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Post by illacov on Oct 8, 2016 5:55:54 GMT -6
I'm curious about this. I have a Studer A800 MKIII 24 track machine, but it's quite expensive (and cranky) to maintain and feed with tape. I'm wondering how this sim box compares to the real thing and what the cost might be for 8-12 channels. I would, of course, be using it between the mic pre (or console) and converter, as I'm convincinced that recording digitally before going to tape loses something. Greetings John! We based our HiFi tape core on our freshly refurbed and calibrated Studer A810. There will be two versions of the rack and the 8 channel Zulu. Standard and Deluxe edition. Standard versions will be full passive like the Zulu we are releasing next month. Deluxe versions will feature added active circuitry such as a boost circuit, EQ bass and treble boosts and transformer balanced makeup gain stage. The fully passive options can still be utilized in the deluxe versions, but these added features can prove extremely useful to an engineer during tracking, mixing or mastering. Cost is TBD currently but we're aiming for an 8 channel active solution that will street below 3k. Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Oct 7, 2016 18:22:13 GMT -6
Greetings all! We have great news, but it requires our dedicated supporters to offer a few more week's time of their patience.
Originally Zulu utilized Triad transformers as part of its innovative design. These transformers were selected for their tone and behavior in our circuit. However they were an off the shelf part and so anybody could purchase them or in recent times exhaust their supply.
Recently there was a mass shortage of these transformers and it put us in a bad spot to release Zulu this year, mainly because there would not be any transformers available for us to purchase until January 2017. Our unfortunate news led us to seek another winder who could develop a suitable transformer for us and deliver the exquisite tape textures and tones that make Zulu the platform that it is. While the transformers are not the core of the sound of Zulu, they do play an important role in the systematic interaction of all the components involved.
So here is the good news, we have contracted a very highly respected transformer company here in the USA who can not only make us a better quality product, but can also meet our inventory needs. We have contracted them and they are winding our iron as we speak. To maintain confidentiality, we have decided to keep their identity a part of the secret sauce. I will disclose that they have a long history of making audio transformers and their work is found in many pieces of gear in many respected and admired engineers studios around the world.
This change has impacted our production cost and the retail cost of Zulu. However the pre order price will still remain at $400, but once the promotion ends, the full street price will be $750 USD. Due to the expense of this new American Iron, we have to limit the number of pre order units we can supply. The total number of units assigned will be 250 units. If you have already pre ordered then your unit is reserved and you have no worrries. Regarding a confirmation email for pre-orders, I am very sensitive to retransmitting private information back and forth several times. Our pre-order form is done via a secure server and all data is compiled in my database. In reference to this thread, I have seen every recent pre order come thru into my database and inbox. When our inventory is confirmed before shipment all pre order folk will receive an email and when our inventory arrives, we will send out paypal invoices at the emails provided along with the cost of shipping to the provided address.
This has been an exceptionally educational process for us but also extremely exciting! Zulu will be in the hands of many excited users and power users, it will contain all high quality components and present incredible results to all who use it. All made here in the USA. PS its looking like early November, it depends on how soon the iron gets in our hands!
One thing I'd like to highlight about our production process is our attention to detail regarding shielding from RF and other EMI. We've designed a very sturdy 18 gauge steel case with excellent rejection and protection for Zulu's contents.
We also for several reasons, utilized military grade expoxy potting during assembly to protect Zulu's circuit board and components from moisture, to offer another level of shielding and protection from shock.
