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Post by BradM on Apr 1, 2019 13:43:12 GMT -6
That Mr. Focus Comp looks badass! I need to do some more research on the LTL stuff! I have to get another 500 power supply, ugh. Still trying to decide whether to just get another cheap API lunchbox, and still having a hard time pulling the trigger on a 10 space ps rack. Still researching, purple audio looks to be a very nice rack. I would love to hear the files. Hi, Feel free to give me a call. I'd be happy to connect and talk gear. The API 8-space is decent. So is the Heritage OST stuff. I still like the Purple Sweet Ten for various reasons...build quality, I/O, ease of loading/installing. Regarding the shootout, I'm curious to hear how it all went down. Was there a good turnout? What units did everyone listen to? Any concensus opinions? Brad
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Post by guitfiddler on Apr 1, 2019 13:51:08 GMT -6
👍🏻
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Post by sirthought on Apr 2, 2019 10:03:25 GMT -6
The 8 channel API lunchbox always seems to come out on top. Some of the manufacturers claim that their 500 ps makes your 500 series modules sound better because of their designs. I was going to get the RN R10 because it just looks cool with the white and it displays the levels of juice being used. Cool feature, but then I was told that it’s not a very good quality rack. RND makes quality stuff IME. Then the Purple caught my eye and I was looking to actually check out some purple stuff anyway, and I like the routing features on the back. Then the API is more in my budget and I want to get more channels and not blow $900 just on the supply. So, I think it’s a toss up between these 3. API, RND, Purple. There's also the CAPI racks. I think Dr Sax just had a Purple fail on him. Don't know the details.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 2, 2019 10:49:57 GMT -6
I'm interested in how the ADG fairs. I swear my attack is not right.
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 2, 2019 11:20:31 GMT -6
I'm interested in how the ADG fairs. I swear my attack is not right. Hmm, I thought you were digging your ADG, Johnkenn. Change of heart/mind?
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 2, 2019 11:23:09 GMT -6
I've said from day one something seemed a little off with the attack and release. Don't get me wrong - it sounds really great - it's just not as fast as I would expect.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 7:38:01 GMT -6
Hey Guys, here are some thoughts from the event about the 76's. We had the Stam, Klark Teknik, Warm, and Louder than LIftoff Mister Focus Comp, and Waves CLA76. We also ran some signals through the DBX560 since they're a pretty known commodity, and the PICO502 and Tonelux TX5C for shits and giggles. The Louder than LIftoff had a great sound, especially with the transformer engaged, but it was difficult to get a fair comparison (because I'm a dummy and didn't know that the boost was engaged on the module). Basically, I was pushing the input to increase the compression, but didn't have an easy way to trim the output back down to compare in/out on the module. If I had switched the boost to norm, it would have worked out much better. First off, we did some direct testing with the Stam on male rock vocals. Played with the different revisions, which surprisingly enough, all had a pretty different tone. For this vocal, I preferred the D revision. Next we sent the vocal out through 5 different converter channels and compared all of the 76s. We were running the Dr. Pepper settings. The Stam on D was the clear winner. The Warm and KT both felt a bit brittle and the CLA felt flat. Next we ran kick through the gear and added the 560. Here the Stam D and the 560 both sounded great. Warm, KT, and CLA all sounded flat. For snare, we added the PIco and Tonelux (which is my go to snare comp). On snare I liked the Stam A, Tonelux, and the 560. The Warms weren't bad on snare, but not great either. KT and CLA were the losers here. Bass Guitar was next. This was a fat distorted rock bass track. Serek Lincoln bass > Science Mother Head cranked. Fat and dirty. Here, surprisingly the KT sounded great. The Stam on G was also very good. Anyway, overall, I think this stam unit is a winner. The KT and Warm units are VERY close to each other in sound, which has been my impression since I purchased them, but this Stam has better tone and more versatility. The 560's are also a great little comp for a hundo. I think the Louder than Liftoff will be great and flexible once I figure it out. The focus control adds a lot of flexibility to the unit. For 4 and a half bones, having the comp, transformer tone, and tilt eq, it's worth it's weight in gold. I think I'll be selling my Warm units and grabbing a couple of these to free up some rack space and add some function. I'm planning to do some more shooting out alone at my place too, so I can dig a bit deeper.
