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Post by stormymondays on Jun 7, 2018 8:09:49 GMT -6
I finally had some time to toy around with my pair of Chromas. They sound great! I still have to learn them, and I haven't even tried the different EQ presets. So - which EQ settings are everyones favorites and why? My intended uses are kick+snare/drum buss/mix buss.
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Post by drbill on Jun 7, 2018 13:43:39 GMT -6
My "normal" setting is with the LF on "Sub", the HF on "Air" and the switch set to "Both" - Vintage Filter and Air.
These are kind of my preferred settings on the Silver Bullet, so when Brad and I set up the EQ amounts and freq.'s for Chroma - that's where we headed.
I find that I really like the Sub for the extra girth it imparts, and if it's not working for me, I can easily switch it out on the front panel. For your kick drum application, I'd try both sub and bass and see which sits right for your drum / room.
For HF, I'm a vintage filter junky. LOL In the digital domains that we are forced to record in, it just gives me a feel of working back in the "old days". I just LOVE the vintage filter, but I also like a touch of "air" up above the filter to keep things opened up. And I get that with the setting above. Yeah, sometimes I wish I had presence selected instead of air, but if I REALLY need to go there, I'll either pull the module and switch it, or use another EQ alongside.
Congrats on the Chroma's. I'm sure they will work well for you in the applications you listed.
What colour module did you end up with in your Chroma's colour slots?
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Post by stormymondays on Jun 7, 2018 15:09:51 GMT -6
Thanks! I ended up getting two Implodes, because 1176!!! I also got a Pulse for my Colour Palette. I'm afraid made the "mistake" of putting the snare through the N mode (weight!) and then into the other Chroma in A mode (crispness!). I might need to buy some Mass Driver modules... (no rack space for a Silver Bullet)
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Post by drsax on Feb 21, 2019 13:58:10 GMT -6
Well, Chroma here I come! Because of my undying love for the A->N mode on my SB, and because I NEVER like taking my SB off the Master buss to switch into Track mode, I ordered two Chromas today with Royal Blue modules. Looking forward to putting Chroma to use. Now... here’s the delimna moving forward... I also need another SB but don’t have rack space for it... and I had free points on my LTL account from my previous purchases which got me the Royal Blues for free... now I need to buy more LTL gear to get more points, to get more gear, to accumulate more points, for more gear.... and, well... you can see the problem thanks BradM for the delimna, oh and for the killer gear. A pair of Mister Focus modules are next...
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Post by drbill on Feb 21, 2019 15:09:07 GMT -6
A pair of Mister Focus modules are next... D - do you do much parallel "crushed" drum rooms or drum bus and sneak it back under your main buss? If you do, I have the secret weapon for you - Mr Focus with Brad's version of the "Smash" compressor in the 1st slot and Mass Drivr in the second slot. Super inexpensive, and hits WAAAAAAAY above it's price point. For that above application, it's the absolute best compressor I have for the job - and I have a $#!@ load of compressors. That along with the Focus EQ can take me back 50 years into that golden era of tape / retro sound instantaneously. Really glorious.... BTW, congrats on the Chroma's! They are great. Very similar to the SB.
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Post by drsax on Feb 21, 2019 15:15:54 GMT -6
A pair of Mister Focus modules are next... D - do you do much parallel "crushed" drum rooms or drum bus and sneak it back under your main buss? If you do, I have the secret weapon for you - Mr Focus with Brad's version of the "Smash" compressor in the 1st slot and Mass Drivr in the second slot. Super inexpensive, and hits WAAAAAAAY above it's price point. For that above application, it's the absolute best compressor I have for the job - and I have a $#!@ load of compressors. That along with the Focus EQ can take me back 50 years into that golden era of tape / retro sound instantaneously. Really glorious.... BTW, congrats on the Chroma's! They are great. Very similar to the SB. drbill - sweetness! Thanks for the tip brother. I do use parallel drum crushing often... is the “smash” module you’re referring to the Implode? I am eyeballing the Mister Focus with the Mass drivers and something like the Implode as my next addition...
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Post by drsax on Feb 21, 2019 15:19:09 GMT -6
I’m actually thinking of permanently chaining the Mister Focus modules right after the Chromas to replace a previous set of Mic Pre’s w EQ that left me unsatisfied in the EQ department. I’ll be using the new LTL modules to replace the previous for tracking and line level mixing.
