Syrah

Name: Syrah
Price: 89 USD
Author: FLUX::

by FLUX:: · Compressor · Adaptive compressor

Not rated yet

Syrah is an adaptive compressor from FLUX:: whose algorithm, based on Alchemist and Solera, follows the input signal in real time.

It keeps controls to a minimum, with three modes plus Boost, Thickness and dry/wet, and costs $99.

Best for: Mix Bus, Drum Bus, Vocals, Mastering. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: vocals, bus processing, built-in mix knob, smooth, transparent, downward expansion, full mix, steep learning curve, auto-gain, creative, drum bus, enhancement, fat, finishing touch, glue, mastering, mid/side, mix bus, mixing, parallel processing, perpetual licence, single-band, subscription, thick, visual feedback, wide.

What it does

Syrah is FLUX::'s adaptive compressor. Instead of attack and release times, it reacts "in real-time to the nature of the input signal", so you choose a mode and an amount and the plugin sets its own timing.

Three modes: Dynamic Soft, Dynamic Deep and Static, each with its own adaptive behaviour.
Boost: raises the overall intensity of the processing.
Thickness: fattens the sound by working on the low-level parts of the signal; Sound On Sound describes it as de-expansion at low levels.
Inverse: inverts the gain envelope for creative, expansion-style effects.
Parallel and stereo: dry/wet mix with optional gain compensation, and M/S width control.
Output and display: a discrete peak limiter at the end of the chain, true bypass, and an LCD waveform display showing input, output and the gain envelope, with scroll speed and freeze.
Presets and channels: A and B preset slots with an automatable morphing slider, global presets, and up to 16 channels.

It is sold as a perpetual license and is also part of the FLUX:: subscriptions; academic users get a discount. A trial is available on request.

Source: FLUX:: product page

When to use it

Syrah is the pick for smooth, hands-off compression that adapts to the material. Compared with The Glue or the SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, it adds less punch and colour and won't give big, pumping bus compression, but it stays more open on mixed material. It is far less hands-on than Pro-C 3, which exposes every timing control, and it is cleaner than character tools like MJUC. Reviewers liked it most on guitar, piano, vocals, master buses and reverb returns.

Best for: transparent compression and loudness lift on vocals, acoustic instruments, master buses and reverb buses.
Genres: acoustic, jazz, classical, singer-songwriter, pop and any material that needs gentle control.
Look elsewhere if: you want aggressive, heavy compression or full manual control; Pure Compressor or Pro-C 3 give you every parameter, and The Glue gives more bus punch.
Tip: Sound On Sound found Dynamic Soft with some Thickness gave the best vocal cut, and suggested keeping Amount around 70% to avoid over-compressing.

What producers say

Older reviews praise its smooth, open sound and loudness gains, with the learning curve as the main complaint.

Sound On Sound (2010, version 2) called the results "stunning" on drum and bass, rock, jazz, classical and vocals, with a "transparent and open sound", but noted a learning curve and a weak manual.
Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2010) called it "one smooth customer", praising the slick sound, original interface, clipping and morphing.
Criticisms: Computer Music said it "doesn't go 'extreme'" and suits sparse groups better than dense full mixes.

Where to buy

Best Service: $89
FLUX::: $99

Tutorials and reviews

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