Alternatives for TLAudio Ivory series

[biczmusic]

Hi there.

I'm after some 2ch TUBE compressor and eq.
I'm thinking of TLA Ivory 5013 and 5021.

Do you know any alternatives to it? (similar price and quality)

Thanks for any suggestions.

[stinkfinger]

...Do you know any alternatives to it? (similar price and quality )

i dont know anything quite as poor quality as the ivory series, can you link 2 dbx 376's for stereo mode? otherwise id stay in software in that price bracket. what are you trying to achieve?

[IvanSC]

Get a used Indigo if you want that sort of sound only MUCH MUCH better.

I actually prefer my Indigo to the more expensive grey ones - like the C1.

It`s a character sound and no mistake.
I use mine for when I want the compession to be part of the sound.
But dont expect this to be an all out rockin` dirt machine. They get pretty impolite when you push them too hard.

Not sure what to say about either the DBX idea or ITB.
Nver found a plugin compressor for character that I really liked.

[stinkfinger]

Nver found a plugin compressor for character that I really liked.

you tried focusrites liquid mix?

the reason i asked what you trying to achieve is because if you just looking to analogueify your digital setup there's other ways than compressors and eqs, there's good enough software compressors and eq's in that price bracket, id go for a di box as a cheap option or keep saving for a really nice analogue summing mixer. check the manley dual tube DI for about same price as one of those units, never tried it myself but my money would be on the manley + decent software compressor/eq over an ivory anyday. of course if its the cheap tube compressor sound you're after ignore everything i just said and stick with the ivory.

[IvanSC]

think you are a bit confused Mr. Finger - I am quite happy with what I have and was trying to answer the OP.

& I would hardly call a Liquid Mix a plugin.

[stinkfinger]

Mr SC, the first line of my last post was directed at you, the rest was directed at the OP, no apologies for not making that clearer it should have been obvious.

ps. My liquid mix runs as a plugin, is there a stand alone version I am not aware of??

[IvanSC]

http://www.focusrite.com/media/product_images/16.jpg

A plugin?

A rather expensive dongle comes with it then.

And I too would have thought it was pretty obvious I was answering your first line about the liquid mix.

Pull your neck in, it`s nearly the weekend....

Ivan-who-is-entitled-to-be-a-grumpy-old-man-because-he-is-one.

[Pangloss]

I have not used the Ivory EQ so I can't comment, but I have used some of the other Ivory gear.

Whilst the mic pres are a little lifeless and thin in comparison to some better and similarly priced units I find that the compressor is actually quite useful and does not sound bad at all (and it can be very transparent if needed).

It also makes a useful front end for direct recording of things like bass guitar. Especially so if you are reamping later but even if you are not.

Having said that, there are usually a few drawmer models on the second hand market at similar prices which would probably be much better. I have been tempted by these myself but have decided to go up a bracket instead, when money permits.

[stinkfinger]

A rather expensive dongle comes with it then.

correct.

and i was only asking if you tried the liquid mix to see what your thoughts were as someone whos opinion might be of interest to me, you grumpy old man.

[IvanSC]

saw it demoed at last years noisefest (Lived music festival or whatever - run by SOS) and heard various producers rave about it like it waws the secoind coming.
Then the honeymoon was over and all sorts of interesting little undocumented features started being discussed here adn elsewhere.

Looks like another one of those good but flawed marriages of hardware and software to me.

But then I am a grumpy old out of the box analog rules sorta guy.

I LIKE nobsanfaderz.

And pretty colored lights....

[snipsnip]

the TLA stuff is ok, but I wouldnt recomend it necessarily.

Ive got 2 5021's, a 5050 and a 5051.

I would agree the pres are a touch lifless, but they are more than useable. They outperform the pre's in my toft hands down.

The would also agree that they are pure character comps. They work, they add warmth (and a bit of sludge). However, i would always look to a decent plug IF it could do the job. I would only say buy any HW comp if its the only out the box thing you'll be doing. Im a big advocate for using hardware at some stage. This doesnt need to be a comp though.

[IvanSC]

the TLA stuff is ok, but I wouldnt recomend it necessarily.

Ive got 2 5021's, a 5050 and a 5051.

I would agree the pres are a touch lifless, but they are more than useable. They outperform the pre's in my toft hands down.

The would also agree that they are pure character comps. They work, they add warmth (and a bit of sludge). However, i would always look to a decent plug IF it could do the job. I would only say buy any HW comp if its the only out the box thing you'll be doing. Im a big advocate for using hardware at some stage. This doesnt need to be a comp though.

Correct me if I`m wrong, but arent the 50xx series the Indigo`s I already said I was not at all impressed by?

