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Post by BradM on Dec 11, 2014 13:40:31 GMT -6
I may be interested. I need to read the thread and catch myself up on how the site works. But I'm intrigued. Maybe Sinasoid can get in touch?
thanks, Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 8, 2014 16:02:21 GMT -6
Brad likes to use it differently. He configures it as the "front end" to his DAW or other recording device - running mics or external pre's thru it and going to the DAW. Everything goes thru the SB before entering digital land. Some people mentioned that it would sit on their mix bus inserts, and never move with no switches changed once they found their personal "sweet spot". So....lots of ideas, lots of options, lots of uses. How would YOU use it? I'm curious to know. That's not entirely correct, but I will probably use this as a goto mic pre because I especially like the way it reacts to dynamics and ribbons. What I'm actually looking forward to doing is using it on the master inserts of my console. That's where I intend to use my personal unit. I currently have an API style summing amp in the master section of my D&R Vision console, but what I will likely do is revert back to the stock D&R summing circuit and hard wire the Silver Bullet on the master inserts so I can choose between D&R, API-ish, and Neve-ish mix bus flavors. I figure if folks are doing it with plugins then why can't I do it with hardware? Honestly...the Silver Bullet is configured on my kitchen counter right next to my Breville toaster and an oscilloscope. Not a lot of records being made in the kitchen at the moment. But let me tell you...the late night toast and tea is fabulous. Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 8, 2014 15:44:33 GMT -6
I'm also curious about the meter. I see that there is a nice looking meter there, but no switch to control it (unless I'm missing it). Is it metering input or output? It would be cool if it's switchable...or maybe it switches when you switch modes? I haven't quite figured out how to do multiple quotes in one reply so sorry for all the individual posts. The meter is really bitchin', I won't lie. It's always monitoring the output of the processed signal path. When in Bypass (Trk/Byp...hard relay bypass) the meter shows no signal. That visually indicates that you are in actually in bypass...which is kind of hard to miss. It's like when you bypass a compressor and the gain reduction meter stops showing movement. I was thinking of putting a jumper inside the unit to allow it to monitor input signal, but I'm not sure if that really makes any sense. Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 8, 2014 15:38:25 GMT -6
I'm extra thick today, would you please elaborate on the difference between Mic and Mic+? Also, any possibility of a fairly good quality instrument-in? Or 2 for keyboards? Mic+ basically has more gain for lower output sources and things like ribbon mics. It's a gain boost basically. Mic mode gives you enough headroom to amplifier loud things like condenser mics on drums. But for something like a R121 on a fingerpicked acoustic you'll definitely want Mic+ for the extra gain boost. The Tracking inputs have combo jacks which allow you to plug in a synth or line level input. I purposefully didn't put a DI on this design because I feel that there are awesome DI's out there like the REDDI or Tonecraft 363 or even the DI's on Jeff's VP28's that can be used as a front end to the Silver Bullet. I didn't want this to be some kind of jack of all trades / master of none kind of box and have the cost be driven up without very good reason. Plus--I'm personally not a huge user of DI's and wish that most of my mic pres didn't have them so I didn't have to look at the gaping hole in the front of faceplate. The flu might be making me cranky I think. Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 8, 2014 15:16:15 GMT -6
Thanks for the kind words guys. Honestly, its a new way of working, and although I think it's great and intuitive, there were some people that had a hard time "getting it" at AES, but IMO it's a great solution for guys working ITB that want/need to get some analog vibe back into their productions and mixes. Who were those people? I didn't talk to a single one of them. I'm sick with the flu right now. As soon as I can manage some coherent thoughts I promise to join this conversation. I know there are some questions to address. Thanks for making this thread, John. Back to feeling like death, Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 1, 2014 11:38:38 GMT -6
Hey guys,
Louder Than Liftoff is having a 15% Cyber Monday Sale... buy 2 or more white Chop Shops or RGB Series Combo Bundles (for DIYRE Colour). The sale is for today only. Enter coupon code CYBERTHIS15 at checkout.
Brad
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Post by BradM on Nov 16, 2014 16:44:26 GMT -6
Hey Jon,
Would you be interested in me sending you a Chop Shop to check out in exchange for letting me borrow a Boostmate for a month? I wonder how this might work in front of an LA-2A...
