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Post by stormymondays on Aug 5, 2020 15:36:35 GMT -6
I'm a happy Weight Tank user and I have my sights set on buying a Locomotive 14B in the next couple of months (hopefully!). The idea is to use it as a dedicated vocal compressor. I was also thinking of some kind of LA2A, or maybe a Sta Level. However, I like what I read/hear about the 14B, and now that there's a PCB version, it's a lot more affordable. Who's got one? How much do you LOVE it?
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Post by Blackdawg on Aug 5, 2020 18:13:52 GMT -6
Theres a PCB version?? Say waaaaa??
anyways our resident Doc has one I believe and also loves it.
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Post by hadaja on Aug 5, 2020 23:09:09 GMT -6
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Post by Blackdawg on Aug 5, 2020 23:29:57 GMT -6
Well that just became way for attainable. Added to my list.
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Post by drbill on Aug 5, 2020 23:31:22 GMT -6
I do not have one (I have a Loco 286a, WT Comps and WT72s), but I will soon. Kind of the ultimate modern / retro vocal comp from what I hear. Eric is awesome, and the Locomotive brand is second to none - NONE - in the build quality. Aside from some modern components, the build is totally 1950's. Very high end. I'd love to get a pair. Especially now that they are so affordable. I mean, I WANT a pair. Hmmmmm.......
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Post by Blackdawg on Aug 5, 2020 23:46:27 GMT -6
Ah sorry. Must have been the 286a that I've seen photos of. My bad.
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Post by EmRR on Aug 6, 2020 10:11:23 GMT -6
Its probably just me, but vocal duty is the last place I've ever liked a vari-mu, and I've owned and modified a LOT of different varieties. Be sure it's a thing you like before committing. I'm sure this piece is cool, I just probably wouldn't use it for that.
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Post by mdmitch2 on Aug 6, 2020 10:16:18 GMT -6
I'd love to have one of these, especially at the new lower price! Eric is great, and I'm sure it's fantastic. My new studio build will definitely have some Locomotive / Weight Tank gear.
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Post by dreamsambas on Aug 6, 2020 10:32:34 GMT -6
Super curious about this comp too! Hae read that it's relatively clean. Some clips online sounded nice- added some dimension and softened the top.
Doug- what do you like to use vari-mu's on? And what about them is not ideal for vocals for you?
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Post by mike on Aug 6, 2020 10:44:59 GMT -6
Its probably just me, but vocal duty is the last place I've ever liked a vari-mu, and I've owned and modified a LOT of different varieties. Be sure it's a thing you like before committing. I'm sure this piece is cool, I just probably wouldn't use it for that.
It's a cool looking piece for sure,.....but for vocal duties, I agree ,... I had always wanted a STA-Level type vari mu to try on vocals after hearing clips online, and I bought and had a excellent clone of one for awhile , but I learned that my taste on vocal duties turned out to favor and be more of an Opto guy, even though others use a Vari-mu and do it well.
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Post by EmRR on Aug 6, 2020 10:47:30 GMT -6
Doug- what do you like to use vari-mu's on? And what about them is not ideal for vocals for you? Acoustic guitar, bass, drums, sometimes piano. Instruments with more predictable transient shapes and decay envelopes. The compression envelope always does something to a vocal that is as bad as it is good. There's too much pumping, or to much attack transient makes it through, or not enough, or the tail comes up to fast, or the release is so slow it just dulls the whole thing, or the slope is wrong. Even with modifications to attack/release and ratio/slope constants, they're all very touchy when it comes to vocal dynamics and articulation. I can't put a finger on exactly why, plenty of other compressor types work fine, with no magical difference in attack/release concept.
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Post by drbill on Aug 6, 2020 12:59:55 GMT -6
Ah sorry. Must have been the 286a that I've seen photos of. My bad. Haha! They look pretty similar if you don't hone in on the details.
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Post by drbill on Aug 6, 2020 13:02:48 GMT -6
Its probably just me, but vocal duty is the last place I've ever liked a vari-mu. Fair enough. I do know that Pensado and Bob Horn use it on vocals (and other stuff) a lot. I just want a bit cleaner, and little HF lifting vari-mu - and that's the 14B from what I understand. Most of my others are more darker mojoizers.
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Post by Ward on Aug 6, 2020 18:10:30 GMT -6
Its probably just me, but vocal duty is the last place I've ever liked a vari-mu. I do know that Pensado and Bob Horn use it on vocals (and other stuff) a lot.. Bob? Oh that changes frequently. And he makes everything sound good.
