DISTRESSOR VS. JOEMEEK
a...@xclaim.com
more flexibility
**** Posted from RemarQ - http://www.remarq.com - Discussions Start Here (tm) ****
Fletcher
>
> I have both and they are both great. The distressor will give you a little
> more flexibility
>
Yes it will, but the interesting part is that if you work at it, you can
make a distressor sound like a Joe Meek...but there's no way in hell you
can make a Joe Meek do half of what a distressor will do.
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: 508-543-0069
FAX: 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
Jeff Olsen
>Any one out there with a DISTRESSOR Compare to JOEMEEK
>please need more information about this two units,
>I am thinking of replacing my long APHEX Compellor.
> -- Baba Omar
Interesting "trio" of compressors, these.
Well, I've used a Meek optical compressor a little, and I own a Compellor
and 2 Ditressors. They are about as different a bunch as could be. The
Meek, to my ears, was cloudy and thicker sounding than I'd want to run a
mix through. The compeller is pretty transparent, but doesn't have a lot
of adjustability. It works pretty wll on the mix as sort of a pro-grade,
generic-sounding compressor, in a good way. The top end is much more open
and the Aphex unit is more accurate in general than the Meek. The Meek
scared me. I could see using it as a flavor for tracking, but not as a
mix device, which was sort of what it was sld as, I think.
The Distressor is a whole different animal... very adjustable, lots of
different curves most of which have a different vibe than the others,
damn transparent in some modes, wonderfully colored in others. I don't
like the interface when trying to use them on a mix, but they do sound
pretty good for that. But they are best seen as a tracker's best friend.
I'd say keep the compellor and buy a distressor or two.
-jeff
omar.baba
theme...@joemeek.com
We bought two Distressor EL8 units and did very extensive listening
comparisons. First of all, let me state that the two units are very different
from each other, and if you can afford both of them, you will certainly have
very good gear and not need much else.
The Distressor is a very good box, but it does not give the kind of "vintage"
musical tone and the spatial image that the Joemeek does, despite Fletcher's
claim. This is why the Meek is sought after due to it's unique sonic quality.
We agree the Distressor is a bit more flexible, but that too comes at a very
high price.
At about $3,400.00(excuse me if I am off a bit) retail for both units and a
link cable to operate in stereo, the Distressor is almost 10 times the price
of the new Joemeek C2 Stereo Compressor, more than 4 times the price of the
Joemeek SC2.2, and close to 2 times the price of our flagship Joemeek SC2
Stereo Compressor, which has been Electronic Musicians Editors Choice Winner,
and Mix Magazine's TEC Nominee.
For almost half the price of a stereo Distressor, you can own a SC2.2 stereo
compressor, and VC1 direct tracking channel with transformer mic pre, mono
compressor, and enhancer, so if you want to talk about flexible, I think we
qualify. In fact, you could add our two channel EQ in and still be almost
half the price. So look at your budget and decide just how much better in
dollars the Distressor is, if in fact you think it is!
We like to think we are friends with the distributor of Distressor and will
never say anything unkind, as the Distressor is very good, but, we will also
praise our units against our competitors, even if certain individuals don't.
The Meekman
PMI Audio Group
Distributors Of JOEMEEK • BPM Microphones • CLM Dynamics • MD Report
23773 Madison Street • Torrance • CA
Toll Free 1-877-563-6335 FAX 310-373-4714
Web Site www.pmiaudio.com
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Henry Hiatt
>We agree the Distressor is a bit more flexible, but that too comes at a very
>high price.
>
>At about $3,400.00(excuse me if I am off a bit) retail for both units and a
>link cable to operate in stereo, the Distressor is almost 10 times the price
Street price for a pair of Distressors is about $1000 less, so you're
off by quite a bit. Try Magic Audio, Atlanta, or Sweetwater; I've
purchased "stereo" Distressors from each in the last year. Suddenly
the Distressor's incredible flexibility seems like the bargain of the
decade....
