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Post by nick8801 on Jan 20, 2024 8:25:32 GMT -6
So, I have one of those dbx286s channel strip things. Kind of bought it on a whim years ago because they were so cheap. It’s basically sat in the rack unused since I got it. Last week I started work on a new production. I had to sing some scratch vocals because the artist wasn’t available. Plugged my Beesneez87 into the dbx for fun, tweaked some settings and had a really solid little sound going. As I kept building up parts to the song I just sort of left the mic and pre setup because it was convenient. Used a radial di into it and got a really killer bass sound. Acoustics, electrics…all dbx with the Beesneez. The track is coming out killer. Sounds punchy, balanced, little bit of color. I dunno? Am I crazy? Freaking dbx286s?? Wild. I think it’s the channel strip thing…a bunch of clean gain, touch of easy transparent compression, de-ess (worked some magic on guitars), “harmonic enhancement” which is just hight/low eq dialed in for presence and body. I might have to get a second one!
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Jan 20, 2024 8:29:36 GMT -6
Sounds fun: secret sauce !  |
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Post by thehightenor on Jan 20, 2024 9:31:10 GMT -6
So, I have one of those dbx286s channel strip things. Kind of bought it on a whim years ago because they were so cheap. It’s basically sat in the rack unused since I got it. Last week I started work on a new production. I had to sing some scratch vocals because the artist wasn’t available. Plugged my Beesneez87 into the dbx for fun, tweaked some settings and had a really solid little sound going. As I kept building up parts to the song I just sort of left the mic and pre setup because it was convenient. Used a radial di into it and got a really killer bass sound. Acoustics, electrics…all dbx with the Beesneez. The track is coming out killer. Sounds punchy, balanced, little bit of color. I dunno? Am I crazy? Freaking dbx286s?? Wild. I think it’s the channel strip thing…a bunch of clean gain, touch of easy transparent compression, de-ess (worked some magic on guitars), “harmonic enhancement” which is just hight/low eq dialed in for presence and body. I might have to get a second one! Great - well done. But every time I do this kinda thing and knock out a track in my writing room with my Behringer X32 and it sounds really great, I'm aware what I captured was the vibe of the day :-) |
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Post by drumsound on Jan 20, 2024 10:02:35 GMT -6
The world is riddled with beloved music done on not fancy gear. This is a good reminder of that.
There are times when the expediency of things is the best thing for the production. Striking while the iron is hot.
Mitch Easter jokes about working like that and joking said to me one day "proximity effect for me is what mic is closest to the thing I'm recording next."
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Post by chessparov on Jan 20, 2024 10:21:45 GMT -6
Hmm... I'm kinda punchy, a little unbalanced. And could use more of a tan. Sounds perfect for me! Is there a Plugin version?  Chris |
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Post by the other mark williams on Jan 20, 2024 10:32:20 GMT -6
I have a good friend in the video world who knows very little about audio. He wanted to get a “channel strip” processor and kept asking about that dbx. I kept trying to turn him off of it and suggest “better” options, but he ended up buying 2 of the dbx units anyway. And I’ll be damned if they haven't actually ended up sounding pretty damn good in his space.
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 11:37:31 GMT -6
I have a good friend in the video world who knows very little about audio. He wanted to get a “channel strip” processor and kept asking about that dbx. I kept trying to turn him off of it and suggest “better” options, but he ended up buying 2 of the dbx units anyway. And I’ll be damned if they haven't actually ended up sounding pretty damn good in his space. They are one of those lowend cult favorites, one can do much worse. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jan 20, 2024 12:11:02 GMT -6
“vibe of the day”! Great track or album title !
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Post by Ward on Jan 20, 2024 12:12:48 GMT -6
Yes, you're crazy
and so are the rest of us.
