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Post by rowmat on Jul 1, 2016 23:36:42 GMT -6
I'm looking for another piece of dynamics hardware (Vari Mu?) to add to our 'big fat' vocal chain.
ie Flea 47 > Mercury V72s > Comp/Limiter? > Pultec/WA-EQP etc
I've read all the threads and I'm angling towards a Retro Sta Level. Is there anything else currently about I should consider? Chandler, Lisson Grove, Highland Dynamics etc?
Our current comp/limiters include:
Warm Audio WA76 FET Warm Audio WA2A Opto JLM LA500A Opto Capi FC526 FET Aphex Expressor 651's VCA Aphex Expressor 661's VCA Valley People Gain Brain II's VCA Valley People Dynamite VCA UA 610 MKII RME Opto broadcast limiter
Cheers
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Post by mdmitch2 on Jul 1, 2016 23:49:14 GMT -6
I'm in the same boat... looking for a tube comp for vocals and or 2 bus.... probably end up trying the new zayance Sta Level build on gdiy. Looks like a nice project, plus I can't afford the retro! By the way, there's a new Sta Level type comp from Wes Audio for about $1650 called the Timbre. That company has been making some cool stuff.... audio samples on their website: wesaudio.com/timbre/
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Post by rowmat on Jul 2, 2016 0:35:32 GMT -6
I'm in the same boat... looking for a tube comp for vocals and or 2 bus.... probably end up trying the new zayance Sta Level build on gdiy. Looks like a nice project, plus I can't afford the retro! By the way, there's a new Sta Level type comp from Wes Audio for about $1650 called the Timbre. That company has been making some cool stuff.... audio samples on their website: wesaudio.com/timbre/Thanks but I'll pass on anything DIY unless it comes with everything included such as pre punched/pre drilled cases etc. When I factor in the time where I could be doing something more productive (in the studio) along with the far lower resale of a partially prefabricated DIY rack project the economics just don't add up. IMO DIY rack projects are much worse than 500 series projects in terms of build effort and resale. EXAMPLE: Build a DIY rack project for $1000 in parts. Add at least another $1000 in labor/time plus fuel and running about chasing up parts. Decide you don't like it and sell it for $500. Buy an off the shelf product for $4000 Spend the time you would have spent building the DIY project earning a $1000 in the studio. Decide you don't like it and sell it for $3000. (Australian dollars that is ie. 75 cents US = $1.00 AUD) I'll checkout the Wes Audio unit but another Vari Mu that looks interesting is the Locomotive Audio 14B... www.locomotiveaudio.com/14B.html
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 2, 2016 8:43:24 GMT -6
Tubetech CL-1B...But I love Sta-Levels. I've noticed they seems to have lost a little popularity here lately, but I've just learned I don't want to live without one.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 2, 2016 8:45:23 GMT -6
BTW - that WesAudio thing isn't DIY.
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Post by jin167 on Jul 2, 2016 9:35:18 GMT -6
my love for sta level is still strong. Tried a few other different tube compressors over the years but always found myself coming back to it time after time. There are many good tube compressors out there but none of them can do what sta level can do.
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Post by ragan on Jul 2, 2016 9:42:09 GMT -6
I've long lusted for one. From clips, they just seem to really fatten up and situate a vocal track so nicely.
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Post by Randge on Jul 2, 2016 9:47:47 GMT -6
Chandler RS-124 and Highland Dynamics BG-2 would be what I would recommend pitting against a Sta. All of the Retro stuff is fantastic, too. It boils down to what your ears like best, so you gotta try them yourself to know for sure.
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Post by joseph on Jul 2, 2016 10:40:30 GMT -6
The RS124 seems to add something to the high mids and handle the attack so gracefully, and that superfuse release mode is pretty awesome. Definitely not transparent, but 3 dimensional.
CL1B I still think is best all around vocal tracking compressor because of a flattering, lithe not thick tone, attack and release controls, fixed modes and ability to keep things wide open and unclamped seeming and therefore preserving a sense of dynamics under 5-10 GR. For me it's all about this range for vast majority of vocalists, not whether something falls apart at 15-20GR.
