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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 31, 2021 18:21:39 GMT -6
Could be M49s modified with a regular tube mic cable. Could be TLM 49s using yoke mounts.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 26, 2021 5:04:09 GMT -6
I agree with a lot of what NoTomorrow said. My preferences were Mic A and Mic B as my favorites and for different reasons, followed by Mic D and lastly Mic C. Mic A seemed the most neutral, with a full low end and clean top end. Mic B seemed slightly enhanced with a midrange thing I like. Mic C seemed open, but lacked low end and had a thinner over all sound. That said, it could be a set and forget mic for mandolin in a dense mix. Mic D had a nice low end and a more present top end, but I didn’t like it as much as A or B for some reason. Looking forward to getting the key, especially since I’m in the market for a paid of SDCs.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 24, 2021 12:19:40 GMT -6
Thanks bricejchandler. The coil sounds great. I’ve been really curious to hear those units. However, this proves to me that my personal preference is still the Neve family. Can’t explain why, but it is.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 23, 2021 8:42:33 GMT -6
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 23, 2021 8:37:52 GMT -6
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 20, 2021 10:47:08 GMT -6
Agreed. I wouldn't mind grabbing a pair of E series preamps, SQLS, and a pair of SSL's 4000 series the comps 611 DYN. It would be great to have a pair of SSL channel strips around when needed. Really want to hear some opinions on these first.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 19, 2021 16:21:06 GMT -6
I really like the idea behind this channel strip. Been eye balling it for a while. I don’t use much eq during tracking, and when I do my eq moves are very “tilt” like. Boost some highs cut some lows, or vice versa. And a simple comp to gently control the dynamics I think is very useful. If the preamp is good, which I suspect it is, you could load a 10 slot lunch box and have a baby console for a very reasonable price. If I was starting over I would seriously consider these. I don’t completely disagree, but the problem with 2 bands of fixed point EQ is it’s probably never going to be where you want it. In the days when most small studios and clubs had EQ’s with 3 or 4 fixed band EQ’s my Rack of 4 AudioArts Parametrics were my best friend, not because of all the bands but because I could put the EQ where I wanted. The guy who buys these is not going to have a ton of mic choices so I see it as very limited as a problem solver. Maybe my days selling gear makes me biased against little do everything strips, but that’s because they always seamed to come back . If you can solder and are chasing the SSL tone for not much more the link audio EQ and pre are going to give you the SSL sound that everybody really wants, granted you would lose the comp, but still if someone says SSL I think 4K! Those Link Audio pieces look really nice. I posted about them here: realgearonline.com/thread/13010/link-audio-designs-preamps-series
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 19, 2021 7:37:30 GMT -6
I saw this posted in the DIY section by Blackdawg and wondered if the discussion might get some more traction here in Pro Audio. realgearonline.com/thread/12312/link-audio-designs-ssl-preampsI know I'm really curious how these units sound. They are being offered as a kit or assembled. I'm not a DIY person myself, but the pricing is reasonable for the assembled kits. I'm curious how they compare with SSL's VHD Preamp & 611EQ. Link Audio Design is currently offering: 4000 Series EQ. E Series Transformer based preamp. E Series Transformerless preamp. G Series Preamp. 9000 Series preamp. linkaudiodesign.bigcartel.com/products
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 19, 2021 7:27:49 GMT -6
I'd be curious to hear what people think about this new budget range. A lot of it is from the SSL Six mixer they put out.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 17, 2021 14:50:35 GMT -6
Has anyone heard any of these next to SSL’s 500 series preamps or EQs? I’d be really curious to hear about how they compare.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 16, 2021 9:44:33 GMT -6
I'm going to be a buzzkill here, as usual.. The difference in tone between clones is roughly the same as the difference between vintage units due to their old parts tolerances. Pick whichever one is available, affordable, and fits the slot/rack size you need. I have a set of real BA283 based 1290 preamps with Marinair and carnhill transformers and my chinese Alctron clones sound almost the same. Huge difference in price. Very little difference in mojo. I wish I was as happy with my pair of TNC ACMP84s as you are with your Alctrons, but I did not have the same experience when I compare them to my Neve or Dan Alexander units. I find the cheaper Chinese clones brighter and with less mojo. Still hoping to mod them down the road though.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 16, 2021 6:30:51 GMT -6
I have never heard the AML 1073 500 series in person, but I've been down the Neve rabbit hole. In general the 500 series 1073s are always a touch cleaner than the rack units. They have less transformers and are powered differently than the rack units. From what I've seen AML is always regarded as really good at it's price point, but when it comes to Neve there are usually only two names that come up when discussing the best modern day versions; AMS-Neve and BAE. Ask which is better and you'll get a split right down the middle. The AMS-Neve is slightly cleaner sounding with a deeper low end and more sparkle on top. The BAE has a big low midrange thing going on with a slightly warmer, but less focused sound. Truth is if you went to a studio with an old Neve console you'd probably find different channels that could match up with each of these. There are those on here who might call out the Stam, which is a nice piece if you can get it in a timely manner. Having heard them next to a BAE, I'd still choose the BAE. I just really wish the BAE channel strips were not so expensive. 3-3.5K is a a lot for a single channel.
