|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 23, 2024 20:04:57 GMT -6
I'm there, I can limit commercial tracks with HW +2db RMS over existing tracks and with an extra 1dB compression and it sounds better for it. The API's, Chandlers, Acme's, Tubecore's, Carbon's, 2500's, Lexicon's, Bettermakers, Stam's, Lexicon's, Gainlabs, Eventide's, SSL's etc. are kicking ass. I've had an SSL 4K + ProAc + Adam S3 setup before, this is the ultimate.
|
|
|
|
Post by copperx on Mar 23, 2024 20:06:02 GMT -6
What is _it_!? Am I missing something?
Also, do you mind briefly recapping your current setup?
|
|
|
|
Post by gravesnumber9 on Mar 23, 2024 20:09:01 GMT -6
I'm guessing this is the new monitor setup? Which Shadow loves so much he rushed through the subject line and forgot to say what he was talking about?
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 23, 2024 20:43:06 GMT -6
LMAO, I always skip to the third step and miss the former. I guess the best analogy is if we have any Top Gear fans, for example when Jeremy Clarkson drove the Nissan GTR and was the squidgy bit in the middle, that beast took down his neck muscles. That's how I'm like, the studio setup I have is just far better than me and I love it. I'm the squidgy bit, which is how it should be.. I'm back on the Dyn's the Geithain's are all packed up... copperx , sure. Dynaudio Core 59, Avid Carbon + Pre expansion, SSL Big Six, Acme Opto, Chandler Opto, API 512V, Stam T69, IAA 622, SSL GBus, 2X IGS Tube core 500's, Lexicon PCM 92, Eventide SP2016, API 2500+, Bettermaker Mastering limiter, Neve 33609, Gainlabs Empress, Stam 2A, RND 551 X 4, ISK 2B Mk2 X 2, SSL UV, 2X Neumann U67, 1X Telefunken ELAM 251, Beyer M88, Shure SM57, Shure SM7B, Schoepes MK 41, Sony C800G, Neumann KM56, Neumann Km184, 2X Neumann U89, ISK little gem X 2, Warm C8000, Sony C80, Suhr Reactive, Engl Retrotube 50, Orange something bass amp, Marshall DSLR, Korg Kronos 88, Faith six string, Ibanez 12 acoustic, Agile 8 string, Agile 7 string, Fender Strat (American), Fender Bass, Roland TD-17KV, lots of random percussion, UA-2 Octo. Let's not even get started on plugins and this is just the stuff I remember. Still, the best setup I've ever had... |
|
|
|
Post by chessparov on Mar 23, 2024 21:34:43 GMT -6
But did you remember the NS-10 Tissues? Nothing to sneeze at.  |
|
|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 23, 2024 22:23:07 GMT -6
But did you remember the NS-10 Tissues? Nothing to sneeze at. No because I guess it's like sport suspension on a car, it will irk you dependant on how you're feeling. I've been fine with them recently and I still say they are some of the best monitors you can buy but that clarity from the Geithain's is something I just won't forget. I was happily bopping away to the 59's tonight, did a bit of practice / scoring and all was right in the world. How do I put it? Hmm, Yngwie malmsteen is a phenomenal guitarist technically but Nirvana as basic as their songs were is enjoyed by many more, it's not like I can't appreciate and want to play like Yngwie but it's not necessary to make good music. |
|
|
|
Post by thehightenor on Mar 24, 2024 4:01:29 GMT -6
The weakest link in my studio is always me!
I’ve taken my time and bought only the “world class” stuff.
I’m most definitely not “world class”
So I put my energy and time into becoming a better singer, writer, arranger, playing and hopefully I’m closing the gap between my talents and my wonderful little project studio.