Change out the tubes to Mullards or Telefunkens and you can subtly affect the midrange quality from darker to more euphonic hifi.
But maybe JLM and WA2A are already covering similar enough ground for you.
So my choice would be the Chandler. Haven't heard any significant demos of the BG-2.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 2, 2016 10:41:22 GMT -6
Only heard the Highland at your place. Sounded great. The 124 is a monster too. The Sta seems to really add heft on the bottom. I'm just spit balling here, but like 250 and below. The 124 seems to add tone a little higher up the freq spectrum than that. The one negative I would say about the Sta (although I think it's what makes it sound like it does) are the amount of tubes and tube health. That can really change the tone. (Just saying that in general- I know you know that randy) The one I have right now sounds fantastic - maybe it's the 6386 - don't know. But all this could be said about most tube units.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 2, 2016 10:45:36 GMT -6
What's the application? Everything?
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Post by rowmat on Jul 2, 2016 15:06:07 GMT -6
What's the application? Everything? Predominantly for a big, beefy upfront vocal sound, particularly males with something like a 47. Think Roger Waters vocal sound on 'The Wall', 'The Final Cut', 'Pro's and Con's of Hitchhiking' etc Although anything else it works well on will be a bonus. I have the LA2A style covered with a Warm Audio WA2A and also the JLM500A Opto is in the LA3A ballpark. We have opto, FET and VCA dynamics but nothing Vari Mu.
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Post by rowmat on Jul 2, 2016 15:12:03 GMT -6
BTW - that WesAudio thing isn't DIY. Thanks I'm aware of that. The Wes Audio works out at around $3000 AUD over here. I can pick up a Sta Level for around $3,800-$4,000 AUD.
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Post by rowmat on Jul 2, 2016 17:15:49 GMT -6
Only heard the Highland at your place. Sounded great. The 124 is a monster too. The Sta seems to really add heft on the bottom. I'm just spit balling here, but like 250 and below. The 124 seems to add tone a little higher up the freq spectrum than that. The one negative I would say about the Sta (although I think it's what makes it sound like it does) are the amount of tubes and tube health. That can really change the tone. (Just saying that in general- I know you know that randy) The one I have right now sounds fantastic - maybe it's the 6386 - don't know. But all this could be said about most tube units. Any experience/opinions on the Locomotive 14b?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jul 2, 2016 17:20:29 GMT -6
Only heard the Highland at your place. Sounded great. The 124 is a monster too. The Sta seems to really add heft on the bottom. I'm just spit balling here, but like 250 and below. The 124 seems to add tone a little higher up the freq spectrum than that. The one negative I would say about the Sta (although I think it's what makes it sound like it does) are the amount of tubes and tube health. That can really change the tone. (Just saying that in general- I know you know that randy) The one I have right now sounds fantastic - maybe it's the 6386 - don't know. But all this could be said about most tube units. Any experience/opinions on the Locomotive 14b? I have one and dig it. I could run something through if you're interested.
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Post by mdmitch2 on Jul 2, 2016 18:07:18 GMT -6
Any experience/opinions on the Locomotive 14b? I have one and dig it. I could run something through if you're interested. I have a female vocal I'd love to hear through it if you don't mind.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 3, 2016 6:58:03 GMT -6
Only heard the Highland at your place. Sounded great. The 124 is a monster too. The Sta seems to really add heft on the bottom. I'm just spit balling here, but like 250 and below. The 124 seems to add tone a little higher up the freq spectrum than that. The one negative I would say about the Sta (although I think it's what makes it sound like it does) are the amount of tubes and tube health. That can really change the tone. (Just saying that in general- I know you know that randy) The one I have right now sounds fantastic - maybe it's the 6386 - don't know. But all this could be said about most tube units. Any experience/opinions on the Locomotive 14b? No, but maybe Randge can comment.