Personally, I own the AMS-Neve 1073 DPX, which is their lower budget 2 channel 1073 channel strip (3K for 2 full channels). It's really nice, although it can be pushed into distortion easier than I ever expected. Albeit, I sing far louder than most people. I use it a lot these days for session vocals paired with my U67 or U87ai, particularly for anything pop/classical crossover. There is something nearly finished about the vocals when I record through it. For more traditional jazz or even opera I usually use my Dan Alexander 1272. The 1272 in general is a beefier sound than the 1073. My unit has vintage transformers and each channel is a little different. Channel one is a little cleaner and more in the vein of the AMS-Neve, but with more low mid growl. I love it with the U67. Channel two has a touch less sparkle on top with a bigger mid range thing going on. It's my preferred preamp with my FleA 49. The 1272 doesn't distort as strongly as the 1073. Its more saturation than distortion. In general picking one 1073 or the other is probably more a matter of genre and vibe than anything else.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 15, 2021 7:57:08 GMT -6
I hope they make a full channel strip. Preferably a 19" 1U unit.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 14, 2021 12:33:02 GMT -6
Ooh!
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 10, 2021 6:32:58 GMT -6
For me the Warm sounds really nice. Yes, its a touch dark. From what I've heard its a touch darker than a real U67 too.
I actually like the sound of the 818 without the emulation too. It's a nice contrast to the warm.
I think the Townsend sounds ok, just doesn't have the tube sound/compression. The emulation makes more of a change on the sound of the Townsend than the 818 in my opinion. It's the stereo matrix that makes the Townsend special. The emulations are more icing on the cake.
I'm not a fan of the Slate. I've made videos on it. The emulations are always brighter than they should be and sometimes overly muddy. You can hear the sound of the slate kind of jump out in comparison with the others. That can be a good thing with a smooth or warm voice. It works well with your voice. Get a brighter voice in there and it can get annoying really quick.
There is a compression thing that happens with real tube mics. You can see it in the wave forms between the Warm and the others. The emulations lack this and a certain tube quality.
