|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 1, 2013 20:08:05 GMT -6
Hello 1608ers.
I'm about a month away from finishing tracking my first album on a 1608 and starting to mix. I've been using a big crazy multi passive summing bus rig I've assembled over the last couple years and I'm going to utilize a few passive busses with the 1608.
I'm really curious if anyone else is doing a summing mixer/hybrid/console best of both worlds kind of thing.
I'm also really eager to have an open dialogue with other people about using the 1608 to its fullest potential.
I know there's a big handful of folks here that own and use the console.
Talk to me gang! Tell me about your bussing flow and using the aux ins in the returns and combining outside sources on the ACA busses, parallel processing...the whole enchilada. Maybe we can get a 1608 "tricks and tips" workflow archive going! That would be cool right?
Where are your 2 bus meters when you feel the console really coming to life?
As far as my tracking roughs and various quick working mixes so far, I'm finding this little baby really gets nasty (in the good way) when the meters start to get buried. It just sounds more alive when it's really driven.
Am I crazy? Do you agree? Am I a punter?
Give it to me!!
Thanks yall
|
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 3, 2013 0:44:09 GMT -6
Nobody?
|
|
|
|
Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 3, 2013 0:57:30 GMT -6
send Cowbotcoalminer a message, I think he has that console and does hybrid work
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Dec 3, 2013 2:10:54 GMT -6
^i think cowboy uses a modded soundcraft spirit? don't know for sure?
i love the old api sound, i can tell you that on the only old api console ive used, it seemed to do it's most magically deliciousness when you were knocking the crap out of it.
Its this console, i only ever used it with 2" tape, it and the main room sounded killer..
|
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Dec 3, 2013 11:42:10 GMT -6
I'm not too sure who on here has a 1608, but the API consoles definitely get a little crunchy when you push them. Kind of their sound.
|
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 3, 2013 12:51:48 GMT -6
Thanks guys.
I've been chasing that slower, softer, dare I say "Neve-ish" sound for years but lately I've been reaching for some mid range, forward sounding crunch. I have some CAPI stuff and now the 1608 and I'm liking the aggressive mid forward vibe. Anyone have any experience swapping op amps in a 1608 or other API gear? Red dots? Firlotte?
Suggestions, warnings, tutorials welcome!!
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Dec 3, 2013 14:51:15 GMT -6
is your 1608 new or old? Old, leave it alone, new= red dots. If it's new, the opamps are more "hifi" like scot's blue dots...i'm pretty sure
|
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Dec 3, 2013 19:11:25 GMT -6
The 1608 is new. The old version is a 1604. Both great but two different sonic worlds of API.
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Dec 3, 2013 19:15:50 GMT -6
The 1608 is new. The old version is a 1604. Both great but two different sonic worlds of API. hey jeff, without going into it too deep, what might be the biggest underhood diffs between the 04 and 08? thanx |
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Dec 3, 2013 19:20:31 GMT -6
Balanced busing for one thing. The vintage is unbalanced. Also no 2510's in the old stuff. I have never been inside a 1608 to poke around but did spend a few hours on one with a buddy who was looking to buy. It's just a different sonic vibe.
|
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 4, 2013 11:45:27 GMT -6
So glad you guys are here in this thread.
I had commited myself to a big hybrid summing system but the opportunity to get in to the 1608 came up and I couldn't help myself. Now I'm hoping to learn as much as I can about its function, topology, history, strengths, weaknesses...all of it. Considering doing some op amp swapping experimenting and stuff.
Any and all info appreciated!!!
Jeff, did your buddy go with the 1608? Did YOU dig it?
Thanks gang. You guys rule.
|
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Dec 4, 2013 12:17:46 GMT -6
My buddy ended up with a vintage 1604. He had previously owned a dif 1604, 2488 and 3232 over the years so he was very familiar with that "sound". We both thought the 1608 was great but still preferred the something special that the vintage desks have. It's hard to explain but sorta like comparing my EF14 47 to my VF14M 47. Both are stellar and get you that sought after sound but the VF version just has that little something extra special about it.
Roundbadge has one as well and talked about modding a few channels as an experiment but don't know if he ever did it. I'll ping him and see if he has any thoughts. IIRC he sold a vintage 3232 when he brought in his 1608.
|
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 7, 2013 10:54:53 GMT -6
Thanks Jeff. I totally understand what you mean.
I've only tracked with the console and have found it more flexible than I thought it would be. It seems limited until you're forced to run a big tracking session and then you find there's actually quite a lot of room to spread out.
I really like the sound of it so far and plugged in to clean power it's really quiet and clean.
I'm eager to dig in with it, maybe hear some op amp options and get to know all it's quirks.
All in all I'm so stoked to have this thing and I'll recover from the expense. I don't run a commercial room, it's just my personal studio so I can really customize the bay and set this thing up for my personal taste. If anyone has found any clever ways to work on the 1608 please share!
|
|
|
|
Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 7, 2013 11:10:30 GMT -6
Thanks Jeff. I totally understand what you mean. I've only tracked with the console and have found it more flexible than I thought it would be. It seems limited until you're forced to run a big tracking session and then you find there's actually quite a lot of room to spread out. I really like the sound of it so far and plugged in to clean power it's really quiet and clean. I'm eager to dig in with it, maybe hear some op amp options and get to know all it's quirks. All in all I'm so stoked to have this thing and I'll recover from the expense. I don't run a commercial room, it's just my personal studio so I can really customize the bay and set this thing up for my personal taste. If anyone has found any clever ways to work on the 1608 please share! I'm jealous. Oh well, I can dream. God luck with the board man. Do you plan mainly tracking with it or mixing or both? What type of music are you doing? |
|
|
|
Post by noah shain on Dec 7, 2013 15:58:57 GMT -6
I'll be tracking and mixing. I had a baby a year ago (well, my wife did!) and since we got pregnant I really focused on mixing so I could be home more. That led me to work on a lot of commercial pop records. Now that life is settling back down I'll be making a focused effort to get back to what I love which is producing/recording/mixing rock and indie and alternative type records.
I got the console during pre production for the new Dead Sara album and have been tracking that for 2 months. We'll probably start mixing in Jan/Feb.
I'll post about my experiences mixing that album.
|
|
|
|
Post by IamJohnGalt on Dec 9, 2013 12:56:18 GMT -6
Pretty sure Cowboycoalminer uses a mod'd Ghost actually. I would absolutely love to own a 1608. I have 6 API pres that I love. I sum through a RND 5059 which works well for me.
|
|
