Thinking of buying RoughRider RE, talk me out of it...

[crimsonwarlock]

Yep, I'm thinking of plunking down 29 euros for this RE, that is still in its first incarnation, while the VST-version is completely free and already at version 3.

Firstly, I'm moving firmly towards an RE-only setup. That discards the option to go for the free VST-version. Secondly, I've used the VST-version a lot in the past when Reaper was my main DAW, and it certainly has a distinct character among compressors, at least tmo. I downloaded the RE trial and put it up against several other RE compressors. I can come somewhat close with RE-160, and also with C1-L1, but not close enough to actually replicate what RoughRider does (and what I like about it, specifically on drum-machines).

So, what do you think? Is RoughRider still a compressor with a sound of its own, or should I be able to replicate it close enough with another RE compressor (I have most of them).

[QVprod]

If you want that specific sound of the VST then yes just get the RE version of it for you’re going the RE only route. Why bother trying to get close to it with something else if you can have exactly what you want.

[crimsonwarlock]

If you want that specific sound of the VST then yes just get the RE version of it for you’re going the RE only route. Why bother trying to get close to it with something else if you can have exactly what you want.

That's talking me IN to it

But thanks for your reply, it is basically how I think of it.

[DaveyG]

Here's the plan. Go buy 29 euros worth of beer. Drink it all. Now buy the RE anyway and blame the beer.
Oh, um, I seem to be talking you into it as well.
Maybe you should just buy it and be happy.

[crimsonwarlock]

OK, to give a bit of direction to what I'm looking for here:

- Is RoughRider indeed a very distinct kind of compressor, and...
- Is anyone here using RoughRider RE (or even the VST) for that reason, or...
- Does anyone have some insights to get a similar sound/effect from another RE compressor?

[dioxide]

Get the free VST, try it out and if you like it, buy the RE and replace the VST in your projects with the RE. And then you can throw the VST in the trash.

[Mataya]

Don't buy it. It's not that awesome.

[MrFigg]

Save the money and get the harpsichord.

[bxbrkrz]

You spent more money on a bad movie night with a bucket of rancid popcorn. Did anyone tried to talk you out of it? They should have.
RoughRider was my first RE purchase.
I felt dirty using it on everything.
Like eating sizzling bacon, then cleaning up the fry pan with garlic bread.

Do not buy RoughRider.

[crimsonwarlock]

Maybe you should just buy it and be happy.

I think I will be happy if I do

Get the free VST, try it out and if you like it, buy the RE and replace the VST in your projects with the RE. And then you can throw the VST in the trash.

You didn't read my first post, did you?

Don't buy it. It's not that awesome.

I know you want to help, but it IS pretty awesome for what it does.

Save the money and get the harpsichord.

I'm tempted, but no

You spent more money on a bad movie night with a bucket of rancid popcorn. Did anyone tried to talk you out of it? They should have.
RoughRider was my first RE purchase.
I felt dirty using it on everything.
Like eating sizzling bacon, then cleaning up the fry pan with garlic bread.

Do not buy RoughRider.

I see what you did here

[BRIGGS]

"talk me out of it..."

Ok, buy Bitcoin instead, so you will be a legend to your grandchildren. : )

[crimsonwarlock]

"talk me out of it..."

Ok, buy Bitcoin instead, so you will be a legend to your grandchildren. : )

Yeah.... that won't work either





So, no suggestions like "you don't need it because this or that RE compressor can do the same"? It's already getting clear where this is going

[BRIGGS]

"talk me out of it..."

Ok, buy Bitcoin instead, so you will be a legend to your grandchildren. : )

Yeah.... that won't work either





So, no suggestions like "you don't need it because this or that RE compressor can do the same"? It's already getting clear where this is going

Comp-01 does some good squashing, too.

[crimsonwarlock]

Comp-01 does some good squashing, too.

Which RE is that?

[BRIGGS]

Comp-01 does some good squashing, too.

Which RE is that?

The oldest one.

[dioxide]

You didn't read my first post, did you?

Not that well it seems, although to be fair it's not that important to me. How come you've used this plugin as a VST but you don't know if it's worth keeping? If you even have any doubt I think you should buy it because one day Chris will pull it from the store. He's entertaining but crabby on Twitter and I'm surprised it is still in the store as he was one of the first to take his bat and ball home when it came to Rack Extensions. There can't be many of that first wave of Rack Extensions that are still in the store. Buy it now.

[bxbrkrz]

Maybe Chris forgot to pull RoughRider. This very tread will remind him. For good!!!!!11!!1!!!11!!!

[selig]

It’s unique feature IMO is it’s extreme range of settings compared to most compressors. My only complaint is the LP filter on the entire signal path, dry signal included, with no way to bypass.
It’s ‘sound’, other than the filter, can come from the extreme range of settings, otherwise there is no specific ‘color’ (saturation wise) I’m aware of other than the ability to get aggressive by maxing out attack/release times.

[motuscott]

Proud RoughRider early subscriber. Bought it as AU back when I thought Digital Performer was the way out.
I have the RE, but there are mör exciting comps out there. Still I might pull it up in a mix simply because I paid for it; Hey I'm gonna use this MF. Try to stop me!