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Post by BradM on Apr 3, 2019 9:42:23 GMT -6
Hi Jesse,
Cool! Sounds like a fun night.
By design the Mister Focus COMP is meant to get a little louder as you turn up the compression...peak levels are coming down and RMS levels are going up. So you get peak reduction and automatic RMS boosting, which simplifies use. I recommend the Boost jumper be set when using compressor Colour modules. Otherwise you are turning down the output and there isn't any make-up gain. The easy way to A/B the unit to other units is simply to record takes through Mister Focus and then just level match in the DAW by pulling down the fader accordingly. That seems way easier to me than trying to find a way to trim the unit in the analog realm. Or another easy way to approach things...simply turn up the output on the other units to match the output level of Mister Focus since those have Output controls.
cheers, Brad
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 10:00:40 GMT -6
Hi Jesse, Cool! Sounds like a fun night. By design the Mister Focus COMP meant to get a little louder as you turn up the compression...peak levels are coming down and RMS levels are going up. So you get peak reduction and automatic RMS boosting, which simplifies use. I recommend the Boost jumper be set when using compressor Colour modules. Otherwise you are turning down the output and there isn't any make-up gain. The easy way to A/B the unit to other units is simply to record takes through Mister Focus and then just level match in the DAW by pulling down the fader accordingly. That seems way easier to me than trying to find a way to trim the unit in the analog realm. Or another easy way to approach things...simply turn up the output on the other units to match the output level of Mister Focus since those have Output controls. cheers, Brad I need to spend a bit more time with the unit to get the hang of it. I can trim on the console, but engaging the comp and disengaging on the unit itself was giving wildly different levels.
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Post by seawell on Apr 3, 2019 10:05:16 GMT -6
If you do more testing get ahold of a Splice MKII if you can. Would love to hear your thoughts on it up against the ADG.
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Post by mike on Apr 3, 2019 10:11:45 GMT -6
Thanks for doing this and sharing the feedback Jesse
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Post by stam on Apr 3, 2019 12:26:30 GMT -6
Hey Guys, here are some thoughts from the event about the 76's. We had the Stam, Klark Teknik, Warm, and Louder than LIftoff Mister Focus Comp, and Waves CLA76. We also ran some signals through the DBX560 since they're a pretty known commodity, and the PICO502 and Tonelux TX5C for shits and giggles. The Louder than LIftoff had a great sound, especially with the transformer engaged, but it was difficult to get a fair comparison (because I'm a dummy and didn't know that the boost was engaged on the module). Basically, I was pushing the input to increase the compression, but didn't have an easy way to trim the output back down to compare in/out on the module. If I had switched the boost to norm, it would have worked out much better. First off, we did some direct testing with the Stam on male rock vocals. Played with the different revisions, which surprisingly enough, all had a pretty different tone. For this vocal, I preferred the D revision. Next we sent the vocal out through 5 different converter channels and compared all of the 76s. We were running the Dr. Pepper settings. The Stam on D was the clear winner. The Warm and KT both felt a bit brittle and the CLA felt flat. Next we ran kick through the gear and added the 560. Here the Stam D and the 560 both sounded great. Warm, KT, and CLA all sounded flat. For snare, we added the PIco and Tonelux (which is my go to snare comp). On snare I liked the Stam A, Tonelux, and the 560. The Warms weren't bad on snare, but not great either. KT and CLA were the losers here. Bass Guitar was next. This was a fat distorted rock bass track. Serek Lincoln bass > Science Mother Head cranked. Fat and dirty. Here, surprisingly the KT sounded great. The Stam on G was also very good. Anyway, overall, I think this stam unit is a winner. The KT and Warm units are VERY close to each other in sound, which has been my impression since I purchased them, but this Stam has better tone and more versatility. The 560's are also a great little comp for a hundo. I think the Louder than Liftoff will be great and flexible once I figure it out. The focus control adds a lot of flexibility to the unit. For 4 and a half bones, having the comp, transformer tone, and tilt eq, it's worth it's weight in gold. I think I'll be selling my Warm units and grabbing a couple of these to free up some rack space and add some function. I'm planning to do some more shooting out alone at my place too, so I can dig a bit deeper. Wow I am deeply honored and happy about this Thanks for ding this shootout and for sharing your honest opinion about it all This will make the team very happy!! Josh
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 3, 2019 12:47:06 GMT -6
If you do more testing get ahold of a Splice MKII if you can. Would love to hear your thoughts on it up against the ADG. I've got a Splice 500, a Pro Replicas Rev. A (with NOS transformers) and a stam for which I've paid in full for about three weeks ago. Once I get the Stam in, I can shoot them out and report back.
