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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 20, 2017 21:54:08 GMT -6
Curious - What preamp did you use? Hmmm. I don't quite remember. Probably the SCA C84 (Millennia style) I built for it. Probably used a Cloudlifter too. That makes sense - probably not the best preamp choice for an RCA ribbon mic since it likes/wants/needs to see a transformer at the other end to operate to its full design spec. Even with the cloudlifter -
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 19, 2017 15:13:04 GMT -6
I added quite a bit of high shelf for that video. Listen closely and you'll hear some noise. Curious - What preamp did you use?
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 18, 2017 14:46:47 GMT -6
I actually own his Stager SR2N mic and think it has a great modern sound. I have touch base with him about the sr1 but they are only made in small batches. I do intend to get one of his as a backup plan if the 44 scenario does not work out. Why are there very littlereviews onthis mic? Matt is a one-man team and a well seasoned touring FOH engineer. The amount of work and attention to detail that goes into building both of those mics is incredible. You wont find any overseas anything in there - no special corrective zobel circuitry hiding under the hood - Just pure simplicity. So the extra time to deal with reviews/marketing (which i personally abhor and understand) probably hasnt been there for him until lately. I dont miss my Coles with the SR2Ns' - and i dont miss the 44 AT ALL with the SR1A, so dont hesitate if thats where the road is leading you. You wont be disappointed.
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 18, 2017 13:23:12 GMT -6
I have been going through a ribbon phase. I am contemplating (possible delusion dreaming) of getting an RCA 44 and/or incarnation for use with predominantly Acoustic duties and Vocals. Does any one have success using this for Vocals? There has been some reviews talking about the huge proximity effect when using 44 incarnations with Vocals up close, so I am wondering if that necessitates a good acoustic room to compensate a further distance for recording. What 44 and/or 44 variations/clones have people here found useful in there actual experiences? Thanks Do yourself a favor and checkout the Stager SR1A - its an incredible mic and IMHO mops the floor with anything AEA has to offer these days. Side by side - its a no-brainer. Its also Made in the USA! Also - as with any ribbon - make sure you have a good preamp to use with it (preferably not SS)
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 18, 2017 13:18:07 GMT -6
Every NOS EF86 we have came from Europe via DHL -never an issue - never any 'fees' - they will however just leave it anywhere in your yard, so maybe signature service would be a good thing to look into.
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 16, 2017 10:32:41 GMT -6
Did someone say beverage sponsor? Can you guys really sponsor more than y'all consume yourselves? LOL That's a might task i cant help it! Im a thirsty guy!
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Post by Coil Audio on Mar 13, 2017 20:23:39 GMT -6
Did someone say beverage sponsor?
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Post by Coil Audio on Feb 27, 2017 10:34:16 GMT -6
Some guys, called Jeff , Bryce and Brad, for some unknown reason, might beg to differ Let the begging commence!
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Post by Coil Audio on Feb 26, 2017 15:37:02 GMT -6
Just need a pair of Heiders and a pair of our CA-70s - solid state or tube or BOTH = GAME OVER
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Post by Coil Audio on Feb 26, 2017 15:32:05 GMT -6
Very Cool!
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Post by Coil Audio on Feb 19, 2017 16:35:36 GMT -6
But you must admit that its much easier (and cheaper) to do it that way. Little less labor, no jumper wire needed between the pcb and panel mount jack - also 3 less solder points. Last i checked a cheap Rean/Neutrik TRS pcb mount was 50cents at your numbers (100+) and a similar panel mount XLR (also plastic not metal) was just over $1 or so. What brand of Jacks are you using? It is not, I actually dont care, soldering a wire takes seconds. I also dont care about saving 50 cents, we are not some kind of cheap company, I could have saved 10 dollars per unit using imitation knobs and chinesse capacitors instead of Sifam knobs Panasonic caps. I honestly do not care. I use the best of the best and most expensive parts on all units, that is why we make a difference. I used to make them with XLR's until several clients asked me for TRS, so I went ahead that way, I dont get what the problem is, it functions and sounds the same and none has ever failed. Anyways, the new ones come with XLR's, people can go back to being happy now. Wasn't trying to give you a hard time stam - no one was calling you cheap. i just now saw in some photos on another post that the i/o is on its own pcb connected via molex connectors, so i assume the XLR you used are the same then (pcb mounted) which would mean they would take the same amount of time to install -logistically. You were right sort of- but just to clarify 'pcb mount' and 'chassis mount' are not the same. Thats all - cool stuff!
