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Post by javamad on May 10, 2017 1:01:59 GMT -6
Hey Langston- I'll be using my Zulu with the RND 5060 as well. I'm curious about your comment as to why inserting Zulu into the Mix Bus would be any different than running it inline out of the Main Output. I'll certainly use both methods when implementing Zulu and will post my results. Scott I have to do a bit of research but unless the insert is post fader on the 5060, then you have a different degree of gain staging with Zulu after the fader. Its not a right or wrong aspect moreso, if you knew you could get more tone by hitting the input hotter and you liked having the tone of the channel hit Zulu rather than Zulu be in "front" of the tone of the channel before gain....you get my drift? For example Alan Evans, has Zulu on the output of his console and hits the input hotter than anything. He mixes the channels on the console into that combination of the master buss gain and the way Zulu reacts versus Zulu being hit first with possibly less gain as an insert (there's no input trim on a master buss? ?Super secret mixer out there that does??) and getting a different tone. Obviously Alan likes having the extra gain smack the input of Zulu since he used his tape machines for mixdowns the same way. Makes sense Try both ways. See which works for your source material. Either way you have both techniques at your disposal. Thanks -L. My plan all along was to put the Zulu on the output or insert of the 5060 main bus to take advantage of the level drop it provides and take some of the level off and avoid clipping my converters as I go back in the box. Having tried on the inserts though, I do think I will be running a few individual tracks through it and saving those stems to be used in the mix. It's fun on drum bus, bass and guitars .. pretty much anything I have tried. I will probably get a couple of line boost pre-amps or passive DI boxes to up the level before it hits the Zulu for this purpose. There's a comment from Langston on a thread on the purple site about impedance presented before and after the Zulu which I found very interesting.. and which I will have to read a few times to fully understand. ( @langston, it might be a good idea to present that valuable info with some examples on your own site in a blog post or something ) That said, I was very pleasantly surprised by the glue and vibe of just running a stereo mix through it!
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Post by javamad on May 10, 2017 1:15:14 GMT -6
Not wanting to de-rail this thread but having had the Zulu for a few hours I would now say that an 8-track rack version (8 channels for tracking or 4 stereo stems for mixing) would be superb. You wouldn't need to change much except get the knobs closer together to get it into a 3-U height? or even 4-U? This could be a huge secret weapon for many studios.
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Post by illacov on May 10, 2017 6:46:23 GMT -6
Not wanting to de-rail this thread but having had the Zulu for a few hours I would now say that an 8-track rack version (8 channels for tracking or 4 stereo stems for mixing) would be superb. You wouldn't need to change much except get the knobs closer together to get it into a 3-U height? or even 4-U? This could be a huge secret weapon for many studios. That's the modular rack system we are prototyping right now It will be capable of up to 16 channels for tracking or if you want the mixing/mastering module it will hold up to 8 channels of those I'm glad you're down with 4U because that's exactly the size we are working with. Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on May 10, 2017 19:36:54 GMT -6
Ok, it has come to my attention that there may be a small number of first round Zulus (with the OLD style knobs, not the new ones) that had the Bias knob stopping fully clockwise at (+). This is not correct. The knob is supposed to stop at OFF 6 oclock. To match our documentation and any preset sheets shared online, please make this adjustment. My apologies for this issue. To prevent issues with stripping the threads, do not remove the set screw all the way. Loosen it just enough to let the knob turn on the shaft. If you do happen to strip the hole, please use the other hole on the opposite side of the knob and secure the knob that way. Please contact me if you have any problems, I can send replacement knobs out. This does not change the electronics btw just the point of reference to where your knob is pointing.
Thanks -L.
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Post by channelcat on May 13, 2017 9:38:31 GMT -6
Hey Langston! I'm not sure if you mentioned it before, but will the modular rack system be passive as well?
