The AMEK MASTERING COMPRESSOR....

[@StanleyKubick1]

this is perfect. I'm thinking about buying it on sale for $29, and watching you messing around with it and scratching your head was somehow exactly the push I needed

[@kiminthemix4251]

It wasn't easy for me to understand the functions and layout at first. But once I did, It became relative to me. The stereo width is magic.

[@Bextra242]

Never tested it, but in my oppinion the SPL IRON was the best sounding compressor i ever tested, really feel like home when using it, it's so soft and gentle when used right, really in love with it

[@BrofUJu]

Really love it on slower material, find time it has a hard time keeping up with really fast stuff though. Prefer the Alpha (and SSL style ones) for that.

[@nambams]

It was the first digital compressor I heard that didn't make me feel like I was losing bottom end.

[@lesauskis1]

SPL Iron is an amazing compressor. It is the compressor I use for the end mastering chain, because of it's transparency and subtlety. Though, this AMEK compressor added something to the energy of the music that wasn't so transparent but well-rounded and full.

[@sergeyleps8492]

@@lesauskis1 SPL Iron - yes, it's good. I also use it from time to time. But (as everyone has long known) SPL Iron has a lot of aliases and artifacts. Because it was badly done (not completely fixed all the problems and did not do internal high-quality re-describing of the OS). I really like the sound of the Shadow Hill red version - it gives more depth and different colors. Why they are so enthusiastic about this compressor - which is on the video, I still do not understand. We have had an overabundance of compressor plugins for a long time - but there are fewer Good ideas / Hits.

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

That was the one I fell in love with right from the bat. That was one of the SPL plugins I really bought, together with the Hawkeye, transient designer. I love to use this one on female vocals. And on soft synths. I have this one as well in my bundle, but I don't use this one much. The Amek EQ's those I use on the masterbus for mastering.

[@7MOONS2023]

Fantastic plug-in 💯

[@reflekshun]

Really liked this look at the compressor, it sounds so natural! This kind of music was a really good stress test of it's natural sound.

[@subtitles1492]

6:27 video starts here

[@bloodforthebloodgod1137]

took me a week to get my head around how it works, but once you understand its like being able to reach into the mix and dynamically adjust things u can normally reach as easily, and with the right settings you compress very VERY heavily and you're like, is it even doing anything?

[@alandeacon1988]

I love this plug-in... my new "secret" weapon!

[@Rhekluse]

I too would love to see what this thing can do in Dan Worrall's hands.

[@SagiBraitner]

Thank you for mentioning the OS Support subject. It's already been 6 months after MacOS Ventura has been released and plugin allaince is the only company that crashes and all the plugins are unusable. They keep coming up with new products instead of fixing it. It shows about how much they care for their clients.

[@farley333]

Whelp, that's the fun part about this topic, isn't it? Apple doesn't care and Apple will break stuff so only Logic and FinalCut are working at times. That's their strategy for a long time. Now who should pay for dealing with that? Apple? Why would they do it? Developer? ...paying all the manhours needed to fixing and recompiling from their own pocket? They'd go bankrupt in few years. Customer? Whelp, we all know how we feel about subscriptions. By "Take care of us!" you essentially say "Pay your programmes to fix problems Apple intentionally caused. Indefinitely. Thank you." ...you have two options. Either stop upgrading the system or switch to Windows, because as shitty as that system is, they do care for backward compatibility. During my 15 years of producing I had ONE plugin that fell off during incompatibility. One. :)

[@brusecco]

no reason to bash PA for that… that's what the info on the website is for (i mean, it clearly says "Supported Operating Systems"). i've been a PA (and brainworx before) user for over a decade, and they always were very clear about the compatibility of their software.

[@matdan2]

If there is one common theme over the years with audio production, it is Mac users complaining about incompatible software, OS updates, etc. I wonder how much developer time is spent trying to keep up with Apple’s software-breaking updates. And this is for a user experience based on “It just works”. Mac users, why are you constantly updating before confirming your software, you paid for, actually works?

[@brusecco]

@@matdan2 that's what i meant to say… i've been a mac-only user for 20+ years now, and i can't remember any real compatibility issues with software i bought (maybe with some trial versions of software i wanted to take a look at, but only on a second system drive i configured for the purpose of messing around/up :)).

