Adrian Tucker: VTC Glue & Parallel Compression
- 01.04.2020
- Julian Moreth
- VTC
Adrian Tucker has built a Spanish-speaking base of music production tutorials, demos and reviews with his YouTube channel in the recent years.
In two videos the YouTuber and music producer is demonstrating our Vari Tube Compressor VTC and explains how he uses it for parallel compression and the gluing effect on his mixes.
Video 1: The Features of the VTC and Glue Compression
In the first video Adrian is having a close look at the features of the VTC and illustrates the principle of Glue Compression.Video 2: Parallel Compression with the VTC
His latest video is illustrating how he realizes parallel compression with the VTC and he is demonstrating the effects with some sound examples for direct comparison.Glue Compression and Parallel Compression – What Adrian Shows on the VTC
"Glue compression" is what the Vari Tube Compressor is built for: on the mix bus or a subgroup it pulls the individual tracks together until they stop sounding like separate tracks and start sounding like a record. That is made possible by the vari-mu signal path built on the principle of the Fairchild 670 – compression sets in very gently and only grabs harder as the level rises, so the micro-dynamics stay intact. In parallel compression, shown in the second video, a heavily compressed copy of the signal runs alongside the untouched original and is blended in; the VTC suits this because its tube and transformer sound – three transformers and four triodes per channel – stays musical even under heavy compression. Adrian later also told us in an interview how he produces with the VTC: Adrian Tucker Interview: Producing with the VTC.
What the Vari Tube Compressor Is
The Vari Tube Compressor (VTC) is our vari-mu tube compressor for mastering, the mix bus and subgroups – a complete tube signal path built on the same principle as the Fairchild 670. Per channel the signal passes through three transformers and four triodes: the tubes add harmonics the ear finds pleasant, and the transformers deliver a gentle saturation before the signal even reaches the compression. Compression sets in very softly and only grabs harder as the input level rises; a low-cut in the side chain keeps low frequencies out of the control circuit, so a mix bus can be densified by up to 6 dB of gain reduction without audible pumping. Operation stays simple: turn up the input until the music is densified enough, set the timing with attack and release, adjust the output level. All controls have 42 detents, and the two channels run linked as a stereo pair or – link switch off – independently as two mono channels. Since 2023 there is also a Color/Comp switch that takes the compression out entirely and lets only the tubes and transformers work on the signal.
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Related: Adrian Tucker Interview: Producing with the VTC · New VTC: Color/Comp Switch for Pure Tube Color · Zeitgeist Mastering: VTC and EQP-1 Video Review