Stu
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Post by drumhead57 on May 13, 2017 11:32:58 GMT -6
Yes it would Stu
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Post by javamad on May 13, 2017 19:39:41 GMT -6
So, I made up some patch leads (XLR to TRS) to be able to put the Zulu on the master bus of the RND 5060 and it definitely benefits from getting more signal into it. And it is doing what I hoped by taking things down a notch before my converters as I go back into the box. The 5060 has max output at +27 dBu which has been an issue with my Apollo converter line input which is rated at +4 dBu max and I have had to have the master fader at -10db or so. With the Zulu inline I can now push it more and get more vibe from the 5060 output transformers along with the Zulu. Happy days :-)
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Post by illacov on May 13, 2017 19:56:23 GMT -6
So, I made up some patch leads (XLR to TRS) to be able to put the Zulu on the master bus of the RND 5060 and it definitely benefits from getting more signal into it. And it is doing what I hoped by taking things down a notch before my converters as I go back into the box. The 5060 has max output at +27 dBu which has been an issue with my Apollo converter line input which is rated at +4 dBu max and I have had to have the master fader at -10db or so. With the Zulu inline I can now push it more and get more vibe from the 5060 output transformers along with the Zulu. Happy days :-) Now that's handsome! I have to try a cheap analog mixer into Zulu off my portable ADDA. I want to see what's the ceiling for cheap analog gain actually is. Thanks -L.
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Post by channelcat on May 14, 2017 10:35:24 GMT -6
Sweet! Figured it would be. Thanks!
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Post by illacov on May 14, 2017 12:03:21 GMT -6
We should have some kind of physical prototype of the tracking module in the next 45 days. In the meantime, Zulu has traversed the globe with orders originating from remote locations like Mauritius!
I will obviously keep you posted however we are still a touch early before we can begin making pictures and feature descriptions available. We are definitely squeezing a crap ton of features into both the tracking and mastering module at the moment. Some major circuit bending activity will be taking place in these versions for certain!
Thanks -L.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 9:38:10 GMT -6
Arrived today after being held to ransom by customs. Really solid, there's a nice resistance to all the switches, seems over rather than under engineered which is a bonus in today's world.
Only had a quick play so far - I'm "re-finalising" (not an mastering engineer) some poorly mixed tracks from a cd I did a few years ago (stupidly only kept the final mixes not the stems). Just printed one that I thought was finished through the Zulu on a random setting, level matched then listened. Without any gain staging it tightened the low end up a bit and imparted it's really nice vibe. Looking forward to playing with gain staging pre and post which of course is the way it's intended to be used. Better read that manual too.
Can't wait to use it in anger from scratch on a song.
Thanks Langston!
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Post by drsax on Nov 17, 2017 11:26:27 GMT -6
More love for Zulu... Zulu has been getting some love on the Billboard Charts! I have three songs I’ve worked on recently on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart that are using Zulu. Keep in mind that this genre generally includes cleaner sounds so I am not always using Zulu to create overt coloration, but rather using it on select elements to thicken or tame harsh transients or frequencies. These are some of the first projects I used Zulu on. Riley Richard “Between You and I” reached #3 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart last month on Oct. 14th, 2017 Zulu was used on Riley’s Saxophone - tamed the brightness and handled transients beautifully. I produced, mixed and co-wrote this one. Dave Bradshaw, Jr. “Flipside” currently #12 and rising on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart only 2 weeks in!! We will likely see upward chart movement here over the next few weeks Zulu was used on the Guitar, Kick Drum & Snare Drum. The tracks I recieved to mix were bright and a bit harsh. Zulu made quick work of that. I mixed this one. Andre Cavor “Road Trip” reached #14 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart on Sept. 2nd, 2017 Zulu was used more overtly on this one. I used it on Andre’s sax and on snare drum. On both sources the transients were severe and needed darkening and thickening. I was looking for a drier, more vintage sounding snare vibe. Once again Zulu handled it easily. I produced, wrote, mixed and mastered this one. Please forgive the YouTube compression/sound loss, but nonetheless it’ll give you a good idea of the sound
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Post by drsax on Nov 28, 2017 10:43:27 GMT -6
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Post by indiehouse on Nov 28, 2017 10:44:32 GMT -6
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Post by drsax on Nov 28, 2017 10:59:36 GMT -6
A colleague of mine produced this. I just mixed and mastered it - I believe they used a vintage brass capsule 414 on Kirk and a old U87 on Estelle
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Post by illacov on Nov 28, 2017 12:42:51 GMT -6
What an amazing turn of events this year for you and Zulu! Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I'd see Zulu get this kind of exposure so quickly. BET and Soul Train? These are staples of my childhood. My head is still spinning from the Billboard announcements you sent me but now this too? I'm overjoyed that your expert hands utilize something I invented and that you enjoy using it for what it does best. Deliver the end user the joys of tape and beyond. Wait did I mention Kirk Franklin, Estelle? Huge names in the RnB/Pop and Gospel industry? Sheesh! I can't even imagine! Thanks so much man and the record sounds BANANAS. Thanks -L.