[@thekeysman6760]

@@brusecco "meant to say"? Was your other comment deleted? I've also been using Logic cross-platform since the 90s, and then as an Apple product when they bought it. I don't know how you have never encountered the problems Apple have made for music makers over the last 21 years.

[@TropicIslandMusic]

05:13 I haven't updated since 10.13 high sierra - it works.

[@tekis0]

First off: Great sounding track, White Sea! The double bass and piano sound wonderful. They're two of the most difficult instruments, along with voice, to record, IMHO. This is a " knock-off" of the GML compressor but with simpler controls than the new GML plug-in version. I used the analog version, back in the day; it sounded good. But like the plug-in(s) it wasn't exactly a quick setup. Good job, as usual.

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

This is cool, but does it have too many knobs on it? I use the Lurssen Mastering Console plugin, it does a good job but with fewer knobs. 🎼🎵🎸🎶🎹😃

[@tkelong3569]

Sounds great. Will be using it much more. Subtle but very effective. Very musical.

[@Xylume]

I've been using Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor and it seems very clean and transparent.

[@laz288]

No doubt the look is really nice. Curious to how the "look" or "skin" of a plug in affects its perceived sound quality to the user.

[@anteshell]

I would be very surprised if it doesn't.

[@Rio-uv1gs]

🤣

[@rogercabo5545]

AMEK = Alot Mystic Enigmatic Knobs.

[@abincshaji7533]

Lmao 😂

[@Takato2527]

uhm, the knobs in AMEK EQ 250 are just like any other analog EQ, so ...

[@fadamusik]

I love dig into new ways of pluging

[@DanielRivera-wn7ne]

I actually rolled the tubes in mine and it improves the sound even more. That other dude lost my subscription because of his bashing of this device. It sound a great. I’m sure a real pilot c would blow it away but I would take it for what it is. It’s great

[@pupdiogenes2548]

Yes. Once you download the software and it is on a physical medium in your physical possession, it really is yours. Even if you pirated it. Especially if you can get your hands on the source code.

[@fcmas]

Not true. You only own the perpetual LICENSE to its USAGE

[@pupdiogenes2548]

@@fcmas if I pirate it?? You're not listening.

[@fcmas]

@@pupdiogenes2548 you're not making sense. To own software is to own its coding. You've found a way to use the software, but that still doesn't mean you own the coding

[@pupdiogenes2548]

@@fcmas You're projecting. It's not that I'm not making sense, it's that you don't understand. I don't believe you are working with a rationally valid concept of "property". Property is that which one has the power to exploit exchange or destroy. Like it or not, you own the illegal copies of movies you download, even if you don't own the original. You're hung up on wanting to own the original pure version of a thing. I'm satisfied with owning a copy. You say "but you don't actually own it". Where? In your mind? In my mind I do, and my ownership of the thing doesn't interact with anyone else, so what anyone else thinks is irrelevant. Literal question: Other than inside your mind, where exactly do I not own it? In God's mind? According to the government? There is no justification for your position in reason; only in the laws of men.

[@KillwerDiscord]

i am choosing right now. what is better in your opinion: Amek Mastering compressor or the shadow hills class a mastering compressor? i have to choose just one. wich one do you recomand?

[@TheNoticer12]

Just for mastering? I would go for the Amek...I own and use both though.

[@TokyoSpeirs]

@danworral you have been summoned

[@ampersand64]

very similar to TDR Kotelnikov, right? Except side chain filter is easier and more advanced, the fast timings are more transparent sounding, and the layout is novel (potentially very useful too). The saturation stage sounds perfect for a full mix.

[@SoundsFromSound]

The TDR sounds much better to my ears in my testing. Adding saturation separately too. 🤙

[@ampersand64]

@@SoundsFromSound I suppose my experience is pretty limited here. Thanks for sharing!

[@danielwetzs9317]

TDR plugins are on a professional level, whereas bx, pa or Amek plugins might be nice for beginners or did anyone hear any improvement with Amek. No effect is considered being transparent, I see lol Well, jazz is not the best genre to showcase a mastering comp anyway

[@T3Rmin4LCuRi0siTy]

I love the fact that it has zero presets. Like most Bw plugins. Completely dependent on our own ears and taste. Thats how we develop our sound. Love this compressor.