Mind you I`m with you - if the rnc had been out when I bought my Indigo I would prolly have one of those too!
Just never had the money and the inclination to get one since, but have used them and the are Real Nice Compressors (rgrin)

[snipsnip]

no, they are the ivory series........

..but i think they are prolly worse than the indigo.

[snipsnip]

plus, i was talking to the OP, not you.

[snipsnip]

PLUS - the liquid mix is OF COURSE a load of plugs (with a mini controller). C'mon, your not that old are you!!??

[IvanSC]

no, they are the ivory series........

..but i think they are prolly worse than the indigo.

I guarantee you they are far beneath the Indigo.
No comparison at all, plus a cheaper build.
I`d rather have a Crimson than an Ivory frankly.
The Indigos seem to respond rather pickily according to what valve/tube you have in them, soo.

[snipsnip]

so whats your point?

[Persuazion]

so whats your point?

Hahahaha. C'mon guys. Play nice!

[IvanSC]

so whats your point?

Hahahaha. C'mon guys. Play nice!

Yeah- apparently I am not allowed to have an opinion here! Beginning to feel like the classical poll thread all over again!

Here- you aren`t really balthasar/purple99 are you, snip snip?

[snipsnip]

mate, you're the only one acting like a bit of a plonker.

I dont have a problem with you expressing an opinion (and far be it for me to do anything about it if i did), i just literally dont understand what your getting at.

[planetnine]

c'mon snipsnip, s'not enough to riled by. Ivan's a grumpy old git cos no-one wants to play with him on the classical forum

>

[IvanSC]

c'mon snipsnip, s'not enough to riled by. Ivan's a grumpy old git cos no-one wants to play with him on the classical forum

>

Funnily enough, they are turning out to be just fine.
Got some interesting threads going on actually playing music.

snipsnip you CANT be that dense, mate.
OP was asking for alternatives to the Ivory series & I was offering my opinion on alternatives, one of the most obvious if he wants TLA is the older, better ones from TLA, one of which (and I stress) in my opinion is the Indigo series.
Apparently you see the liquid mix as both the be-all and end-all of everything and his best solution, well OK that`s your opinion, but although it might well be useable as a plugin solution it still isn`t JUST a plugin as you seem to be trying to suggest, its hardware too.
(writing it off as a mini controller? Hmmmm)
In fact as far as I am aware, it only functions with the hardware in place.
Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong as I haver only ever seen liquid mix being demo`ed.
Apologies for labouring the point, but apparently that is what you need.
I am sorry, by the way - I thought you were being rude and argumentative.
My bad.



Hey - just noticed - you mentioned in passing that the pres in your TLA`s outperform those in your Toft.
What Toft have you got that is that naff?
I had always assumed that anything from that particular designer would be pretty decent - certainly a step up from TLA.
Mind you I have to say I prefer the pres in my cheesy old Allan & Heath to the ones in my Indigo comressor
Indigo is strictly for character.
Not bad for a bass DI though.

[Zukan]

If we are staying with TL gear then the C2021 was the best bit of gear they ever made (yes, that would be one of the Indigos).
Having said that, I used to use the V1L with a V1S (switcher) which I had interfaced between my analogue mixer and my DAW. I
exchanged the 12AX7 valves for some Telefunkens and I was in 'moist land'.

[snipsnip]

I was not being argumentative, nor did i ever even advocate the LM, ive never used one, I just know its not 'hardware' because there is comething psyical you can touch. There is nothing in the hardware that does anything except control the software. Ergo, they are plug ins.

Ive got a Toft ATB24, and the pres are fine, They are a little brighter than the TLA, but considerably thinner sounding too.

I only did a side by side test on voacals, where I consider 'thickness' to be quite important, so perhaps the Toft would perform better on other sources.

I understand your opinion on the ivory & indigo series, and never expressed an opinion to the contrary, I was simply offering my opinion to the OP, which I believe Im allowed to do, no?

To reiterate to the OP, as somewone who owns a few units of Ivory stuff, I think its OK, and generally has a pretty bad rep, but its functional kit and DOES have valve charater. Personally I think its overpriced for what it is, but dont let anyone tell you its junk, because it isnt. If you dont NEED an outboard comp (for example i NEED some to stap accross by toft sub group insert points)then i think better economy is to buy some decent plugs OR get some secondhand outboard. Ivory series in entry range prosumer, and as such, the sound is OK, but not spectacular.

[hugol]

I was not being argumentative, nor did i ever even advocate the LM, ive never used one, I just know its not 'hardware' because there is comething psyical you can touch. There is nothing in the hardware that does anything except control the software. Ergo, they are plug ins.

Actually yes there is - a couple (or more with the expansion) of Sharc DSP chips that do all the work. Amazing how they fit all that technology in there