Thanks for the shoot out. I've been really debating picking up the WA67. Also curious about the Townsend as I know a few people who run real commercial studios who have it and love it, particularly for the stereo applications.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 8, 2021 4:50:17 GMT -6
GR seems to refer to the preamp load impedance on the mic. True if gain does not get higher set for 300. 300 is (formerly known as) a setting to make Western Electric 30 ohm mics sound correct. This is how I have to use my Altec 639a. It just sounds fuller at 300 ohms. It’s a 50 ohm mic I think.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 7, 2021 16:57:15 GMT -6
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 5, 2021 7:40:26 GMT -6
SNIP My first vocal clip with it, was a bit too nasal/congested sounding due to my allergies acting up. Chris SNIP I too suffer from allergies, asthma and a bad sinus condition with a deviated/ing septum that usually keeps one nostril completely blocked, other times both restricted. I spent a year re-studying Lindenbaum technique (yes I know, full on blaring shouting and screaming and calling it singing) and this helps to open everything up. Just the warm-ups with the neck muscles exercises alone can open everything up. Flushes better than a Neti pot. OK . . . Back to the gear, please pardon my momentary derailment. I figured useful to Chris and Vincent might weigh in, and there might also be microphone suggestions for overcoming honk. I need to make a video at some point. Maybe I’ll start a thread on vocal technique here. Important note, I have a horrible case of asthma that was helped greatly by a combination of martial arts and appogio (Italian breathing) technique.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 3, 2021 7:32:00 GMT -6
I wonder if Tony Bennett might be distantly related to the original Benedetto. After all, it was his original last name. Chris Always possible. Both Tony and Bob Benedetto were born in the NYC area (Bob is a generation younger). You could probably ask him. Tony is sadly and slowly slipping away from us. In my wife's long-ago days as a radio MD, she knew Tony a little. Said he was a sweet guy who had a nice word for anyone he ran into. I saw him a few years ago. No one should be aloud to sound that good at his age. He’s one of the last living legends. There will be a huge hole when he’s gone.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 2, 2021 4:15:02 GMT -6
thx Did some googling Cant find any direct comparisons. Yeah, only a couple of clips on their website.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 1, 2021 22:15:54 GMT -6
While we are at it. Can someone clone the schoeps mic Here you go… b9audio.com
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Post by Vincent R. on Jul 1, 2021 18:15:39 GMT -6
Hey now thats a great option. Imagine just buying the body so you can put on your neumann kk84, kk85, kk83 caps. is this something that can be offered as an option? Also have you got any actual km84’s of your own to model off? And/or do you need to borrow a couple to help in your process? PM me if you need to. Cheers I remember Warm touting that their '84' fit the neumann capsules but then when it was actually released it no longer did. They later explained it was due to cost of manufacturing. If the Serrano did fit it would be awesome to test the mic: Serrano with KK84 vs Neumann Body with Serrano Cap back-and-forth tweaking the design until they are as close as possible. I was so pissed when they did that.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 30, 2021 21:51:28 GMT -6
What's the consensus on 87's for piano recording? I'm looking for a pair of great mics for piano, any July 4th sale planned?? Seriously considering a pair of these after listening to the clips. Sounds great!
Also, will there be a Serrano km84 in the near future? Or 56... That'd be awesome.
I know of several pianists currently using a pair of the Serrano 87s for piano. TJ Lindgren posted this recording in which he used his pair of Serrano 87s on piano. And yes, the Serrano 84 is coming (see picture below)! Soon enough I will start a dedicate thread for it which will include a ONE-TIME opportunity to pre-order for a very significant discount. My curiosity is peaked!
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 30, 2021 10:40:14 GMT -6
East West is having a sale, so I finally caved and picked up Symphonic Choirs. Why the hell didn't I grab this before?! Yes, it's going to take a little time to program, but man is this going to add that big choir feel to my Christmas Album. Add a couple of my talented friends as ringers for each section and this is going to sound nuts. "Joy to the World" indeed! www.soundsonline.com/symphonic-choirsQuick note: Word builder is a PITA. This is going to take a little work. The biggest thing is how little consonant sound they give you from the start. While everything can be adjusted, I wish I could set the amount of consonants on the attack and end of words from the get go, instead of tweaking each word. Some of the diphthongs are a little hard to maneuver properly too. As a singer I'd love to chat with someone at East West about how this could be improved out of the gate. More to come as I delve further in.
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 29, 2021 6:18:36 GMT -6
East West is having a sale, so I finally caved and picked up Symphonic Choirs. Why the hell didn't I grab this before?! Yes, it's going to take a little time to program, but man is this going to add that big choir feel to my Christmas Album. Add a couple of my talented friends as ringers for each section and this is going to sound nuts. "Joy to the World" indeed! www.soundsonline.com/symphonic-choirs
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