[@nicknadym]

Waves with their StudioVerse proved that the lack of presets in modern plugins is nonsense. What would happen if AMEK MASTERING COMPRESSOR added presets? It would make it easier for people to work with it.

[@theobnoxiousweed]

I have to admit I use presets a lot half the time because I don't know how to use it properly.

[@ordinarymonster1187]

Honestly speaking this is not something irreplaceable for the engineers who are not only owning PA's mega bundle. IMO bw is not doing the correct marketing things, nowadays we focus on tools that can improve our workflow, Koletnikov and Unisum can do better (may be much) than this. I do recommend users who own HD system to try PA HD plugins (they are amazing) but for users who have more options this is somewhat like a tool that "try and forget".

[@ignacedhont9816]

Unisum is great!

[@Chipicui]

Kotelnikov GE is a monster. It is easily on par with this Amek if it not surpasses it…

[@ordinarymonster1187]

@@ignacedhont9816 true. at first i saw the price i was like "so you thinking C++ coding worths this much?" then I tried and became like "it's fking charity"

[@ordinarymonster1187]

@@Chipicui Kotelnikov's independent peak/rms detection is great, and the Yin/Yang make up is a great idea. Amazing for users who do not have hi-end monitoring systems, considering the price it's like king of novice villagers

[@alexbreyer6921]

Dirk and his wife recently purchased their third ocean front mansion in Florida. I think the marketing pitch is working for him.

[@helisoma]

Bought it yesterday and no box 😔

[@TheMrFinalizer]

Yes, you overlook ambience setting (ambience switch right in the centre), which really do interesting stuff. It is good mastering compressor, but really hard to understand, so as you said you need to use your ears.

[@radovanradovanovic2755]

well it obviously controles peaks upward and downward from the treshhold.. timing peaks and ratio and usuall stuff plus that extra VCA thing.. and headroom is usual feat in most BX plugs controles somthing like an input like gain staging by adjusting the relative sealing to signal input ratio.

[@MrBitflipper]

I must have wax in my ears because I liked the uncompressed version better. Here's a radical thought: what if a great mix neither needs nor benefits from master bus compression?

[@SG-4u]

It often doesn’t need compression. Nor does this song, really. Though if you’re doing pop music you didn’t mix yourself, it’s gonna help get the loudness up in a musical way.

[@JoshWiniberg]

Even the most detailed mix, that would take a lot of time, wouldn't achieve the same level of glue as a master buss compressor would with just a few seconds of tweaking. Could a mixing engineer achieve this same interaction of tracks with automation or clever sidechaining? Possibly, it depends on how much glue is needed I suppose. But I would argue that it would be inefficient use of time (and therefore a waste of clients' money).

[@Ivandovich]

Agreed

[@lilwombat]

I don't think it's a great mix thing it's more a song thing so always think of it's actually improving it

[@pewburrito]

we're testing out a compressor on jazzy piano?

[@KozmykJ]

I'm interested but not $149 interested. Maybe if a deal opportunity were to arise ... Historically that's the way things go with PA.

[@Yuusou.]

Why does it take so long for developers to resolve issues in new MacOS versions? Because they don't have early beta access because Apple is so awesome in being secretive about everything they do. Every upgrade may involve significant changes in how MacOS handles audio, which may remove previous functionalities, which may be replaced by new fancier functionalities. I love it, when vendors send out mass e-mails to say "DON'T UPGRADE YOUR MACOS!" as a Windows user.

[@timsarlos6403]

So far PA is the only company that can’t get their plugins to work on the new OS… at least for me. Maybe because they have so many 😂 Apples developer beta seems to not be enough? Maybe 🤔

[@Yuusou.]

@@timsarlos6403 It's not early enough, from what I've heard at least in the past (might have changed meanwhile, who knows). Specifically, if they remove functionalities and don't provide adequate replacement, developers need to come up with better solutions. Then you need to change all the references and implementation of that piece of code you had implemented. That usually costs a lot of money. That's why companies either let it slide for a long enough time or simply release a new product of the same product family to say "Look, new shiny toy, works with new shiny MacOS, too! Buy now!". Specifically, if you have a long reaching pipeline filled with new to-be-developed products, you don't calculate all the potential troubles, that a new audio driver implementation of MacOS might bring and the time a developer needs to fix it.

