The VSC-2 is basically one of the best stereo mix bus compressors I’ve ever heard… end of story. From here on in consider these words as filler, pulp… waffle even.

A compressor of this calibre comes along infrequently. If high-end VCA compression is something you appreciate, the Vertigo is worthy of very serious consideration, particularly if your job involves delivering stereo program to paying clients. While it may seem pricey, the VSC-2’s abilities to add that professional touch to mixes more than justifies the expense. It’s a tool that would likely provide years of quality service and constitute a classy long-term investment.

The results were instantly gratifying, with gain reduction up to three, four and five dB seemingly falling away like water off a duck’s back. Needless to say I was more than impressed.

If compressors are like cars, the Vertigo is the Lamborghini of gain reduction!

Andy Stewart -drummer & producer

Using the Vertigo VSC-2 for mastering is so much fun! It doesn`t kill either the HF nor the LF. Finally i found a compressor wich improves my program material as soon as you read gainreduction on its meters. The behaviour of the unit is just impressive. The VSC-2 can thicken the program material or can boost out that big punch out of the mix. But the best feature is that the unit isn`t limited to soft settings-it just stays musically and natural sounding! The Vertigo VSC-2 provides this killer punch and the stereoimage stays untouched & stable.

I just love if a company produces well tought out concepts and a elaborate realisations!

Der Vertigo VSC-2 macht richtig Spass beim Mastern. Er zerstört weder die Höhen noch matschen die Bässe. Endlich steht mir ein Kompressor zur Verfügung der die Musik verbessert sobald er zu Arbeiten beginnt. Das Regelverhalten ist schlichtweg beeindruckend. Ich kann mit dem VSC-2 sowohl eine leichte Verdichtung des Programmmaterials erzeugen, als auch der Mischung richtig Punch verleihen! Das Beste ist, daß man sich nicht auf ein dezentes Regelverhalten beschränken muss. Auch bei relativhoher Gainreduction klingt der VSC-2 nie unnatürlich oder unmusikalisch. Er macht "Mörderdruck", "pumpt" nicht und das Stereobild bleibt wunderbar stabil!
Ich mag es einfach, wenn sich jemand bei der Entwicklung eines Gerätes richtig Gedanken gemacht hat. Ich bin begeistert!

Michael Heilrath

Hans-Philipp "H-Peh" Graf, Mastering-Engineer aus Hamburg Schon nach kurzer Zeit hat er Projekte vieler deutscher Gold- und Platinkünstler / -produzenten, z.B. Azad, Ich+Ich, Sido, Stefan Gwildis, Ina Müller, Alexander Klaws etc., klanglich veredelt.

Der VSC-2 ist mein "Go-To"-Kompressor geworden. Die Kompression ist sehr offen, frequenzneutral und trotzdem sehr lebendig - und das sogar bei starker Kompression. Und das Wichtigste: Der Mix bleibt der Mix, aber er klingt einfach besser! Mein alter VCA-Kompressor hat somit ausgedient, der VSC-2 hat ihn klanglich, bedientechnisch und optisch übertroffen

Hans-Philipp "H-Peh" Graf Mastering engineer from Hamburg was adding his magic touch to projects by gold and platinum disc winning German artists and producers as Adel Tawil (Ich+Ich), Sido, Stefan Gwildis, Ina Müller, Alexander Klaws just to name a few.

The VSC-2 has become my "Go-To" compressor. The compression is open and the frequency spectrum stays fully intact even under heavy compression. But the most imortant point is that the Mix stays your Mix-while just sounding better. Now my old VCA compressor has served it`s time-the VSC-2 beat my old one in sound, operation and look!

I hooked the unit up to my mastering rig as a straight replacement for my usual analogue compression, and the first word that came to mind on using the Vertigo was‘classy’:

the sound of the compressor is exemplary and has a lovely silky quality. I was struck by the fact that, as with some of the better compressors, any given program material had a range of settings that could be employed, thus handing control back to theoperator to make the most appropriate choices for the application. I also noticed that with some of the gentler settings (especially when using the Soft ratio), you might think the compressor was doing very little, until bypassing it and realising that much more was going on than you’d thought.
The VSC-2 is a very effective dynamic controller – I found the Attack control in particular to be a powerful tool, and I don’t think I’ve come across a compressor where the level of transients one lets through or not could be dialled in quite so simply-and declare the Vertigo VSC-2 ‘highly recommended’.