Herb Tassin
Nashville, TN
>
>
Fletcher
>
> >
>
> We bought two Distressor EL8 units and did very extensive listening
> comparisons. First of all, let me state that the two units are very different
> from each other, and if you can afford both of them, you will certainly have
> very good gear and not need much else.
There's always a need for other stuff, but frankly, that's a pretty damn
good start.
>
> The Distressor is a very good box, but it does not give the kind of "vintage"
> musical tone and the spatial image that the Joemeek does, despite Fletcher's
> claim.
First of all, which Fletcher? Me, or Ted? Second, define 'spatial
image'. They definately sound different, but if you're saying that the
Meek has better headroom or definition, I'm afraid we'll have to
disagree. As for 'vintage' musical tone...what the hell is that?
Different, yeah, they sound different. Close, yep, you can get them
close to each other. Vintage? I don't know how to get my stuff to
sound 'vintage'...
This is why the Meek is sought after due to it's unique sonic quality.
> We agree the Distressor is a bit more flexible, but that too comes at a very
> high price.
>
> At about $3,400.00(excuse me if I am off a bit) retail for both units and a
> link cable to operate in stereo, the Distressor is almost 10 times the price
> of the new Joemeek C2 Stereo Compressor, more than 4 times the price of the
> Joemeek SC2.2, and close to 2 times the price of our flagship Joemeek SC2
> Stereo Compressor, which has been Electronic Musicians Editors Choice Winner,
> and Mix Magazine's TEC Nominee.
Street price for EL-8's runs around $1,225 ea./ $2,400 pr. I don't know
what the Meek stuff is running for, but if it's a question of not
spending money then the RNC kicks ass over all of it.
We can delute this equasion to no end, but there is a percieved value to
all units. Yeah, I can get my EL-8's close to my Meek, but it's not
something I would necessarily want to do. I prefer to have my Meek
sound like my Meek, and the EL-8's in another use...and the Trakkers in
another use, and the Vari-Mu doing something else, etc. etc. etc.
>
> For almost half the price of a stereo Distressor, you can own a SC2.2 stereo
> compressor, and VC1 direct tracking channel with transformer mic pre, mono
> compressor, and enhancer, so if you want to talk about flexible, I think we
> qualify. In fact, you could add our two channel EQ in and still be almost
> half the price. So look at your budget and decide just how much better in
> dollars the Distressor is, if in fact you think it is!
>
I certainly wouldn't disagree that they're unique sounding units, but I
would disagree with the claim of flexibility. The point here is not to
add stuff unit you're blue, the point here is to aquire tools that will
lend a hand in aquiring the sound you are trying to achieve. Right tool
for the job and all that. I've got a couple of pipe wrenches that on
the odd occasion have served me well for pounding nails, but almost
every time a hammer will work better.
I can only talk from my perspective as an engineer, I don't come to this
group as a sales weasel, if you monitor this group on any kind of
regular basis, I don't use it as a sales platform. I know it's Joe
Meek's world, and we're damn lucky to live in it, but there are other
products. I wouldn't give up my SC-2 for love or money, but to think
that it's the *only* box that's worth a damn is silly.
> We like to think we are friends with the distributor of Distressor and will
> never say anything unkind, as the Distressor is very good, but, we will also
> praise our units against our competitors, even if certain individuals don't.
>
> The Meekman
> PMI Audio Group
> Distributors Of JOEMEEK • BPM Microphones • CLM Dynamics • MD Report
Hey Gil's my buddy too, but I don't play any party lines. There are
other units that I recommend in front of EL-8's as well. I'm not the
distributor of Empirical Labs, and Gil (who is) didn't reply to the
original post. It's great that you will praise your unit above all
others, but that has to do with sales, not making records.
