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Post by dok on Sept 24, 2023 23:06:30 GMT -6
I currently have a TLM-67 and an API-A2D. For my purposes they work rather well, although not particularly vibey. I make recordings that I'm perfectly happy with that have low noise and are easy to process. These days, I mainly record vocals in mono and acoustic guitar in stereo, and for that I use a pair of Oktava MK-012s. I'll be keeping all of these pieces, but I sure do hear people raving about some things in the $1k range that have caught my imagination lately and am wondering if they'd be worth the outlay, or just merely different.
Things I'm considering:
Locomotive WT-72
Stam SA-87T
1073-style preamp (leaning toward Heritage maybe?)
Soyuz 013 FET pair
Out of those, which option in particular would have the biggest positive impact, or is there something else that just might do the job? I'm fairly well sorted for monitoring, ribbons, and utility pres. I've only ever tried tracking with cheap compressors and thus have never had that wow kind of experience with hardware comps - not sure if I should really start chasing that particular dragon at this point anyway. Thanks!
Thanks!
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Post by rowmat on Sept 24, 2023 23:48:46 GMT -6
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Post by copperx on Sept 25, 2023 0:51:58 GMT -6
Your question is vague. You already have a good front end. Those pieces you list are nice, but what are you looking for? Are you looking for vibe? If so, what kind of vibe?
Most people here can come up with a list of really cool stuff, or tell you which of the pieces you listed are their favorites, but if you don't say what problem you're trying to solve, or what sonic goal you're after, replies are not going to be helpful.
If you're looking for vibe, and you don't have any goal in mind, I recommend that you spend some serious time with Zen Audio's Clipalator to audition the box tone of preamps and compressors, and some time on Audio Test Kitchen's site to compare microphones (you can, for example, compare the TLM67 to other microphones). Compare the units you want to the ones that you have. You'll find out whether the sound signature you want is there or not.
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Post by paulcheeba on Sept 25, 2023 0:54:51 GMT -6
Soyuz pair.
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Post by niklas1073 on Sept 25, 2023 1:20:45 GMT -6
You’ve got some nice gear going for mono recording. So I would say it’s not how to improve but rather how do you want your front end to sound.
As already mentioned, what are you after? If you are looking for a vibe and sound for your productions, or lack something in your chain it usually kind of tells on you what to go for and leads you to certain gear or at least narrows down to something specific.
I would say you are missing a stereo pair of ldc. And a stereo set of pre’s. But maybe not. Despite that most will use stereo or dual mono recording techniques you might not. (EDIT: sorry now realized the oktavas and stereo pre, so you have stereo covered also)
If you’ve got the sound you want, mic and pre wise, I would get a killer compressor to fit that specific chain to track thru. That would likely be an audible improvement of the sound you already have.
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Post by bricejchandler on Sept 25, 2023 1:38:13 GMT -6
I would improve or add mics before anything.
For my tastes having a nice tube mic for vocals is a must so out of those 4 options, the Stam 87t would probably be my pick.
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Post by knucklehead89 on Sept 25, 2023 4:44:50 GMT -6
I say a compressor for the vocal on the way in or a BAE 1073mp
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Post by nick8801 on Sept 25, 2023 6:01:55 GMT -6
Those oktavas are cool, but for under 1000, I’ve never regretted selling mine and getting a pair of Beyer mc930’s.
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Post by phdamage on Sept 25, 2023 7:32:34 GMT -6
I’d grab the Stam. It’s a great mic and a mic will make a bigger difference than a pre for sure.
A friend just demoed the Soyuz and was unimpressed. He thought they sounded plastic-y.
You get a lot more bang for your buck when you buy directly from manufacturers
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Post by kcatthedog on Sept 25, 2023 7:58:22 GMT -6
Maybe think about a stam 76 adg, ( 3 circuits) or any other good 76 clone:, or maybe for a little more money a 78 clone (stereo) a good versatile compressor would be useful !
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Post by chessparov on Sept 25, 2023 8:17:38 GMT -6
Example Clips?
Thanks, Chris
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Post by svart on Sept 25, 2023 8:26:53 GMT -6
Honestly what you have is pretty good. Can't see anything necessarily giving you more than a minor difference in tones.