Thanks
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Post by illacov on Sept 26, 2016 17:20:54 GMT -6
Once our cases arrive, there will be updated images and impending shipments of Zulus! Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 26, 2016 16:40:40 GMT -6
What Wiz said. And to clarify my erasing the line and limitation. I've taken what was a sound working platform and principle for nearly 70 years and effectively in my opinion mirrored its usefulness while eliminating its handicaps. Workflow, no because the ergonomic rules of the medium arent part of the Zulu experience, but the sonics is what I've always missed about tape the most. In addition to that, because theres no latency involved with Zulu during tracking, you and the musicians/band members can hear the performance on tape as its happening, sans latency/delay. Thats a big line to deal with when a person tries to go from an all digital world to one that includes an analog tape deck, analog tape and a finite amount of recording time. By eliminating the latency and the limitations or hang ups (in the modern context) of the format, its far easier to get into using the sound of tape with Zulu than it would be with a vintage tape machine. I recall it being mentioned numerous times in various conversations how until you pushed play, you didn't know how your recordings sounded. For me this was definitely true as well. But now theres no guessing and Ive designed this thing to be as accurate as possible to the decks allocated. Regarding using different decks for reference points, everybody has their favorite deck. Me I'm confident that if you get me in a room with a machine, plus it being a given that its in optimum condition, then I can develop a damn good preset for Zulu that can give you a healthy dose of what that deck provides. That being stated before you wish for another deck in Zulu, you really ought to listen to what the core machines in Zulu can do, especially when you consider we built Zulu to expand far beyond what those 3 devices are capable of and any other particular deck. Of course they can nail their sound, but there's many other machine possibilities hiding in Zulu.
Thats why the online community preset archive will be awesome, if we all participate. I'm working to have a printable template (for your records) right alongside an online preset submission form that mimicks a real Zulu that users can share with everyone. Id love to see what producer X and user Y post online versus chart topping mix engineer Z.
Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 26, 2016 13:40:38 GMT -6
Since we are out of electronics design and into cases (BTW we've had the artwork for the box done for over a year now), we have set the last week of October as our first round of offers for purchase (based strictly on the pre-order list), once that list is exhausted its onto general sales. I would hate to go the other way round and sell off a ton of units only to make my pre-order folks wait.
Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 26, 2016 13:36:39 GMT -6
That sets the bar pretty high langston..... Like Mt. Everest high. Look forward to trying one someday.... Mt. Everest high would be to say I'm releasing a new reel to reel tape machine and the tape and the in house tech to baby sit the deck for every session you book on it LOL Zulu won't do much for a guy with loads of great session material on tape and he needs to hear it again or transfer it. You'll still need a real tape machine for that! And to be honest, I look forward to bringing Zulu to you in person/meeting up with you sometime out your way, sharing a cup of coffee or a beer and showing you Zulu, (I have always been extremely curious to check out the Silver Bullet as well!) And then the conversation will end with more coffee or a beer. Either you'll love or hate Zulu and you will get free coffee and beer. Now that's something to look forward to! Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 26, 2016 8:45:22 GMT -6
FYI we are finalizing our case designs and then our production run begins!
We made one last minute change (AGAIN YOU SAY!) to the CAL switch on Zulu. Previously the Ultra HIFI capabilities of MX mode were only possible by connecting Zulu to a microphone preamp. We have now made it where the CAL switch modes (TK and MX) will work in both line level to level applications (so DA output to AD input) and when Zulu is coupled with a microphone preamp. This means you can use both the ultra tapey tones possible in TK mode, along with the extra clarity, excitement and increased headroom of MX mode, no matter how you have Zulu connected. Our new full recall format is truly awesome and right before we closed the door on our analog design, we did a last minute sudden death match with our Studer A810 here and I'm beyond happy to offer recording engineers and producers the chance to use a satisfying and effective alternative to analog tape which will work for not only mixing/mastering but also tracking. I hope this contribution I'm making to the music industry will help ease the pain of those people who want to seriously adopt (again or for the first time) the joys of analog tape but without the fuss.
One of the last observations we made when shooting out Zulu to our Studer was the super round compression that happens in the low mids is just gorgeous, coupled with the energy you gain from going to tape, its just such a happy feeling to gain that as a medium when you're building a record. And we made completely certain that when you switch back and forth between Zulu and the real deck that you don't miss an ounce of that. It seriously makes you feel more like an artist and less of a technician when your sounds interact with a sonic canvass. That's a working principle that helped me to develop my chops as a youngin' and as a young adult. I lost that working platform when tape was no longer a realistic option and everything became about hard drives and RAM, software and images on a screen. Its like we all had to move away from listening to music we made on speakers to becoming competent forensic criminologists who decipher records!