I'm not saying by any stretch of the imagination that the Meek stuff
isn't good, but the original post asked for a compare and contrast,
which is what I tried to do. I did this from the perspective on my work
as an engineer, not from the perspective of a sales weasel. I've also
qualified the statement that this has to do with my work, other people's
work will definately vary in styles and tonal preferance.
Seeing as I'm an actual carbon based life form...what exactly does the
'Meekman' look like? Does it have an alternative identity? Does it
come out of phone booths with a 3/4 length green cape and tights? How
about mentioning who's behind the curtain? I realize you qualified that
you'll praise the Meek stuff above all others, identified yourself as
the national sales weasels...but comeon...there has to be someone
operating the machinery.
Adam Dorenter
Fletcher wrote in message <3711E1...@mercenary.com>...
theme...@joemeek.com
In article <3711E1...@mercenary.com>,
Hey Fletcher,
Your way to wound up, and if you believe I come out of phone booths with a 3/4
length green cape and tights, then I want what your smokin!
Before I replied to this, I researched many of your posts on this group, and
my opinion is many of them "are" from the perspective of a sales weasel, but
that's not against the law and your not going to get busted for it. After
all, that is what you do isn't it, or is Mercenary Audio a non-profit retail
sales shop!
For the record, the original post did ask for a compare and contrast. You gave
him your opinion, and I gave mine. If Gil wanted to post his reply, he should
have. I never said anything negative about him or his product. I respect his
opinion of what he thinks about his products and have downed many a beer
discussing it and other business issues.
Despite what you may think, I respect your opinion as well, but I to replied
from the perspective on my work as an engineer, a musician, and a
manufacturers rep in the professional audio industry for over 20 years. So I
ask you this, does my opinion not count because it is different from yours?
Where do I say it's Joe Meek's world, and we're damn lucky to live in it? The
fact is many people just can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars to own
the expensive gear you do, so when you mention the Distressor and the RNC
walking all over the Meek, I am going to disagree, and many others will as
well. Of course they are different and I appreciate your comment that you
would not give up your SC-2 for love or money, but I received many emails
regarding my post, and they were all very positive and thanked me for my
opinion. Yours was the only negative one I got. What did I do, kick your dog?
I never said Joemeek was the only box in the world, it's not! You have a
habit of saying things I never said. I even learned from Henry that you can
buy an EL8 for $1,000.00 at Sweetwater and Magic Audio, and hey, that is a
great deal and a huge discount off the retail price, which was how I based my
comparisons on. If a Distressor ends up to be the compressor of choice for
someone, so be it, I won't cry. In either case, we now know where they can
buy it real cheap thanks to Henry.
So you continue to relate to audio with your with your pipe wrenches and
hammer cliché's, and keep pretending you don't know what we all mean when we
say vintage and other buzz words, and by all means, keep knocking the Meek if
you choose to do so.
Just remember, there are many people out there who might like to hear other
opinions. Now don't twist my words, because I am not saying yours does not
count, but I am saying mine counts just as much. So ease up, you take things
way to seriously.
The Meekman
aka Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group
Distributors Of JOEMEEK • BPM Microphones • CLM Dynamics • MD Report
manna-dallas
Amen well said and by the way I own both boxes and If I had to give
up one the distressor would go bye bye Mike
Fletcher
>
>
> Hey Fletcher,
>
> Your way to wound up, and if you believe I come out of phone booths with a 3/4
> length green cape and tights, then I want what your smokin!
>
It was the cartoon character psudonym. Don't you read Mix? I quit
smokin'...but before I did, it was Camels...
> Before I replied to this, I researched many of your posts on this group, and
> my opinion is many of them "are" from the perspective of a sales weasel, but
> that's not against the law and your not going to get busted for it.
No sport. Most are from the perspective of a working engineer. Not
that I give a fireman's fuck what you think or believe, I actually clear
a better annual take home from engineering than from the weasel gig.
