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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 19, 2017 13:10:18 GMT -6
Two realizations I have had through this whole experience...
Tubes do a masterful job handling transients, which has the affect of allowing a source to maintain brightness without, what some might describe as, "graininess" or "gritty" high frequencies. Now, that might not be what is needed for a particular source, but it is a characteristic I have found to be useful for vocals, some acoustic instruments (particularly fiddle and mandolin), bass, etc.
The other thing is how this transient-smoothing characteristic affects the signal in terms of dynamic limiting. If you're grabbing for a compresser/limiter anyway, which is to decrease transient peaks, why not try starting with a tube pre on the front end. It will have a very natural and "musical" limiting sound.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 19, 2017 13:00:07 GMT -6
That's some sexy shit right there. That recording has got me HOT AND BOTHERED. Fantastic. Might be the first time a Christmas gospel song has caused anyone to be "hot and bothered." Tubes will do that to a man!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 18, 2017 20:57:44 GMT -6
87s have a really present and forward upper midrange. As they say, sometimes it's the perfect vocal mic for a singer. Sometimes it's not.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 18, 2017 19:03:00 GMT -6
An entire year of research and design led to the product you see here. It would have been selfish to build just one for myself, so I am offering a (very) limited run of this two-channel tube preamp. It is available to anyone who wants a classic transformer balanced tube preamp, with high quality components and useful features, at a reasonable price. The DB Vacuum Tube Microphone Preamplifier is a classic transformer balanced tube microphone preamp with instrument DI. Features 63 dB of selectable gain, +48V Phantom Power, -20 dB PAD, phase reverse, and two custom switchable low shelf filters. The circuit includes special components such as Jensen transformers, paper-in-oil coupling capacitors, stepped gain attenuators, and NOS General Electric and Telefunken tubes from the 1960s. The preamp’s key components are not easily found in modern production models. I tested numerous combinations of transformers, tubes, and coupling capacitors before deciding on the final tonal characteristics that sounded best to me. Matched pairs of 1960s new-old-stock General Electric and Telefunken tubes meet or exceed published specifications of transconductance. The GE 5-Star 6072a is legendary for its larger-than-life 3D quality, while the Telefunken contributes its hi-fi soundstage, tight bass, and neutral highs. Jensen has led in transformer research for decades. Their JT115k input transformer is designed for the highest practical 1:10 step-up ratio within their company’s design tolerances. This is a perfect transformer for a tube preamp. Glass-sealed Russian paper-in-oil and Teflon bypass capacitors are used for coupling following tube gain stages. Polypropylene film and electrolytic caps are used elsewhere in the audio and PSU circuits. High quality stepped-gain rotary switches are used instead of potentiometers for repeatable gain selection and to help maintain signal integrity. Features• 63 dB Gain • XLR Inputs/Outputs • 1/4" Instrument Input • -20 dB PAD • +48V Phantom Power • Ø Polarity Switch • Low Shelving Filters • Rear Panel Grounding Lug • 120 VAC IEC Fused Power Carefully-Selected Components• Jensen Input Transformers • Edcor Output Transformers • NOS General Electric 6072a • NOS Telefunken ECC82 • Paper-in-Oil Coupling Capacitors • Teflon Bypass Capacitors • Stepped Attenuators • DC Heater Supply • Toroidal Power Transformer • Turret Board Construction Specifications• 20Hz-20kHz (+/- 0.2 dB) • Noise EIN: -120dB (+/- 4 dB) • Input Impedance 1.5k ohms • Output Balanced 600 ohms • Low Shelf POS 1: Flat • Low Shelf POS 2: -3dB at 75Hz • Low Shelf POS 3: -3dB at 275Hz • Dim (3U): 19" W x 5.25" H x 11" D • Weight: 18.2 lb This unit is being offered at an introductory price of only $1,999.99 USD.
[SPECIAL OFFER] Make a $1,000 DOWN PAYMENT today, and pay the remaining balance in a few weeks prior to shipping.
Visit dansmusiconline.com/pro-audio for more info and to place an order. Allow 4-6 weeks for build and delivery.Hear the cumulative tone of the DB Vacuum Tube Microphone Preamplifier used on all tracks of the upcoming Christmas single Welcome Christ the Lord (Daysight Music, BMI. 2017)
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 17, 2017 19:09:29 GMT -6
Here is (yet another) audio sample of my tube pre used on all sources. This original song will be released this holiday season.
One amazing thing about this preamp is how smooth the high end is. You can easily add sparkle up top without ever sounding grainy or harsh.
Recording screen capture and signal chain details are provided in the vid.
Enjoy this old-time, four-part vocal bluegrass Christmas number!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 6, 2017 17:01:23 GMT -6
Having the capsules side by side makes for a better comparison than one on top of the other for vocals. There's greater sonic change up and down than left to right with a vocal.
Would like to hear it redone side by side before forming any opinion.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 25, 2017 23:45:07 GMT -6
I said that the Jensen transformers are more expensive and that Locomotive is saving a few dollars using Cinemag. That statement was not to reflect on the quality, just the price.