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Post by drbill on Feb 21, 2019 15:28:20 GMT -6
"Smash" is a compressor made by Brad Aversion.. Brad has a mod he does to them. I have been absolutely floored with that combo. So much so that I cannot live without it. I've got a rootsy, southern blues, vintage sounding album that I'm in the middle of with stomps / claps / washboard instead of drums, and it's invaluable in getting "that" sound. Sounds like I pulled the rhythm off a 1950's record. KILLER!! With the Mass Drivr API line card on the backside and the focus (tilt) EQ, it's vintage stomp / clap heaven.
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Post by drbill on Feb 21, 2019 15:30:01 GMT -6
PS - Implode is cool for smashing too. Especially if you're using the 20:1 setting, but I'm liking Smash better for the specific "thing" I'm after with these extremely retro vintage stomps / claps. Think 1930's prison chain gang stuff.... The sound of tape being HAMMERED, and rolled off. The amount of background ambience they can bring out is astonishing. And then the punch of MassD. Oy!
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Post by drsax on Feb 21, 2019 17:36:51 GMT -6
PS - Implode is cool for smashing too. Especially if you're using the 20:1 setting, but I'm liking Smash better for the specific "thing" I'm after with these extremely retro vintage stomps / claps. Think 1930's prison chain gang stuff.... The sound of tape being HAMMERED, and rolled off. The amount of background ambience they can bring out is astonishing. And then the punch of MassD. Oy! very cool.. thanks for the tips - that’s great to know... looking forward to trying some of these different modules out with Chroma and the Mister Focus modules yet to come
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Post by drsax on Feb 28, 2019 9:35:15 GMT -6
Well, the Chromas w/ Royal Blues came today... they are fantastic. That’s an a lot of control in just a single 500 series slot. Used them in a mix tonight on kick and snare and it was a thing of beauty. Neve into Royal Blue with both the Vintage Filter and the Sub Filter engaged - sounded killer! I’m particularly impressed by how all the internal jumper options compliment one another, and how they can be set up to meet my needs. Like the EQ on the royal blue on with the Chroma vintage filter in, or running the Royal Blue for saturation only without it’s EQ presence boost into the HF bandaxall eq boost on the Chroma. Nice options. And very different results. Next up will be a pair of Mister Focus Stage II’s with Mass Drivers which will be directly chained after the Chromas to create two 500 series “super-channels.” Hats off again BradM and thanks for more killer tools
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Post by drbill on Feb 28, 2019 11:02:45 GMT -6
Well, the Chromas w/ Royal Blues came today... they are fantastic. That’s an a lot of control in just a single 500 series slot. Used them in a mix tonight on kick and snare and it was a thing of beauty. Neve into Royal Blue with both the Vintage Filter and the Sub Filter engaged - sounded killer! I’m particularly impressed by how all the internal jumper options compliment one another, and how they can be set up to meet my needs. Like the EQ on the royal blue on with the Chroma vintage filter in, or running the Royal Blue for saturation only without it’s EQ presence boost into the HF bandaxall eq boost on the Chroma. Nice options. And very different results. Next up will be a pair of Mister Focus Stage II’s with Mass Drivers which will be directly chained after the Chromas to create two 500 series “super-channels.” Hats off again BradM and thanks for more killer tools Nice dr!! Brad and I went over all the jumper stuff for hours!!!! Glad that aspect is working out for you. We wanted to give end users an effective and easy way to set up the module the way that makes the most sense for them - not just design it for Brad and I. The Chroma / Mr Focus setup really does become a full channel strip idea that is also quite flexible. As you know Chroma is essentially a mono channel of the Silver Bullet - and I'm interested to hear your thoughts on Chroma in comparison to the SB as a mic pre - or line processor. Since you've got both now.... IIRC, I think it might have been my idea to call the "secondary stage" Mr. Focus "Stage II" because of the space imagery and also because it's configured to be a second console stage type of signal flow i.e.: the second stage of a console style design due to the configuration and colour modules chosen. It works fantastic with Chroma, but in my mind, it's perfectly designed to work as the back end of EVERY mic pre out there. It will thicken and make virtually any stand alone mic pre larger and more "console like". Enjoy!! And make more #1 records!!! PS - get those smash comps!!