The weasel gig keeps me off the street days, and is usually a rather
satisfying endeavor, but the fact of the matter is that I could stop
being a weasel tomorrow, and increase my take home.
After
> all, that is what you do isn't it, or is Mercenary Audio a non-profit retail
> sales shop!
>
I won't get into specifics, but so far in '99, my engineering billing is
a little over quadruple my stipend from Mercenary. While we're on the
subject, isn't your sole income derived from PMI? Which would explain
the lack of horizontal perspective.
> For the record, the original post did ask for a compare and contrast. You gave
> him your opinion, and I gave mine. If Gil wanted to post his reply, he should
> have. I never said anything negative about him or his product. I respect his
> opinion of what he thinks about his products and have downed many a beer
> discussing it and other business issues.
>
Cool, Gil's been to the 4th of July barbeque...but I'll not discuss
who's better friends...you win, I don't care. You brought up 'the
distributor' in your last post.
> Despite what you may think, I respect your opinion as well, but I to replied
> from the perspective on my work as an engineer, a musician, and a
> manufacturers rep in the professional audio industry for over 20 years. So I
> ask you this, does my opinion not count because it is different from yours?
>
Of course it does. Any possible objection I had to the post came from
two points of view. The first; the obvious commercial tenor of the
post, second; the slant that the Meek stuff was superior due to it's
lower cost. Audio is audio, economics is economics.
This, of course, is from my twisted perspective, but your time spent as
a musician and engineer is relevant here. Your time spent as a
manufacturers rep tends to skew perspective. I know that when I sit in
the office for prolonged periods without sitting in 'the chair' I tend
to lose perspective. I tend to believe the things that manufacturers
and reps tell me, which is not a good thing for maintaining a working
perspective.
> Where do I say it's Joe Meek's world, and we're damn lucky to live in it? The
> fact is many people just can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars to own
> the expensive gear you do, so when you mention the Distressor and the RNC
> walking all over the Meek, I am going to disagree, and many others will as
> well. Of course they are different and I appreciate your comment that you
> would not give up your SC-2 for love or money, but I received many emails
> regarding my post, and they were all very positive and thanked me for my
> opinion. Yours was the only negative one I got. What did I do, kick your dog?
>
Actually, if you go back and read the thing, that wasn't a particularly
negative post. What I took exception to was the tone v. dollars aspect
of it. That the green stuff is good only because it's short on the
price tag and passes signal. I like the equipment, I don't know how
it's possible to say that any more without involving bodily fluids.
It it was at all negative, it stemmed the non-user, commercially
oriented opinion. If you actually hung around here once and a while,
which I certainly encourage you do, salespitches aren't welcome. I
know, you're going to say that the reason I post here is for sales, and
your right. However, my motives aren't commercial. I will respond to a
direct query with information, but I don't roll my pushcart across the
NG, frankly, it's beneath me.
> I never said Joemeek was the only box in the world, it's not! You have a
> habit of saying things I never said. I even learned from Henry that you can
> buy an EL8 for $1,000.00 at Sweetwater and Magic Audio, and hey, that is a
> great deal and a huge discount off the retail price, which was how I based my
> comparisons on. If a Distressor ends up to be the compressor of choice for
> someone, so be it, I won't cry. In either case, we now know where they can
> buy it real cheap thanks to Henry.
>
I reckon I missed the 'Henry' thing. But, if that is indeed true, and
the Sweetwater and/or Magic price is $250/unit less than Mercenary's
(which I have no doubt they are), then that would be even *less* in my
commercial favor to say the things I said...wouldn't it.
> So you continue to relate to audio with your with your pipe wrenches and
> hammer cliché's,
(that was an anology, not a cliche...by the way, how'd ya get that thing
over the "e" in cliche?, it's really cool!!)
and keep pretending you don't know what we all mean when we
> say vintage and other buzz words, and by all means, keep knocking the Meek if
> you choose to do so.