I hate to lay it on thick, but this device truly inspires me to write music and to record, more so than any plugin, piece of gear (short of a reel to reel machine) or room ever has. I don't feel as much like the computer has its grip on the noise I generate. It's like my production style has legs again; when I try to do what I think is aesthetically pleasing to my creative ears, digital as a medium has always required me to overwork on my sounds and it interrupts the creative process for me. On previous records, I've always resorted to dumping tracks to a multi-track machine and laying them back to digital, which always sounded far better to me than the dry sound...But its still not the same as having tape be that integral part of your production process, its different when tape is there at the start vs when it becomes a post facto option. Zulu is going to erase that line and that limitation.
Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 9, 2016 7:16:03 GMT -6
Ahh I see what you're referring to.
The desktop version is still the first release format for Zulu. The rackmount is still in development. It will offer a very different feature set including metering, active pre and post gain amplifier stages plus an active EQ. The pricepoint for this version will be reflective of that. Of course the same passive Tape Opamp technology will be at the heart of Zulu R as the desktop Zulu. Zulu M is in development as well.
We appreciate your patience, every delay has offered us a great new innovation, but also a longer wait for our supporters. Our final case design is our last hurdle and we are expediting that process as quickly as we can. Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Sept 8, 2016 16:31:38 GMT -6
We are looking at late September to do full production model in studio demos and a 10/2016 release window. To give a quick recap of our improvements and feature set: - Zulu features 4 controls. Deck which selects your machine of choice, LOFI, PROFI and HIFI plus *See below. Bias which controls your emphasis curves and *see below. Enhance which blends in dry signal pre tape, but via sweetened post input electronics with an added high end emphasis circuit. Headroom which controls the behavior of your tape formula in conjunction with your machine. - Zulu is now a platform offering full recall of its settings via 3, 4, 11 and 12 discrete position rotary switches. - We have added 2 additional settings. The Deck control has 1 new position called Elec which is short for Electronics. This position emulates monitoring a tape machine on input, where you bypass hearing the tape itself. We think there a great many folks who would enjoy this position very much, especially mastering engineers! So we added it.
The second change was made to Bias. We added a position called O which is short for Open, this bypasses the passive emphasis circuitry, which in turn impacts the tape saturation, tape compression and overall sonic patina of Zulu, so consider that added as well! As a quick reminder the promotional price for Zulu will be $400 for a limited time only and once that period ends, the price will increase to $700. Thanks for your interest in Zulu and please be sure to visit our website if you need to pre-order Zulu! -L. I've got a little GAS for this! What's it look like now that it's 19" rack format (a great move). Got a pic? Who mentioned a 19" rack mount version? -L
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Post by illacov on Sept 6, 2016 20:21:40 GMT -6
We are looking at late September to do full production model in studio demos and a 10/2016 release window. To give a quick recap of our improvements and feature set: - Zulu features 4 controls. Deck which selects your machine of choice, LOFI, PROFI and HIFI plus *See below. Bias which controls your emphasis curves and *see below. Enhance which blends in dry signal pre tape, but via sweetened post input electronics with an added high end emphasis circuit. Headroom which controls the behavior of your tape formula in conjunction with your machine. - Zulu is now a platform offering full recall of its settings via 3, 4, 11 and 12 discrete position rotary switches. - We have added 2 additional settings. The Deck control has 1 new position called Elec which is short for Electronics. This position emulates monitoring a tape machine on input, where you bypass hearing the tape itself. We think there a great many folks who would enjoy this position very much, especially mastering engineers! So we added it.
The second change was made to Bias. We added a position called O which is short for Open, this bypasses the passive emphasis circuitry, which in turn impacts the tape saturation, tape compression and overall sonic patina of Zulu, so consider that added as well! As a quick reminder the promotional price for Zulu will be $400 for a limited time only and once that period ends, the price will increase to $700. Thanks for your interest in Zulu and please be sure to visit our website if you need to pre-order Zulu! -L.
