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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jul 19, 2014 9:15:20 GMT -6
It's pretty clear to me lately that I can't really improve on the sound of my rig. I'm honestly to the point that I don't envy anything or anyone else's sound including the big boys. If I can't get there with what I've got, it's my fault not the gear. Knowing this is perplexing in a way but also liberating at the same time. Anyone else feel this way?
I'm not trying to brag here either, I think you guys know that. Might make for a good conversation though. I've also heard the work of others on this board and I think many of you probably feel the same way.
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 19, 2014 10:13:37 GMT -6
congrats cowboy, you certainly get a very good sound man! I'm hoping to do the same within a couple years here, to be able to put down the gear quest and actually capture the music I hear in my head, will be the realization of the dream.
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Post by KJ on Jul 19, 2014 10:38:15 GMT -6
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Post by unit7 on Jul 19, 2014 10:44:34 GMT -6
Hey cowboycoalminer, I'm just starting to wind down here on the first days of my vacation. Your wise post made me think I'll start next season by being less expansive gear wise and really start go into depth and learn the gear I have. Though I believe new gear could stimulate an open mind, perhaps not always to change your sound, just to keep up your creativity, I think this autumn new gear is not what I need. Cheers Paul |
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 19, 2014 11:10:31 GMT -6
unit7 cept for a couple more 1176's right 8)
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Post by unit7 on Jul 19, 2014 11:22:48 GMT -6
unit7 cept for a couple more 1176's right 8) Hmm well, to live up to 'CLA of Sweden', you're probably right.. |
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Post by svart on Jul 19, 2014 11:23:11 GMT -6
I've felt this way for years after I stopped buying gear and started simply learning what each piece does, well. At one point I finally realized that the "big boys" are using the same gear over and over and not actually using all this wonderful snake oil gear we see advertised everyday, so I strived to do the same thing, with the same gear they use. I sold a bunch of "upgraded" prosumer gear and instantly felt a monkey off my back. I no longer had to fight the gear to get the sound that was promised to me by those selling "upgrades". I just had to turn on the classic gear and use it to see the potential was far greater.
Anyway, I'm still getting better at it, but I no longer feel the gear is what is holding me back. That childish notion stopped when I finally let my ego go and realized that I was my own worst enemy on learning how to do this recording stuff. Every project gets better and better and my ears get better at hearing what I'm doing wrong.
It won't be tomorrow but some day I'll feel like I've gotten where I wanted to be.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 11:34:27 GMT -6
From the getgo, I am an integrated guy... Not looking for a bunch of flavors, just one that is solid and perhaps a little unique. Further, I'm not on a quest for the best of the best whether with monitors, conversion, etc. What I'm after is a commercially viable product. I have it and as was mentioned, my skill is the only thing in need of present improvement.
Is this what we're all after, BTW? A commercially viable product? Does me good to remind myself of that.
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Post by unit7 on Jul 19, 2014 12:41:59 GMT -6
Is this what we're all after, BTW? A commercially viable product? Does me good to remind myself of that. Sure, just a note/thought that for a mixing engineer a commercially viable product is when the customers (often artists and producers these days) are happy with the work, so happy that they will come back next time. The product itself may or may not even be released, or sell only a few copies. Not saying it'd be a bad thing if the music sell though. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 19, 2014 13:00:05 GMT -6
I feel this way too...Although it hasn't really gotten rid of my gas per se...I'm still chasing after the perfect DAC, though. It's probably unobtanium though.
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Post by Ward on Jul 19, 2014 14:25:49 GMT -6
It's pretty clear to me lately that I can't really improve on the sound of my rig. I'm honestly to the point that I don't envy anything or anyone else's sound including the big boys. If I can't get there with what I've got, it's my fault not the gear. Knowing this is perplexing in a way but also liberating at the same time. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not trying to brag here either, I think you guys know that. Might make for a good conversation though. I've also heard the work of others on this board and I think many of you probably feel the same way. I, for one, do not believe you.  |
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Post by mobeach on Jul 19, 2014 15:20:50 GMT -6
I'm still trying to master the basics.
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 19, 2014 15:34:50 GMT -6
I feel this way too...Although it hasn't really gotten rid of my gas per se...I'm still chasing after the perfect DAC, though. It's probably unobtanium though. what are you looking for in "the perfect DAC"? |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jul 19, 2014 15:41:52 GMT -6
It's pretty clear to me lately that I can't really improve on the sound of my rig. I'm honestly to the point that I don't envy anything or anyone else's sound including the big boys. If I can't get there with what I've got, it's my fault not the gear. Knowing this is perplexing in a way but also liberating at the same time. Anyone else feel this way? I'm not trying to brag here either, I think you guys know that. Might make for a good conversation though. I've also heard the work of others on this board and I think many of you probably feel the same way. I, for one, do not believe you. LOL Yeah your probably right Ward. Kennedy must be at NAMM because he texted me with some tantalizing info a few minutes ago. Guess I'm not fully on the wagon.  |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 19, 2014 15:51:27 GMT -6
I went. Nothing spectacular. Heard the Supro amps. Want one bad. Not really much pro audio there. What I was telling you cowboy was at a studio get together I went to.
