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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 14:01:38 GMT -6
That is all I have now (a Longboard). I still like the ride - but I think the kids all see "old man riding a board - eeeewwww". Especially if you're wearing checkered Vans! I'm the Chuck Taylor generation. Because they were $19 new back in the day and that was what my parents said I could have. So black high top Chucks for me. Oddly enough I find them comfortable.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 13:03:12 GMT -6
I always compress on the way in for vocals. Unless I have to move fast and don't have time to do a run through or two where I can get things setup without fear of crushing things if the singer hammers it on the recording runs. For my own vocals I have a fairly easy goto setting that I can reach for very quickly. I like to commit to a sound up front. I do screw up - and crush things sometimes. But I consider that part of the game. I try tricks on my skateboard - and fall too. Ok I used to do that, like 40 years ago. heh. My point is I like going for it. Longboard? 0nly thing I can ride. That is all I have now (a Longboard). I still like the ride - but I think the kids all see "old man riding a board - eeeewwww".
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 13:01:44 GMT -6
For vocals 99% of the time I go mic->pre-> Retro 176. I like the 176 quite a bit. Even more when I upgraded the tubes with some quality NOS things from bowie.
Sometimes I go mic->pre->Manley ELOP->MC77. But honestly I never bonded with the ELOP and I'm really wanting to move it out.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 12:49:26 GMT -6
For channel needs I rarely need 16. 8 works 99% of the time. BUT I do have outboard hardware tied into the other 8 - which makes life easy in PT to call up things as a hw insert.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 12:46:06 GMT -6
Budget? Oh if only I had a budget. But realistically I'm not a high end player.
I'd probably be looking at Apogee symphony mk II , or in my dream world RADAR. Dream world on RADAR only because of hearing them/using them a few years back. I'm a bit locked into a HDX DigiLink interface, unless I flip that gear out for something like a Carbon.
That is all part of this puzzle. I need to abandon my HD Native thunderbolt. I'd like to just get a HDX Core card and be done with it. But I'm still considering other options. Which is why I started thinking perhaps new converters might help me make up my mind. But instead they just made it harder. ;-)
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 12:17:17 GMT -6
I always compress on the way in for vocals. Unless I have to move fast and don't have time to do a run through or two where I can get things setup without fear of crushing things if the singer hammers it on the recording runs. For my own vocals I have a fairly easy goto setting that I can reach for very quickly. I like to commit to a sound up front. I do screw up - and crush things sometimes. But I consider that part of the game. I try tricks on my skateboard - and fall too. Ok I used to do that, like 40 years ago. heh. My point is I like going for it.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 12:07:35 GMT -6
100%. Give me the real hardware with real knobs to touch and twist. I create sounds that way. I went down the Kemper rabbit hole - and never bonded with it, and don't enjoy that interface. Give me a guitar amp with a few simple knobs. Same with software interfaces; give me the real thing and I'm happier, and faster.
I do however commit to sounds on the way in (bringing in another thread where you were asking about tracking vocals without compression). Perhaps it is more of a habit at this point. But I like to track with compression even if lightly touching it. It is part of my known signal chain - and is providing something I want for the resulting end goal sound.
BUT I will say I had a blast when I spent a few weeks in the middle of nowhere in a remote cabin with just simple gear. A Tascam 8-track portastudio a sm57, and a Royer 121. No outboard. Was a blast, and fast. Actually using the built in mics on that Tascam was quite fun too - nothing to worry about. push record. done.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 11:47:53 GMT -6
fwiw - I'm not doing orchestra work - or anything that needs super detailed space. doing your average singer/songwriter (acoustic guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals.....) things that might use that open detail. But mostly rock things with electric guitars, drum, bass, vocals that semi do not need it.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 11:37:27 GMT -6
Forever ago (15+ years). But they have been solid. I'm not really worried about them dying. More thinking should I be looking at newer things because of sound quality compared to newer generations of converters.
Though it is a good point that they could go south electronically at some point. I'd replace them with something else if they bit the dust. But if they continue to run, I'm simply wondering if I need to be looking into something newer because of improvements in converter technology. I'm not really needing to chase the high end - I've not been unhappy with my results with these converters. I suppose I should get something newer in house to try and listen for myself. I only wanted to get a general feel of - these still hold their own, or omg get them gone because there is so much better available now.
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Post by longscale on Jun 30, 2023 10:55:01 GMT -6
It has been upgrade season for me this year. I'd prefer not to expand that list if I don't really have to. Any reason I should be considering upgrading my Apogee AD-16x/DA-16x converters? Do these hold their own compared to all the newer things yet?
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Post by longscale on Jun 25, 2023 18:51:23 GMT -6
Anybody have experience with the noise of an Avid Carbon? However I really want zero latency this time round. I'm running out of options if a HDX Core card is loud.
I suppose I could attempt to build a small box to house a screaming thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis in. Create multiple 90 degree turns for air intake, and outflow. add a super quiet fan to keep pushing air through it at slow speed. I'd rather build that then spend >1k on a giant silent case to house something like a HDX/PCIe Thunderbolt chassis.
