For some reason I nver bothered investing a lot of time in the ableton effects. Ive used the MB compressor on occasion and some of the others but rarely use them for critical functions, preferring a handful of 3rd party ones. I've been thinking about getting a new buss compressor lately. After trying out a fair number I was liking Cytomic and Fabfilter. I wanted more transparency than the old analog modeled ones I have.
Today I was comparing them on an entirely unprocessed, close mic, (no room or overheads), high dynamic range drum loop with a really knocky rimshot using Studio Drummer. First I was surprised that I was leaning toward FF over Cytomic and then I got the idea to try the Mix Gel preset from the abe presets. Whats interesting is I felt biased against it I guess but there was a little nagging feeling that it wasnt being sufficiently outperformed to warrant a purchase of the other two.
So I asked someone to switch between the three for 12 bars apiece as well as cycling through no compression in a random order while I listened without watching what he did.
I listened long and hard and when I felt I was listening to the best one I asked him to stop. Ableton! I did it again. I chose no compression. 3rd time - ableton. 4th time ableton. 5th time - no compression.
So in the end it seems I prefer nothing or ableton over Cytomic or Fabfilter. At least on complex close-mic acoustic drum playing/sounds. I tend to go for 70's Jamaican or muted Steely Dan & Disco type drums. not a lot of room unless Im doing straight Jazz type stuff. But I'm almost fanatical or religious about drum sound.
You might not be surprised but I sure was.
Saved some money and learned something about myself. A good day.