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Post by drsax on Feb 28, 2019 12:16:02 GMT -6
Well, the Chromas w/ Royal Blues came today... they are fantastic. That’s an a lot of control in just a single 500 series slot. Used them in a mix tonight on kick and snare and it was a thing of beauty. Neve into Royal Blue with both the Vintage Filter and the Sub Filter engaged - sounded killer! I’m particularly impressed by how all the internal jumper options compliment one another, and how they can be set up to meet my needs. Like the EQ on the royal blue on with the Chroma vintage filter in, or running the Royal Blue for saturation only without it’s EQ presence boost into the HF bandaxall eq boost on the Chroma. Nice options. And very different results. Next up will be a pair of Mister Focus Stage II’s with Mass Drivers which will be directly chained after the Chromas to create two 500 series “super-channels.” Hats off again BradM and thanks for more killer tools Nice dr!! Brad and I went over all the jumper stuff for hours!!!! Glad that aspect is working out for you. We wanted to give end users an effective and easy way to set up the module the way that makes the most sense for them - not just design it for Brad and I. The Chroma / Mr Focus setup really does become a full channel strip idea that is also quite flexible. As you know Chroma is essentially a mono channel of the Silver Bullet - and I'm interested to hear your thoughts on Chroma in comparison to the SB as a mic pre - or line processor. Since you've got both now.... IIRC, I think it might have been my idea to call the "secondary stage" Mr. Focus "Stage II" because of the space imagery and also because it's configured to be a second console stage type of signal flow i.e.: the second stage of a console style design due to the configuration and colour modules chosen. It works fantastic with Chroma, but in my mind, it's perfectly designed to work as the back end of EVERY mic pre out there. It will thicken and make virtually any stand alone mic pre larger and more "console like". Enjoy!! And make more #1 records!!! PS - get those smash comps!! Thanks my friend! On the run now so I don’t have time for a detailed post, but I did put the Chromas on the master buss yesterday (N into Royal Blue with the RB EQ disabled) and was shocked at how well the Chroma held up. As previously discussed, not as flexible as the SB, but it’s similar and in its own way, it held its own. Very impressive.
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Post by drsax on Mar 26, 2019 21:26:53 GMT -6
As I was sitting down tonight to mix it became even more clear how much I love BradM designed gear. LTL and the Electra EQ’s.... I also have one of his first DIY projects as well... a Brad McGowan 1176... Dang, I still need a second Silver Bullet too. Brad, I blame you for emptying my bank account. And drbill - you are guilty as his accomplice... Thanks guys
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Post by drbill on Mar 26, 2019 23:03:07 GMT -6
And drbill - you are guilty as his accomplice... Thanks guys Hahaaaa!! Sigh.....guilty as charged. You're welcome, and BTW, sweet setup!!!
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Post by drsax on Mar 27, 2019 6:50:39 GMT -6
😂😂
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Post by jcgriggs on Mar 27, 2019 10:38:43 GMT -6
"Smash" is a compressor made by Brad Aversion.. Brad has a mod he does to them. I have been absolutely floored with that combo. So much so that I cannot live without it. I've got a rootsy, southern blues, vintage sounding album that I'm in the middle of with stomps / claps / washboard instead of drums, and it's invaluable in getting "that" sound. Sounds like I pulled the rhythm off a 1950's record. KILLER!! With the Mass Drivr API line card on the backside and the focus (tilt) EQ, it's vintage stomp / clap heaven. What is this mod Brad has for the MN-50 Smash? Is it the same one that is discussed on the DYIRE page (https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour/products/mn-50-smash-compressor-colour) Reviews by Russ Halden (replace the Release pot and change one of the input pad resistors)? I'm another fan of the MN-50, but I find the controls on the stock board kind of hard to set - it looks like the mods discussed on the DIYRE page would address this, but I'm curious what Brad's changes bring to the table... Regards, John
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Post by drbill on Mar 27, 2019 11:02:17 GMT -6
Hey John - you'll have to talk with Brad. You can reach him on the LTL website. I'm not sure exactly what he does, but I dig it whatever it is!!