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Post by longscale on Jun 20, 2023 16:55:45 GMT -6
but even that if the extension is fragile it won't work for me - would be laying on the floor for foot traffic) . Kinda off topic, but not really......consider doing overhead soffits for cabling. For me, that was 1000% worth it. In my old studio I had huge looms of snake cables going all around the room and out into the center for the console. I hated it. Fast forward to the new room. There were a few mandatory things - one was no cabling on the floor, and two was a quiet machine room for anything with a fan. I accomplished both with a simple ceiling built soffit. It requires more length to the cables, but was sooooooooo, SOOOOOOOO worth it for me. Something to consider... Thanks for the tip. I wish I had planned this space much better when it was built 20 years ago but I did not. I barely had the wisdom to put mic and speaker lines into what was to be my "guitar cab, live room". In my defense my wife was about to give birth so I was more than a little stressed/busy as we moved house just at the end of that. Wheee
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Post by longscale on Jun 20, 2023 14:07:29 GMT -6
I just unplug my HDX card fan. Been like that for years, no issues. Man. now that is commitment. Not sure I have the fortitude to do that. But an interesting datapoint non the less.
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Post by longscale on Jun 20, 2023 13:54:11 GMT -6
So... anyone using an Avid Thunderbolt HDX with an Apple Studio and having good results? noise wise as well, I mean. I don't yet have that experience - but this is exactly what I want to know. How to build a control room friendly config out of a Apple thunderbolt rig for a HDX Core card. It sounds like the Avid Thunderbolt Desktop is out as an actual desktop unit because of the HDX card noise. Scratch that from the list - unless I invest in a silent case or do the remote cabling (but even that if the extension is fragile it won't work for me - would be laying on the floor for foot traffic) Interesting enough I do know that a M2 Apple Studio does not like a HD Native Thunderbolt box. The HD driver does not work. This is for the 2023.6 HD driver. I've not tried to backup to the 2023.3 HD driver yet. I don't know if PT itself heats up the M2 Studio to the point of loud fans - because I can't use it yet. I need to get out of the HD Native setup - and I'm sensitive to latency anyway so that config drove me insane for years. Thus my interest in the HDX Core card.
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Post by longscale on Jun 19, 2023 21:30:40 GMT -6
Interesting. Thank you. If only I had a closet.
I assume you mean the Avid rack mount as opposed to something like the Sonnet Echo III. Wish they published noise specs. If the echo III is much quieter it would soften the price diff pain. Unlikely I need space for 3 cards anytime soon however.
This sounds like a possible bad path (no pun intended) for me then. I really hate fan noise.
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Post by longscale on Jun 19, 2023 15:59:23 GMT -6
I'm looking at the Avid Thunderbolt 3 Desktop chassis to house a HDX core card. I'm worried about fan noise. Anybody have any experience with this or something similar like a different Sonnet thunderbolt chassis? From what I've found with google it appears the HDX PCIe card itself is the noisy one. I hate fan noise. I've spent years banishing it from my room.
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Post by longscale on Dec 22, 2022 20:14:10 GMT -6
I like my verb plugins but I can't say I'm ever truly inspired by them. I'm seriously considering the CXM 1978 as a "reasonably priced" way of adding outboard reverb to my studio, with hopes of gaining that missing dimension plugins seem to lack. Do you feel that the 1978 truly sounds better than say Valhalla Vintage verb or a good plate plugin? Or is it the hands-on tactile thing that keeps you coming back? I did get to use an OTO BAM last weekend while in a Boston studio. I liked it, but it doesn't do line level, and it's designed to capture only vintage digital verb whereas the CXM 1978 does that along with a modern fidelity setting. Hard one to answer. The only HW lately that has inspired me was a Bricasti M7. I think the CXM 1978 easy holds it own against good plugins at least for my use. Does it sound better? Really hard to answer. I think it sounds very very good - and I do use it. Better? idk. It is a win for the inspiring angle because it is real HW with an attractive control interface. I do use it for creating some writing inspiration. I don't use plugins for that role ever while writing. I do still like this box and not just because of the interface. If it did not sound great - the interface would not make me keep it. It does still hold a well worn spot on my desk. I think it is worth giving a listen.
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Post by longscale on Feb 19, 2022 18:41:28 GMT -6
My sample size is small (one ai, one i). The u87i was fantastic. Easy. Sounded right on my voice and acoustic guitar, mandolins, electric guitars. Was a great all around mic - put it up on anything and it would sound great. The top sounded natural.
The u87ai was not for me. Spitty. Top was just not right. Sounded rather hard to me. Was a struggle to use on anything. Hated it on my voice. Hated it on acoustic guitars. "frustrating" is actually a good way to describe it - as I wanted it to be like the u87i I had. Could be my u87ai was just not right in some way - I got it new, seems slim but possible.
I know this topic creates lots of internet fights. All I know is for me I'd take a u87i any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I have the same opinion about a 184 vs an 84. Hate the 184, find the 84 to be fantastic (for largely the same reasons). So at least you get some idea which way my ears point.
