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Post by jsteiger on Jul 7, 2016 19:14:53 GMT -6
Today I went over to John Kennedy’s with the proto’s of my new BT50 EQ’s. I have heard these at a few studios around town recently but wanted some clips to post. John was gracious enough to offer up his time and expertise. My goal was the sonic glory that only the original 550 has, with some added frequency points. The 550 is "special" and anyone who has ever used or owned one knows what I mean. In the rack from left to right we had: 1. Vintage 550 (earliest version of this style EQ, probably a late '60's or very early '70's unit) 2. Vintage 550A (2nd version of this EQ, probably a mid to late '70's specimen) 3. BT50 with gar1731’s and Panasonic film caps for low band 4. BT50 with gar1731’s and TDK film caps for low band 5. Reissue 550A with hand-wired switches (maybe 8-ish years old?) 6. Reissue 550A with 7 free’s per band and PC mount switches (fairly recent production) **Disclaimer: there may be something up with the #6 module although it came from a fully functioning pro studio. Just ignore the clips thru #6. My goal was never to imitate that version anyways.**All 550 style modules have whatever opamps in them that they came with from the factory. John opened up a Chad Cromwell session that was tracked at Sound Emporium A. We did a rough no processing mix to mono for the first set of clips. We took this bounce track and ran it thru each EQ in the rack. We went a little on the extreme with all of the settings for the 3 comparisons. We felt that was the best way for any differences to show themselves. Here are the settings we used for the mono full kit.  Next we did the same with snare top from the same Chad Cromwell session. Here are the settings we used for the snare top.  And we close with a snippet of a vocal from an artist that John has worked with, Holley McCreary. Here are the settings we used for her vocal.  Again, these are all a little extreme just to hopefully exploit any sonic differences. We did not get extremely scientific with levels but they should be pretty dang close. The PT session zip can be downloaded here. www.capi-gear.com/catalog/images/gallery/BT50/Proto/BT50_Tests.zip**Disclaimer: there may be something up with the #6 module although it came from a fully functioning pro studio. Just ignore the clips thru #6. My goal was never to imitate that version anyways.**Let me know what you think! I think I am done and ready to release these bad boys!  Cheers, Jeff |
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Post by rob61 on Jul 7, 2016 20:15:34 GMT -6
Can't get the files. I don't have a "Box" acct, should I be able to grab them or do I need to create a "free" acct? Don't you have a hosting acct with server space?
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Post by jsteiger on Jul 7, 2016 20:19:46 GMT -6
It should work just fine. Not sure what the problem is. The file is under the limit and my account is way under the limit. Researching now.
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Post by drbill on Jul 7, 2016 20:22:57 GMT -6
proto’s of my new BT50 EQ’s. I think I am done and ready to release these bad boys! Cheers, Jeff These look sweet Jeff! I need to get hooked up on these..... <<BIG thumbs up!!>> |
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Post by joseph on Jul 7, 2016 20:28:04 GMT -6
Yeah, I'm not able to get it either. Excited to hear the band/LPF interaction on guitars!
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Post by jsteiger on Jul 7, 2016 20:30:14 GMT -6
OK I uploaded to my store host so all should be good to go. Sorry for the issues. Box.com sucks.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,098 
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Post by ericn on Jul 7, 2016 20:32:17 GMT -6
My wallet is gently weeping!
They look great Jeff!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jul 7, 2016 20:38:33 GMT -6
No guitar takes? Isn't guitar the API EQ specialty?
Anyway, looking forward to listening.
Any pricing yet?
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Post by wiz on Jul 7, 2016 20:42:47 GMT -6
protools...
boo...
8)
cheers
Wiz
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Post by drbill on Jul 7, 2016 22:35:38 GMT -6
Pro Tools!!!!! Yay!!!! going to listen now.....
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 7, 2016 22:37:56 GMT -6
protools... boo... 8) cheers Wiz I might try and consolidate files and upload so those without PTs can listen. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 7, 2016 22:45:26 GMT -6
Jeff let me borrow the LC25 and LC40...and WOW. I'm convinced about analog vs. plugin EQ. In fact, holy shiite catholic. I can just turn knobs and shit sounds better. I swear I'm not being hyperbolic. Nothing sounds ugly even dimed. It's kind of amazing.
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Post by drbill on Jul 7, 2016 22:50:49 GMT -6
OK. Listening on JBL's in the Hedback designed CRM.
First, the current reissue 550A always sounds broken to me. Or like it needs to be recapped or it had a LPF on. Weird, but consistent.
My favorite was always (I think - I didn't agonize over listening, but gave em a quick overview) the VINTAGE 550A. Maybe because that's SUCH a familiar sound to me (been using them for 20 years.....)
Both Jeff's versions - the TDK and Panasonics were fantastic though. I mean, I'm splitting the smallest of hairs here. I could use any of these aside from the current reissue. (Still think it's broken....) But on Jeff's versions I flipped back and forth between which was "best" - it depended on the source. Again, I could use either. Mic position or amount of boost / cut or level in mix would have way more of a play than the op amp version.