Also, Aphex 107 Tubessence preamps aren't as crappy as some might think but are pretty damned useful
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Post by noob on Jan 20, 2024 12:32:54 GMT -6
Oh really... have to pick one up soon and see if you're crazy or not
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Post by chessparov on Jan 20, 2024 12:41:01 GMT -6
107? Ward Shh... Next you'll be talking about Orban designed Ashley 242's.* Oops. LOL! *My old/mint one is at the Gerst's Indian Trail Studios. |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 20, 2024 12:46:24 GMT -6
BTW the Studio Projects VTB-1 is pretty cool too. When they replaced all the main windows... Somehow I put it (and my 58) in a place/boxed up. "So safe" at home, I can't find the doggone thangs! Of course, misplacing a 58 (or a 57-or a SM7 etc.) is seen as a blessing by some here It did tend me towards my other Dynamics. Chris |
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Post by bowie on Jan 20, 2024 13:02:01 GMT -6
I think audio engineers forget that these signals start out as music and their ultimate destination is still MUSIC. Not all music is trying to sound super refined so why does all the gear need to be that way? Look at the path an electric guitar signal takes, starting at the pickups. Raunchy! Yet, there's this shame associated with using cheap recording gear.
Now, when you're looking for ultimate detail, smoothness, purity, there are levels to that. But, as far as what's useable in audio, everything is.
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Post by geoff738 on Jan 20, 2024 14:07:54 GMT -6
I have a couple cheap dbx units. The compressor/gate which sits in a box and needs to go. The eq though? I might keep.
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by nick8801 on Jan 20, 2024 14:34:27 GMT -6
All the comments here about music and the vibe of the day are on point. I was definitely “feeling it” while working the other day. Sometimes you just need a piece of equipment that’s available and gets the performance into the computer.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2024 15:31:13 GMT -6
I have a good friend in the video world who knows very little about audio. He wanted to get a “channel strip” processor and kept asking about that dbx. I kept trying to turn him off of it and suggest “better” options, but he ended up buying 2 of the dbx units anyway. And I’ll be damned if they haven't actually ended up sounding pretty damn good in his space. those dbx units are far more advanced than the “classic” units like 1176, la2a, and inductor eqs. You just must accept the sound of the circuitry but there’s a ton of things more distorted than modern dbx |
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 15:37:36 GMT -6
DBX Had 2 really good products in the 2 series the 242 and 286, the problem was DBX was a compressor company, and the 266 sucked, they sold a tone based on DBX’s reputation before they hit the street. Everyone hated the 266 so people slagged the entire series.
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 15:45:50 GMT -6
Yes, you're crazy and so are the rest of us. Also, Aphex 107 Tubessence preamps aren't as crappy as some might think but are pretty damned useful The 107 was probably a step above the average Mid level British console pre of the day. The introduction of the mic pre on a chip and all the cheap 8 busses built around it. Now the 8 bus’s and DAW had everyone wanting nice viby pre’s, not realizing most of what was recorded in the 80’s and early 90’s used the consoles built in pre’s except a couple of lead tracks. The Aphex disappointed many because it was neither viby or as clean as the well regarded 1788, the 107 was a nice utility pre in a world that forgot what utility pres were. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2024 15:54:06 GMT -6
DBX Had 2 really good products in the 2 series the 242 and 286, the problem was DBX was a compressor company, and the 266 sucked, they sold a tone based on DBX’s reputation before they hit the street. Everyone hated the 266 so people slagged the entire series. The 286 spanks the 266. 266 is something you can safely give to someone for a beer and not miss it. |
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 17:51:35 GMT -6
DBX Had 2 really good products in the 2 series the 242 and 286, the problem was DBX was a compressor company, and the 266 sucked, they sold a tone based on DBX’s reputation before they hit the street. Everyone hated the 266 so people slagged the entire series. The 286 spanks the 266. 266 is something you can safely give to someone for a beer and not miss it. It’s even better as a coaster for that beer! Now as much as the 166 isn’t loved around here think of all the 166’s in mid level SR companies racks, the reps were pushing the 266 as a cheaper 166 to compete with Behringer Compsers, it was more like a Yamaha 2020 ( the joke always was it should have been the $20.20 because that’s what it’s worth). |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2024 17:53:06 GMT -6