"The VSC-2 never sounds dull or dear even when pushed to the limits."

"Processing vocals or instruments is a pleasure! Even over 10db Gainreduction (if set correctly) there isn`t any audible pumping: Just a thick, dense dynamic sound without losing the original musical character! For this use the VSC-2 is the "Secret Weapon " and no signal can cheat the Auto Release function."

"The VSC-2 is a wonderful , professional tool! Although the market is swamped with analog compressors the VSC-2 occupies a incontestable place!

"Der VSC-2 klingt niemals erstickt oder tot, egal wie sehr man ihn fordert."

"Die Einzelbearbeitung von Stimmen und Solo-Instrumenten ist ein wahrer Genuss, denn selbst bei hohem Pegelhub jenseits der 10-dB-Marke ist – bei entsprechender Einstellung – kein hörbares Regelverhalten feststellbar, sondern lediglich eine extrem dichte Dynamik, die ihren Ursprung nicht verliert. In dieser Disziplin ist der VSC-2 eine echte Geheimwaffe und die Auto-Release-Funktion erweist sich als praktisch nicht zu überlistender Parameter."

"Mit dem VSC-2 ist dem Entwicklerteam ein ganz wunderbares, professionelles Werkzeug gelungen, das trotz des inzwischen fast unüberschaubaren Angebotes analoger Kompressoren einen individuellen und unanfechtbaren Platz belegen kann."

This is my first movie production with the Vertigo VSC-2 and my immediate impression is a solid stereo image with well pronounced definition of instruments and sections.

The discrete VCAs really do preserve the full audio spectrum, even when put under pressure, unlike typical “chip VCA compressors” which become dull and lifeless.
I particularly like the SOFT ratio which reacts to varying input levels – an original innovation.

The Vertigo VSC-2 has become a fixed part of my Class A arsenal.

his 1998 production "Horny" featuring Hot 'n' Juicy reached the top of the Billboard dance charts in the late 1990s and the Top 20 in the UK and Australia. In that same year, he was also nominated for a Grammy for his remix of the Michael Jackson hit Ghost. In 1999 Mousse T wrote and produced "Sexbomb" for Tom Jones which became a world wide hit. Since then, he has written, produced or remixed the work of world-renowned artists from Zucchero to Mary J. Blige.

The Vertigo Vsc-2 is my choice for versatile compression. Whatever setting I use, the Vertigo Vsc-w always makes my beats kick and my vocals smooth! I want to hear my mix and not my compressor, and the Vertigo allows me to do that. FAT!

Exciting!
This was our first impression when adding the VSC-2 comp to our mastering chain. The unit convinced us from the very first minute sound was running through its well designed circuitry with absolute impeccable sonic performance.

Using the VSC-2 gives you a huge set of possibilities to shape the sound with just a few controls. Turn on the VSC-2 and the music starts to groove instantly. You can use channel link and side filters to open the stereo image nicely and the sound of the VSC-2 can seamlessly be pushed from soft and subtle to a hard and crunchy VCA like compression without any annoying artefacts. It can deliver full frequency punch - more than just that typical in-your-face mid range madness you often get from other devices.
It’s awesome how the VSC-2 delivers tonal control: high frequency content gets some nice sparkling silver on-top, details in the mix are shaped out nicely, the low end gets contour and precision and the whole mix receives clarity and punch. We also love the SOFT mode which –for example- allows to shape transients in a fantastic new way. The unit can even bring live back to already over-compressed signals. It’s seems to be magic what happens when audio touches the VSC-2.

Vertigo – You did a amazing job with this compressor. This is my absolute tool of choice. I can’t wait to get my hands on any future product. What should I say: A piece of gear I can’t afford to miss. The VSC-2 is more than just highly recommended.

Hans-Martin Buff engineer & producer- working 4 years as the "In-House" engineer for Prince, Soul Asylum or No Doubt just to name a few.

Here`s his condensed opinion about the Vertigo VSC-2 Compressor:

I was mixing at a studio in switzerland where the in-house tech urged me to try his new entry the"VSC-2 Compressor", so i stuck it on my bass and it was so good-i didn`t change it for three weeks. The VSC is as warm as a Neve, but packs the punch of a SSL comp. Can`t wait to have my own.

"The VSC-2 is one of those units that oozes quality right from the first time you hear signal through it!....this is superbly designed and engineered product that i have no hesitation in heartly recommending."