[@timsarlos6403]

@@Yuusou. makes sense, their needs to be better communication from Apple to companies and those companies need to reach out to the users more frequently 👌

[@Mansardian]

Apple is a pain in the ass for developers. So much so that Vojtech from Meldaproduction -who knows a LOT about coding - once said slightly annoyed if you want to skip issues with compatibility... switch to PC. 😜

[@timsarlos6403]

@@Mansardian I use Mac but I agree 😂😂

[@soundcore183]

Nice saturation box by PA could also replace PSP MasterComp.Kotelnikov GE be like: Mac OS X 10.9 or above.

[@FranFuzz]

Have you tried the Flux Evo plugins?... they look pretty nice, at least on the looks.

[@Drfresh1402]

This plugin shocked me today.

[@cylonvoiceguy]

Is this thing based on the AMEK 9098 compressor/limiter?

[@JBrm]

I hate that PA are duplicating all the controls, even if you link LR. They're doing this since forever and imho it's a complete waste of screen real estate and kills usability.

[@slave138]

I get wanting to make the plugins similar to the hardware they are emulating for those people who are familiar with the hardware. But it would be nice if they offered a more efficient skin option for those who aren't trying to recreate the frustrations of dealing with the limitations of a hardware interface.

[@sebastianfeldhof8323]

The ambiance button let you actually hear only the pure compressed signal, try that one

[@trevorclover]

Ohhhh... Is that the same thing in the SSL native drum compressor? (The name escapes my memory)

[@sebastianfeldhof8323]

@@trevorclover I dont have that one. Its the same as in the amek channelstrip

[@sparella]

So... The delta or something different?

[@bakerlefdaoui6801]

"Ambiance" knob is for monitoring the audio that is being compressed. It's very useful.

[@daniel_mana]

really really love your channel! and the best music to demo plugins. if you had to buy a mastering pluging with a 50 euros budget, what would you get?

[@Flashraize]

Great video Wytse, I liked it a lot! 😊

[@rowlexxflowz7825]

Hi, can you review the new channel strip from purafied?

[@nrosko]

I really like this compressor & yes i don't fully understand it but basically going from green slow, yellow fast, red peak then adjusting the rel hyst if i want a faster release. Did you miss the autogain?

[@soulpath1]

what brand studio monitors do you have?

[@djsmithers99]

I miss Dan Worral. He's only made 1 new video in the past 5 months... He needs to come back and make content regularly again

[@m.gunturkurniawan8085]

good sample for to test this plugin. take a look at how the low end works on this plugin .. hahayyy so cool !!!!

[@xAD21x]

Isnt it like koletnikov by TDR?

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

TDR Kotelnikov is a cool plug for wideband dynamics processing.

[@Chipicui]

Kotelnikov is THE mastering compressor. Incredibly deep approach to compression.

[@randycoverssongs]

Could you please review some plugins from JST Tones like the JST Maximizer or JST EQ or even Gain Reduction? I’d be curious on your thoughts on them!

[@djsilent01]

Have you done the AMEX 200 or the TOMO Lisa eq?

[@juanjavaloyes]

I'm not a big fan of PA plugins, but Amek 200 is a beast. It lives on my mixbus

[@lassorb4752]

@@juanjavaloyes… so you are a big fan!

[@mastfamastfa1256]

thank you for this review why not rateing every plugin you review (0~10)

[@alkhayracademy]

Ludvigsson for the win! ✨

[@ThalamusGhipopotamus]

Unisum or AMEK?

[@clivehunte3026]

You're absolutely right...we don't own these plugins only the license

[@helisoma]

it's a license to own a copy of the software

[@dutnakke]

I would love to know who that piano player is - would like to hear him more.