Brad
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Post by BradM on Nov 15, 2014 22:36:15 GMT -6
Get Jon's DI and Boostmate ASAP. It's the only smart thing to do..... THEN, cancel session and put all those saved hours finishing the Silver Bullet. Otherwise, watch your back. There are OTHER bullets flying...... :lol: :lol: :lol: Okay, wise guy! Haha Did you do those tests I asked for? Hmmm....no? Get back to work and stop screwing around on the internet. Hey Jon--it was great to talk to you tonight. Thanks for the chat! Brad
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Post by BradM on Nov 15, 2014 14:24:53 GMT -6
Hey Jon!
I want to try one of these too. I actually have a session coming up in a few weeks (imagine that! Me actually recording audio for a change). I'd love to use this with my REDDI.
Brad
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Post by BradM on Nov 15, 2014 14:21:24 GMT -6
Well you could always get the modules, put them on the bench, warm up the soldering iron, drink a beer or two, and call it "built". Ha! Great quote. I'm looking forward to getting the pulse in the mail. Seems pretty rad. I'm pretty stoked on how Pulse came out. I think you are going to really dig it. It will come set up for a classic slapback sound. Please do experiment with other settings. With really short delay settings you can almost get a roomy ambience out of it. What I'm dying to do is set it up as a stereo delay with one side like an eighth note and the other like a dotted eighth...something like that. If you live on the East coast there is a chance you could get your modules by the end of next week. Brad
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Post by BradM on Nov 14, 2014 8:43:52 GMT -6
I wish the LTL stuff was offered diy, at least their little modules for this platform. Well you could always get the modules, put them on the bench, warm up the soldering iron, drink a beer or two, and call it "built". . Even though we aren't offering these little guys as DIY kits I can promise you that they sound excellent, are an amazing value, and fun to use. By the way...Pentode is now shipping. Impulse and Implode will ship out on 11/19/14. Game on! Brad
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Post by BradM on Oct 11, 2014 23:22:43 GMT -6
It's an API pre, neve pre, and some other things that I can't remember? 2 buss treatment. I'm now on the roof of the Standard hotel vintage king party 8) View AttachmentAlmost... . Where's drBill? He can explain this beast. I'm exhausted from a long day of demoing gear. Talking is hard work! Ha. When I get back home I'll definitely write more. Thanks for all the interest guys, Brad
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Post by BradM on Oct 4, 2014 6:56:16 GMT -6
Any of you guys planning to attend AES? If so, stop on by our booth, we are on an island with Purple Audio, Shiny Box and Roll Music Systems. We'll have a 8x2 mixing system set up with channel amps, channel compressors, panners and prototype buss amps. If anyone needs a free pass, please contact us and we can get you set up in the next few days. I think I'm going to be right across from you guys on the corner! I'll be in booth 1452. I'll be sure to come by and introduce myself. Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 27, 2014 10:31:43 GMT -6
I'll be there exhibiting Louder Than Liftoff wares in booth 1452. If anyone needs a free badge, here's a link to get one: www.aes.org/events/137/vip.cfm?741Please do stop by and introduce yourself! I would love to meet all of you. Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 20, 2014 8:51:55 GMT -6
My understanding was that microphones generally had a no return policy. Guitar center for sure was this way at one point and I thought others were too. Brad, your Chop Shop sample was great. That's why I have one in my rack. I probably wouldn't have it without the video... even with the 14 day return policy. I'm glad you found the video helpful! We do try to make videos and sound clips that are useful in informing the buying decision of potential customers, especially since we don't sell through dealers. Personally I think it's mandatory to do that kind of marketing, and to do it well. My goal is to have media on our site be at the same caliber as our products. We are still learning though. I guess my point was that I can understand the perspective of a company distributed through normal channels not wanting to invest in that kind of stuff. If I were selling $5k compressors I'd probably reconsider my stance on streaming MP3's on my website, though. Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 20, 2014 8:45:59 GMT -6
Gassing for a pair of Brads louder than liftoff eq's. But then again i will need another lunchbox Woohoo! Yeah, in that case you do need another lunchbox. That reminds me...I had better send myself some Chop Shops so I have some for AES. Doh! Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 17, 2014 21:28:07 GMT -6