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Post by RicFoxx on Jul 19, 2014 16:48:16 GMT -6
Compared a UA Apollo twin to a PT/thunderbolt/Omni/Burl B2 combo and it made me think about selling the $7500 rig! The Apollo Twin may have not been as good but it wasn't that far off...a lot closer than it should be that's for sure! Still not selling my Sta Level!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 17:08:51 GMT -6
I've been at this juncture for a while, if anything I need less gear. I did just buy a lot of stuff but it's more of a downsizing than a downgrading.
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Post by gouge on Jul 19, 2014 17:19:25 GMT -6
I'm not even close to having used all the gear I see. not because I think it will improve what I do but because I just gotta know what stuff sounds like. that journey is nowhere near complete.
another reason why more gear is needed is to facilitate creative juices. every new pedal, every new guitar, new amp, new tools, creates new songs, new outcomes.
as far as gear to sound better goes. I know I don't have the engineering chops of some of the guys here. but buying high quality gear from the start left me with 2 avenues of thought when something didn't sound good and that was invaluable.
my options are.
a. it's me
b. it's the acoustics
in reality it's c. both.
so that's where I focus a lot of time.
converters are where I'd like more as well. dsd is where I want to be but it's unaffordable. might just run with 16 channels of tape when I cn afford that. |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jul 19, 2014 18:32:50 GMT -6
DSD is not so much unaffordable as it is impractical. There isn't a DAW for it yet. But it is the best thing going. I seriously considered getting a DSD deck and still might. Wish someone would look more closely into that medium and design some software for it. Right now PCM is just too easy of a workflow to get away from.
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Post by jeromemason on Jul 19, 2014 19:43:16 GMT -6
I'm with you cowboycoalminer, I'm done with taking money I earn on what I have, only to spend it on gear that most likely isn't going to add anything and just sit there. It's happened way too often, and I'm selling off all the stuff I sold out for and getting back to the basics. Room acoustics are the primary focus anymore. If the general consensus is that a UAD LA2A is 90% the sound of a real one, why would I want to sell a kidney for the other 10%? I'm not that in demand, and I'm ok with that for sure. One day, perhaps, but at that point I won't need to spend money I don't have, rather I will have extra to add the icing or 10%. Doesn't change the fact that I still love to talk about gear though, and discuss it with friends  |
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Post by gouge on Jul 19, 2014 21:07:51 GMT -6
DSD is not so much unaffordable as it is impractical. There isn't a DAW for it yet. But it is the best thing going. I seriously considered getting a DSD deck and still might. Wish someone would look more closely into that medium and design some software for it. Right now PCM is just too easy of a workflow to get away from. I guess compared to what's on the market it's not so expensive. I notice sweetwater is selling Tascam da3000 units for $800 each. still, to replace the lynx I'd like 16 channels and that's $6400. a lot cheaper than a merging system but double the cost of the lynx and for me that's unobtainable.
I'm not so reliant on the daw as such, other than some comping and overdubs I've purposefully avoided itb. with a dsd setup I could easily dispense with comping. if there were an affordable ssd multi channel dsd box like an alesis hd24xr but dsd I'd ditch pcm instantly.
if someone did come up with the software it would encourage the mid level manufacturers to start including dsd in their multi channel boxes.
surely as designers they're hitting the wall with pcm. I think we all got sold a lame horse on that score.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 19, 2014 21:45:30 GMT -6
Cowboy, congratulations, that's a great place to be !
I think it's easier to get there if one is recording them selves and has enough talent that they are not looking for that magical piece or the equivalent to a talent button ( sorry mute is as close as it comes and if I push all of those your paying me for not recording).
I'm really close to that point ( bus comp couple of tube mics), I know 75% of what I buy falls into the want colum not need (6 sets of 4 or matching general purpose dynamics).
This current rig of mine started as part of studio in Madison morphed into a Freelancers rig in South Texas and is now pretty much a do all. The thing is though as the clients change, So do my needs 10 years ago I would never have thought a pair of Schoeps would be on my NEED list, but these days they are near the top more and more!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 6:25:21 GMT -6
I don't need anything except this (picks up a U47) and that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this microphone. And these pre's (picks Neve loaded portable rack up), the microphone and the pre's and that's all I need. And this LA2a. The microphone, the pre's and the LA2A, and that's all I need. And these Mogami cables. The mic and these pre's and the LA2A and the Mogami cables. And this Manley EQ. The mic, these Pre's and the LA2A and the cables and the Manley EQ and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - (sees something) I need this! ....
Steve Martin as a project studio owner
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Jul 20, 2014 10:04:56 GMT -6
Yeah, coming to an audio forum is like taking a bottle of 18 year old scotch to an AA meeting. Anyone care for a drink?
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Post by Randge on Jul 26, 2014 22:36:06 GMT -6
RTZ Audio and Ingram Engineering are busting the spectacular with me here and they are as new as anything of quality out there. Glad they both had their first NAMM come off so well. Looks like they are gonna do well judging from the people who came by the booths. The reviews are just coming in from people trying them. I will spread the word once I get them. I also dug the Retro Instruments version of the RCA OP-6 that they were showing, John.
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