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 3, 2019 15:10:43 GMT -6
I am sure you did control for this but were the different units actually compressing the same amounts, as the ratio and inputs are positively correlated in the 76 circuits?
So, the ratios were set the same on all units and you eyeballed the salt pepper settings and then set input ?
I have adg’s and wa76s and I agree they sound different. I don’t find the wa flat or brittle but a little woolier and the stam seems a little cleaner, but I find I like both sounds and feel like between the 2 units I have 4 76 textures or voices which I like.
Also,thx for doing this!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 15:35:04 GMT -6
So, the ratios were set the same on all units and you eyeballed the salt pepper settings and then set input ? Yes, eyeball salt and pepper and set to compress about 10dB according to the meters.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 15:47:51 GMT -6
Hey kcatthedog, I'll trade you 2 Warms and a KT for your Stam pair.
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 3, 2019 15:54:00 GMT -6
And how many us greenbacks
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 15:56:49 GMT -6
And how many us greenbacks DM me
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 3, 2019 16:02:56 GMT -6
I’m not serious, after the long wait, I am happily keeping my 2 adgs.
I am still on the hunt for 2 more channels of compression to go with my 16 channel delta, but it’s a toss up between clean (Aphex 651 modded by Jim) , the Audioscape limiter or Josh’s 6609 neve clone.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 16:05:14 GMT -6
I’m not serious, after the long wait, I am happily keeping my 2 adgs. I am still on the hunt for 2 more channels of compression to go with my 16 channel delta, but it’s a toss up between clean (Aphex 651 modded by Jim) , the Audioscape limiter or Josh’s 6609 neve clone. I'll toss in my 651 pair. 😂😂
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 3, 2019 16:18:54 GMT -6
Modded by Jim? man, Josh is going to luv your commitment !! Gotta think fast,,, ah, wait, I’ll keep saying no, then he’ll love me more !
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 3, 2019 16:20:34 GMT -6
Modded by Jim? man, Josh is going to luv your commitment !! Gotta think fast,,, ah, wait, I’ll keep saying no, then he’ll love me more ! Nah, unmodded. Really though, if anyone wants to work something out, let's chat.
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Post by 000 on Apr 3, 2019 22:47:22 GMT -6
I’m not allowed to order any more stam until my 67 comes in - per the lady. (I’ve talked it up too much for female vocals - sometimes gotta justify purchases over 1k). So if I see one of these second hand - I very well may pick it up.
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Post by guitfiddler on Apr 4, 2019 5:36:53 GMT -6
It’s crazy because I’m not really wanting. Once Josh gets in stock units I will order again if the wait isn’t long. Right now my Purples and my Gooey Bluey are sufficing! Lol...I hate that Bluey name too! Maybe I will give a colorful name to every piece of outboard. Get the Chartreuse paint out! That’s a big Anthrax NOT! NOT! NOT!
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Post by theshea on Apr 4, 2019 12:10:22 GMT -6
i am still waiting on my adg ... in the meantime i got me a kt-76 and did some testing today against the waves CLA blacky and bluey (i prefer the bluey), logic fet compressor and my drawmer 1978 set to mimick a 1176. did snare, drum room and bass guitar. kt-76 sound better on snare and bass. CLA smashed the drum room better ;-) it's def more fun with hardware: you turn the knobs and you really and quickly hear when it sounds better and good. with software you turn and twist your knobs and all i hear is tiny differences, thinking "is it really better? is it really doing something?"
but the real eye opener to me today was when i recorded acoustic guitar. first i recorded the acoustic guitar pure than i did itb compressing with cla and logic fet comp. than i re-recorded the guitar with the kt-76 on the way in (pepper setting) and it sounded almost like a record already!!! i wasn't able to get near that sound with the post itb compressor method!
so, from now on, i will record almost always with some comp on the way in - can't wait to get my stam adg!
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