Since I have been in recording since 1955, I may be able to add some history to this tutorial. First you must remember that stereo became available to the public in 1958. Prior to that, everything was mono. The Fairchild Compressor didn't come out until 1959. There was no such concept as "mid-side". The vertical and horizontal designations were for the cutting lathes that were now able to do stereo because record grooves could have both side to side plus up and down movement. This was new and revolutionary in those days. This model Fairchild was designed primarily to get great results for your cutting head while mastering to lacquer disks. It was not really designed to be part of the recording chain, but part of the mastering chain. If the youngsters at UA think there was mid-side considerations, they are woefully short on audio history. Engineers soon found they were useful in many parts of the chain, but the strength was in the cutting room.
I had no idea that the original purpose of this compressor was for cutting vinyl. However, it makes everything sound better. On a single track or a busses. In 1959 music was not being mixed the same as today. It was ahead of its time.
You are correct. It amazes me that the current trend in mixing today is recreate the problems of the past that we spent hundreds of hours to get rid of. We built the best actual reverb chamber I have ever heard and could change the high end decay by mopping the floor. Engineers today can't begin to know how lucky they are. And as good as that Fairchild was, (I preferred our LA3A and 1176s) my "island choice" today would be Fab Filter's MB compressor or their C2. @@franciscogomez5341
You're absolutely correct. The 670 was revolutionary back then, especially if you compare it to some of the other popular compressor/limiters of the time, like Altec, for instance. The circuit itself is balanced throughout, not just at the inputs and outputs; it's way overbuilt/engineered. Fairchild was making rocket guidance systems last I checked, and that was in the 90's.
@@thesoundresidence I read the manual several times, I never understood the plugin in a way I do it after watching his video. Its not about the Information, it's about how he presents and explains it and puts it in context. Thats the difference from a teacher to a manual. So you may be right, but also you are not. :)
Great video. I’ve always known that I was under using the Fairchild plugin, not properly knowing the full extent of how it works. You’ve cleared some fog!
You made my day. I remember a couple of years ago I was trying to mix a drums bus smashing the room mics through a Fairchild, and I was using the Lat/Vert and I was trying to pump more the side with the Input knob. For days I had the problem that the R channel was louder and I never realized why, until I had to drop the project because I had to moved! Now I can return back and mix that project knowing exactly the problem in advance. Thank you
This man always intrigues me with his fancy nails (I bite mine unfortunately and would love his) but he sounds like a guy I'd love a Guinness with and talk about stuff. This is the only one of a handful of channels worth watching now and if I ever make it as a producer, I promise to financially support this channel. (I love the way he says tran-shents)
Really cool to see you stepping unto the teacher's shoes :) Very cool video, the only thing I'd change is perhaps making it a bit more beginner friendly by: - Explaining what are the usual applications of the piece of equipment or VST you're about to teach about - slowing the pace a bit - running various music signals through the vst Those are just suggestions, please don't take it as criticism. Thank you for all your work as a RU-vidr, I'm a fan. Stay well!!!
Agree, my only criticism would be, show each function with best possible audio example. For example, using a bass/kick heavy track to explain about the sidechain filter and knee settings. It would help people get a better idea of what you mean.
I see what you mean, but I'd have to add that there is plenty of (too much?) material out there explaining the basics of compression. This is an advanced tutorial for people who want to get the best out of a specialist piece of kit. This is more about the nuances. People who don't yet know the basics won't understand or even have learned to hear the differences Wytse is demonstrating. People who have learned and used the basics in practice shouldn't have a problem in following this video and hearing the effect of the plugin as he goes through settings. I really enjoyed this video because it saved me from re-reading the manual and it's much easier to look over someone's shoulder.
Great demo. I recently bought the UAD Fairchild limiters plug-in. It's certainly a unique way of doing limiting. That looks like you're using a Lewitt tube mic. Sounds great.
Excellent video! I had to study the manual for this plugin and I can’t think of a single thing you missed or mis-explained, down to input gain remaining L/R even in Lat-Vert mode. 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾
Thank you for this style of content! I have been watching your channel for quite some years and I will say this is my fave video. I recently was able to get my hands on a real Stamchild and hope to apply some of your tips on the hardware version. You're awesome!
Thank you SO MUCH for all of these fantastic videos! You're quite honestly one of the only two engineers I listen to before picking up a new plug! (Dan W would be the other!) Please keep them coming sir!! We are all learning so much from your experience! I wish you had videos like these for ALL "pro level" plugs!!
Thank you very much for this kind of stuff!! This approach to detail really helps me a lot! It would be awesome one video about Kirchoff with all the parameters and options 🙌🙌
Awesome tutorial recently bought this from Uad, this is a much better tutorial than theirs explained everything to me very well. I'll probably be coming back to this for a while (saved) thanks. Looking forward to more like this, it is so useful, if like me you didn't understand the plugin controls and find you learn from videos better than sifting though a manual.
One thing that would be interesting to add in those videos is describing the popular use cases those compressors are known for today. I have several of those UAD compressors and sometimes I wonder which one I should use and why. Most of the time I end up using an LA2A on everything except drums and an 1176 or Neve 33609 on drums.
Will you really be doing a whole series of these kind of overview? I have finally subscribed and would find that extremely useful. I'm bookmarking this one as the first.
very good video... I watched specifically for the LAT/VERT info--knowing that the inputs are not part of the mid side is key...that's where I was having issues when trying to use the Lat/Vert settings...all makes sense now...
For these tutorials just keep showing us an abundance of examples, because while we can learn through your descriptions of course, the real learning comes from hearing for ourselves how the sound is directly affected by whatever plugin you're showing us. Appreciate it and thanks for the content
I agree and disagree. I would be interested in hearing more but actually I should just go straight to my DAW and just do it myself. I mean: This is not a snake oil video and all the explanations are still worth the same.
yes more of this please , maybe some tutorials about the plugins that are included as standard with a daw , these are often overlooked and there can be some real gems if you understand how to use them
Thanks Wytse! - I've been hoping for more in depth plugin tutorials for years. I could happily watch an hour or more on the Alpha compressor or any of the Fab Filter plugins if you are going to do more of these. There seem to be many introductions to plugins - good and bad, but not much accurate advanced advice, so to me this is a diamond new resource. More of the same please! Great stuff.
Wow, I love the new Videoconcept! I honestly was getting a bit bored by the Plugin reviews because I didnt like how they developed (I loved the early versions that had more explaining). So I'm super happy about the new Idea because I think you are very good at the explaining part and I like that you made a concept out of that. Thank you, and I wish you a lot of fun with your new content. Chris
Awesome content, actually lookin forward to it! On a sidenote, Acustica audio purple literally requires you to click the on the power button first and then flip the switch from out to in to engage eq.
Thank you! I had noticed something odd about the lat vert, and it is bc I didn't know about the input knobs staying L/R. And I haven't ever used the balance knob. Def will be fun next time I use this, which is often
So I guess I have never used this properly all these years. This is a really powerful plugin..thanks!!! Please do as many UAD and Acustica Audio plugins as you want. Neither are intuitive due to their retro style interface.
Thanks for this. I’ve been using this plug-in for quite a while, but now have some new insight, especially those time constants…! Really cool music…what is it? (Please don’t say…😂)…
This is extremely helpful in understanding a Fairchild. Thank you so much (I have Overloud's version but has a similar feature set, I've always reverted to pre sets because I just didn't understand it.).