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Post by illacov on Aug 29, 2016 19:26:40 GMT -6
Seeing as how the 1176 was on top of the Avalon which has an optical compressor I'm going to venture that its replicating the LA chain which is 1073 > 1176 > LA2A but in this case 1073 > 1176 > 737 compressor. So my vote is a 1073. Bryce was known for doing some really great work regarding the 1073 in the past. I'm sure if its a 1073 it will be nothing short of phenomenal. And of course if you park a Zulu at the end you've got a great Warm N Fuzzy bundle -L Definitely not an 1176 on top of the Avalon Sure ain't! Whoops! I'm still wagering for a kick butt Neve 1073 inspired design. Bryce is a bad ass mofo when it comes to those things. I've been salivating for one of those for YEARS from him. I'm talking way back in the early early WA12 days of Warm. Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Aug 28, 2016 19:42:48 GMT -6
Please enjoy our new product demonstration video featuring Handsome Audio Zulu (Set to TK mode). Featuring musicians Kyle Esposito on bass and Manuel Quintana on drums. Thanks -L.
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Post by illacov on Aug 28, 2016 19:26:59 GMT -6
Seeing as how the 1176 was on top of the Avalon which has an optical compressor I'm going to venture that its replicating the LA chain which is 1073 > 1176 > LA2A but in this case 1073 > 1176 > 737 compressor. So my vote is a 1073. Bryce was known for doing some really great work regarding the 1073 in the past. I'm sure if its a 1073 it will be nothing short of phenomenal. And of course if you park a Zulu at the end you've got a great Warm N Fuzzy bundle -L
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Post by illacov on Aug 6, 2016 22:53:57 GMT -6
Well there is the concept that audio running through an opamp based signal path out of your converters (usually 50 to 250 ohms) into an EQ or compressor for that matter is going to interact differently than say the transformer coupled output of a microphone preamplifier that's spitting out in this case say 600 ohms. Transformers interacting with each other is a real phenomenon. Once you convert that signal to digital and then back out to analog, you've also eliminated that potential for interaction. Even though quality conversion may appear to be transparent to the clarity of the signal, by nature of design it won't be a non factor in said signal behavior once AD/DA is added into the equation.
Try the following, run a signal from the DA of your computer into a tasty mic preamp that has a DI or use a DI box to get into a mic preamp via the mic input. Now patch that to your analog tubey transformery EQ or compressor etc.... Make it sound good. Note how you accomplished said result. Remove the compressor or EQ, if your level's allow or if you have a transparent way to attenuate the signal (YMMV) print the signal post mic preamp. Now send that new signal back out into the compressor/EQ via your DA. Sound the same? Found this out long ago, once its in the computer, the rules change and your results change. If you want to interface with certain types of equipment you have to make a signal live again. Those extra harmonics count. This is why I've been very busy in the R&D department, documenting all the fun ways to make those dead digital signals live again without patching in a ton of widgets and instead maybe just one.
-L
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Post by illacov on Aug 1, 2016 14:53:10 GMT -6
Greetings again!
We have run many rigorous field tests with Zulu and got lots of positive feedback and large requests for better recallability. So we've switched over to a set of controls done with high precision for full recall without issue. We've also begun adapting our platform to exist in both desktop AND rackmount form. Thanks again for your interest and patience. We continue to get closer and closer to our final goals and we will be immediately everywhere and anywhere we can once we are ready to contact our pre register folks and the general public.