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Post by Coil Audio on Feb 18, 2017 15:37:10 GMT -6
I know plugs not mounted to the chassis is done a lot these days to save money etc but I would have thought the way the unit is spoken of that it was above that rubbish. There is nothing surer than if you plug/unplug several times or trip over a lead etc then they'll s**t themselves. Racked up in a non moving situation should be OK but in my world PCB mounting of pots or plugs is not a pro option FWIW. I assume that the pots are not chassis mounted as well? Quality TRS are fine for me if mounted to the chassis; that's just a preference thing. Cheers, Ross It actually does not save a penny vs chassis mounted XLR's! But you must admit that its much easier (and cheaper) to do it that way. Little less labor, no jumper wire needed between the pcb and panel mount jack - also 3 less solder points. Last i checked a cheap Rean/Neutrik TRS pcb mount was 50cents at your numbers (100+) and a similar panel mount XLR (also plastic not metal) was just over $1 or so. What brand of Jacks are you using?
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Post by Coil Audio on Jan 22, 2017 16:47:47 GMT -6
I bought this Magnasync tube mixer on ebay a few years ago.150 bucks.peerless transformers.sounds rad. View AttachmentAhhhh - our inspiration
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Post by Coil Audio on Jan 22, 2017 16:28:05 GMT -6
Just went to an album release at Sputnik and talked to Mitch Dane about his rack full of Coil stuff. Really would love to get one of these - not sure which I would pick, though. Coil Audio, what's going on in 2017? Hey Johnkenn and co.! We're at Ye Olde Anaheim Namm show (last day- ) in the basement with all the other misfit toys. We got some excellent things coming for 2017.... The CP-248 Dual Channel Phantom Power Supply - *Slow Ramping True Linear Regulated 48v for modern or vintage mics *Long life Nichicon and Panasonic filter capacitors for ripple-free operation *Audiophile grade Nichicon Muse and Cornell Dubilier film caps in the audio path. *All steel chassis, IEC, 120/240vac, jewel light, of course - Made In The USA.( street- $299) We were pretty unexcited about having to build an accessory external phantom power supply, but after going down the rabbit hole we were pretty shocked at the market offerings out there. If you are looking to pull the veil off your 48v mics - this will do it. Plus it looks like an old tube mic psu. Also this spring we'll be releasing the CA-70SE Tube Mic/Line Amplifier which is a simplified version of our octal-based CA-70. This is the same circuit, NOS components, and our custom transformers all rolled into a 2U rack. Perfect for the simple man/bedroom weekender, no EE degree required. Just power it on and go! This will street around 1k. I
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Post by Coil Audio on Sept 12, 2016 15:42:25 GMT -6
I hate love you guys. Can't wait to get my goods! It's nice to know you understand how the rest of the world feels about you !😀 Haha!
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Post by Coil Audio on Sept 11, 2016 14:12:16 GMT -6
From the same session above - a cool video featuring Jim V. getting those drum sounds and explaining the functionality of the CA-70/CA-286 amplifiers. We also have some new sound samples from that same session available on the newly updated website - Piano/Acoustic Guitar (strummed) as well as some excerpts from a White Denim session.
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 31, 2016 11:59:55 GMT -6
We recently used his SR1A during a pre amp demo/video session at Mike Mogus's ARC studios, and all 6 engineers in the room agreed it sounded amazing. The word massive comes to mind. We had it just over and on top of the kick and it captured the entire kit beautifully. Matt played us some tracks while we were at his studio during the summer NAMM and the drum sound he pulled up was amazing, and he swore it was just two of his smaller SR2N's, I totally thought he was messing with me. Sounded like fat Rudy Van Gelder. Our partner in crime Joel has had an SR1A for a few months and it now rules over his Royer121 and AEA mics as biggest guitar sound ever.
