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Post by mikec on Jun 30, 2020 16:07:05 GMT -6
Used some coupons and picked up the UAD Capitol Chambers and 175B/176 plugins before the sale ends tonight. For singer songwriter stuff both of these plugins are really great. I love the 175B on Vocals.
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Post by mikec on Jun 15, 2020 8:24:58 GMT -6
That Helios theme for Luna is one of the best ones yet. I've been looking at these but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
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Post by mikec on Jun 11, 2020 12:24:14 GMT -6
I’m loving Luna and have pretty much switched to it exclusively. The aesthetics and workflow just work for me. If I need to do anything outside of it, I just export the file, edit it in studio one and import it back. Even though I moved away from Pro Tools after over 15 years of using it, I never really bonded with any other DAWs until I tried Luna. It’s nice that they just added auto scroll. I also like that my owned UAD plugins are now separated from all UAD plugins.
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Post by mikec on Jun 9, 2020 14:29:16 GMT -6
I know it's a lot of money, but after a few weeks with the new Mac Pro I have no regrets or buyers remorse. The computer and my interface get more use than anything else in my studio so I would sell the gear I sold all over again to buy it. I love being able to just mix as I go if I want to without having to delete or inactivate any plugins when I am tracking. I know it doesn't do anything to impact sound or quality of recordings, but it is just a pleasure to use and not think about overloading my CPU and having to freeze or inactivate tracks when I am working on things. My quad core i7 mini served me well, but the Mac Pro is a whole other universe. And I would expect no less for that kind of money! Seriously though, that's very cool. And I agree that there is peace of mind having a computer be invisible, so to speak. It's just there, doing it's job, and you don't even think about it. That's what I want. I get so frustrated firing up the studio only to have that fan start revving up. Takes the wind out of my sails. A Mac Pro would be some serious overkill for me. I think I'd end up just as well with a new iMac for half the price. For my needs, anyways. Now, if I can hold on for long enough, and hope that Apple comes through... I think you summed it up better than I did, because you are correct, the computer has become invisible and everything just works, and it is right next to my recording desk and it is silent.
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Post by mikec on Jun 9, 2020 10:47:24 GMT -6
I know it's a lot of money, but after a few weeks with the new Mac Pro I have no regrets or buyers remorse. The computer and my interface get more use than anything else in my studio so I would sell the gear I sold all over again to buy it. I love being able to just mix as I go if I want to without having to delete or inactivate any plugins when I am tracking. I know it doesn't do anything to impact sound or quality of recordings, but it is just a pleasure to use and not think about overloading my CPU and having to freeze or inactivate tracks when I am working on things. My quad core i7 mini served me well, but the Mac Pro is a whole other universe.
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Post by mikec on Jun 5, 2020 9:19:47 GMT -6
I used a Memorial Day coupon and picked up an Apollo X4. It interfaced easily via optical ADAT to my Symphony MKII so I can use the preamps in the X4 and I also have 8 channels of preamps and other hardware running through the Symphony and back into the x4. I'm impressed with the X4 so far and really love working in Luna. I think I finally found my replacement for Pro Tools. Anything I can't do in Luna, like use Revoice Pro, I just export the files and do my edits in Studio One then import back into Luna. So far I'm not missing much.
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Post by mikec on Jun 4, 2020 7:45:58 GMT -6
Anyone compared this to Revoice Pro 4? I have Melodyne Studio 4 but after getting Revoice Pro about a year ago I've not used Melodyne. This new version may be worth a try.
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Post by mikec on May 25, 2020 12:53:24 GMT -6
After putting money aside since this thing was just a rumor and selling a Beard Square neck and Collings Mandolin I rarely played, I was able to fund this beast to replace my i7 quad core mac mini. The 10% veteran's discount and 3% back on the apple card didn't hurt either. Curious to hear your thoughts after you put it through the paces. My 2009 got a new lease of life a few years ago with the processor upgrade but again is starting to groan with some sessions. I know it's inevitable I'll have to get one eventually... probably be posting more in the 'What Gear Did You Let Go' thread to make it happen. I know what you mean about letting some gear go to make it happen. The Beard and Collings I sold just about covered it. This thing is a beast. I got the 16 core and left the ram stock for now but will upgrade that latter. So far it is pretty amazing compared to my quad core i7 mac mini. I still have the mac mini set up for comparison and I am already frustrated on how long it takes the mini to respond compared to the mac pro. I just finished doing a clean install of everything I need and started recording some guitars and vocals. Tracking with a 32 buffer in Studio One 4.5 with plugins inserted on the vocal and guitar, superior drummer, and sends to reverb and delay, the processor barely registers at around 9% CPU. The other thing that amazes me is how silent it is. Places where the fan on the mini would run like crazy, the pro is virtually silent. I have to put my ear right next to it to hear if it is even running.
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Post by mikec on May 24, 2020 13:53:44 GMT -6
After putting money aside since this thing was just a rumor and selling a Beard Square neck and Collings Mandolin I rarely played, I was able to fund this beast to replace my i7 quad core mac mini. The 10% veteran's discount and 3% back on the apple card didn't hurt either.
