairchild sitting next to you you'd change your mind.

[@Limit5482]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio never used a Fairchild and I really don’t want to because that would be the most expensive mistake I ever make 😂. I have used the Alpha and it’s great but I prefer the API 2500 and a Manley Vari Mu for my taste

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@Limit5482 each to their own. I just much prefer the higher end gear for that unique sound other engineers can't achieve.

[@metalfather8139]

it would be great if all people could get to a point where what they think they know as how things are, can be pulled out from under them leaving them shocked . open minds learn and grow. closed minds start wars and cause suffering

[@lk0707]

Bro, you can talk forever. Give us some real examples.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I think the comment you meant to post was "hey bro, do you have any examples of your compressors in use?" "Yes, but you are in the question and answer playlist which doesn't include any audio examples it is clients questions being answered. The playlist you want is then hardware reviews playlist, this playlist includes audio examples of compressors."