I'm huge fan of ribbons and regularly use RCA ku2a's, Ku3a's, 44's, BK5's, Kb2a's, Shure 333's, Coles 4038's, beyer m160s. The Stagers can easily hold their own against any of these for sure, and definitely sound like serious real studio gear. Matt's a pretty serious dude, winding his own trannys, hand welding the metal grill cloth layers, making his own drivers and ribbons. The magnet in the SR1A is a big as your fist. Seems he's pretty passionate about what he's doing, and he's a real engineer, so he's got ears to boot.
Definitely the only new mics on my list to own. We immediately got three sets, one for each of us, with 2x SR2N's and 1x SR1A.
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 23, 2016 12:31:38 GMT -6
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 21, 2016 13:29:33 GMT -6
Here's the song with the CA-70 on vocal...it was meant for a chick...so, it's a scoche high lol. Like I mentioned...if it was a record, I would re-sing with the CT-110HN and no NF rolloff. But alas...it's a demo, so screw it. https%3A//soundcloud.com/vices-verses-music/without-your-love-sfreemanjkennedyWOW!
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 20, 2016 7:53:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the replies, guys! Jay, was that the 70 or 286? Also, are there separate mic and line ins on these? No bigs, just curious. Thanks, Stu The input section has 0, -6, -12, -19, and LN (Line Setting) - no separate XLR input for just the Line - all on one input.
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 18, 2016 1:04:49 GMT -6
jayfitz - Have you guys tried them on the back-end of the Pluto Plate? I'd love to hear that combo! Stu Should be excellent in this application - Phil Manley (from the band Trans Am) used them for his plate with great results at his El Studio in San Francisco. The Pluto Plate really looks incredible - id love to hear a clip of it.
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 18, 2016 1:00:39 GMT -6
Hey there RGO - thought it might be fun to post some 96/24 audio clips of some drums we recorded recently at the ARC studio (Omaha, NE) with the 12-channels of CA-286 and CA-70 modules that reside there. There are 2 sets of audio here - One set is utilizing 100% CA-286s on every mic and the other about 80% CA-70s and a few CA-286s on Front of Kit/Room mics. Each set is approx 30-40 seconds long which is just enough time to get an idea of how these things work. No compression or EQ was used - and the gain staging is good enough that you can pull the PT/DAW fader down on all the tracks to -10 or so and it should sound good enough for review. The drumkit was a late 60's Ludwig - nothing fancy. Funky old Zildjian cymbals - etc. The mic'ing was pretty basic as well with the exception of a Stager SR1A ribbon mic placed over the kick drum for fun (great mic btw). The track list for each mic looks something like this and denotes placement, mic used, and coil pre used for each set - (panning is also noted) 1. Kick - Subkick - (CA-XXX)2. KickIn - AKG D12 - (CA-XXX)3. SnareTop - AKG C61 - (CA-XXX)4. SnareBottom - Neumann KM56 - (CA-XXX)5. FloorTomL - Josephson E22 - (CA-XXX)6. RackTomR - Josephson E22 - (CA-XXX)7. OverHeadL - Neumann SM69 - (CA-XXX)8. OverHeadR - Neumann SM69 - (CA-XXX)9. OverTheKit - Stager SR1A - (CA-XXX)10. FrontOfKit - Neumann U47 - (CA-XXX)11. RoomL - Josephson C617 - (CA-XXX)12. RoomR - Josephson C617 - (CA-XXX)To reiterate: all audio is at 96kHz/24bit - MIC ->COIL PRE ->DIGIDESIGN 192 i/o -> PT10HD - No compression or EQ. Download, unzip, and choose which set you'd like to hear and import the .WAV audio into your DAW of choice. Make sure and pull down all the track faders to -10 (at least in PT) and crank your monitors up ! Coil Audio Drums 9624(approx. 200+MB) Let us know if there is anything wrong with the link or any questions you might have regarding the session/mic placements etc. Of course any and all commentary is welcome and feel free to swear. Thanks RGO!
