※This article is a review written on July 21, 2021 after being selected for the FX Collection 2 experience group run by ‘Samick’ and receiving product support for a certain period of time. I only received support for the product and wrote the rest myself.
Finally, this is Diode-609, a clone of Neve’s 33609. Rupert Neve can be said to be synonymous with British sound. In addition to the famous Neve 1073, 1081, and 2254, he left a great mark by creating many famous sound equipment and companies such as the Focusrite and Portico series. Unfortunately, he passed away in February of this year…
Neve 33609 is a solid state Compressor/Limiter 2 Step Processor using a diode bridge. (Although there is no limiter, this 2-step method is also used in the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor) The diode bridge is made of a shunt (circuit configuration method) like the 1176, and is said to use 4 diodes. It is said to use Optical Gain Reduction and VCA, and like SSL G Comp, it has an Auto Release function.
Arturia’s manual says that it was used with analog EQs such as Sitral W295 and was mainly used in the Mix Bus stage in the 70s and 80s, and was also used as a Master, etc., and as an individual Compressor. However, it is recommended to use it with analog EQ on the group and master bus.
I knew that 33609 was only available in Precision Comp from IK Multimedia in addition to UAD, so it was nice to see it as a new plug-in. I’m happy that I have a new option, but the thought of spending money again brings tears to my eyes..
As it is a plug-in that I am interested in, I will compare Diode-609 with UAD’s 33609C along with sound samples.
First of all, Signal Flow is like the picture. I think it will be easier to understand if you simply think of it as going through the Compressor, then the Limiter, and then going to Out.
You can think of this as the same as UAD’s 33609, but the difference is that UAD cannot use an external sidechain.
- Control Difference
Just by turning on the plugin, there are some differences between UAD and Arturia’s clone plugins. Let’s take a look at not only the location of the compressor or limiter, but also the number of compressor knobs, additional knobs or switches, oscilloscopes, etc., one by one.
- Compressor
First of all, Arturia’s products can be adjusted smoothly by allowing you to choose between a step knob or a smoothly rotating knob. Previous products are the same, but I couldn’t tell you..^^;;
Also, what is unique is that you can select the Attack Time. Arturia’s Attack is 5ms (Fixed, adopted from existing hardware), variable from 5 to 75ms, and UAD’s Attack is 3ms (Fast; they say it was adopted from existing hardware, but I don’t know why they are different from Arturia..^^;;) , 6ms(Slow).
Ratio can also be selected up to a smaller value, such as 1.2:1 or 1.1:1, and the Release value appears as a number, but Auto Release is slightly different. Arturia’s a1 automatically changes between 100ms and 2000ms and a2 automatically changes between 50ms and 5000ms, and UAD’s a1 automatically changes between 40ms and 800ms and a2 automatically changes between 150ms and 1500ms.
Arturia is on the left, UAD is on the right. Harmonic Distortion is also a bit different.
By the way, Arturia’s Diode-609 has a fairly high and shaky floor noise. It seems that the noise from the AC circuit was brought directly from it. Personally, I wish they could make this type of noise more selectable. The bass is about 150dB and the treble is about 140dB, so it’s low, but you still need to be careful when using it on individual tracks.
Also, the Compression Curve is slightly different. In particular, Arturia is impressive in that the sound becomes louder from a very quiet sound. I think it might be because of floor noise.
Both companies seem to have reproduced the part where compression occurs quite similarly.
- Samples
I selected a few samples and compared them. Arturia set the Attack to Fixed, set the Release to a1, and only adjusted the Threshold and Make Up Gain.
There are three ratios: 1.5:1, 3:1, and 6:1.
No extreme processing was done. At 6:1, I adjusted the VU meter so that the needle moves only within 0 to 4 dB.
I feel sorry for not being able to tell you about various cases, but if I assume various cases and do everything, not only will I be tired, but I think the viewers will also be tired, so I will just compare them like this.
My personal experience is that Arturia’s Attack Fixed is slower and the minimum value of a1 Release is longer, so UAD reacts a little quicker. Conversely, Arturia responds more smoothly. I think you can feel this well in Drum.
In addition to these basic parameter differences, the characters of the two plug-ins seem to be quite different due to the difference in Harmonic Distortion.
- Limiter
There is no significant difference in the limiter’s parameter configuration. The Attack Time of Arturia Diode-609 and UAD 33609C is the same at 2ms (fast) and 4ms (slow).
However, the difference in Release Time is that Arturia’s a1 is 100ms~2000ms and a2 is 50ms~5000ms, while UAD’s a1 is 40ms~2500ms and a2 is 150ms~3000ms.
Arturia is on the left, UAD is on the right. Like Compressor, Harmonic Distortion appears a little differently, and different Noise seems to be another characteristic.
Compression Curve seems to appear similar. They press it without any mercy.
- Samples
I selected a few samples and compared them.
Arturia and UAD both have the same parameters, so I set Release to a1 and only adjusted Fast, Slow, and Threshold of Attack. No separate gain compensation was provided.
Personally, I was surprised to find that it felt somewhat similar. I wonder if it’s because the attack time is the same and the attack nuance is similar.
However, the difference is noticeable in Release and the feeling of release is a bit different. Still, I don’t think the two feel completely different like Compressor.
- Advanced Control
First, let’s look at the right side of the plugin. When you click on the VU meter, it turns into an oscilloscope measuring dB. You can click again to change it to a VU meter.
From the left below, there are three switches: a Link switch that links two channels, a switch that selects Stereo and Dual Mono, and a switch that allows Mid/Side processing.
Additionally, there is a Mix knob and power switch that can be used to mix original and processed sources.
Click Advanced in the top right corner of the plugin and Sidechain controls for triggers will appear below.
I think this part is the biggest advantage of the Arturia Comp Diode-609. It can accept not only internal sidechains but also external signals, so you can use sidechains, and you can use the Look ahead function and Sidechain EQ for both internal and external signals. You can also listen to all of the sidechain signals.
The Input Drive on the right is not a Sidechain function, but a Saturation knob that makes Harmonics Distortion stronger.
- Comp Diode-609 Overall Review
It is difficult to say that it is an exact replacement for the UAD Neve 33609 C, but I think it is a good friend to use for songs where the attack is not fast or strong.
In particular, the Sidechain feature seems to have been included so well that I wish it were included in all Compressor plugins.
Another disappointing thing is that noise cannot be controlled. I wish there was an update to turn off the noise. Rather than saying “Wow! I love it!”, I think it’s just another new Bus Comp option.
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