Thanks
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Post by illacov on May 16, 2016 9:18:03 GMT -6
I'm interested in trying this before mic preamps when tracking. I have two Alice mic-amp-paks and Tascam UH-7000 interface which has preamps also. Alice gets this cool midrange I prefer though. Nice for electric guitar sounds. With Zulu I imagine getting faster to a finished sound. I loved the soundcloud clips. Go Handsome Audio! Zulu is not a microphone preamplifier. It would work AFTER a mic preamp for certain. Just like a ribbon microphone, it is not recommended to run phantom power through Zulu or it will malfunction. I'm curious (now that you mention it) what would happen if you plugged in a dynamic like an SM57 with a mic preamp following Zulu in MX mode. BTW we have just concluded a very successful demo session with a Grammy winning record producer and engineer who is truly digging Zulu's vibe and performance. Our test involved shooting Zulu out against an Otari MTR90 running +9 tape on an awesome indie rock avant garde mix. The Otari print had a very obvious and cool sounding midrange, sweet top end, along with some really awesome compression on the mixes overall bass (all attributed to the deck). By setting Zulu to TK mode, Tape formula HiFi (Studer) putting the Enhance knob at 100%, placing Bias at either 100% Bright or Dark, and Headroom set to LoFi (lowest headroom), we accomplished extremely pleasing (to our ears and to the producer's) results, that showcased a compressed low end, sweet midrange and highs, but sans tape hiss. We are continuing to build a database of endorsee super users and regular Joes (like me!!) who completely love and are ready to begin using Zulu in their everyday sessions and productions. The biggest revelation about Zulu as a working platform has to be that you do way less to your mixes, you don't need as many tricks or special secret moves to accomplish tones and texture, it truly removes that implicit "need," that we've developed on DAWs. Basic nuts and bolts tools sound completely different through analog tape and the same is true for Zulu. One of my biggest observations is the following. No matter what system I'm on, regardless of how good the converters are (whatever sample rate you use) or the room or the equipment, the minute you get an amazing sound and you hit record (to digital), the harmonics and energy changes. It makes the work you invested seem like it never happened. By printing that mix to a Studer or any other high quality machine, that additional bit of harmonic depth and compression, brings ALOT of that energy back to my ears. When I invented Zulu, I was seeking the return of that information, much like I would from tape, along with the tone shaping abilities you can get from driving the electronics and the tape itself into saturation and compression. However once you dwell into the world of circuit bending and analog modeling, you get to break some rules. First off, since there's no physical delay between the input and output signal, you can monitor through Zulu as you track and produce with no latency. Our endorsee Alan Evans, mentioned how on a recent session with the band Shakewell, that they monitored the entire tracking session through Zulu, literally from start to finish. Mic placement, gain staging, compression settings you name it. All guided along by what Zulu told them sounded best "on tape." Jedi Level stuff if you think about it. We are in our final test stages and are firing on all cylinders to meet our deadlines. Thanks for your interest in our product and I'll continue to chime in with some cool info as things progress.
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Post by illacov on May 7, 2016 10:53:22 GMT -6
Thanks for the updates, Langston. Really looking forward to this beast going live. Will the knobs be different from the picture? I have to say - I kind of like the stone look you've cooked up in the various versions we've seen. ;-> Best of luck on your first release! Those gorgeous abalone knobs! Those knobs are not only expensive but also lack a pointer. I search around every once in a while to see if there are other versions but so far I've struck out. The new knobs have a simulated abalone detail to pay homage to the original prototype. The gold was repurposed as the scale around the knobs. Things are moving along over here at Handsome Audio! We are waiting on fully finished production units to be born! Once we approve our finals, we are moving into full production and the gates are open! I just mixed a Blues LP to Zulu in mx mode. I used a pair of Shure M67 microphone preamps. Absolutely mind blowing. The low mids and upper harmonics are astounding. But as well, the stereo field is HUGE like this. Absolutley insane results from this device. The differences between my vintage mic preamps is astounding. My Scully 280 are brighter than the Shure but not as quiet. The Scully are just begging for louder keyboard and drum print duties. I'm also eyeballing my Revive Audio Modified (bought for $25 on eBay) Altec 1689 (sound like caramel on vocals and drums) they are pretty quiet but have Freed transformers on the inputs so plenty of room for character. Long story short the tone options are pretty large. Currently I have some default settings I use for mixdown but the super users are reporting back about using the Bias control and the Enhance control "against" each other. Bias darkening the tone and then Enhance to dial back in some sweetened top end and transients in parallel a LA the Pultec trick. The preset Bible on our site is going to be pretty deep! Thanks -L
