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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 BradM on Mar 29, 2019 15:53:18 GMT -6
Do you plan to sell the colour with the mod? As I said, I have the pre-built unit and it is all surface mount components. I assume the PCB-only option the DIYRE sells is through-hole - otherwise I'd definitely prefer to buy it pre-made. I am not a fan of building with surface mount components - I built 2 SCA C-84s (each has 2 surface mount 8 contact DIPS) and that was plenty for me. Cheerz, John Hi John, I have one unit left in stock with the mods as described on the DIYRE site. Send me an email through my website if you'd like to grab it. I plan to get more soon, and they will have an additional mod. At that point I'll likely put them up for sale on my site. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 29, 2019 12:54:35 GMT -6
As I was sitting down tonight to mix it became even more clear how much I love BradM designed gear. LTL and the Electra EQ’s.... I also have one of his first DIY projects as well... a Brad McGowan 1176... Dang, I still need a second Silver Bullet too. Brad, I blame you for emptying my bank account. And drbill - you are guilty as his accomplice... Thanks guys Hey Darren! You are way too nice. I really appreciate the love. I had totally forgotten about that 1176! That thing sound really good if I remember. The Chroma/Mister Focus "channel strip" is looking really nice in your rack. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of the Mister Focus tests we were discussing the other day...swapping the position of Super Filter and Mass Drivr. thanks, Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 29, 2019 12:51:44 GMT -6
What is this mod Brad has for the MN-50 Smash? Is it the same one that is discussed on the DYIRE page (https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour/products/mn-50-smash-compressor-colour) Reviews by Russ Halden (replace the Release pot and change one of the input pad resistors)? I'm another fan of the MN-50, but I find the controls on the stock board kind of hard to set - it looks like the mods discussed on the DIYRE page would address this, but I'm curious what Brad's changes bring to the table... Regards, John Yes, that's the one. The compressor is really great with those settings. There's an additional mod I plan to do on the next batch I order from Avenson. More on that later. I still need to get this thing up on my site. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 25, 2019 11:51:20 GMT -6
HMMM, one of those with a Silver Bullet on the inserts??? I think you got that backwards. It's best to treat the SB as the "console" and hub due to its multiple I/O and workflow features. I would advocate inserting the outboard into the console and not the console into the outboard. Maybe it's just me but the modern SSL sound is not what I think of when I think "mojo". Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe their Super Analogue design goal is transparency (no electrolytics in the signal path, wide bandwidth circuits, extremely low distortion specs, DC servos, etc.). On the spectrum of Clean to Mojo I'd put SSL very much towards the former. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 22, 2019 12:44:32 GMT -6
You're nuts, but it has nothing to do with the mixer .! Ultimate issue is we're too spoilt nowadays with way too many decent options, so it has to make the upmost sense. I'm someone like SSL's target market, not a fan of DAW's and I'd rather use them as a digital recorder. It needs to be bigger, 18 channels, six pre's at least, a couple of aux busses with in's / out's and all the gubbins this already has.. Wrap it up for under $8K, with no competition I'd snap their hands off. Haha. I'd bet money that this is them testing the waters and that we will see a whole Mackie-style product line based off this design / format. Just wait. This is about capturing new markeshare and making $$$. I think it was a smart business move. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 22, 2019 10:29:57 GMT -6
I was impressed when the guy in the video dialed in some eq and comp on the drum tracking, and put the summed mix through the bus compressor. Sounded good, and analog. Better than plug-ins, and right there on the desktop. But the routing options are not at all intuitive. And how would you recall how you did stuff if you had to go back and change something? Still, lot of tools for the bucks. And it sounded good. I agree about the routing options. I took a look through the manual last night and honestly it made my head hurt. My D&R Vision console is way easier to understand. I feel like a pretty smart guy most days, but I feel like I would need to sit down with that manual, study it for a few hours, watch some tutorial videos, and draw out signal flow diagrams to ensure I understand it all. If that's what it takes for a guy that designs gear to fully understand how the device works then I can only imagine how their target market might struggle a bit. Then again maybe I'm just not smart enough to use this thing. Strictly speaking from the perspective of what might be the target market...it seems like if I owned a UAD Apollo and used the Apollo console software with UAD SSL emulations I'd get to a very similar place with a more intuitive user experience. Someone tell me I'm nuts. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 20, 2019 21:59:45 GMT -6
Nope, nobody has snagged it yet. It's still available. Brad Hmm. The link just sent me to the normal page.. Yep, add a unit to the cart and the coupon will be automatically applied at checkout by using that link. When I see the order come through with that coupon code I'll know it's for a B-stock unit. Sorry for the confusion. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 20, 2019 21:13:09 GMT -6
And damn..think someone else must have jumped on that deal! I shall get one someday. Nope, nobody has snagged it yet. It's still available. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 20, 2019 15:20:28 GMT -6
