"Molot" and "Limiter №6" plugins page
First, check this very cool article:
[Psychology of a Mix Engineer: Chris Carter]
And this is the most interesting (for me) part of it:
Q: What’s your go to digital compressor and what are you listening for when you use it?
Chris: There’s a few that I use very frequently but the one that I go to the most is probably the freeware guy called the “Molot”. It’s made by this Russian dude and I frigging love the thing. It’s got two modes and they are supposed to mimic a Neve 33609 and a Fairchild 670. I don’t really think either one is convincing but I don’t really give a rats ass how accurate it is [laughs]. I pretty much just use it in the “Fairchild 670″ mode. I don’t know what the heck is up with that guy but he understands attack and release characteristics really well. It’s almost damn near impossible to get that thing to sound bad, I swear to God. That’s my generic utility compressor because I like Optical Compression a lot.
Now, let’s talk about the thing that bothering me. After 2 years from Molot release, I think that mention of “Fairchild 670” and “Neve 33609” compressors in the description of Molot sound was not a good idea.
Imagine, I did Molot and now I should describe, how does it sound?
“The most accurate emulation of…?” No, it’s not emulation of anything.
“The most transparent sound?” No, it’s not transparent.
“Bus compressor?” No, it wasn’t designed in such way.
“Track compressor?” No, it’s too heavy to use on each track (at least 2 years ago).
“Mastering?” No again.
“Tube compressor?” No, I didn’t implement any kind of tube emulation.
“Opto compressor?” No, it doesn’t mimic opto-cell behavior (it has fixed attack/release times and feed-forward compression).
“Powerful?” No.
“Flexible?” No.
…and so on…
My initial description of Molot had words about “aggressive hammering sound” (don’t forget “Molot” is a “hammer” in Russian), “suits well for rock drums”, etc. I think, this kind of description is not correct, because I tell you where you should use this compressor and where you should not, e.g. I limit your creativity.
I already forgot the details but it was told, the compressor sounds like Fairchild in alpha mode and like 33609 in sigma mode. I never heard either real Fairchild or Neve. Also I didn’t try to emulate their sound. But in my opinion this description was better so I used it. Now why I’m so unhappy with it? It’s like “What kind of music does your band play?” question. “It’s like Children of Bodom”, that’s the answer. “Well, you band mimics CoB sound then.” And finally it looks a bit like the sound was stolen…
Current version of Molot page doesn’t try to convince you to get this plugin. Instead, it contains reasons why you shouldn’t do it! Freeware plugin can afford this 
Really, I don’t want to change this. And I think, it’s cool! What is my final definition of Molot sound then? Check this out. It’s a dynamic tool to add a character to the track. It tends to make your sound “fat” and adds some feel of old guitar amp.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/9085247-post43.html
Faderjockey:
I also like the free Molot for smooth color. I use in on the 2buss after hardware comp just cause I like the sort of soft cushion or sag it gives.
Sort of like rectifier tubes in a gtr amp.
Yeah, yeah! That’s about it!
So what? In some future I will have the same problem to describe the sound of a new plugin. And I think, I’m ready for it!
“IIR” stands for Infinite Impulse Response. This is one of possible ways to implement digital EQ. This way is very CPU lightweight. But it’s impossible to make linear-phase EQ using IIR. So the most digital min-phase equalizers are IIR.
Let’s get cookbook peaking filter formula and make simple EQ. We’ve got such a nice curve:
Next, move frequency up to 10 kHz (we’re on 44.1 sample rate) and see that:
You can see now, the perfect symmetric shape of “bell” is distorted and not symmetric now. How does it sound? Such non-symmetric curve has harsh, sharp, “digital” (in bad meaning of word) sound. But bell shape of true analog EQ doesn’t distort here. I think, symmetric curves sound more natural to our brain and thus leads to better sound perception.
I’m working on new EQ project and I’m really interested in the differences between different equalizer types and does it really analog EQ can be better than digital one?
Imagine, you have to cut 2 frequencies from your track and you found 2 sweet spots for peaking cut filters.
What does your final frequency response should like? Most equalizers just sum your curves and you’ll have the result. Also don’t forget that for min-phase equalizers case the phase response of both curves also affects the result.
Green line is your final response. It is not what you’re expected! You spent a lot of time to find 2 sweet spots but as you can see that blue curve distorts red curve and vice versa and your sweet spots were shifted in frequency and in gain value. You should adjust red and blue curves again to return to your initial sweet spots, which is not good. This is how most min-phase equalizers work.
The 10 Best Freeware Compressor Plug-ins:
http://en.audiofanzine.com/plugin-dynamic-processor/audio-damage/Rough-Rider-[Freeware]/editorial/articles/the-top-free-software-compressors.html
I did some mixes with Proximity plugin and I think it’s just amazing! If you want to add something to track but don’t know what, just add Proximity!
Also I found a couple of denormalization bugs (see my previous post). I fixed it for Windows version, you can just re-download it (link was not changed):
http://static.kvraudio.com/files/1451/proximity_v1_0_1-windows.zip
Also check official [Proximity plugin page].
EDIT: Mac version updated too. Thanks to Murray Campbell for reminder.
http://static.kvraudio.com/files/1451/proximity_v1_0_1-mac.zip
Check this screenshot of simple project with a lot of Proximity instances. You can see Proximity on bass drum, bass guitars, guitars double track, reverb channels, lead and backing vocals!
Q: What is denormalization?
A: In short, when the sound doesn’t play, the plugin starts to use several times more CPU power. It’s related with processing of very small numbers very very close to zero (less than -600 dBFS).
Q: Molot 0.3 didn’t have such problems, so why they were added to version 0.3.1?
A: This bug is related with combination of new limiter code and auto-off feature.
Q: What is auto-off feature?
A: When there’s no input signal, the signal processing code is bypassed. If it happens, version string on GUI becomes gray.
———–
Windows version is updated under the same download link:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Molot031.zip
EDIT: Mac version is updated too (and also support for Mac OS X 10.5 restored):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Molot031.dmg
PS. Reaper performance meter is a good tool to detect such problems!
And also thanks to Theo Niessink! EDIT: And Marc Abram too.
PPS. Also I found the same problem in Proximity plugin. Update shall come soon!
What’s new in Molot 0.3.1:
[download]
What’s new in Limiter №6 1.0.2:
[download]
AU version release notes:
What’s new?
Windows versions (32/64-bit, GUI and GUI-less and also 2-channels version):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Molot031.zip
Mac versions (32/64-bit, VST and AU):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Molot031.dmg
So finally, what’s new in version 1.0.2?
Windows version (32/64-bit, both GUI included):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Limiter6-v102.zip
Mac versions (32/64-bit, VST/AU):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Limiter6-v102-gui1.dmg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Limiter6-v102-gui2.dmg
AU version release notes:
PS. I want to give more tests for this version, then release it!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Limiter6-v102_preview.zip
What’s new? Stereo-linking in peak limiter module now works OK (check this out! it sounds pretty good). Also modes I-III in peak limiter module were slightly changed. Less CPU intensive GUI animation. Numeric parameter values are editable.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18475891/Molot031_preview.zip
What’s new? New output limiter based on Limiter №6. Numeric parameter values are editable. A lot of bug fixes.
I’m making AU and Mac ports for these versions. They’re expected very soon!
PS. Also I’m trying to write small notes about development process on my Twitter. Nothing serious but you can check: Follow @vladgsound