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Post by drsax on Nov 28, 2017 15:35:49 GMT -6
What an amazing turn of events this year for you and Zulu! Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I'd see Zulu get this kind of exposure so quickly. BET and Soul Train? These are staples of my childhood. My head is still spinning from the Billboard announcements you sent me but now this too? I'm overjoyed that your expert hands utilize something I invented and that you enjoy using it for what it does best. Deliver the end user the joys of tape and beyond. Wait did I mention Kirk Franklin, Estelle? Huge names in the RnB/Pop and Gospel industry? Sheesh! I can't even imagine! Thanks so much man and the record sounds BANANAS. Thanks -L. You’re welcome Langston, but really I say thank YOU! Your handiwork made my work easier and that is worth SO much - especially when I’m called to deliver high quality on very tight deadlines. What a blessing that we get to do what we love and make a living at it. Wow. That is SUCH a gift! Everyone that was behind this project was great and did an amazing job. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to put the finishing touch on something that was done so well Cheers to many more milestones for your ZULU
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Post by donr on Nov 28, 2017 18:09:15 GMT -6
Great work Jeremy (and great, unique device Langston.)
The BET track sounds great, it looks/sounds like a real time performance in the video, rather than hyped like a "music video." It made the message in "Get Together" that much more powerful.
I dug the ZULU'd snare in the Andre Cavor track. I admire your musical and sonic aesthetic overall. Nice work. I'm excited about using the ZULU on the way in to the DAW, I haven't done it yet.
Langston, I can't imagine anyone finding your ZULU not useful once they get their hands and ears on it. There's nothing else like it out there.
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Post by drsax on Nov 28, 2017 18:24:39 GMT -6
Great work Jeremy (and great, unique device Langston.) The BET track sounds great, it looks/sounds like a real time performance in the video, rather than hyped like a "music video." It made the message in "Get Together" that much more powerful. I dug the ZULU'd snare in the Andre Cavor track. I admire your musical and sonic aesthetic overall. Nice work. I'm excited about using the ZULU on the way in to the DAW, I haven't done it yet. Langston, I can't imagine anyone finding your ZULU not useful once they get their hands and ears on it. There's nothing else like it out there. Thanks so much Man! I’m Darren, not Jeremy, but you can call me whatever you’d like, as long as it’s nice The Get Together Track was a lot of fun to mix. The producer did a great job and that made it a pleasure to mix. The Cavor snare I tracked here and was going for a vintage-esque Sound. We even put towels over the toms to deaden the whole kit resonance. Agreed about Zulu, I think any studio cat could find many uses for it
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Post by donr on Nov 28, 2017 18:29:30 GMT -6
A hundred pardons, Darren, I thought I had that right. I probably conflated you with Jeremy the bass player..
Anyway, stellar work!
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Post by drsax on Nov 28, 2017 19:39:26 GMT -6
A hundred pardons, Darren, I thought I had that right. I probably conflated you with Jeremy the bass player.. Anyway, stellar work! Hah - no worries brother... Jeremy is a great name too. Thanks for the kind words!
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Post by ruffrecords on Apr 3, 2018 1:40:58 GMT -6
Where can I buy a Zulu? How much does it cost? I am in the UK. The web site seem a bit sparse.
Cheers
Ian
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 3, 2018 6:33:42 GMT -6
Where can I buy a Zulu? How much does it cost? I am in the UK. The web site seem a bit sparse. Cheers Ian Might want to try contacting them here: www.handsomeaudio.com/contact-us
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Post by illacov on Apr 3, 2018 7:26:11 GMT -6
Hi ruffrecords. I screenshotted a picture of the buy it now button on the purple site Rob's Zulu thread. Curious to hear your findings etc....Been following your posts about tube circuits and consoles for years now at Group DIY. Mucho respect. Thanks -L.
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Post by ericn on Apr 3, 2018 8:05:57 GMT -6
Hi ruffrecords. I screenshotted a picture of the buy it now button on the purple site Rob's Zulu thread. Curious to hear your findings etc....Been following your posts about tube circuits and consoles for years now at Group DIY. Mucho respect. Thanks -L. What’s the word on the large frame version you were working on?
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