I didn't mean it quite like that Brad. Your box is much much more flexible. But the idea of a "tone" box is there in the HG-2 and its all tube based vs yours. Yours does much more than just tone though. Was day dreaming about having your box, the HG-2, and a Fusion. Pretty much have all the major flavors possible at that point. API, Neve, Tube, SSL. All in 6U of gear haha be pretty fun to have at your disposal. It shall all be mine someday... I know what you mean. They are definitely both 2-bus tone boxes. In general I think workflow is highly underrated in gear design. Some boxes enhance workflow and guide you towards the finish line. And some boxes totally impede workflow. They lead you down a path where you realize 30 minutes later all you've done is tweak a bunch of knobs and not made any real progress on your mix even though a slick marketing video made it all seem so great. Simple is often best. Both the HG-2 and the Silver Bullet share a simple set of features designed for maximum sonics. Because I truly believe the Silver Bullet delivers superior transformer tone in a very steamlined workflow that beats the pants off of simply trying to run your mix into a mic preamp or a channel strip (most tend to appreciate this fact once they have the box in front of them and experience it), I'm going to do something I never do. Here's a coupon for $100 of a single B-stock unit. I have one unit available for whomever would like to take advantage: store.louderthanliftoff.com/discount/SILVERBULLETBSTOCK100?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fsilver-bullet-drbills-stereo-tone-ampcheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 20, 2019 14:59:32 GMT -6
Blackdawg - I wouldn't say that the Black Box HG-2 is a tube Silver Bullet. While also designed for the 2-bus, it's entirely it's own thing. Eric Racy is a friend and we've talked about trading our gear with one another. Can't have enough awesome flavors to choose from on your mix bus. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 18, 2019 13:47:23 GMT -6
It's not really similar. Brad Ok. Care to expound? The Silver Bullet claims to put the sound of an API or Neve on a stereo mix by running it through API or Neve like transformers/op amps, which is also what I'm doing. I understand everything about it is not exactly the same, but you're saying it's not even similar? Hi, Maybe I misunderstood your comment. I thought you were presuming that the Silver Bullet was similiar to running through a stereo pair of mic preamps. If I may clarify...what I'm saying is that while there are certainly transformers and discrete op amps / transistor circuitry in the SB, that's not the whole story. There are other proprietary aspects of the designs that help it achieve its mojo and euphonic console-like sound. I should point out that the Mojo Amps themselves are only a portion of what the unit does. The Tone Shaping features are an equally important aspect of the equation that give the box part of its signature tone. Once you experience AIR+VINTAGE it's hard to go back to not using that. And finally, while not sexy in a "this sounds amazing" kind of way, the workflow/routing aspects of the box make it speed up your hybrid workflow rather than slow it down like a summing box would. When you put all that together you have a complete experience that a stereo mic preamp just won't give a user focused on creative results. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 18, 2019 13:14:49 GMT -6
This is probably similar to what the Silver Bullet is doing. Just an alternative idea if you already have some stereo mic pres. It's not really similar. Brad
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Post by BradM on Mar 18, 2019 12:44:41 GMT -6
Thanks so much for all the intriguing and helpful posts guys. It's a hectic day for me today, I won't have time to look into all this further until late this evening or tomorrow morning. Hey Martin, I'm a little late to this party, but I feel Bill has probably made all the points I would have made. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions about the unit, its design, or intended workflow. I'm happy to help however I can. And if you really want a 2-BUS+ I just so happen to have one of those in mint condition I'm selling. So I think I can help you out either way. ragan - if you ever want to try a Silver Bullet firsthand I do offer a 14-day money back guarantee so you'd only be out the cost of shipping the unit two ways. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Feb 24, 2019 11:36:58 GMT -6
Sounds great drbill.I haven't kept up with things. I thought the Silver Bullet was a kind of tape emulation. Now I see it is a preamp. Well, it sure sounds pro to me. Hi Martin, Interesting. Clearly I need to do a better with marketing and explaining the functions of the box. If you don't mind me asking, where did you hear that the SB was a tape emulator? It's primarly a 2-bus tone-shaping Mojo box.... a 2-channel dual personality console if you will, as Bill mentioned. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Feb 24, 2019 11:34:42 GMT -6
Sounds incredible! Am now tempted to sell my TG2 to get one of those pres, the features look very cool. Is the only difference with the black edition the colour? Feel free to give me a call - I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. If you are only interested in the preamp features of the Silver Bullet, a pair of Chromas could be a better fit since there's a little more gain on tap for each "A" and "N" mode. Silver Bullet is definitely more versatile when you consider 2-bus, workflow, and EQ capabilities. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Feb 22, 2019 13:17:11 GMT -6
Know of any 14th century stone churches for sale? Brad
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Post by BradM on Jan 24, 2019 11:48:33 GMT -6
The new Louder Than Liftoff Chopshop plugin is pretty darn good and I like its dial in-ness, so lately I could say that it is my current favourite. Thanks for checking it out! Glad you like it. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Jan 22, 2019 18:03:52 GMT -6
Hi all,
Louder Than Liftoff will have some Chromas and a Silver Bullet powering the mics at the Heiserman Audio booth. I'll be at the show wandering around, but plan to be hanging out at booth 10828 a bit as well. I'd love to meet some of you in person so definitely get in touch before/during the show (just call or text the number on my website).