[crimsonwarlock]

How come you've used this plugin as a VST but you don't know if it's worth keeping?

Because I now have access to a whole range of great RE compressors, and I'm curious if one of them might make RoughRider obsolete. Even though I haven't found one this far.

If you even have any doubt I think you should buy it because one day Chris will pull it from the store.

That's part of my current mindset as well. Over the last year or so, I've bought several REs that are threatened with extinction in this way.

Maybe Chris forgot to pull RoughRider. This very tread will remind him. For good!!!!!11!!1!!!11!!!

It’s unique feature IMO is it’s extreme range of settings compared to most compressors.

Agreed. So it is safe to say it is indeed a unique sounding compressor, right?

My only complaint is the LP filter on the entire signal path, dry signal included, with no way to bypass.

I've seen similar complaints for the early versions of the VST-version. But it didn't bother me for the material I was using/testing it on.

It’s ‘sound’, other than the filter, can come from the extreme range of settings, otherwise there is no specific ‘color’ (saturation wise) I’m aware of other than the ability to get aggressive by maxing out attack/release times.

As I said I can get close (but no sigar) with C1-L1 or RE-160. DCAM ChannelComp goes completely nuclear as well. If you have other suggestions, please share.

I have the RE, but there are mör exciting comps out there. Still I might pull it up in a mix simply because I paid for it; Hey I'm gonna use this MF. Try to stop me!

I think RoughRider is more exciting than others, for where it shines. The same goes for every other RE compressor I have. I'm not having one favorite compressor that I just slam on everything. I like to try out different compressors to see which one works best for the given material. Which ones do you think are more exciting?

[selig]

As I said I can get close (but no sigar) with C1-L1 or RE-160. DCAM ChannelComp goes completely nuclear as well. If you have other suggestions, please share.
……..
I think RoughRider is more exciting than others, for where it shines. The same goes for every other RE compressor I have. I'm not having one favorite compressor that I just slam on everything. I like to try out different compressors to see which one works best for the given material. Which ones do you think are more exciting?

Rough Rider isn’t any more exciting in the sense it is doing something others cannot do (you can always slap a low pass filter on ANY compressor). The only difference I see is the RANGE of control. The response curves are textbook/common compression curves. The differences I see:
Threshold goes about twice as low as some other compressors, allowing more compression (can be replicated by boosting the input to any compressor).
The Attack goes down to 0.01ms, which is in a similar range as an 1176 (which DOES have unique features).
The Release goes down to 10 ms, also in a similar range as an 1176.
(I’m talking about being in the same ranges, not being exact matches)
The makeup gain range is also wider than most, but also easy to replicate.

In short, I’ve tried to build LA-2a and 1176 “clones” in a Combinator using stock devices and never coming close, which is to say these compressors are unique devices. RR, OTOH, would be easy to replace with other devices IMO.

But for me the bottom line isn’t these technical measurements, it’s the ‘grab feel’ (first impression) - how does it feel when you first grab it and insert it on a track. Some compressors “just work” for some folks (in specific situations, of course).
For me, when I want an aggressive compression effect I can often get it instantly from a Distressor (would make a great RE if anyone is listening).

[Loque]

I never got the hype about this compressor too. Maybe it was the first VST compressor available? If you really want it, take the VST which i think is free and currently in version 3:
https://www.audiodamage.com/pages/free- ... 23f3&_ss=r

[TritoneAddiction]

Nah don't buy it. It's too dull looking.

There I talked you out of it.

[crimsonwarlock]

RR, OTOH, would be easy to replace with other devices IMO.

I would like to see you take up the challenge

But for me the bottom line isn’t these technical measurements, it’s the ‘grab feel’ (first impression) - how does it feel when you first grab it and insert it on a track. Some compressors “just work” for some folks (in specific situations, of course).

That is a big part of its appeal to me. Just today, I tried to get close with Extreme Dynamics RE, and I think I got even closer than with the others. But it took me quite some tweaking to get there, while RoughRider let me dial in that particular sound with just a few small tweaks from the default settings.

For me, when I want an aggressive compression effect I can often get it instantly from a Distressor (would make a great RE if anyone is listening).

The Distressor is certainly a unique compressor, and I would buy a RE-emulation if someone made one, in a heartbeat.

Nah don't buy it. It's too dull looking.

There I talked you out of it.

It is dull looking, isn't it, but..... nah, didn't talk me out of it

[selig]

RR, OTOH, would be easy to replace with other devices IMO.

I would like to see you take up the challenge

CompareCompressors.cmb.zip

(2.3 KiB) Downloaded 38 times

If you're feeling like it, load up this combinator and hit the "swap" button a few times while listening (I used drums, if that matters).

I used Plugin Dr. to get things close, then fine tuned things by ear. Very satisfied with the results considering what was used.

Is it perfect? Probably not, I only had 30 min to get things together while my wife was in a meeting just now. But it is damn close – I see this as proof of concept, nothing more.

Screen Shot 2024-04-14 at 6.05.31 PM.png (175.92 KiB) Viewed 4325 times