Thanks for the encouragement. Ian definitely helped me in figuring out a new PSU design and gave me some pointers on the audio side too. Those guys at GroupDIY have many lifetimes of experience.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 25, 2017 6:51:27 GMT -6
Wow that’s more than the locomtove audio tube pre I am looking at ..neither seem to offer line level capabilities without adding step down transformers ... Good luck with your product! Build quality looks great Use one of these if you want to reamp a line level signal through a tube preamp. www.diyrecordingequipment.com/products/l2p
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 25, 2017 6:36:53 GMT -6
Yes, price doesn't always equate to being better, but I've tested and selected the componets based on tonality. I'm using NOS GE and Telefunken tubes after trying Electro Harmonix, Mazda, RCA, and cheaper varients of GE. I may be offering a cheaper option with the 12au7, because the Telefunken ($100 each) and RCA ($25 each) both sound very good in different ways.
The Jensen input transformer ($90 after shipping) is critical to the tone. The Edcor output ($10) is less critical, so I can save some money there.
At any rate, I'm not going into business with these. I just want to sell a handful so others can enjoy the tone it adds to their recordings. That will justify the year of design put into it and help me fund my hobby.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 24, 2017 11:11:48 GMT -6
That Locomotive preamp looks really cool. First I have heard of it.
The designs are a bit different though. They're saving some money using Cinemag transformers and new production tubes.
But that's pretty sweet.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 24, 2017 10:44:21 GMT -6
They will be $2,500 with just a $1,000 down payment to start. Not ready to sell quite yet, but I'll buy an ad on the site when I am.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 23, 2017 20:29:17 GMT -6
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 22, 2017 21:52:12 GMT -6
Hourly. Cut and dry. No surprises.
Hourly forever.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 19, 2017 15:06:58 GMT -6
Charging by the hour also changes the dynamic of the session. Everyone is eager to get down to business. Doesn't mean that you cut corners either.
And the artists tend to respect the fee structure because everything is clear up front. No assumptions.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 18, 2017 16:12:18 GMT -6
I talk with the clients upfront and tell them what is my hourly charge. I then keep a spreadsheet with the work I have done (tracking, editing, mixing, etc.) and the amount of time rounded to the nearest 15 minutes.
Then you present them with a quality project and they come back again.
Way better than everyone getting in over their head.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Sept 18, 2017 8:17:52 GMT -6
Charge by the hour, not by the project.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 22, 2017 8:15:43 GMT -6
I shot this pic in Baxter, TN. Experiencing totality was something I'll never forget.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 20:32:01 GMT -6
Your DB is truely sensational and is just plain aural lucsiousness. The Hairball sounded great too though a distant second, the Grace in this instance perhaps a tad overly revealing. When you finally let loose this beast upon the world, I do believe it is going to make a positive creative impact with folks with the ears to hear it and the inner eye to understand the wisdom of placing this preamp within the context of their audio chain. Thanks for sharing. You, my friend, are a wordsmith!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 16:30:48 GMT -6
Hey guys,
This is my second Mac Pro, after exchanging the first one, so I know it must be a software issue.
My computer will work just fine, then after playing an undetermined amount of music or video (can be in Pro Tools, iTunes, iMovie, YouTube, doesn't matter) the video and audio players simply freeze up and won't load. The computer bogs down like crazy.
I just did a system drive delete and fresh install of Sierra. Here are the items I have installed up until the issue started happening again.
Metric Halo Console Microsoft Office PT 12 Auto-Tune 8 Waves Central and Plugins (Then it started acting funky)
Has anyone experienced a similar situation? I'm beginning to suspect Waves Central.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 6:37:28 GMT -6
The Lola was nice, but off the bat, yours and the Grace were the top two for me; both flattered your voice, especially on the high notes, and I have to say I think yours (padded) beautifully thread the needle in the color vs. open and transparent department. Really nicely done all around. Thanks for this Dan. Are you going to be producing the DB for sale? Thanks for the thoughtful response. Having lived with these files for a few days, I agree that the tube preamp with the padded input is quite special. I have 10 cases and will be selling them for $2,500. Once they're gone, they're gone.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 1:20:36 GMT -6
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 1:19:56 GMT -6
Another video - food for thought.
Comparing my tube preamp and its low shelf filters to API, Grace, and Hairball Audio Lola. This video demonstrates an ensemble recorded with each type of preamp using a pair of the venerable AKG 414s on guitar, Shure KSM44 on upright bass, and Flea 47 on vocals. Comments are welcome.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 20, 2017 0:40:16 GMT -6
I did the "CJ Mod" to my ptp La2a the other night. Swapped out the 12ax7 for a GE 12ay7 and changed the plate resistors from 220k to 100k. Also, added a small bypass cap to C4 which helped straighten out the standard 10k dip in frequency response. It's just about flat in frequency response now.
Sounds less woolly in the midrange. Love it!
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 13, 2017 5:31:05 GMT -6
Let me be the devil's advocate for a minute. I had a mix engineer one time who wouldn't turn down the dang reverb. He would send me a mix and ask for input. "Everything sounds great, but we need way less verb." Second mix, "Yeah man, sounds like the reverb is still the way it was before. Be sure to dial it back." Third mix, engineer says, "I know you said you want less reverb, but you hired me to put my stamp on this mix."
Me..."Turn down the $!&@/ reverb!!!"
Never worked with him again.
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 12, 2017 22:36:14 GMT -6
I either charge by the hour or do it for free. Anything in between and they are less likely to appreciate it.
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