I know people that make both (u87ai, 184) sound drool worthy in their recordings. My skill could be the problem, but it does not matter to me really. I just know I'll smile when I put up a u87i, or an 84. I learned the preferences, that work for me and make capturing the sounds I'm after easy.
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Post by longscale on Sept 29, 2021 20:06:12 GMT -6
Well I can report that I still like the Golden. Killer for my needs. The more I mess with it the more I like it. I did add the Starlight, and instantly bonded with the DMM. Blown away good. I also added the Astra as I really liked the CE-1 emulation. That alone sold me on the pedal. I've been exploring more of the tremolo's as well. Very pleased with these pedals.
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Post by longscale on Sept 3, 2021 16:55:14 GMT -6
And now you return the favor and have me lusting for the Starlight! lol. Actually the Astra has been calling my name. I'm trying to resist. Seriously trying to resist.
Afer a few weeks with the Golden I'm still quite happy with it. I've branched out some from initially just falling for the Springs to now enjoying the Plates and Hall quite a bit. I'm still only running it in a w/d guitar rig and not as an hw effects return. I moved it off my guitar pedal board and it sits next to my desk so I can mess with the controls more. That way I can screw around with settings a hair more than the pick a spring I like and forget about any tweaking (if I left it on my board). In that respect I do semi wish these had more presets I could fire up with midi and my GiGrig G3.
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Post by longscale on Aug 14, 2021 10:48:41 GMT -6
Have you had time to compare the UA Golden to the CXM 1978? Do you prefer the sound quality of one over the other? Thanks! I've not put the golden in a hw insert yet. It currently is holding down a spot on the guitar pedalboard. I've not had a ton of time to play with it to really know it well at this point. But the sound quality is very very good. I fell in love with the Spring Reverbs and have not explored other things all that much; other than messing with the 244 hall to create a pad; locking that in and then switching to the Spring and playing over the top of the pad sound (fun for live guitar noodling but not sure how much music I'll write with that). I do wish the golden had more ability to flip presets via midi but I knew what it could do going in so I'm not that sad. Eventually I'll try the golden in a hw insert - but so far I'm happy with the CXM 1978 there; and the golden on my guitar rig. I'm not all that motived at this point to move them. The CXM 1978 continues to be useful on the hw insert. I've spent a little time crafting a sound for vocals, and acoustic guitar primarily focused on the plate for that right now and using other plugins (Nimbus, Phoenix, R4 typically) for a touch of space on top of that. Very enjoyable to have a physical interface. Impressive sound quality. I like that the CXM 1978 has somewhat limited things to mess with; helps keep me focused on creating instead of screwing with settings for hours.
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Post by longscale on Aug 10, 2021 21:19:41 GMT -6
This was my first UA purchase. I really love the spring reverbs on this thing. I can't stop playing it. I've messed around with the Plates and the 224 a bit as well but I end right back on the spring reverbs. Something super musical about them and very cool.
I'm running in a mono w/d setup at the moment but now I'm wanting to create a w/d/w setup. I run my Golden post a few different Kingsley preamps (some quite hot in output) in front of a small tube amp. No issues with that, the Golden takes the level just fine (something I was worried about).
Anybody try any of the other UA pedal offerings? I think I'm going to have to explore more of these after how much fun I'm having with the Golden.
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Post by longscale on Aug 6, 2021 19:36:26 GMT -6
Is it performing better than the 224 plugins out there? I can't compare - I don't have any 224 plugins. I too preferred the CXM 1978 to the UA 224 plugin in the VK video. But there was something cool going on in the mids on the plug-in 224 that I think I could like. Plus it was YouTube - and they were in theory trying to sell the CXM 1978, and it was a little unfair to run it through pre's but what do I know.
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Post by longscale on Aug 6, 2021 19:26:43 GMT -6
Were they running this through a pair of preamps in that VK video? It looked to me like they were. Looked like a pair of Meris 440's (but I could be wrong). Currently I don't run my CXM 1978 via any pre's. Sounds good to me just as a straight up hardware insert. Afaik this box is not supposed to be a 224 clone - just a tip of the hat in that direction. All I know is I like the sounds I get from it. To solve the Gutar pedalboard issue I just broke down and picked up a UA Golden. The attractive part to that for my pedalboard is size (the Golden is way smaller). Plus I wanted to hear it, and it was much cheaper than the CXM 1978. We shall see - it is downloading new firmware now. I fell in love with the CXM 1978 on the guitar pedalboard. Loved the plate and the room there in a w/d setup. Hopefully the UA Golden gets me in the same fun.
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Post by longscale on Aug 6, 2021 15:57:33 GMT -6
I've spent some time with the CXM 1978 as a hardware insert. I now have a big problem. I like it on my guitar pedalboard. I like it as a hw insert. I need more than one. dang.
It is a great box imo. Sounds really good. It is also an enjoyable box to use - a real interface vs my mouse. It sits on my desk, a perfect size. Serious fun to be had with this. Works great for me on vocals. Sounds really cool on guitars, in a number of ways; plate is awesome, room is really nice too. Lofi mode is somewhat were I have been spending some time lately- using it to mangle sounds in fantastic ways.
Must resist buying another two or three.....
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