The 286 spanks the 266. 266 is something you can safely give to someone for a beer and not miss it. It’s even better as a coaster for that beer! Now as much as the 166 isn’t loved around here think of all the 166’s in mid level SR companies racks, the reps were pushing the 266 as a cheaper 166 to compete with Behringer Compsers, it was more like a Yamaha 2020 ( the joke always was it should have been the $20.20 because that’s what it’s worth). Scammers try to sell the 2020 on ebay for 200 bucks when it sits for 40 at guitar center. |
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 17:57:47 GMT -6
It’s even better as a coaster for that beer! Now as much as the 166 isn’t loved around here think of all the 166’s in mid level SR companies racks, the reps were pushing the 266 as a cheaper 166 to compete with Behringer Compsers, it was more like a Yamaha 2020 ( the joke always was it should have been the $20.20 because that’s what it’s worth). Scammers try to sell the 2020 on ebay for 200 bucks when it sits for 40 at guitar center. I Love it when they call it “ rare” 😜 |
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Post by Ward on Jan 20, 2024 18:12:08 GMT -6
Yes, you're crazy and so are the rest of us. Also, Aphex 107 Tubessence preamps aren't as crappy as some might think but are pretty damned useful The 107 was probably a step above the average Mid level British console pre of the day. The introduction of the mic pre on a chip and all the cheap 8 busses built around it. Now the 8 bus’s and DAW had everyone wanting nice viby pre’s, not realizing most of what was recorded in the 80’s and early 90’s used the consoles built in pre’s except a couple of lead tracks. The Aphex disappointed many because it was neither viby or as clean as the well regarded 1788, the 107 was a nice utility pre in a world that forgot what utility pres were. Try running a big session and having every pre and channel used and you need something else... and then you use your 286s or 107s for scratch tracks and wind up with something totally usable! Then you're pleasantly surprised. |
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Post by ericn on Jan 20, 2024 18:49:11 GMT -6
The 107 was probably a step above the average Mid level British console pre of the day. The introduction of the mic pre on a chip and all the cheap 8 busses built around it. Now the 8 bus’s and DAW had everyone wanting nice viby pre’s, not realizing most of what was recorded in the 80’s and early 90’s used the consoles built in pre’s except a couple of lead tracks. The Aphex disappointed many because it was neither viby or as clean as the well regarded 1788, the 107 was a nice utility pre in a world that forgot what utility pres were. Try running a big session and having every pre and channel used and you need something else... and then you use your 286s or 107s for scratch tracks and wind up with something totally usable! Then you're pleasantly surprised. I was once talking about DDA’s with a guy who had spent a couple of years at SRAM West, we were talking about the pre’s and all he could say was “ People would be surprised at how many of their favorite tracks were pretty much done with just the pre’s on the DDA” Everyone assumes the DDA was in the “ B” room and the SSL in the “ A” room but the SSL was the mix room the DDA was the tracking room. |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 21, 2024 20:52:00 GMT -6
This Thread influenced me to go back to a 2nd String LDC of mine (Warm 47 Jr.). And try to play to it's (limited) strengths. IMHO (on me anyway) it's best as a "Character Mic". (Scooped Mids/Rolled Off top end) So compensating here with a thicker Baritone than per usual. I'm thinking I may keep it for special use. Adds about 5-10 years to my voice. Rather than screwing around with EQ etc, on a flatter response mic. Am probably leaning towards another 47 FET style (to go along with existing Oktava 319 too. Keeping the 219 TBD) from BZ. Over another K67 capsule.* (Got BU67 and OG U195 already) Wouldn't miss the AKG P200 all that much. I think the 47 Capsule itself generally sounds a little more Macho. LOL! Maybe_the more "relaxed" C12a FET_if I go above $600 US. Which-of course can be the Gateway Drug for the Tube version. Chris *The stock Oktava 319 I have is very nice. But "smaller" in sound/detail than the Oilver FET or Elly. |
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