Thanks. Maybe it'll work better on some of my mellower stuff.

A leveler is just another name for a comp.  The PCA2 is a leveling amp.  Usually these are based on the LA2A, hense the T for Tube (not texas or nor tennesse).  So there is a slower attack time involved and some saturation.

There is no reason not to use (tho I haven't) for mastering, esp. combined w/ something that will grab the attack and transits hard.  Like an 1176.  That is a typical vocal comp chain.  Limiter to tame the peaks and an LA2A to keep the level raised and evener (did I just invent a word?).

Theoritically, that should work too on an entire mix.  For me, I use a komit conmpressor (analog stereo), which is a smooth ssl comp followed by a diode limiter.  Great for rock/industial because you can drive the limiter to saturation - and it is a hard limiter.  It will put hair on the chest of your song.  One has to be careful with quieter songs, tho.

Same kind of thing w/ the 1176/la2a chain, tho no tube.  And the ssl ain't as grabby.

@

vaultwit

sharke


http://www.soundonsound.c...cles/sonarworkshop.htm

That article, thought it looks really good, addresses the TS-64 Transient Shaper and not the TL-64 Tube Leveler.

Well how about that, heh. I should look at things more closely. I tried putting the leveler on a drum bus last night, actually sounded pretty good. Definitely added some gravy. 

OK, while I do understand what you're saying conceptually, but sequentially, I'm a little confused. I've always gotten my best results applying the reverb as the last step simply because theoretically it seems as though whatever type of compression would be applied after reverb would defeat the purpose of what reverb does. I'm even more confused on what the Transient tool achieves. Any help there would be appreciated. Thanks, KC

I've been using it to add distortion on a synth track. I like the way the clipping can be brought in very gradually, with soft-knee. OTH, it's difficult to imagine using this for mastering--I have much higher-quality UAD plugins for that.