[@trevorclover]

I'm liking these new Plugin Alliance sales strategies, the subscription only was too prohibitive for me... And Wytse, you released the video hours before the intro pricings are gone! XD Imma have to buy it first try it later

[@trevorclover]

So far so good! Overhead mics, room mics, (proto) mastering chain, on a couple Cambridge projects. The Darude Sandstorms for my students lol

[@JoshWiniberg]

I really wish more companies did this rent to own model, and with every individual product. I'd 100% have bought the UAD spark bundle if it were $100 a month instead of $600 up front. They really limit their sales options in my opinion.

[@alexbreyer6921]

@@JoshWiniberg What? Spark is either $20/mo or $150/year. It's not all up front if you don't want that.

[@JoshWiniberg]

@@alexbreyer6921 that's rent, not rent to own.

[@radiantjumper]

There is another trance track called "Sandstorm" by Darude.

[@TheBumblebee84]

I was just going to check this compressor, you read my mind 😅 😶‍🌫

[@PURCELLYOUTUBE]

WSS: stop putting screws on plugins! PA: OK......

[@marc942]

So what is this alien mic? 🤔

[@frankwalders]

Completely off topic, but I know you use Reaper. I've installed Reaper on my brand new Mac Studio and the cursor stutters/jumps really really annoying and it makes me want to delete it immediately. Does anybody know how to fix this?

[@DigiMixAudio]

Thanks for another great video Wytse!

[@jaysgood10]

Wow. I didn’t know American Express was in the audio business.

[@beatprocess]

wonder if he uses this?

[@kingdan6776]

I use this on nearly every master. It definitely takes it up a notch but you must use restraint

[@cromulentcorncommander]

I haven't tried this compressor but I can atleast confirm other Plugin Alliance stuff works on the latest MacOS patch.

[@SagiBraitner]

Which MacOS patch are you talking about? All brainworx and a lot of other plugin allaince plugins crash on Ventura..

[@cromulentcorncommander]

@@SagiBraitner whatever the current patch is. I actually bought the brainworx SSL console last week and it works.

[@SagiBraitner]

@@cromulentcorncommander i don't know what macos you on or what plugins you use, im happy it works for you 😅 Still of PA Plugins crash for me and thousands of users for 6 months.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

It's not a philosophical question. You don't own the software, but you have the right to use it for as long as it's/you're functional.

[@Takato2527]

I look it up, and it's an emulation of GML (George Massenburg Lab) Model 8900 VCA compressor. I got the image of the hardware version and let me tell you, it's even more cryptic than this XD

[@this_is_jmdub]

This could be really useful on rap vocals

[@6.5inthemix]

You don't own the software. You own the license to use that particular version ONLY. Unless stated otherwise in the EULA.

[@robgreenlandMusic]

I would accept a Dan Worrall audit [sorry, video!] on anything

[@TransistorLSD]

Dan Worrall fursuit review 💯💯💯

[@hooch8395]

cool tnks

[@stevedoesnt]

I clicked on this because of the straightforward title.

[@benbenzon]

it is kind of hilarious that a reviewer who always bitch about gain matching doesnt use AMEK mastering compressor's gain/loss meter to do manual gain staging. I mean, the meter is right there, quite self explanatory, and very easy to use. What's the point to review a compressor if the compressed signal is 10db louder then original. PS. Amek mastering comp is my main compressor for everything now, because you can do gain matching after compression so easily

[@SG-4u]

This is because he refuses to learn about these products before he demonstrates them.

[@retepretep3014]

PA at their lowest. They cant even give credit to the man who designed this drc. George Massenburg GML 8900. Jeees has nothing to do with Amek.

[@lassorb4752]

Calm your tits down… GML 8900 has 8 knobs - this plugin has almost a million 😅

[@fcmas]

They mention it's based upon hardware, but aren't permissioned to say it's name

[@CLdwyer]

You’ve got a point

[@tekis0]

I was going to say the same.

[@retepretep3014]

@@fcmas Ohh one must wonder why...uhhh

[@SimonDanielsson]

What we buy when we buy software like this is the right to use it. So "own it" in this context means that we own the rights to use it. (comment to your philosophical question :)

[@jaffasplaffa1]

Did you see the new plugin from Acustica Audio's user interface? The knob even has scratches on it!

[@DynamicRockers]

Darude is stressing the compressor a lot.