And also, I preferred the 550 versions over the LC's. Again, perhaps due to famiarity and a basic love for the 550A.
Great job Jeff! Looking forward to getting some.
How difficult is the build, and the ever ending question - cuanto cuesta?
JOHN - thanks for doing the PT version. Made life EASY!!! BTW, there were some files missing. Try downloading and opening with your session drive shut down. Some of the original files are missing - the vocal and snare top source files.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 7, 2016 22:59:07 GMT -6
LC25 into FC526...Acoustic guitar heaven.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 7, 2016 23:07:47 GMT -6
OK. Listening on JBL's in the Hedback designed CRM. First, the current reissue 550A always sounds broken to me. Or like it needs to be recapped or it had a LPF on. Weird, but consistent. My favorite was always (I think - I didn't agonize over listening, but gave em a quick overview) the VINTAGE 550 A. Maybe because that's SUCH a familiar sound to me (been using them for 20 years.....) Both Jeff's versions - the TDK and Panasonics were fantastic though. I mean, I'm splitting the smallest of hairs here. I could use any of these aside from the current reissue. (Still think it's broken....) But on Jeff's versions I flipped back and forth between which was "best" - it depended on the source. Again, I could use either. Mic position or amount of boost / cut or level in mix would have way more of a play than the op amp version. And also, I preferred the 550 versions over the LC's. Again, perhaps due to famiarity and a basic love for the 550A. Great job Jeff! Looking forward to getting some. How difficult is the build, and the ever ending question - cuanto cuesta? JOHN - thanks for doing the PT version. Made life EASY!!! BTW, there were some files missing. Try downloading and opening with your session drive shut down. Some of the original files are missing - the vocal and snare top source files. OK - weird...will do. I thought the BT50 was right in the middle of the vintage 550 and 550A. The 550 is awesome. The vintage 550A could get a little aggressive on top IMHO. But again - splitting hairs here - they were both awesome. I thought the BT50 had a presence that the 550 didn't have, but didn't get as bright as the 550A. I thought the PAN might have had a little more meat in the 200Hz area...but man, I don't know...very, very similar. To me, the Handwired Reissue 550A sounded ok, but not as good as the other 4. Then you're right - we wondered the same thing - if the current 550A model was broken or something, because it sounded cloudy as hell. The LC comparison probably wasn't fair because of the 6.4 to 7kHz differences...but I'm using those now and they are sick too. I'll probably end up with those because they fit my needs a little better. |
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Post by roundbadge on Jul 8, 2016 1:15:20 GMT -6
Listening.That newest reissue might just have an issue?
I have that file running next to current reissue 550a's and vintage 550A's in my console and while the old ones are better they don' t sound that cloudy/dark.the newer ones definitely have a little more modern api forward harhness and slight upper mid knock to them...[imo those lame smt op amps and weird tx's].
Agree w John the BT's sound kinda btw the 550 and A's..super nice.
of course the 550 sounds great.
still gotta do a good listen btw Pana and TDK.
Man I'm sooo ready to change these reissue 550a's/560's out for the BT's/LC's.
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Post by Tommy Harron on Jul 8, 2016 9:11:18 GMT -6
First thoughts: The vintage 550A was my favorite, with the BT50 TDK sounding the closest to my ears. Something very pleasant in the lows and buttery highs. I like the top end on the LC25 mono kit as well.
I'd certainly jump at a pair of BT50 TDKs! Well done and thank you for such an in-depth comparison.
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Post by EmRR on Jul 8, 2016 9:22:30 GMT -6
Doesn't look like there's an LC53A sample in there? I know, I'm being a PITA. Downloaded, not in PT so I haven't taken time to line anything up yet in DP, but the files are accessible. I have LC53A's and TB Audio TB550A's to compare against here.....when the moment is found.....
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Post by joseph on Jul 8, 2016 9:42:02 GMT -6
When are all these eqs coming out, roughly?
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Post by Steamy Williams on Jul 8, 2016 9:45:48 GMT -6
Which version of the 550A are you referring to?  |
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Post by Tommy Harron on Jul 8, 2016 10:15:37 GMT -6
Which version of the 550A are you referring to? Vintage. Edited original post. Cheers! |
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Post by Johnkenn on Jul 8, 2016 11:23:44 GMT -6
I think LC24 and 40 are right around the corner...then BT50s...
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Post by sozocaps on Jul 8, 2016 12:11:02 GMT -6
I have to get one with some SoZo Caps in there for that vintage analog sound.... (most likely won't fit as mine are true film foil not metalized)
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Post by sozocaps on Jul 8, 2016 12:15:44 GMT -6
Although... hmmm maybe room ?  |
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Post by joseph on Jul 8, 2016 13:24:22 GMT -6
I think LC24 and 40 are right around the corner...then BT50s... Really itching to try them on snare and guitars. |
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