what do you use this for ? ... a gain stage ? ... thanks !

It's an optical compressor -

yes ... but it's not a distortion box is it ..
you use it in your mastering chain somtimes ..
doe's it sound " good " ?

Admittedly, it doesn't get used too often - But on certain things, it has just the right color. It's pretty thick using more than just a touch - But on sparse, "overly clear" (for lack of a better term) recordings, it has a nice gluey effect. Not as "slick" as the Vari-Mu, but handy here and there.

the reason I'm asking is that I'm just getting
into mastering , I'm a good mix engineer
and teaching myself to master .. anyway ..
I have bought a Crane Song Hedd ... as my first
piece of mastering gear,I don't have it yet ...
but I have been experimenting with Peak Limiting
VS clipping my existing convertors and clipping wins hands down ,,, to my ears .. I have L2 , L3 , ..sony oxford , ... Massy etc ..
I'm looking at getting a Requisite L2M as my next purchase ... but ...
I have to save a bit first & I need a cheap
but good sounding gain stage , could this be it?
Thanks , I appreciate your patience
with a new-be ..

i wouldnt waste any time with cheap gain staging.i would just save up and purchase a tc elec finalizer about 999 on the street.With this piece you are getting the whole ball of wax.You will never need any other mastering processor.

im retracting that last statement.if you plan on doing big label mastering you will need better gear.But the tc finalizer will work great.Ive put my mixes up against many label masters and couldnt tell any differance

quote:

Originally posted by Tomita:
what do you use this for ? ... a gain stage ? ... thanks !

I like using it on bass guitar,especially if the bass player has limited expierence playing in studio conditions,as opposed to live.

quote:

Originally posted by 1 million db:
i wouldnt waste any time with cheap gain staging.i would just save up and purchase a tc elec finalizer about 999 on the street.With this piece you are getting the whole ball of wax.You will never need any other mastering processor.

Another vote for the TC Electronics finalizer.
Dont knock it--till you try it

quote:

Originally posted by John Scrip:
Admittedly, it doesn't get used too often - But on certain things, it has just the right color. It's pretty thick using more than just a touch - But on sparse, "overly clear" (for lack of a better term) recordings, it has a nice gluey effect. Not as "slick" as the Vari-Mu, but handy here and there.

Well put