McDSP 6030 Ultimate Compressor Review
Compression is a vital part of your studio toolkit – and McDSP’s latest offers ten models in a single plug-in. Hollin Jones feels the squeeze.
Price: £449.00
Manufacturer: McDSP
Website: http://www.mcdsp.com
6030 Ultimate Compressor
Manufacturer McDSP
Price $449
Contact Via website
Web www.mcdsp.com
Minimum system requirements
PC Windows XP, Pro Tools host, iLok
Mac OSX 10.5, Pro Tools or AU-compatible host, iLok
Since we last reviewed a plug-in from McDSP, the company has broadened its format support to include Audio Units on the Mac as well as the original RTAS, TDM and AudioSuite Pro Tools formats on both Mac and PC. This means, of course, that Logic, Digital Performer and Live users can now take advantage of these tools, although Cubase and Sonar users are still out of luck.
The 6030 Ultimate Compressor is a modest download and authorisation is handled via an iLok key, which must be connected when the software is in use. It’s actually a suite of ten different models of compressor, each of them designed by McDSP – some from the ground up, some based on emulations of existing kit. There’s also support for sidechaining, double-precision processing and ultra-low latency.
Model behaviour
The compressors all have different characteristics, so let’s look at each of them. The U 670 is modelled on the classic Fairchild 670, but McDSP has added a new set of attack ballistics to account for more modern production styles as well as modifying the ‘warmth’ factor. Next up is the Moo Tube, emulating an all-tube compressor. The iComp is an original model developed by McDSP and does not have attack or release controls; instead, these are automatically updated based on a threshold and ratio set by the user. The documentation suggests that this model is good for material that’s ‘headed to iTunes’. The Opto-C levelling amplifier uses McDSP-designed key signal circuits for an improved response. With a single control for peak reduction, it is partnered by the Opto-L. The British C, on the other hand, offers four controls – threshold, ratio, attack and recovery – as well as internal protection against distortion. The Over EZ compressor adds a smooth knee response and a flexible control configuration, making it a good all-rounder. The SST ’76 is a fast, reactive compressor that is well suited to drums and other percussion, while the FRG 444 uses a slightly more aggressive compression algorithm that makes it good for rock drums and other heavier sources.
Finally, the D357 is the most aggressive compressor in the suite, with an LED rather than a needle-based display to show the fast dynamic range changes that you will get from it.
Plug and play
The various interfaces are well designed but very simple. You can, of course, start from scratch or look into the excellent presets. These are helpfully grouped into sections – bass, drums, guitars, keys and vocals, plus ‘others’, and a section simply called ‘comps’, which mostly models specific units or basic compression types. On the whole these behave much as expected and there are sufficient to see you through almost any mixing or mastering situation. In a moderately large Logic project we called up several instances of the plug-in – as inserts on audio tracks, as send effects and even across the master stereo output buss – and found that with a little tweaking, they were able to glue the mix together nicely. Doing this didn’t seem to tax our MacBook Pro’s CPU too much, even at low latencies, and being able to quickly change compressor types within the plug-in was also a time-saver.
The 6030 is a little pricey for the keen amateur, perhaps, but you are getting ten compressors. And while there aren’t worlds of difference between each model, there should be enough variety to cope with almost anything you could need to do in a mix. This is a serious plug-in that will make a great workhorse for any production setup. MTM
WHY BUY
Good range of compressors
Excellent presets
Suitable for a wide range of tasks
Now with AU support
WALK ON BY
Requires connected iLok key
Verdict
A good ten-in-one compressor plug-in with enough algorithms to deal with any mix situation.
★★★★★★★★ (8/10)
Score: 8
This review first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 97
Filed under
Home,
Reviews,
Software Effects
Sign in to download this article
New users, please register here
See also...
 MTM 111 |
FXpansion BFD Eco Review |
 MTM 108 |
Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2 Review |
|
 MTM 108 |
Yamaha 01V96i Review |
 MTM 107 |
25 Tips for Mix Processing |
|
MTM 107 |
Control for Live Performance |
 |
Music Tech Focus - Ableton Live 2012 |
|
 |
Music Tech Focus - Synthesis 2012 |
MTM 106 |
25 Pro Tips for Kick-starting Composition |