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Post by illacov on May 4, 2016 10:20:21 GMT -6
Those are renderings right? And the top has knobs, correct? The final cases are on order from our Sheet metal fabricator. Yes the knobs are on the top panel of Zulu so you can recall your settings and tweak to your hearts desire. Our knobs are a wonderful size as well. From tip to tip they are 1.25 inches long. Easy to grab and manipulate. FYI we are expecting Zulu's release/birth by mid June. Once our website store goes live, Zulu will be for sale and those who have pre-order reservations will get "first chance," early opportunities to complete their orders before the store goes live. If you are viewing from mobile, the pre order is not an option. You need to be on the full site for it to display correctly (too large for phones). www.handsomeaudio.com/#!pre-order-zulu/k7zyx -L
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Post by illacov on May 1, 2016 9:28:00 GMT -6
Greetings all, I created this thread to announce the impending release of my new product, Zulu. ****It has been very difficult to participate here and on the purple site since my good buddy Dennis/Kidvybez went home to the Lord. He originally started the thread here about Zulu and after his passing it just feels wrong to post in that thread. If anything that thread was a shining example of our friendship. When Dennis was your friend, he believed in you, wanted to be proud of you and encouraged you to be and to do your best. I pray he is at peace and also watching all the cool things we are doing in his memory.*** Link to Zulu manual. drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2zRvlWLux2ZTU9wR0tjNjQweXMMy website is finally revamped, with new examples, a new interface, production renders of the final Zulu case design, a full walkthrough of features with audio examples and a product demonstration video is on the way as well! I am here at your disposal to discuss Zulu, its feature set and usefulness. Again Zulu is the world's first fully passive tape simulator. It now has transformer coupled ins and outs, 4 controls (Deck, Bias, Enhance and Headroom), Neutrik XLR in and out jacks, plus a larger case design (9" L X 6" W and 3" H). As well a last minute switch was added called Cal (short for Calibration). It features 2 modes, tk and mx. tk mode is fully passive and Zulu operates as a line level device. This setting saturates and compresses material the easiest, it is a very vibey setting but still capable of cleaner sounds. mx mode sets Zulu's output to mic level and a microphone preamp can be connected to Zulu's outputs to provide make up gain. A remarkable feature of mx mode is that Zulu has increased headroom before the tape circuit saturates, but still offers sweet sounding harmonics and compression, in addition to offering a brighter more open tone. The bass response is remarkable in both settings. The highs are never harsh in either mode but the distribution of harmonics and tone, especially between 1k to 4k is unique to each of the settings on the Cal switch. Another cool side effect of using a microphone preamp in mx mode is that every mic preamp has a different tone it imparts on Zulu. A tube preamp will sound different than a clinical chip amp or a transformer based discrete amp. This allows for many exciting tones and approaches to using mx mode. Again the website is handsomeaudio.com I can be reached at langston@handsomeaudio.com Thanks and God Bless. Langston Masingale Handsome Audio, USA. handsomeaudio.com
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Post by illacov on Dec 3, 2015 16:15:08 GMT -6
Totally understandable but the final form factor is 6" wide by 6.5" in depth with a 3" height at the rear of the case. Half rack form factor and 1RU would compromise the complete ergonomic appeal of a small console platform. The console layout (even on the promotype pictured, yes that's what we called it) offers more usable space per channel than your typical 2RU layout for a stereo unit. I have plenty of gear that uses the left to right with big knobs layout like my 1176s but I'm a console brat and always will be. The advantages and possibilities of vertical layout in terms of linear thinking are huge. I've always wondered how cool it would be to see a reverb or delay laid out like this. I will be able to offer 32mm knobs on this platform with plenty of space for even the largest fingers to twiddle, I designed the Zulu concept for it to be a platform you'd get lots of different colors out of and having it sit by your side at the mix position made perfect sense. Controllers, monitor controllers, control surfaces live on the desktop but in practice get used less than our prized rack gear. These things develop and shape our sounds before we get to use our Faderports and Euphonix controllers. I realize the complaints and differences of opinion will come, but I used my lexicon of experience with tracking and mixing and made this gear to keep you in the listening position. Deviating from the rackmount format is tough for some to digest but sit for a while with a device that can mimic the sound of several different styles of tape decks, with fully variable biasing styles, fully variable blend between two different approaches to the analog deck concept on a global