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Post by stratboy on Oct 28, 2019 18:15:54 GMT -6
Due to an upcoming move, I'm going to have to radically shrink my setup. I've been pondering how to do this for a few months. One of the strongest alternatives that's emerging from all this deliberation is to get rid of all the outboard preamps and almost all of the rack processors. I would keep my 10-space 500 rack and my Silver Bullet. I would use the preamps in my Silver Bullet and get one high-end channel strip to use mostly as my vocal chain. I've narrowed it down to the Retro Powerstrip or the Aurora GTQC. I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with either of these. I'd also like suggestions for alternatives. One restriction I have, since rack space is extremely limited in my new setup, is the channel strip can't be more than 2 RU. I liked the Manley VoxBox a lot, for example, but I can't give up 3 RU. I really appreciate your thoughts!
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 28, 2019 18:23:25 GMT -6
What about the Neve Sheffold strip ?
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Post by yotonic on Oct 28, 2019 18:36:56 GMT -6
API "The Channel Strip".
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Post by jamiesego on Oct 28, 2019 19:07:30 GMT -6
I've got a Powerstrip. I love it. In my opinion it's a deal if you add up the cost of a nice tube pre, pultec, and vari-mu compressor. Especially on the used market. I haven't tried the Aurora. I know a few people who love the Tree Audio Branch but I think that's 3U.
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Post by m03 on Oct 28, 2019 19:17:49 GMT -6
I would keep my 10-space 500 rack ... since rack space is extremely limited in my new setup, is the channel strip can't be more than 2 RU. Do you have at least 3 spaces in that 500-series rack open? Why not DIY your own channel strip with preamp, EQ, and compressor modules of your choosing? I liked the Manley VoxBox a lot, for example, but I can't give up 3 RU. I really appreciate your thoughts! Check out the Manley Core? I owned both at one point and preferred the Core over the VoxBox, as it was easier to dial in and I didn't perceive the sound of the VoxBox to be objectively better for our situation. YMMV.
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Post by stratboy on Oct 28, 2019 19:27:08 GMT -6
I would keep my 10-space 500 rack ... since rack space is extremely limited in my new setup, is the channel strip can't be more than 2 RU. Do you have at least 3 spaces in that 500-series rack open? Why not DIY your own channel strip with preamp, EQ, and compressor modules of your choosing? Good idea! Thanks. Unfortunately, it’s filled with stuff for the two bus, and specific tracking tasks, like a vintage API 525 and Kush Electra for bass. Right now anyway, I can’t see how to carve out three spaces. I’ll keep thinking about that one, though. Thanks also for the Manley Core suggestion. I’ll take a look.
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Post by Tbone81 on Oct 28, 2019 19:36:06 GMT -6
I really love my UA LA-610. Sounds fantastic on vocals. I'd consider it as an alternative to the Retro Powerstrip (which I'm sure is awesome).
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Post by shoe on Oct 28, 2019 20:04:15 GMT -6
I've got a Powerstrip. I love it. In my opinion it's a deal if you add up the cost of a nice tube pre, pultec, and vari-mu compressor. Especially on the used market. I haven't tried the Aurora. I know a few people who love the Tree Audio Branch but I think that's 3U. Curious about the Powerstrip. Do you happen to know what the tube preamp is based on? Is it a REDD or something?
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Post by jamiesego on Oct 28, 2019 20:28:00 GMT -6
I've got a Powerstrip. I love it. In my opinion it's a deal if you add up the cost of a nice tube pre, pultec, and vari-mu compressor. Especially on the used market. I haven't tried the Aurora. I know a few people who love the Tree Audio Branch but I think that's 3U. Curious about the Powerstrip. Do you happen to know what the tube preamp is based on? Is it a REDD or something? I've read that it's based on the RCA BN-2A console preamp. The internet seems to suggest that unit is a relative of the OP-6 but I don't know enough to verify. Maybe EmRR will chime in with some RCA knowledge.
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Post by ragan on Oct 28, 2019 20:37:49 GMT -6
My good buddy (with a great ear) recently got a pair of Shelfords. He’s over the moon about them. Clips I’ve heard have been lovely.
