Channel Strip Shootout with Clips

RealNoob
Senior Member

Mixing a series of live albums

Posts: 523

Channel Strip Shootout with Clips Jul 17, 2021 15:20:40 GMT -6 superwack and NoTomorrow like this

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Post by RealNoob on Jul 17, 2021 15:20:40 GMT -6

I previously posted some opinions about this and later realized that was not very constructive. So, I have rendered a short section of a live recording with different channel strip plugins for you to listen to and I'd love to hear your opinions. The mix is instruments, vocal mics and audience mics open, no processing on the channels, simply faders up. I made some very minor volume adjustments on a handful for balance but still is far from perfect. The point was to not make the tracks a distraction, that's it.

I did add some top, 4db @ 15K and bottom, 4db @ 60hz to engage the EQs as a part of this. The reason is that the BB N105 sounds harsh to me. I was surprised and thought for this, adding a bit of EQ on the master would further show the character of each.

Lastly, I also ran a mix with the PA 9000J through Access Analog, using the fusion, SSL buss comp and pultecs. I added about the same on EQ on the pultecs. This file is a little quirky due to my country poh-dunk internet. However, I think it shows promise if I can work the bugs out.

Here is the link:
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kLk4Ne74-HL0CYdzBMpidYBkJpHOLRTV?usp=sharing

Here are the strips included:
PA SSL 9000J
PA AMEK 9099
PA SSL 4000E
BB N105
PA Console N
PA Focusrite
PA Lindel 50
PA Lindel 80
Slate VCC and SSL EQ (E)
SSL Channel Strip 2
Softube Tubetech Channel

Take a listen and let me know your thoughts.

Last Edit: Jul 17, 2021 15:22:05 GMT -6 by RealNoob

RealNoob
Senior Member

Mixing a series of live albums

Posts: 523

Channel Strip Shootout with Clips Jul 17, 2021 20:22:18 GMT -6

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Post by RealNoob on Jul 17, 2021 20:22:18 GMT -6

Minus the Access Analog file, I pulled all files into Reaper and level matched. The BB N105 was scooped sounding and the Tubetech sounded muffled. Between the others, I was hard pressed to hear differences. I tested and they didn't null but it showed me that any of them will do the job and sound very much alike.

NoTomorrow
Senior Member

Posts: 186

Channel Strip Shootout with Clips Jul 17, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -6

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Post by NoTomorrow on Jul 17, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -6

Cool tune there.

I agree that the BB N105 sounds too scooped in the low mids.

I thought that the Access Analog one sounded best, but there was a little too much compression keeping the drum hits from blooming. I think it would win with less compression.

Of the others, I actually liked the Tubetech best, followed by the Slate. All of the other ones sounded very similar to me, like you mentioned.

RealNoob
Senior Member

Mixing a series of live albums

Posts: 523

Channel Strip Shootout with Clips Jul 19, 2021 9:02:44 GMT -6

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Post by RealNoob on Jul 19, 2021 9:02:44 GMT -6

Jul 17, 2021 23:29:08 GMT -6 NoTomorrow said:

Cool tune there.

I agree that the BB N105 sounds too scooped in the low mids.

I thought that the Access Analog one sounded best, but there was a little too much compression keeping the drum hits from blooming. I think it would win with less compression.

Of the others, I actually liked the Tubetech best, followed by the Slate. All of the other ones sounded very similar to me, like you mentioned.

I was pleasantly surprised by the access analog system. I did overdo it just to highlight the effects for me personally.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you like about the TubeTech and Slate?