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Post by mcirish on Sept 25, 2023 9:23:17 GMT -6
Those oktavas are cool, but for under 1000, I’ve never regretted selling mine and getting a pair of Beyer mc930’s. I've got a couple upgraded MC-012 Oktavas ans well as a pair of MC930. To me, they do different things. The MC930 is a bit smoother with a nice top end lift. But, the MC-012 is my favorite on guitar and mandolin. I use the MC930 on piano and upright bass often. It's also a great overhead mic. But, back on topic. An 1176 on the way in would be my choice along with a tube mic. |
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Post by skav on Sept 25, 2023 9:25:02 GMT -6
Your API has insert for EQ/compression etc. Would you benefit from somehing like that between your pre and A2D?
What interface are you using?
Other than that I'd get consider a mic or two..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2023 9:31:27 GMT -6
A pair of mc930 or its discontinued Beyer omni SDC brother. Biggest SDCs ever.
Or a pair of Josephson C42 for a ton of detail.
If you want a great compressor, try anything from Daking.
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Post by dok on Sept 25, 2023 13:53:41 GMT -6
Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies and questions! My interface is a MOTU 828es. As far as what I'm looking for, I think the best way to describe it is depth/size. I hate to say "vibe" because that's not particularly descriptive! But generally, something that helps me get toward a more finished/polished sound would be my aim. A little wow factor.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Sept 25, 2023 14:04:05 GMT -6
What type of music are you recording?
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Post by christopher on Sept 25, 2023 14:24:43 GMT -6
Ideally for me, I’d want to be able to run the mic pre into full distortion, then back off to taste so that it sounds thickened up but not fuzzed out.
I don’t know enough about the API a2d.. is the output analog? If yes try running the output of ch1 into ch2. Are you able to go full fuzz recording ch2 without digital clipping?
That may be enough, if it’s not then a preamp that can fuzz out and pad down would be my choice. And really a stereo pair would be nice so you can do the same thing for the Octava’s.
But if you can get the A2D checking those boxes, I’d possibly look into other fun things. I’m an EQ lover I guess as my priority. An EQ between ch1 and ch2 could provide some fun shaping that definitely always will be noticeable
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 25, 2023 21:26:15 GMT -6
I’d say you need some type of tube flavor. Tube compressor or nice tube ldc. That would really round out your setup.
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Post by andersmv on Sept 26, 2023 6:48:41 GMT -6
I’ll second Paul, go for the Soyuz small caps. Best small caps I’ve ever used, I sold my OktavaMod small caps for a pair of Soyuz 013 Tubes. As great as the OktavaMods were, the Soyuz small caps just stomp them. I did a video comparing the tube and FET versions of the 013, they’re pretty damn close. I would like to have a pair of the fets as well at some point.
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Post by knucklehead89 on Sept 26, 2023 10:39:32 GMT -6
I’ll second Paul, go for the Soyuz small caps. Best small caps I’ve ever used, I sold my OktavaMod small caps for a pair of Soyuz 013 Tubes. As great as the OktavaMods were, the Soyuz small caps just stomp them. I did a video comparing the tube and FET versions of the 013, they’re pretty damn close. I would like to have a pair of the fets as well at some point. Man I can decide on my next purchase. These Soyuz tube SDC’s or an AEA R88. Two totally different beasts but both on my short list of next purchases |
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Post by andersmv on Sept 26, 2023 10:47:59 GMT -6
I’ll second Paul, go for the Soyuz small caps. Best small caps I’ve ever used, I sold my OktavaMod small caps for a pair of Soyuz 013 Tubes. As great as the OktavaMods were, the Soyuz small caps just stomp them. I did a video comparing the tube and FET versions of the 013, they’re pretty damn close. I would like to have a pair of the fets as well at some point. Man I can decide on my next purchase. These Soyuz tube SDC’s or an AEA R88. Two totally different beasts but both on my short list of next purchases I've got both, that would be a tough choice. At this point, I've had the R88 for a long time and the Soyuz 013's for about a year now. I would survive without the 013's, I would be pretty unhappy if I had to go without the R88. I would definitely say they are both respectively the best mics in their class. R88 is definitely my favorite ribbon, 013's are my favorite small caps. I would say the 013's are probably the more versatile choice and would cover more ground and be more useful in most situations. I would also recommend saving up and buying an AEA TRP preamp when you get the R88, it's rare that I use the R88 with any other preamps. They were made for each other, I would go as far as saying the R88 isn't worth having if you don't have the TRP as well. I know what's a bold/extreme statement, but I'll stand by it  |
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