URS Compressors (which one?)

[tekara]

Okay,

so the previous thread about hardware compressors got me thinking. Coincidentally, one of my friends is going to be selling his hardware unit and recently asked me which software compressors to use.

Seeing from the previous thread about hardware compressors, the URS seems quite nice. Out of the URS series, which ones would you guys recommend?

Keep in mind that he doesnt have a shed load of money to blow on this, so I dont think he can afford any "bundles" or console strip plugins that he wont be using. All he will be using is just straight good old fashion compression.

He needs it mainly for compression on techno drums. I suggested to him the URS 1975 Compressor, but I know that there are many others in that series.

there is the 1980 compressor, the 1970, and the 1975.

Aside from the difference in years, is there one specific compressor out of this lsit that is mainly geared towards drums for techno. Im talking about layers and layers of 909 drums looped together all thrown into this compressor.

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[rhythmtech]

URS classic console strip pro.. no question about it

URS Classic Console Strip Pro™

• 30 Selectable Input Stage Algorithms
• 60 Selectable Channel Compressor/ Limiter starting points - Pre or Post EQ
• 5 Selectable EQ Algorithms for each Fully Sweepable Parametric band
• Channel Filters - Pre or Post Compressor or Sidechainable
• Powerful De-esser and other included special effects
• Interactive Signal Flow Display Section follows the signal path
• Super DSP efficient URS Classic Console Strip version included

The URS Classic Console Strip Pro is our ultimate multi console in the box channel strip solution.
You the engineer create your dream console choosing your favorite algorithms from the Input Stage, Compressor and EQ selections.
Hands on Four Vintage Recording Consoles, Program EQs and Racks of Outboard Compressors digitally recreated in a single plug-in!
The URS Classic Console Strip Pro is a revolutionary new way of combining classic sounds into one unified channel strip. This modern concept allows the engineer to create hundreds of custom console starting points from the almost never ending palette of input stages, compressor/limiter and EQ choices all with near zero latency and full 48 bit Double Precision Processing.
Listen to what we believe is the most versatile and best sounding classic console strip that was never made before!
From the moment you put the URS Classic Console Strip Pro input stages in circuit you will hear the difference! Selectable Input Stage Algorithms digitally recreate the sound and characteristics of classic input stages to add warmth. The Input Stage Intensity control adjusts the Input Stage affect from 0-200%.
Thirty (30) input stages are presently included:

• Three Class A American input transformers
• Class A British input transformer
• Class A German input transformer
• Two Class A tube input stages
• 15ips 2" tape electronics/head bump
• 30ips 2" tape electronics/head bump
• 30ips 1/2" tape electronics/head bump
• Fifteen input transformer & tape combos
• Five Console Input/Summing Buss stages

A Digital transparent Input stage is also provided which adds no colorization, harmonics and/or saturation.
In your face Interactive Signal Flow Button Display
No confusion here! The signal flow button display section shows the signal path of Compressor, Filters and EQ sections. The labeling of the buttons updates automatically as per the status of the Compressor and Filters section Pre/Post switches. In addition, each signal flow button acts as a bypass for the section it represents.
Independent Compressor, Filters and EQ sections
The Compressor, Filters and EQ sections are totally independent of each other featuring separate In/Out switching via the Signal Flow Button Display.
The Compressor section is selectable between Pre/Post the EQ section. The Filters section is selectable Pre/Post /Sidechain the Compressor section.
Compressor/Limiter section features a custom designed versatile channel compressor that can match the sound and characteristics of Diode Bridge, VCA, Fet, Opto, Tube and Tape compression.
The compressor starting points are based on the most prized compressors limiters in recording studio history, The URS Classic Console Strip Pro features 14 classic console compressor/limiter models and 46 outboard compressor/limiter models.
The compressor starting points simultaneously change the input stage algorithms to suit the compressor preset.
The Compressor features fully adjustable Threshold, Ratio, Knee, Attack, Release and Gain Makeup. Adjustable from soft to aggressive!
Presently 60 Compressor presets are included:

• Two 1967 Americian Channel Comp presets
• Five 1970 British Channel Comp presets
• Two 1970 British Channel Limiter presets
• Five 1980 British VCA Channel Comp presets
• Five Fet presets
• Four Opto presets
• Room Mic preset
• Four Stress presets
• Five Tape Compression presets
• Twelve Tube Compression presets
• Seven American VCA presets
• Two Very-New presets
• Three Class A Buss Comp presets
• Three URS Classic Console Strip presets

Filters/Side chain section can be assigned either Pre/Post Compressor or as the Compressor's Side chain. Using the Side chain feature can fine tune how narrow or "Broad Band" the Compressor will affect the program material. Both Filters completely overlap to dial in problem frequencies. The Listen Key is after the Internal/ External Side Chain Filters section. The Listen Key allows you to monitor the signal being sent to the Gain Reduction detection circuit.
Presently 6 Side chain presets are included

• Six Classic VCA De-esser presets
• Two Drum VCA Ducker presets
• British Talkback Mic Preset
• Telephone preset

Brand New EQ Algorithims
The URS Strip Pro features all new EQ Algorithim technolgy. The digitally recreated Analog EQs represent the cutting edge in EQ modeling. EQ section digitally recreates the sound of four different analog consoles plus a Vintage Tube program EQ. All bands features fully sweepable frequency and "Q" bandwidth selection, The Mid range bands overlap over four octaves of frequency selection. The LF and HF EQ Bands are selectable Peak or Shelving.
Each EQ band presently selects from either:

• 1951 Program EQ - Tube
• 1967 Console EQ - American 4 Band
• 1970 Console EQ - British 3 band Class A
• 1972 Console EQ - British 4 band Class A/B
• 1980 Console EQ - British 4 Band

Room to grow
The URS Classic Console Strip Pro’s unified GUI allows room to add more Input Stages, Compressor and EQ algorithms as they are developed. High Res 48 bit "Double Precision" processing
The URS Strip TDM version features Hi Resolution 48-bit TDM and URS Classic Console Strip Native features 64-bit "Double Precision" processing for increased clarity and headroom with unparalleled gain reduction. Hi Resolution "Double Precision" processing helps to avoid internal clipping in the Digital Domain.

[rhythmtech]

sorry. didnt read the bit about not being able to afford a strip.

get him to go for the sonalksis.. much better suited to his needs i would say.

[tekara]

still bloody nice though, jesus!

Kind of makes ME WANT TO GET ONE NOW!

[p_brane]

sonalksis SV -315mk2, real good compressor, bout 150 squids

[dirty_bass]

If he is mainly looking to compress drums, then the sonalksis is the baby to buy.

the URS stuff is better for other compression purposes I think.

[tekara]

funny,

but i just installed the demo of sonalksis for myself to try and i just finished it comparing to the Waves ssl 4000 plugin.

For techno, there is a noticeable difference between how the two sound using the exact same settings.

One thing I really enjoy about the Sonalksis so far is its ability to crunch the drums to mush and still have enough gain to hear the whole mix.

One thing that i am beginning to notice about the ssl, is that after you turning the ratio and all other values to extreme settings to get that crunching feel, you lose almost all volume even with the gain at full blast.

Im really enjoying this sonalksis. I will definately recommend this one to my friend, and maybe even purchase this one down the road sometime.

[dirty_bass]

Well, as I kinda said earlier, the SSL compressors aren`t meant for techno purposes. Very nice at subtley controling a mix, but not really good for more interesting roles.