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 15, 2016 21:12:07 GMT -6
So - yeah - I think the 286 is a little cleaner/open than the CA-70? That sound right? I'm hesitant to post the song I just finished because I went a little too dark and then had to compensate...and I'm fighting some 2-3khz pinch with the mic...so, I don't want to give the wrong impression of the mic pre because of my shitty engineering skills. lol. I'll do some vocal files on each, though and post up. You are correct - the 286 has the sheen one would expect from the EF86s. If you're feeling a bit shy/neurotic/underwhelmed about your song we could post up some multi-track drums or piano we tracked a few weeks ago. Was gonna try to save that for another thread but we can toss a little sample of it up here if you want.
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 15, 2016 19:52:47 GMT -6
Thanks for the tech clarifications Coil! We can do the math for you John, no worries. Welcome to the first preamp you've probably used that is also a limiter. Track some drums through them with minimum feedback and gain wide open. They should be flatlining the wave-form, and you might not be able to hear it as crunchy. What's also interesting is this basic circuit (stock setting) runs the feedback in the theoretical so called 'no no' range that enhances upper harmonics, but not so much that they start to cancel. So aggressive sounding in the upper mids if set roughly "Gates stock'. 10K minimum resistor, I haven't tried that on a Gates, that should be running it up into so called 'normal' feedback range and more like what you see with many RCA designs. My only feedback changes with SA-70's have been stock 2nd versus 3rd variations with UTC transformers, and a Triad version with no feedback, not really more or somewhat less. Those two original transformer types sound pretty different, so it's interesting to theorize about what a new build might sound like. With the NFB variable, you've had to do something different with the treble EQ approach, I assume more along the lines of the Triad transformer schematic. At one point I had a stripped Gates frame with 10 of the UTC SA-70's in it, and made a bunch of records using almost nothing but, that same frame started with 5 of each transformer type in it, so I've used both a lot. The setting of the gain control also changes the feedback amount too, it's also a bit 'no no' in design, and in the original the gain control can really affect the overall response curve. The UTC version later schematic already has a bit of head bump type bottom boost, I don't recall if the Triad type did or not. So these look super-bitchin' (it's a sad day when a Zappa-esque thing like "bitchin' " gets autocorrected to 'bitcoin' every damn time) with the big rack also kind looking like the RCA modular approach, and it's impressive to commit to building CA-70's with vintage caps and everything, that's a tough parts hunt these days. The feedback control and EQ are logical design extensions that should be really useful. Collins, yeah, they are cool. Another one I've had many variations of. Are you working on those next, or does my no time havin' ass still have wiggle room on that product? Thanks Dude! We love your posts! Jim is in a mix session but he might jump in later to discuss his experiences with the various SA-70s hes kicked around the block etc. You're right on in that its like having a built in limiter - The EF86 circuit behaves in a similar fashion as well - just not as heavy handed. No Collins style anything in the works over here - its all yours bro! /ss/
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Post by Coil Audio on Jul 15, 2016 16:21:50 GMT -6
Hey Coil Audio , what's the deal with the CA-70? I don't see it on the website. How do they differ? Etc. Hey jcoutu1 - Steve here phonin in from the shop - the website is undergoing an overhaul as we take on new dealers and begin to end direct sales etc. As Jay Fitz pointed out - he has them at the DSP doctor website and we have a few other dealers coming aboard and adding them as well. Hopefully the new and improved website will be up within a few weeks. The CA-70 is an older design aesthetic (based on the root topology of the Gates SA-70 as EmRR has mentioned in this thread a few times) - it utilizes Octal tubes which were introduced in the mid 1930's and have a much different character/envelope than the 1950's era 9-pin noval EF86s' in our CA-286. Personally, there isnt any sonic ground that cant be scattered, smothered , and covered between these 2 designs.
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