level, plus overall deck headroom on the fly and it won't be something you set and put away,but rather I'd hope you'll want it at your fingertips. My testers are printing/tracking entire multi tracks back through their Zulus and tweaking the bias curves and contour controls along with their deck style of choice as they go. They're loving that and I hope people can dig on that too. Thanks Hey man, not to be condescending at all but I really don't think you've thought this through. I personally don't have the desk space for a monitor controller that I desperately need more than a tape saturation box, you keep suggesting it's uses during track but a lot of guys here, myself included are thinking mix bus duty and if we want to use it for both it's going to have to be on a patchbay which is going to be a very less than desirable cable run for some. You make a valid point about adjusting in the sweetspot but to counter that, I would much rather purchase a set of small speakers and place them on the top of a rack and switch them from a monitor controller rather than start putting every piece of hardware in front of me, a lot of guys already keep their gear within reaching distance for this reason. I wouldn't go on such a tirade if I didn't want the product but with that kind of form factor I would rather purchase the RND 543, rack and patch them and use them in the exact same manner you describe than clutter my desk that is down to square inches. A lot of people here I'm guessing will want this device for mix bus duties and at least in my world, once a piece is set on the mixbus, changing it from any point after is going to corrupt an entire mix so I can't see myself needing to tweak something like this much. If it's a cost issue, you could sell this piece for $1000USD no problem and still come in well under a pair of RND 543s and way under the anamod tape sim. I'd pay it no questions asked. Think it over man, whole point of a forum is get customer feedback and I think a few of them are asking. Best of luck, really looking forward to it! Thank you for your input, my $400 price point for the first year is firm. My reasoning for going desktop format has nothing to do with cost. The market is full of consoles at every turn, they would present the same set of issues for any person who has limited mixing station space. Zulu is smaller than an 8 channel console. It can be pulled out during tracking and mixing and put away when it's not needed by the same gesture. I have over 22 years of experience under my belt as a recording engineer and record producer, I'm stocked with loads of analog equipment in my racks, plus I have more friends than I can count who are OUT of rack space but want more gear. LOL Trust me we aren't going to sell off the gear we have to add something else and God forbid we build new rooms for more gear! I'm sorry if the format presents you with a problem. I greatly appreciate your interest in the development and discussion of this product, you have to understand my stance, for every knock against the format, I get 10 kudos for it. If I were to make this thing a rack space unit and make it ergonomically similar it would require a 4 space RU. No way would I want somebody to have a different experience because they spent more money for a rack and then lose the ease of use. Thanks
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Post by illacov on Dec 1, 2015 19:37:51 GMT -6
Why not an ATR? The transport on the studers is awesome but the sound of the ATR is the deal. I've heard some lovely sounding ATR decks in my time but don't have the round the clock access to it that I do with the Studer we have at Handsome. By the same gesture, I'd love to see just how far off a Zulu is from an ATR after setting the deck to HiFi but then tweaking the bias and difference controls to model the curves of the deck in question. Thanks
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Post by illacov on Dec 1, 2015 19:31:27 GMT -6
Form factor SUCKS! half rack that shit please! Will buy anyways, park it on the mixbus and leave it in a rack tray. Totally understandable but the final form factor is 6" wide by 6.5" in depth with a 3" height at the rear of the case. Half rack form factor and 1RU would compromise the complete ergonomic appeal of a small console platform. The console layout (even on the promotype pictured, yes that's what we called it) offers more usable space per channel than your typical 2RU layout for a stereo unit. I have plenty of gear that uses the left to right with big knobs layout like my 1176s but I'm a console brat and always will be. The advantages and possibilities of vertical layout in terms of linear thinking are huge. I've always wondered how cool it would be to see a reverb or delay laid out like this. I will be able to offer 32mm knobs on this platform with plenty of space for even the largest fingers to twiddle, I designed the Zulu concept for it to be a platform you'd get lots of different colors out of and having it sit by your side at the mix position made perfect sense. Controllers, monitor controllers, control surfaces live on the desktop but in practice get used less than our prized rack gear. These things develop and shape our sounds before we get to use our Faderports and Euphonix controllers. I realize the complaints and differences of opinion will come, but I used my lexicon of experience with tracking and mixing and made this gear to keep you in the listening position. Deviating from the rackmount format is tough for some to digest but sit for a while with a device that can mimic the sound of several different styles of tape decks, with fully variable biasing styles, fully variable blend between two different approaches to the analog deck concept on a global level, plus overall deck headroom on the fly and it won't be something you set and put away,but rather I'd hope you'll want it at your fingertips. My testers are printing/tracking entire multi tracks back through their Zulus and tweaking the bias curves and contour controls along with their deck style of choice as they go. They're loving that and I hope people can dig on that too. Thanks