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Post by mikec on May 19, 2020 11:22:06 GMT -6
Thanks to everyone for the tips. I've been running Catalina on my Mac mini for a while now and so far have had no problems with any software or external drives. Based on the feedback I think I will back up the Mac mini with time machine so I have everything in case I need it and then just do a clean install on the new computer. I like the idea of not putting things on it that have accumulated on the mini over the past 8 years that I never use anyway. I think I will just take my time and enjoy the process. In addition to the wine and popcorn, might I recommend firing up Cool Hand Luke in the background? Just in case, you know, there's a failure to communicate? Living here in the mountains of Durango, CO with 12mbps download speed I may need a few more movies and bottles of wine (or good Kentucky Bourbon) to really relax and enjoy the process. Just glad I already have all my drum and keyboard samples on an external drive.
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Post by mikec on May 19, 2020 6:39:45 GMT -6
Thanks to everyone for the tips. I've been running Catalina on my Mac mini for a while now and so far have had no problems with any software or external drives. Based on the feedback I think I will back up the Mac mini with time machine so I have everything in case I need it and then just do a clean install on the new computer. I like the idea of not putting things on it that have accumulated on the mini over the past 8 years that I never use anyway. I think I will just take my time and enjoy the process.
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Post by mikec on May 18, 2020 16:32:38 GMT -6
I play around with Logic some so I can stay familiar with it, but after 18 years using Pro Tools, I've pretty much switched to Studio One. It has been rock solid for me on a Mac. I really like Mixbus 32c for mixing, but my old Mac mini doesn't handle tracking on it too well due to the CPU usage. I can easily use a 64 buffer on Studio One, but the best I can manage on Mixbus is 128. Hoping that will change with the new computer that's coming.
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Post by mikec on May 18, 2020 16:27:21 GMT -6
Anyone transferred over to a new Mac from an older one recently. I've been using the same quad core i7 Mac mini since late 2012 but pulled the trigger on a new 16 core Mac Pro that will be here the end of the month. Now I'm trying to decide how to get all the plugins, software licenses, etc, etc, over to the new computer with the least amount of trouble. I keep my Mac mini pretty clean and record everything onto external drives along with having all my samples from things like superior drummer and Komplete Kontrol on an external drive, so that should save some time. Just looking for any advice from anyone that has done this recently.
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Post by mikec on May 12, 2020 11:37:14 GMT -6
Having Logic remote on the iPhone is pretty cool. I like to use the remote app frequently when tracking.
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Post by mikec on May 7, 2020 8:31:07 GMT -6
Stam was very fast to process my refunds last year. I was charged PayPal fees on the refund, but I got most of it back.
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Post by mikec on May 6, 2020 6:50:31 GMT -6
Just checked here in Colorado at 6:50am mountain time and it loads fine for me.
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Post by mikec on Apr 13, 2020 14:00:59 GMT -6
Very tempted to get one of the new Mac Pros that are in the Apple refurbished store. They have a full one year warranty and they are discounted about 15%.
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Post by mikec on Apr 10, 2020 15:15:08 GMT -6
Elixir 10s or 11s depending on which Tele I am playing.
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Post by mikec on Apr 10, 2020 10:39:42 GMT -6
I would place zero stock in anything Tillerson said given all the cover ups and lies from Exxon over the years.
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Post by mikec on Apr 8, 2020 12:13:52 GMT -6
I think it is great that UA is offering the basic Luna for free and hope that it develops into a mature Daw. In Luna's current state it doesn't entice me to leave my Apogee Symphony MKII and jump to an Apollo interface, but I am a UA fan having the OX (which I love), an Octo satellite, a Quad satellite, and 44 registered UA plugins, so I would not rule out making a switch in the future as things further develop.
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Post by mikec on Apr 2, 2020 8:54:08 GMT -6
I have the Sonarworks calibrated HD 650s and I've been really happy with them.
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Post by mikec on Mar 29, 2020 13:45:10 GMT -6
I’m thinking I might just sell a few pieces of gear that don’t get used that often and bite the bullet and order a new Mac Pro.
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Post by mikec on Mar 27, 2020 11:11:18 GMT -6
I have a 2012 quad core i7 Mac mini and was using a Samsung 34 inch computer monitor. It is nice, but I wanted something larger so I went with a 50 inch Samsung 4k TV. I love it so far. The resolution is great, I don't have any video lag and its easy to see from all over the room. I mounted it with a Kanto PMX 700 mount that extends up to 31 inches and swivels in multiple directions so it makes it easy to get it exactly where I want it. I was impressed that I could finally see the numbers on all of the eq knobs in Mixbus 32c.
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Post by mikec on Mar 14, 2020 9:35:01 GMT -6
I use Music Production Suite 3 on every mix. From Neutron 3 to Ozone 9 and the insight metering plugin get used extensively. You could easily do an entire mix with nothing but this bundle.
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Post by mikec on Mar 10, 2020 12:19:57 GMT -6
If the Retro 500 pre is anything like the preamp in my Retro Powerstrips it must be pretty awesome. I've had a lot of gear come and go, but the Powerstrips have been my constant go and have outlasted other gear. I started with one, then sold it so I could get a matched pair. Almost makes me want to add the 500 pre as an addition.
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