Extreme Master Bus Processing: Compression and Saturation (FaderWear Guides)

[Matt Crooks]

Do you put these before or after any buss plugs?

Before... so that it is simulating the sound of the tape before any processing... the way it would have happened back when I used 2".

Also... I put them on the busses only for efficiency... if I had the horsepower I would put them on each track. My current project has 80+ tracks and over 100 plugins per song (plus 3 stereo outboard fx processors), so I just couldn't put the Phoenix on each track.

 

[Ermz]

I used to be pretty big on the slow attack, fast release, 4B GR master bus settings, but lately I've been easing off a lot more. I find that much compression over the entire thing tends to change the way everything interacts. Everything starts popping out due to the slow attack time and just gives the limiter more work to do.

Will definitely give the tube/tape sims a shot though. I used to use the VintageWarmer in the past for that sort of thing because it's the closest thing to true tape saturation I've heard from a plug-in.

 

[jw009]

Awesome guide !! Improved my mixes ALOT, thanks dude !

 

[greyskull]

MASSEY tape head rules!

 

[Daunt]

Voxengo released a new saturation plugin called VariSaturator. Just tried it quickly and it seemed pretty cool! I added it to my list:

http://www.faderwear.com/guides/extrememasterbus/plugins.shtml

 

[schust]

i love Voxengo plugs.. thanks for mentioning!

 

[abyssofdreams]

My master chain looks like this:

EQ
Multiband/ G Comp
Clipper
Limiter

Should I put both tube and tape saturation before EQ?

Also I find it very hard to set them up the right way, what are your settings on the saturation plugins?
Or which ones do have some of those "good presets" on them?
I was using the PSP Vintage Warmer for tape (after Comp) and the Tubedriver from Nick Crow as tube saturation but it's got way too many knobs

 

[Daunt]

Try something like this:

http://www.faderwear.com/guides/extrememasterbus/example_settings.shtml

I'm not using THD anymore though. At the moment I'm liking TesslaSE and Voxengo VariSaturator. I place the tube saturation before anything else and the tape saturation before the clipper/limiter. You can do whatever sounds right to you.

 

[abyssofdreams]

Kiitos!
Btw, where in Helsinki is your studio located?
I'd make sure to stop by and say hello next time I'm in Helsinki this year

 

[Daunt]

Ole hyvä

We are just building a new studio that will be located at Malmi. Just drop me a PM when you're coming to Helsinki!

 

[JoeJackson]

Does anyone know the "Airwindows Channel"-Plugin? It's a small - but free - channel analogifying plugin.
http://store.kagi.com

 

[kev]

This is a really nice read, thanks dude. Ive been at a loss in practical terms with some of the detailed compressor terminology and this has helped a fair whack!

 

[AStacy2]

Hey Daunt, just tried the Tessla SE - it's pretty cool, better than the THD I think too. Have you tried chaining a few instances of it at lower settings? That's how I've got it working best for me so far. Just curious to know how you're using it.

 

[Daunt]

Hey Daunt, just tried the Tessla SE - it's pretty cool, better than the THD I think too. Have you tried chaining a few instances of it at lower settings? That's how I've got it working best for me so far. Just curious to know how you're using it.

I've been using only one instance, but I will try that! Thanks.

 

[migreeni]

So, when can we see the next guide?

 

[Sloan]

I've been using Tessla SE and the JB Ferox with really good results, but the THD just fucks up my shit. HOW DOES I THD.

 

[Daunt]

So, when can we see the next guide?

I have been damn busy with building a new studio and recording. Haven't had time to write any new guides

I'll be back

 

[Daunt]

I've been using Tessla SE and the JB Ferox with really good results, but the THD just fucks up my shit. HOW DOES I THD.

If you don't like it, don't use it

 

[AStacy2]

Are you guys using TesslaSE first in the chain? If you are, do you have your mix hitting the far right of the meters like the manual says? It seems like this is how the plugin is meant to work but even with the saturation low, I notice some artifacts on quick drum parts, kind of like hitting Timeworks too hard but not that extreme.

 

[Daunt]

One of my latest mixes can be found here:

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/rate-my-mix-tone-threads/375875-death-doom-album-mix.html

The master bus was highly saturated on this one