>
I don't know what you mean when you say 'vintage'. I have
abso-fucking-lutely no possible concept of what you mean. Please,
explain it to me will ya. I have a ton of old stuff, it *all* sounds
different. I have RCA BA-6's that sound different from my Volumax's,
which sound different from Neve 32264a's, which sound different from my
EAR 660, which sounds different from a Fairchild 660...so being in
possession of these 'vintage' units; and not being able to determine
what the 'vintage' sound is...help an old guy a little bit, explain it
to me will ya. Please.
As for me knocking the Meek stuff, I don't know how you got there...if I
remember the quote correctly, it was something along the lines of; "I
wouldn't give it up for love nor money"...lemme say it a little clearer
for you: "the only way to get it out of the collection was to pry it
from my cold dead hands"...if that's a slam, please, show me an
endorsement.
As for buzz words..."vintage musical tone and spatial image" was the
quote from your original post. Seeing as I'm a moron, would you please
explain what these are. If only for my education. I'm a little blurry
on this stuff, and really, I come here to learn as well as dispense my
observations.
> Just remember, there are many people out there who might like to hear other
> opinions. Now don't twist my words, because I am not saying yours does not
> count, but I am saying mine counts just as much. So ease up, you take things
> way to seriously.
>
> The Meekman
> aka Alan Hyatt
> PMI Audio Group
> Distributors Of JOEMEEK • BPM Microphones • CLM Dynamics • MD Report
> 23773 Madison Street • Torrance • CA
> Toll Free 1-877-563-6335
> FAX 310-373-4714
> Web Site www.pmiaudio.com
>
Your opinion definately counts...I never said it didn't. You came to
the chat from your perspective, I came from mine. Great thing about
America (and this forum) we can do this. My beef was not so much with
what you said, but how you said it. Your beef seems damned similar to
mine, but from the other side of the fence. No big deal.
I suppose your right, I do take this shit way too seriously. I reckon a
Valium or seven may be in order [got any?]...so, uh, while I'm
lightening up...here's one for ya...
What's the square root of '69'?
Rob Reedijk
the entire contents of every post in this thread.
Rob R.
L.E. Newman
blah, blah)
replies to the original post I must admit that I cannot tell who has
written what.
I could offer to you my opinion about the Meek and the Distressor
and start another chain of replies, but I won't.
But I would like to relpy to the following statement:
>> Before I replied to this, I researched many of your posts on this group,
and
>> my opinion is many of them "are" from the perspective of a sales weasel,
but
>> that's not against the law and your not going to get busted for it.
I happen to have known Fletcher for over 10 years.
I have done alot of business with him and Iconsider him to be
an expert in this field.
He has always been generous in allowing me to stand on his
shoulders to utillize his experiences and the experiences of
his clients which has accelerated the learning process for me.
What a great gift to give someone.
We are fortunate as an industry that he combines his passion
for music and the means to record that music with his retail store.
Don't put him down just because his opinion is not locked
in perfect "Goose Step" with yours.
Louis Newman
Discrete Audio Services
L.E. Newman
As I read all of the replies to the replies to the replies to the.... (blah,
blah, blah)
replies to the original post I must admit that I cannot tell who has
written what.
I could offer to you my opinion about the Meek and the Distressor
and start another chain of replies, but I won't.
>> Before I replied to this, I researched many of your posts on this group,
and
>> my opinion is many of them "are" from the perspective of a sales weasel,
but
>> that's not against the law and your not going to get busted for it.
I happen to have known Fletcher for over 10 years.
an expert in this field.
He has always been generous in allowing me to stand on his
ScotFraser
In article <371323...@mercenary.com>, Fletcher wrote:
> Which would explain
>the lack of horizontal perspective.>>
Don't know about youse guys, but I get MY horizontal perspective lying on the
floor under the console with my favorite vintage single malt
handmade-in-Scotland aural enhancer.