[@dannydaniel8975]

Actually, Jazz music is supposed to be dynamic and is not compressed. If it is, it's very very very little

[@JohnWuMastermind]

Dan is the Don

[@fridmanator]

you changed the timing before using the peak and fast knobs, and than after you did, the timing was very slow. too bad, I hope you'll try it on your own time.

[@DJeMo]

The Audio Oracle has been summoned.... The frequency slaves across the audio realms await with anticipation...... @Dan Worrall

[@happyshadow]

Unisum is very good

[@not_just_burnt]

Dan callout hehe

[@STAR0SS]

The interface is quite terrible ; half of it is useless in link mode and the visualization is too small, you can see he's squinting and getting close to his monitor to see what's going on. If this was made by FabFilter the graph would take 80% of the interface and would be interactive. This one looks so busy. Also no auto-gain.

[@Chipicui]

Agree. The graphic of gain reduction is ridiculously small. A pity considering that they could make it WAY bigger without any hardware constraints.

[@SG-4u]

You can resize it. And there is auto gain.

[@Reggi_Sample]

Tell us your a fab filter fanboy without telling us. At least get your dissimissive information right 😂

[@richiefamus8778]

@@SG-4uHe’s a 🤡

[@jeromejamies3641]

All PA Amek products are awful

[@sickmessiah]

Why is “ sandstorm by darude “ the name of every song you play but yet they are all different songs. Very confusing. You’ve used songs I wanted to look up and can’t. You should link the tracks.

[@Whiteseastudio]

Shazam ;-)

[@genejas]

calling every song sandstorm by darude is an old meme / internet injoke

[@TheRealXira]

@Splitting Time 🤣

[@ElTuristaTravel]

+1 for dan

[@st33Npuist]

MacOSX isn't 'the AUDIO' platform anymore. Back to Windows.. loving it.

[@TheAlburp]

They just send you a GIANT empty box with a QR code inside for the download link

[@GingerDrums]

Guys, the free TDL koletnikov can do a much better job on jazz.... this sounds pretty distorted and pumpy.-

[@JSprayaEntertainment]

seems. good idk ... NOT. snake oil lol ( i know this isnt a snake oil ep ) lol

[@nicknadym]

If a manufacturer can not make good presets for their product then they just do not understand how it works. Or he just doesn't care.

[@julianmorrisco]

Macs, eh? They haven’t been the best choice for audio since about 2007-8. Now they’re just a headache and riding on reputation. I stopped using Macs when they dropped the tower format and launched the black suppository. I haven’t regretted it for a second, even though I still use a MacBook and iPhone. For audio , Windows now just works and I have been choosing the power I need with the cost I can afford since then. Macs just don’t make sense for anything that requires more than web or maybe a little static visual design. And don’t get me started on dropping NVidia…. Of course, MS is now doing the ‘Apple Knows Best’ thing, and I’m concerned ‘Microsoft Knows Best’ will be worse. I can’t stand it when a computer second guesses me, as I use them for pro stuff like audio and 3D rendering, it almost always guesses wrong. At least I can still turn that shit off on Windows! For now! I do miss the Unix command line, though. But I can live with that.

[@hadkmusic]

no screwss shit we need screws so our screen won't be damaged when used hardly🤣🤣🤣

[@Sumbibebe]

Why Jazz?🤷🏾‍♂️

[@beehype46and2]

Comment for da algorithm Streak count: 132

[@CLdwyer]

The real Massenburg plug-in is much cleaner than this. I’ll take the MDWDRC and get my color elsewhere.

[@newguy6935]

This plug just won't do. It doesn't have enough buttons and knobs on it.

[@lassorb4752]

It sounded amazing what are you talking about 🤨

[@Grant82gc]

you never own the software, you just own the rights to use it in its current guise.

[@bille77]

Uhm... That's definitely NOT Sandstorm by Darude. I know this for sure cause Sandstorm happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time. Lame!

[@zdrkp]

it really is a great song

[@xanderpills]

No, it's not. It's "Sandstorms Part V" by Darude Jones Quartet

[@adsm6464]

😂 best version of sandstorm yet I reckon

[@DJeMo]

Your obviously new around here, buckle in.... Love you

[@mwintersteinsmith]

Way to complicated plugin, totally unnecessary and proper snake oil. Appreciate your review 😎👍