My point is that the ability to judge the merits of mics that are reasonably expensive ($2-6K) sucks. I blame the manufacturers here. It's either that they just don't want to put in the effort it takes to make a bunch of well done samples or their gear just doesn't hold up and they want to rely on people spouting that their stuff if great, when in reality it's just mediocre. There are a few companies that offer nice samples of their gear (more specifically rack gear comes to mind), but not enough have solid samples. Hi Jesse, I kind of disagree. While I think sound clips can acclimate someone toward a new product or give you a sense of features, I think any serious buying decision (especially of $2k-6k mics) need to be made in your own studio. I think anyone living in the U.S. doesn't have an excuse to do this. It's way too easy these days to buy something on a credit card from Sweetwater, check it out, and then send it back if you don't like it. Heck, even my own small two-man company offers a 14-day no questions asked return policy on our stuff. I think this is why manufacturers of these products don't bother to invest serious time into making sound clips of high end pieces...it's because there are too many variables that can influence a buying decision and the most proven way to understand what a piece of gear will or won't do for you is to use it for a few days. Besides that, the sound is only one aspect of the user experience. Putting gear in front of people, especially those that suffer from GAS, is a powerful sales tool. I know from personal experience this does help sell gear. When I bought my vintage U67, I gave the buyer a deposit and essentially rented the mic for a week to check it out. I tried it on a ton of sources and then decided to pull the trigger and send over the rest of the money. Svart is spot on about everything related to costs of remaking an old design. I see the same thing at my day job in the aerospace industry. Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 12, 2014 23:35:12 GMT -6
I fully concur with everything that has been said. Am I allowed to say that they are the best vocal EQ I've ever used? Brad
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Post by BradM on Sept 12, 2014 23:28:47 GMT -6
I think we would have to quantify "demand", huh? I wonder what the Sennheiser bean counters deem enough market interest to spin up design and manufacturing.
Brad
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Post by BradM on Aug 22, 2014 23:24:01 GMT -6
Hey John, thanks for fixing my avatar. I noticed that it was broken the other day, but just thought it was a browser issue. Glad you dig the Pulse examples! I'm quite proud of how good that one came out. I've always wanted to have slapback on a button. Tony--all the info is up on the website. It is working for me without issue. If you are still having trouble send a note to Kyle at louderthanliftoff and let my brother know what browser and OS you are using so can fix any issues. In the meantime try this link: store.louderthanliftoff.com/collections/rgbOdyssey76-- thanks for checking out all the clips and providing feedback. That Pentode certainly does some cool things on organ. Both of those Pentode clips had the Saturation knob pretty cranked. There's a huge range of tones in that module, with lots of room for subtle, which I think it does beautifully. Brad
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Post by BradM on Aug 15, 2014 21:58:30 GMT -6
Clips are up!
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Post by BradM on Aug 9, 2014 22:07:17 GMT -6
Hey guys,
I spent a bunch of time making sound clips this weekend. Man, it's hard work! I'm quickly realizing that making a bunch of sound clips is one thing. But it's a whole other thing to make sound clips that showcase your product in a way that reflects how you want the world to see/hear your design. That's actually much harder.
We do have some clips up on our site for Pulse that demonstrate slapback on a vocal. We even have one that adds in Pentode for a little secret sauce. There is a guitar, too!
Pentode is proving to be a little more challenging from a sound clip perspective. I made a DI bass and and organ clip which show how you can use Pentode to create some harmonic mojo. I'm really striving to make clips that demonstrate obvious/useful changes to the audio.
Brad
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Post by BradM on Aug 9, 2014 21:28:59 GMT -6
Hey John,
Did you see our new Colour modules we just released? I crammed an entire 1176 onto one of those little boards. It does 4:1 and all-buttons-in ratios. I actually was making some sound clips today and put it up against a real 1176LN and it was really darn close considering I left out the transformers and the discrete output amp. Score! I'm pretty pleased with how that little bugger turned out.
Brad
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Post by BradM on Aug 5, 2014 19:50:00 GMT -6
Hi,
We are working on getting sound clips up for everyone. Hopefully by the end of the week. If you have special requests for sound clips send them my way. In the meantime I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks, Brad
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Post by BradM on Aug 2, 2014 10:00:22 GMT -6
It's hard to generalize tube circuits as being sparkly, airy, dark, warm, etc. Each tube brings something different to the table. And of course the circuit implementation plays a big role in how the tube behaves. Pentode is all about size and presence to my ears. The sound responds dynamically to the level with which its driven.
I'm happy to announce that more details are now available on our new website. And most importantly all three modules are available for pre-order!
Brad
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