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Post by Ward on Aug 6, 2020 18:11:26 GMT -6
Its probably just me, but vocal duty is the last place I've ever liked a vari-mu, and I've owned and modified a LOT of different varieties. Be sure it's a thing you like before committing. I'm sure this piece is cool, I just probably wouldn't use it for that. I was the same until I got an audioscape V-comp. Now I'm thinking about getting a 14b
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Post by bluegrassdan on Aug 6, 2020 19:19:54 GMT -6
I met Eric at NAMM and have used his preamp once. His builds are very high quality. The chassis is beautiful.
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Post by Ward on Aug 7, 2020 6:13:45 GMT -6
I met Eric at NAMM and have used his preamp once. His builds are very high quality. The chassis is beautiful. He's such a quality individual!
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Post by stormymondays on Nov 20, 2020 4:09:12 GMT -6
Bump for more love! Anybody else got one? Favorite uses?
Still trying to choose my main vocal compressor. I have the 1176 and 3A covered, also own the Weight Tank. It should be either the Locomotive or a ProReplicas LA-2A. Styles: rock, folk, americana.
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Post by drbill on Nov 20, 2020 9:14:13 GMT -6
Bump for more love! Anybody else got one? Favorite uses? I now have two. I've used them a lot now over the last couple of months. LOVE EM!! Vocals, Piano, 2 Buss, Mandolin, Dobro, Acoustics of all sorts, synths, etc.. The build quality is off the hook great.
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Post by drbill on Nov 20, 2020 9:27:32 GMT -6
Ps - they are "big" sounding, and bring stuff "up front" in a beautiful way. A bit larger and more "modern" than my Manley VariMus-Mu's which have more of a rolled off vintage tone. If Eric made a stereo unit, I'd buy one of those as well, and keep these!!
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Post by Ward on Nov 20, 2020 13:24:36 GMT -6
Ps - they are "big" sounding, and bring stuff "up front" in a beautiful way. A bit larger and more "modern" than my Manley VariMus-Mu's which have more of a rolled off vintage tone. If Eric made a stereo unit, I'd buy one of those as well, and keep these!! You must have a 2000+ point patchbay. I'm bad enough with 968
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Post by swafford on Nov 20, 2020 17:10:41 GMT -6
Bump for more love! Anybody else got one? Favorite uses? Still trying to choose my main vocal compressor. I have the 1176 and 3A covered, also own the Weight Tank. It should be either the Locomotive or a ProReplicas LA-2A. Styles: rock, folk, americana. I'm in these genres. I use mine on mostly vocals or bass (right now sitting on acoustic bass with the AS EQPA following - great combo. Kills on female vocals. It always does the thing I can't get the STA to do. Very HiFi, big and shoves the source material forward. Slick comp for sure.
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Post by drbill on Nov 20, 2020 17:27:05 GMT -6
Ps - they are "big" sounding, and bring stuff "up front" in a beautiful way. A bit larger and more "modern" than my Manley VariMus-Mu's which have more of a rolled off vintage tone. If Eric made a stereo unit, I'd buy one of those as well, and keep these!! You must have a 2000+ point patchbay. I'm bad enough with 968 I've paired back to a 576 point bay, cause that's all the lower rack of my desk has space for - BUT - I do have 4 satellite bays on external racks. So 960 total. Never going to get to 2000.... LOL
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Post by OtisGreying on Dec 11, 2020 1:17:26 GMT -6
Bump for more love! Anybody else got one? Favorite uses? Still trying to choose my main vocal compressor. I have the 1176 and 3A covered, also own the Weight Tank. It should be either the Locomotive or a ProReplicas LA-2A. Styles: rock, folk, americana. Stormy, have you made a decision? I’m in a very similar boat. Considering the Highland Dyn BG2, the Loco 14b, or either the Pro Replica LA-2A/1176 or A-udioscape LA-2A/1176 for my main male vocal tracking/mixing compressor. Unsure which road to take, are you confident the Pro Replica’s would match up to a real LA2A, have you tried some of their stuff? That’s the main thing I’m asking myself with these clones cause if not, if it isn’t right there with the real thing, I’d rather just buy an original product like the 14b or BG2.
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Post by stormymondays on Dec 11, 2020 8:24:18 GMT -6
Yes, I've decided to go for the Locomotive, whenever funds permit. I'm sure both Pro Replica and Audioscape are good matches for an LA2A, but I haven't used them.
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