Scott Fraser
Gil Griffith
Was I in the Bahamas or something? How did I miss this thread?
I will now add to the post my personal view and opinion, which nobody asked
me for:
I like Alan Hyatt. We speak at almost all the trade shows - sometimes we
are even booth-neighbors. I respect JoeMeek 's products, price points, and
marketing strategy. The stuff is EVERYWHERE - both in terms of sales to
end-users and in advertising - I can't open a trade magazine without seeing
a Meek ad, and this months EQ featured a nice live-sound aspect review of
the Distressor - which I was very happy to see - and what do I see smack-dab
in the middle of my review? A freakin' JoeMeek "Meek and Potatoes" ad.
I actually called Alan, who wasn't in, to tease him about it. I even asked
his associate Jamie who at EQ Alan had a presidential-intern style encounter
with in order to get that kind of positioning. But it is all in fun.
I don't see Empirical labs ever getting in a pissing match with Joe Meek.
Dave at Empirical has very specific ideas about signal processing, which
have a unique slant based on Dave's background as a musician, studio owner,
engineer/producer, and analog hardware developer. Anything Dave does is
going to be a little left-of-center, a little eccentric, a little
out-of-the-ordinary. And I (and I think Fletcher at Mercenary would agree)
wouldn't have it any other way. If I wanted to distribute me-too processing
gear I could go work with one of several big-name companies (whom I don't
feel like insulting just now by listing them) but that has never been my aim
or goal.
By the same token, Ted Fletcher approaches his designs from his unique
perspective, as does Dave Hill of Crane Song (whom I greatly admire, even
though he didn't take me up on my offer to distribute his fine gear) as does
Mike Papp of Summit and the nice folks from Avalon - all of these designers
add their own unique audio signature by virtue of their past experience and
their audio philosophies.
I dig all of their gear and if I had a studio I would own units from each of
them, and maybe even a piece or two from my friend EveAnna Manley - I
wouldn't let her good looks keep me from appreciating some of the fine
equipment she proffers. (I'm talking about audio processing equipment here
folks)
In my 18 years in the business I have never made it a habit to knock my
competitors. When I was with Eventide it wasn't uncommon for Joel Silverman
from Lexicon and I to switch badges at a trade show just to confuse people
and piss off our bosses. I always respected Lexicon and spoke well of them,
which even led to a job offer in 1994. You never know where you'll be
working next year, why upset your competition and thus preclude them from
becoming a potential employer in the future?
When I hear stories from engineers and producers about how much they love
their Distressor(s) and what type of things they did with them on
such-and-such a project, it makes me feel good - for myself, for Dave Derr,
for our dealers, and for the record buying public who don't even know
they're hearing a Distressor on that Jewel album. I'm sure Alan and Ted and
Dave Hill and EveAnna and Mike Papp et al all feel the same when they hear
nice things about projects their gear was used on.
There is enough room for everybody, and I think people will always respond
to something new if it is creative, musical and makes life easy and more
interesting. I have told Dave Derr to design more gear like that, and I
believe he will and we'll all be better off because of it. Well, actually,
Dave Derr and I will be better off (assuming it sells!)
So to all my friends at JoeMeek, Avalon, Summit, Manley, and CraneSong -
keep up the good work, let's keep it interesting.
A smidgeon more than my $0.02 -
Gil Griffith
Wave Distribution
Paul Jenner
> Don't know about youse guys, but I get MY horizontal perspective lying on the
> floor under the console with my favorite vintage single malt
> handmade-in-Scotland aural enhancer.
Aural enhancer ? Perspective enhancer !
Paul.
>
> Scott Fraser
--
A splendid time is guaranteed for all ...
(Please remove "rennejluap" from my e-mail adress when replying.)
Paul Jenner
>
> What's the square root of '69'?
I smell a good joke (amongst other things) coming up.
What IS the answer, I don't quite get it, maybe my english ...
Paul.
gabriel
gabe