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Post by c0rtland on Jul 4, 2016 1:21:06 GMT -6
I've long lusted for one. From clips, they just seem to really fatten up and situate a vocal track so nicely. They do, I really enjoy mine. Stupid easy to use but still has a few options. Similar in this regard to the cl1a in my mind. I'll never get rid of my sta level. Doesn't mean I don't want a 176, Rs124, ba6a, SHMC, la2a, am660, the overstayer stuff and on and on. All of which would be contenders for the OP i'd imagine.. I'd love to hear the bg2 and locomotive. God, I need help.
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Post by Ward on Jul 4, 2016 6:46:13 GMT -6
Well, if it's primarily for vocal applications, start by selling everything you have listed there.
Then acquire the following: Neve 1073 preamp or a reissue or a really good clone (BAE, Vintech Great River) Tubetech CL1b Stam Audio SA2a or UA LA2a or both... Clone of a Bluestripe 1176 (hairball Audio, RoDa/Pro-replicas) Chandler RS124 and then maybe a Federal or Sta-Level clone and... DONE
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Post by mikec on Jul 4, 2016 8:31:34 GMT -6
Really happy with my Chandler Redd 47 and Rs124 combo for vocals.
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Post by rowmat on Jul 4, 2016 10:27:34 GMT -6
Well, if it's primarily for vocal applications, start by selling everything you have listed there. Then acquire the following: Neve 1073 preamp or a reissue or a really good clone (BAE, Vintech Great River) Tubetech CL1b Stam Audio SA2a or UA LA2a or both... Clone of a Bluestripe 1176 (hairball Audio, RoDa/Pro-replicas) Chandler RS124 and then maybe a Federal or Sta-Level clone and... DONE As far as Neve/Neve clones are concerned I'll have to make do with these for the time being...
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 4, 2016 10:38:37 GMT -6
Well, if it's primarily for vocal applications, start by selling everything you have listed there. Then acquire the following: Neve 1073 preamp or a reissue or a really good clone (BAE, Vintech Great River) Tubetech CL1b Stam Audio SA2a or UA LA2a or both... Clone of a Bluestripe 1176 (hairball Audio, RoDa/Pro-replicas) Chandler RS124 and then maybe a Federal or Sta-Level clone and... DONE As far as Neve/Neve clones are concerned I'll have to make do with these for the time being... View Attachment stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/4617886/new-girl-s-schmidt-o.gif
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Post by Ward on Jul 4, 2016 12:15:14 GMT -6
Well, if it's primarily for vocal applications, start by selling everything you have listed there. Then acquire the following: Neve 1073 preamp or a reissue or a really good clone (BAE, Vintech Great River) Tubetech CL1b Stam Audio SA2a or UA LA2a or both... Clone of a Bluestripe 1176 (hairball Audio, RoDa/Pro-replicas) Chandler RS124 and then maybe a Federal or Sta-Level clone and... DONE As far as Neve/Neve clones are concerned I'll have to make do with these for the time being... I mean, sure, slum it if you like. LOL You might have mentioned those!!
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Post by rowmat on Jul 4, 2016 12:50:34 GMT -6
As far as Neve/Neve clones are concerned I'll have to make do with these for the time being... I mean, sure, slum it if you like. LOL You might have mentioned those!! 😎
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Post by Randge on Jul 5, 2016 9:01:57 GMT -6
Any experience/opinions on the Locomotive 14b? No, but maybe Randge can comment. The Locomotive doesn't have the heft and weight of the Sta,RS-124 or the BG-2. It's a less colorful compressor and would be a fine call if that is what you're shooting for. For my dollar, I want some serious 1940's weight or complete transparent compression, depending on what I am doing. The RS-124 can do both but you have to be conservative when hitting it for a less colorful sound. The BG-2 is a fat tank of a comp that reminds me of my vintage RCA gear. Love it if I need to give a vocal some forwardness and command of the track. It also kills when using no compression and adding a bit of distortion to bass via the input and backing off the output. If you only hit it a couple db, it can be pretty invisible, too. The next comp on my list to get however, is the Charter Oak SCL-1. I need a comp that can clamp down and not really change the tone of what I am using it on. It will be good to follow a comp that is more colorful to get a few more db of compression at mix stage without taking the color too far.
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