thanks, Brad
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Post by BradM on Jan 3, 2019 20:48:31 GMT -6
In my experience most business owners treat their customers the way they treat their family and friends. Eric is a class act and a true friend - he's kind, thoughtful, and helpful in real life, and that comes through in the way he treats his customers.
If you are a jerk business owner, there is help for you. Just remember: WWED (What Would Eric Do?)
Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 26, 2018 0:53:02 GMT -6
Definitely an exciting step for the company - and Brad’s designs definitely all seem to rule ( wish I had like 6 more Kush Electras). I’ve been looking at the ltl stuff lately, and I guess I always saw them as sort of anti-software.. This makes sense as a clean utility piece- but something like a silver bullet or chroma just seem paradoxical in plugin format. Thanks for the love, guys (and drsax). I really appreciate it. I'm intrigued by your perception of my company as anti-software. Could you elaborate? I've always viewed my brand as pro-hybrid. It's practically 2020 so I just assume that most of us are integrating hardware and software in some fashion. I've personally been recording to a DAW since 1998. I like to think that my products are purposefully trying to facilitate these types of workflow rather than just creating stuff that simply co-exist. It seems like many companies make tools for ITB workflows, or they make tools for traditional analog workflows. It would be great to see more companies trying to innovate for hybrid studios making the best of both worlds. I'm genuinely curious what you mean by it being paradoxical. cheers, Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 25, 2018 1:21:05 GMT -6
That said, Brad will no doubt get around to doing a variety of direct comparisons on video cause he IS a rocket scientist. I'm pretty sure he's ON IT! Bill, I likely will not be doing that. I partnered with Plugin Alliance so they can focus on the videos and I can focus on designing new gear...like that other top secret thing we were discussing the other day. Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 24, 2018 17:59:25 GMT -6
As someone who believes very strong in HW its hard to believe that you have not AB ed it to the real deal. I love HW too but sometimes some plug ins ca do it too....
I ask myself if this one is in that range too...
I've A/B'd extensively to the hardware over the last year....three different Chop Shop 500 series units be exact. Oh man am I sick of A/B'ing it to the hardware and taking frequency response measurements... As I've said in the past - if it's not good enough to be in my studio it's sure as hell not good enough to be in anyone else's. I'll warn those of you who will inevitably want to compare to the hardware and post A/B clips. The plugin was tweaked to emulate the average response of two specific golden units from the very first run that I have in my possession. Each and every hardware unit has a slightly different response due to the tolerance of potentiometers and capacitors especially. The "schematic" we built the plugin from takes some of these tolerances into account. The plugin sits perfectly in-family with those two golden units. I was actually really surprised how difficult it was for me to distinguish the plugin from the hardware especially in the mix. I think you guys be stoked. It feels like a Chop Shop. Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 24, 2018 17:22:55 GMT -6
Merry Christmas, all! Stay tuned tomorrow....
Brad
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Post by BradM on Dec 22, 2018 12:39:35 GMT -6
That sounds exciting, Eric! It's good to know that you've gone the extra mile to make these preamps as sweet as the originals. I love supporting companies that have this level of attention to detail. Can't wait to get mine and use it on a session I have planned for the coming months.
Happy holidays, Brad
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