|
|
|
|
Post by lowlou on Mar 24, 2024 4:59:28 GMT -6
Congrats on the setup ! Too bad about the Geithains. I guess they could become available second-hand at some point, but that won't change the weight. Shadowk I very recently *almost* bought a great authentic Analogvibes LA2A clone (actually, the seller skipped me in favor of a local buyer and I have mixed feelings about this ever since, considering I bought him 10k+ of gear in the past year, & we were so, so, so close to a deal). I'm bothered by the whole thing... Kinda sad. --> & I still need good comps for my vocal chain. I saw the green ACME Opto, heard a few demos, sounds great. How do you like it ? Would it cure my LA2A loss ? Here I was thinking, "ok authentic LA2A is gone for good, I don't want another Audioscape comp (it's getting ridiculous, +, I have two Stam LA2A that are coming in, but already slotted on bass duties) so maybe I should go banana & aim at something "adventurous" & "bold", a statement piece for the lead vocal chain : a RS660, the ACME or even (completely crazy), a Vacuvox." |
|
|
|
Post by thehightenor on Mar 24, 2024 6:03:04 GMT -6
Congrats on the setup ! Too bad about the Geithains. I guess they could become available second-hand at some point, but that won't change the weight. Shadowk I very recently *almost* bought a great authentic Analogvibes LA2A clone (actually, the seller skipped me in favor of a local buyer and I have mixed feelings about this ever since, considering I bought him 10k+ of gear in the past year, & we were so, so, so close to a deal). I'm bothered by the whole thing... Kinda sad. --> & I still need good comps for my vocal chain. I saw the green ACME Opto, heard a few demos, sounds great. How do you like it ? Would it cure my LA2A loss ? Here I was thinking, "ok authentic LA2A is gone for good, I don't want another Audioscape comp (it's getting ridiculous, +, I have two Stam LA2A that are coming in, but already slotted on bass duties) so maybe I should go banana & aim at something "adventurous" & "bold", a statement piece for the lead vocal chain : a RS660, the ACME or even (completely crazy), a Vacuvox." The equal best vocal comp I’ve ever used for vocals (along with Retro STA Level) and I think it’s edging out the STA as my go to is the Thermionic Phoenix MP - its ridiculously great on vocals and bass and then brilliant on the stereo bus. I think it’s become my desert island compressor, I think I could make an entire album with just this one compressor. I do like LA2A’s on bass but I’m not keen on tracking vocals with them - they go from spot on to over saturated and pinched in the space of one errant over blown vocal syllable. I imagine that RS660 is fab though! |
|
|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 24, 2024 6:17:43 GMT -6
So I put my energy and time into becoming a better singer, writer, arranger, playing and hopefully I’m closing the gap between my talents and my wonderful little project studio. Yeah, this has mainly been a journey of simplification and time management. I'll fully admit that this is probably due to a lack of talent or know how on my part but I've always struggled with an all ITB setup (meaning interface + plugs with no HW). As a self recorder you can sort of set & forget a bit, template the plugs you actually use and get some really cool cue mixes going that I find inspiring. Also I seem to be able to push this hybrid setup harder, it's no issue at all to get things loud yet retain some semblance of dynamics and there's enough mojo going on that it translates really well.
I saw a great post by Fabien from TDR and I'm very loosely paraphrasing here, too much colour creates irreversible mud & roughness but too little and the mix won't translate to other systems, will sound flat and boring. So, every piece of equipment (HW or SW) I have intentionally either adds or subtracts, excites, saturates and widens to end up in a balance. I'd be happy enough with a far more modest setup but when I have my good days or some spare time I just walk in, switch things on, record and know that the results will always be fine. It's nice and I'm just practicing instruments for the most part, doing demo's. Plan is to record about 20 - 30 tracks, decide on the best and release.
The GT's aren't off the table, there's just no rush. Sorry to hear that lowlou, the Acme certainly has a lot of mojo and it's far more flexible than an LA-2A (as it can go all the way into 1176 territory) so if you're looking for something to do the 2A thing but "more" in all regards then it's great. Although, if you're using it with a rather saturated tube mic I think it can get a bit too much, sometimes I've preferred the IAA with it's SSL style VCA into the Chandler Opto. I just shave a bit off with the VCA and let the Chandler do it's magic. That combo for me on vocals has to be one of the best I've heard thus far but on acoustic with an SDC Acme, everytime. So just buy all of them  ..
|
|
|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 24, 2024 18:22:15 GMT -6
I finally got around to testing out the API 512V tonight, now I've avoided API mainly because I've heard such descriptions as mid forward, aggro, pushy etc. I sort of get it when you let it do whatever it wants but engage the 3:1 tap, stick in the pad and up the gain then it's absolutely as smooth as silk. What am I doing right because it just seems like a really good mic amp to me?
|
|
|
|
Post by thehightenor on Mar 24, 2024 18:41:52 GMT -6
I finally got around to testing out the API 512V tonight, now I've avoided API mainly because I've heard such descriptions as mid forward, aggro, pushy etc. I sort of get it when you let it do whatever it wants but engage the 3:1 tap, stick in the pad and up the gain then it's absolutely as smooth as silk. What am I doing right because it just seems like a really good mic amp to me? API 512V is a truly excellent mic pre-amp. I that a new purchase? |
|
|
|
Post by Shadowk on Mar 24, 2024 18:53:40 GMT -6
API 512V is a truly excellent mic pre-amp. I that a new purchase? Relatively, I originally ordered a B-Stock SH Mono Gama but it didn't work so eventually I ended up with an API 512V. Quite impressed.. |
|
|
|
Post by thehightenor on Mar 25, 2024 2:54:15 GMT -6
API 512V is a truly excellent mic pre-amp. I that a new purchase? Relatively, I originally ordered a B-Stock SH Mono Gama but it didn't work so eventually I ended up with an API 512V. Quite impressed.. It’s a pre with a famous heritage - for good reason! |
|
..