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Post by illacov on Nov 28, 2015 21:29:52 GMT -6
Anyone familiar with this? Seems that there is a group buy going on to mod your Apex 460 to the JJ Audio Dutch 251. BradM is mentioned as having a pair. Any thoughts from Brad or anyone else? I just saw that I was mentioned in their marketing. Interesting. I honestly don't recall raving about the mics online, but I'm sure I've mentioned I am happy with them in the past somewhere. Unlike what they claim I don't have a 251 style mic. I have a C12 style mic. I sent Jim a pair of ACM-1200's I bought years ago as part of that big Chinese group buy. I also provided them with AMI T14 transformers, Microphone Parts RK12 capsules, and NOS GE 5-star 6072a tubes. I may have provided some additional parts as well since initially I was intending to do the mods myself. I never ordered a "Dutch" specifically, but simply told Langston I wanted a C12 clone and sent him everything I had. Jim was just figuring out how to do the single layer headbasket at the time, but I opted to not do it because I wanted to avoid the extra spit that would end up accumulating on the capsule over time. The mics that came back were powder coated a cream color. Jim completely rebuilt the power supplies as well. From memory I recall there being extra/better filter caps inside. I ditched the original mic cables in favor of some Gotham tube mic cable. Overally I've been really happy with the mics. They sound great and do exactly what I want them to do. I use them for drum overheads mainly and vocals occasionally. The have a big bottom end and open/bright top end, but not in a zingy kind of way. For drums they do a great job minimizing the midrange honkiness in my room, while making cymbals detailed, and toms huge sounding. Build quality is excellent. I've thought about downsizing my mic locker a little bit. This pair of mics is definitely not going anywhere. It's a major winner in the "bang for buck" department. My only complaint is that the badge on the mic is plastic and is coming unglued. Brad Hi Brad! What you have is as much a "Dutch," as anybody else could get from us, save for we use primarily an Apex 460 as the donor microphone, but in your case the ACM1200 sufficed since its pretty much the same microphone. A full plate follower circuit was installed, the biasing for the C12 circuit, along with a rebuilt PSU. Our group buy microphone uses a new powder coat finish in a beige green, that has that retro 251 look to my eye. Pretty rad to be honest. Glad you still dig the mics, I will correct my claims of you owning a modded "251," pair and revise that to a pair of modded C12. PS I can send you a new badge if yours is coming off. Thanks
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Post by illacov on Nov 28, 2015 17:12:25 GMT -6
This is true. That's why I've had a few Zulus in the hands of my super user pool for a few months now, to see if the love fades over time. These guys can use anything they want so I'm waiting to see if a $400 box really continues to be a part of their main workflow. The sound of Zulu is to my ears expensive, I had a vision to make it so affordable that people would eagerly adapt to it as a recording platform. This is my attempt at reintroducing what people miss (and avoiding what they don't miss) about analog tape sans the expense or hassle of maintaining a deck or buying/finding reliable sources of analog tape. Zulu is assembled in Syracuse, NY, made proudly in the USA. Other than 4 cables, Zulu requires no assembly, additional hardware or special platforms to integrate it into your studio. Please feel free to review the soundcloud clips or if you want to email me a link to a mix you want processed through Zulu, I'd be glad to run it through and showcase what you might expect if you owned one. Thanks Any chance you can send one to me in Oz to demo (240V 50Hz) I could pass it around the pro audio community here, and then send it back.. unless me or someone else wants to buy it 8) cheers Wiz Hello There! Zulu is completely passive. It runs on no electricity. Shoot me an email: langston (at) handsomeaudio (dot) com Thanks
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Post by illacov on Nov 28, 2015 16:21:51 GMT -6
Who is this Sinsay you speak of? Thanks ...seriously Langston...if I hadn't heard it with my own ears...the guy is a monster!...re-skins with 1-micron mylar...where Stephen Paul left off, Shannon continues the craft... Does he reskin the Microphone Parts RK47? I have a pair in my Rottweiler FET47, but I could be convinced to part with them for a while if they could be improved with higher end sounding capsules etc or if he can reskin with 6 um mylar. Thanks
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