"Soft is a unique feature where almost the entire audio range is the knee. With the the appropriate Attack and Release settings, this makes a fantastic setting for general recording or processing of individual instruments. Vocals and acoustic guitar in particular sounded wonderful fluid-controlled in an extremley pleasant manner, with no evidence of pumping, just really natural sounding."

"As a stereo bus compressor the unit excels. Across the mix, the sound is punchy and dynamic....the 1979 VCA adds a certain vintage-style colouration as it is pushed and a pleasent subtle crunchiness begins to occur."

Christoph Stickel at MSM discovered his new favourite dynamic tool:

"Normally I’m very cautious about using devices I am not familiar with in an actual production but, despite everything, the Vertigo VSC-2 breathed life into the stereo track. Since then I have used it on all further productions, whether for a pop album such as “Monrose” or for remastering the “Mahavishnu Orchestra” recordings from the 70ies."

"One of the big benefits of the compressor is the precise sound imaging and the detailed,untouched, spatial sonic performance. The stereo image is solid as a rock. Furthermore, the unit just sounds right to my ears and provides that certain punch which is so hard to find. It’s not just that it compresses and squeezes the sound – the VSC-2 seems to put life into the music. All instruments quickly find their place in the mix using gentle settings but when pushed a little harder they seem to jump out of the speakers."

"The Vertigo VSC-2 provides a wonderful sound, without bothersome artifacts and has something exceptional which is difficult to put into words."

"The sonic performance is purely astonishing."

" For all who those who like the smoothness of good optical compressors but were just missing the right portion of grip."

"The Vertigo isn`t limited to soft sounding results-you can really rock your mix-it`s just that it never sounds harsh or nasty.

"It`s just ingenious that a ratio change doesn`t result in a change of loudness impression!"

Ein Gerät das zum Experimentieren mit unterschiedlichsten Einstellungen beim aufnehmen, mischen und mastern mit Sicherheit eine solide Investition darstellt und kreativen Schub gibt

This device is a solid investment for Mixdown, Recording and Mastering applications and provides a significant "step forward" for your creativity.

Vsc-2 just dropped in at baselcitystudios.

Forceful enough to make its way directly into the Mix Buss!

Pry it from our cold dead hands ... ;-) "

"WOW! From the first moment of using the VSC-2 it's clear that this is a 'dynamic masterpiece'. Although it's a transistor compressor it acts in gentle smooth way adding some sparkling highs wich give you the impression of using a tube device. In the same moment it delivers the precision and punch of typical transitor gain reduction. Stereo width & phase and sound stability stay untouched even if the unit is pushed hard. Because of the flexible design it is usable for just everything without exception.
To me it's setting a new standard in compression!"

I have my VSC-2 now for a few days and I already fell in love with it.
This is exactly the subtle punch I am looking for and I have the feeling
there is a lot more in this box waiting to be discovered.
It's that piece of gear that you have in your studio
and you just know that it does the right job for you

SoundSound is the trading name of Engineer Producer DanDan FitzGerald. The business was primarily Live FOH sound during the Eighties and Nineties. Live recordings led to studo work, which is now the main activity. However DD can still be spotted mixing bands such as Buille, Dervish, or Scullion.
SoundSound Recording Studio, founded in 95, is DD's personal use facility in Cork City, Ireland.
I recently had the pleasure of using a prototype Vertigo VSC-2 on several sessions.
The Vertigo people did some analogue modification and repair work for me in the past. From then I knew this is a company with deep reserves of technical know-how, respect for the classic analogue past, and a passion for both sound and technology. Their new baby, the VSC, confirms my opinions. It is a highly accomplished piece, beautifully constructed, with sound beyond reproach. It arrived during a tracking session. I opened the box, took one look, and immediately put it to work on vocal (U67-V78-VSC) and bass guitar (Mike Tobias Bass- Countryman FET 85 DI- V78-VSC). Both musicians and myself were immediately happier. I later compared the VSC with an original UREI 1176 as mixing inserts. With the VSC, Vocals and acoustic guitar were as well controlled as the UREI but somehow smoother. Words such as Creamy and Velvety come to mind. The Ace however, was the transformation of the Bass sound. A very high quality signal chain was used, so the Basses, a Mike Tobias and a Warwick fretless, already sounded great. On bothe Tracking and Mix Insert duty the VSC took the Bass sounds up to another level altogether. I expect that on Electic Guitar , Drums, and any other Rock and Roll duties, the VSC will be a new colour on the block, a cure for ‘Distress’ ;-) DD