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Post by jcgriggs on Mar 27, 2019 20:18:41 GMT -6
Hey John - you'll have to talk with Brad. You can reach him on the LTL website. I'm not sure exactly what he does, but I dig it whatever it is!! Thanks, I'll do that. I have the pre-built module, which is surface mount, so I'd have to buy some PCBs to mod. The stock build has the sound, it's just hard to dial in, which is a drag in a colour module. Cheers, John
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Post by BradM on Mar 29, 2019 12:51:44 GMT -6
What is this mod Brad has for the MN-50 Smash? Is it the same one that is discussed on the DYIRE page (https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour/products/mn-50-smash-compressor-colour) Reviews by Russ Halden (replace the Release pot and change one of the input pad resistors)? I'm another fan of the MN-50, but I find the controls on the stock board kind of hard to set - it looks like the mods discussed on the DIYRE page would address this, but I'm curious what Brad's changes bring to the table... Regards, John Yes, that's the one. The compressor is really great with those settings. There's an additional mod I plan to do on the next batch I order from Avenson. More on that later. I still need to get this thing up on my site. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 29, 2019 12:54:35 GMT -6
As I was sitting down tonight to mix it became even more clear how much I love BradM designed gear. LTL and the Electra EQ’s.... I also have one of his first DIY projects as well... a Brad McGowan 1176... Dang, I still need a second Silver Bullet too. Brad, I blame you for emptying my bank account. And drbill - you are guilty as his accomplice... Thanks guys Hey Darren! You are way too nice. I really appreciate the love. I had totally forgotten about that 1176! That thing sound really good if I remember. The Chroma/Mister Focus "channel strip" is looking really nice in your rack. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of the Mister Focus tests we were discussing the other day...swapping the position of Super Filter and Mass Drivr. thanks, Brad
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Post by jcgriggs on Mar 29, 2019 14:34:20 GMT -6
What is this mod Brad has for the MN-50 Smash? Is it the same one that is discussed on the DYIRE page (https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour/products/mn-50-smash-compressor-colour) Reviews by Russ Halden (replace the Release pot and change one of the input pad resistors)? I'm another fan of the MN-50, but I find the controls on the stock board kind of hard to set - it looks like the mods discussed on the DIYRE page would address this, but I'm curious what Brad's changes bring to the table... Regards, John Yes, that's the one. The compressor is really great with those settings. There's an additional mod I plan to do on the next batch I order from Avenson. More on that later. I still need to get this thing up on my site. Brad Do you plan to sell the colour with the mod? As I said, I have the pre-built unit and it is all surface mount components. I assume the PCB-only option the DIYRE sells is through-hole - otherwise I'd definitely prefer to buy it pre-made. I am not a fan of building with surface mount components - I built 2 SCA C-84s (each has 2 surface mount 8 contact DIPS) and that was plenty for me. Cheerz, John
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Post by drsax on Mar 29, 2019 14:54:01 GMT -6
As I was sitting down tonight to mix it became even more clear how much I love BradM designed gear. LTL and the Electra EQ’s.... I also have one of his first DIY projects as well... a Brad McGowan 1176... Dang, I still need a second Silver Bullet too. Brad, I blame you for emptying my bank account. And drbill - you are guilty as his accomplice... Thanks guys Hey Darren! You are way too nice. I really appreciate the love. I had totally forgotten about that 1176! That thing sound really good if I remember. The Chroma/Mister Focus "channel strip" is looking really nice in your rack. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of the Mister Focus tests we were discussing the other day...swapping the position of Super Filter and Mass Drivr. thanks, Brad Thanks Brad!! Your stuff rocks. Looking forward to putting these through their paces more. Unfortunately, in a rare occurrence, the Purple Sweet Ten that housed my Chromas and Stage II’s died today, ugh.... so it may be a while until I get it all sorted. It’s a relatively new Sweet Ten and I’ve never had an issue with it before. So hopefully I can get it all sorted as I’m in the middle of some high profile work they I wanna use the Chromas & MF’s on. For the time being I’ll slip one Chroma and MF into my lower rack so I can at least use one channel
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Post by BradM on Mar 29, 2019 15:53:18 GMT -6
Do you plan to sell the colour with the mod? As I said, I have the pre-built unit and it is all surface mount components. I assume the PCB-only option the DIYRE sells is through-hole - otherwise I'd definitely prefer to buy it pre-made. I am not a fan of building with surface mount components - I built 2 SCA C-84s (each has 2 surface mount 8 contact DIPS) and that was plenty for me. Cheerz, John Hi John, I have one unit left in stock with the mods as described on the DIYRE site. Send me an email through my website if you'd like to grab it. I plan to get more soon, and they will have an additional mod. At that point I'll likely put them up for sale on my site. Brad
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Post by drbill on Mar 29, 2019 18:33:48 GMT -6
Hey Darren! You are way too nice. I really appreciate the love. I had totally forgotten about that 1176! That thing sound really good if I remember. The Chroma/Mister Focus "channel strip" is looking really nice in your rack. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of the Mister Focus tests we were discussing the other day...swapping the position of Super Filter and Mass Drivr. thanks, Brad Thanks Brad!! Your stuff rocks. Looking forward to putting these through their paces more. Unfortunately, in a rare occurrence, the Purple Sweet Ten that housed my Chromas and Stage II’s died today, ugh.... so it may be a while until I get it all sorted. It’s a relatively new Sweet Ten and I’ve never had an issue with it before. So hopefully I can get it all sorted as I’m in the middle of some high profile work they I wanna use the Chromas & MF’s on. For the time being I’ll slip one Chroma and MF into my lower rack so I can at least use one channel One is better than none!! Hope that Sweet10 works out quickly.
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