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Post by hadaja on Oct 28, 2019 23:25:44 GMT -6
I loved the Portico II so much that i ended up having 3 of them at one stage. I was more of a VCA fan of the that compressor then the diode compressor in the Shelford unit. It did have colour but not as heavy as the Shelford colour. I also had the UA6176 and the la610 but it did not float the boat. I had the Manley Core but the compressor was not flexible enough and it was strange that the compressor works before the preamp section. Just a tad noisy but i think i got one of the earlier ones to come out. Eva was very helpful though to assist where she could. I am currently using the Buzz Audio 1.1 and the unit has an exceptional eq system. Comp is a little boring, limiter does what its suppose to and the preamp is clean. Yet to try the Undertone unit, the aurora, the powerstrip. Good luck on finding the ideal match for you.
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 29, 2019 5:26:19 GMT -6
Due to an upcoming move, I'm going to have to radically shrink my setup. I've been pondering how to do this for a few months. One of the strongest alternatives that's emerging from all this deliberation is to get rid of all the outboard preamps and almost all of the rack processors. I would keep my 10-space 500 rack and my Silver Bullet. I would use the preamps in my Silver Bullet and get one high-end channel strip to use mostly as my vocal chain. I've narrowed it down to the Retro Powerstrip or the Aurora GTQC. I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with either of these. I'd also like suggestions for alternatives. One restriction I have, since rack space is extremely limited in my new setup, is the channel strip can't be more than 2 RU. I liked the Manley VoxBox a lot, for example, but I can't give up 3 RU. I really appreciate your thoughts!
Just for inspiration I tend to use lesser and lesser my Neves for vocal tracking and I go clean as it can be. One of my favorite preamps is the RME OuadMic II because its clean as water with a great SNR and is not costing you a leg or an arm.
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Post by stormymondays on Oct 29, 2019 6:17:12 GMT -6
I own the Tree Audio The Branch II. It is stellar. However, once you reach the quality level of the gear you are considering, it becomes a matter of preferences, local availability, etc.
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Post by adamjbrass on Oct 29, 2019 6:32:35 GMT -6
See if you can find a Pendulum Quartet II
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Post by drew571 on Oct 29, 2019 8:02:16 GMT -6
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Post by mikec on Oct 29, 2019 8:39:29 GMT -6
I have a matched pair of Retro Powerstrips that have stayed in my stable when other gear has come and gone. I have them set up with a patch bay so I can use them for tracking and use the line in for mixing. Although I've not owned the Aurora GTQC, I have owned the GTQ2 and the GTC2 and these are two pieces I would love to have back and regret selling. I don't think you would be disappointed with either.
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Post by Omicron9 on Oct 29, 2019 9:12:03 GMT -6
I'm a big fan of the Millennia Origin STT. You can select either tube or SS topology; very versatile. Origin STTHappy hunting, -09
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Post by stratboy on Oct 29, 2019 13:40:45 GMT -6
Thank you all for the great suggestions! I’ve got a lot to think about. Really appreciate the horizon expansion.
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Post by stratboy on Oct 29, 2019 13:42:35 GMT -6
I'm a big fan of the Millennia Origin STT. You can select either tube or SS topology; very versatile. Origin STTHappy hunting, -09 I’m intrigued by the Millenia. Looks very versatile. Is id complicated to dial in a sound? Within the unit itself, what’s the workflow like?
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Post by nomatic on Oct 30, 2019 5:10:05 GMT -6
The Hendyamps Channel strip is killer!
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Post by Omicron9 on Oct 30, 2019 7:11:36 GMT -6
I'm a big fan of the Millennia Origin STT. You can select either tube or SS topology; very versatile. Origin STTHappy hunting, -09 I’m intrigued by the Millenia. Looks very versatile. Is id complicated to dial in a sound? Within the unit itself, what’s the workflow like? Not complicated to dial in what you want. The flow can be whatever you want; you can put EQ before compressor, e.g.
-09
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Post by stratboy on Oct 30, 2019 10:54:25 GMT -6
The Hendyamps Channel strip is killer! Thanks for the tip on this one! They have four different strips. Do you mean the Picasso?
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Post by brenta on Oct 30, 2019 11:03:24 GMT -6
Chandler Microphone Cassette should probably be a contender too.
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Post by stratboy on Oct 30, 2019 11:09:05 GMT -6
Chandler Microphone Cassette should probably be a contender too. Sigh. Yes, it’s on the list. Do you have personal experience with one?
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Post by stratboy on Oct 30, 2019 11:18:18 GMT -6
See if you can find a Pendulum Quartet II Looks fantastic, but waay over budget. I top out at about $3k. Thanks for the tip, tho!
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