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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2018 18:56:24 GMT -6
At the moment my channel strips contain tube pre-amps, toob on toob is a bit too much of a good thing so I could do with a solid state but decent quality strip between $1.5 - $2K.. Although for the right one I could be convinced to shell out more..
On my radar so far:
I've come across are the Neve 8801 ($2850.00), Aphex Channel ($985.00), Focusrite ISA 430 MK2 ($2150.00).. I have looked into a 3-slot 500 series as well, so many options there I don't know where to start.. There's also the Vintech stuff like the x73i which is quite interesting, would of preferred a compressor at the end but it's not the end of the world.
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 19, 2018 19:37:42 GMT -6
I've owned the focusrite isa, the pre is good but doesn't add any magic, the eq I thought was really good but the comp was just ok.
I've hear good things about the buzz audio channel strip, maybe that's worth a look?
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Post by Quint on Apr 19, 2018 21:44:02 GMT -6
This is the problem with a lot of channel strips. The pre, the eq, the comp or two of those three may be cool, but one of them ends up being meh. Whatever you might have saved by buying the "combo" package ends up being a net zero because you don't really ever end up using the pre, the eq or the comp very much. I still want to try the new Overstayer strip though.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2018 22:04:00 GMT -6
This is the problem with a lot of channel strips. The pre, the eq, the comp or two of those three may be cool, but one of them ends up being meh. Whatever you might have saved by buying the "combo" package ends up being a net zero because you don't really ever end up using the pre, the eq or the comp very much. I still want to try the new Overstayer strip though. The DBX 676's are awesome from end to end but they've made assumptions that you're going to run less than super interesting mic's through them.. Run a U87 / 89 / Mojave FET etc. through it end to end and it sounds like rolling thunder. Run a gritty tube mic through it though and there's too much harmonic distortion stacked. So yeah I get your point, but doesn't all of this searching for equipment make you go a little crazy? I just want stuff that sounds good and is easy to use without taking out a mortgage. As much as I like some stuff in the low end I've learnt by now it's a risky proposition as it's hit or miss..
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Post by Quint on Apr 19, 2018 22:47:57 GMT -6
This is the problem with a lot of channel strips. The pre, the eq, the comp or two of those three may be cool, but one of them ends up being meh. Whatever you might have saved by buying the "combo" package ends up being a net zero because you don't really ever end up using the pre, the eq or the comp very much. I still want to try the new Overstayer strip though. The DBX 676's are awesome from end to end but they've made assumptions that you're going to run less than super interesting mic's through them.. Run a U87 / 89 / Mojave FET etc. through it end to end and it sounds like rolling thunder. Run a gritty tube mic through it though and there's too much harmonic distortion stacked. So yeah I get your point, but doesn't all of this searching for equipment make you go a little crazy? I just want stuff that sounds good and is easy to use without taking out a mortgage. As much as I like some stuff in the low end I've learnt by now it's a risky proposition as it's hit or miss.. But I don't necessarily want "rolling thunder" to be the only option. Sometimes, he'll yeah. But maybe not always. I'll look into the 676.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2018 23:06:01 GMT -6
The DBX 676's are awesome from end to end but they've made assumptions that you're going to run less than super interesting mic's through them.. Run a U87 / 89 / Mojave FET etc. through it end to end and it sounds like rolling thunder. Run a gritty tube mic through it though and there's too much harmonic distortion stacked. So yeah I get your point, but doesn't all of this searching for equipment make you go a little crazy? I just want stuff that sounds good and is easy to use without taking out a mortgage. As much as I like some stuff in the low end I've learnt by now it's a risky proposition as it's hit or miss.. But I don't necessarily want "rolling thunder" to be the only option. Sometimes, he'll yeah. But maybe not always. I'll look into the 676. Then just back it off a bit and you'll be fine it can do subtle, there's variable attenuators for the amount of drive.. The 162SL designed VCA has to be one of the best if not slightly transparent compressors I've come across ever. What it doesn't do is completely clean, which on mic's like the ISK 2B that's quite oversaturated (in a pleasant way) by nature doesn't sound bad but it's not ideally what you want (well I don't anyway).. I did look at the 560A compressor / limiter (as in a lunchbox setup) but it doesn't look to be the same design as the one in the 676 which is a mighty shame.
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Post by hadaja on Apr 20, 2018 1:11:51 GMT -6
I pretty much like all the stuff on my Portico Channel strip II. So much that i have 2 of them. But i am hankering and have an eye on another channel strip so i am going to sell one of them to buy that.
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Post by yotonic on Apr 20, 2018 1:32:08 GMT -6
Neve is good, API is too try it and return it if it doesn't suit. When you are in "solid state" mode it's hard to beat Neve or API. If you like either and want to tweak your tone with a dedicated pre from Classic Audio or Chandler then you can't lose there either. To me once you enter solid state it's all about Neve or API and a UREI 1176/1178 but that's just me. My favorite preamp on vocals is a JM 130 by Mike Keith of JMK Audio, followed by a vintage Neve 1066. The JM 130 is a point to point hand built preamp that is super close to API with better fidelity and mojo.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 20, 2018 11:32:06 GMT -6
I can heartily recommend the Vintech X73i, great Pre and EQ.
The Undertone channel strip would be worth demoing, I suspect.
Are you anti- 500 series? My own real complaint is that the ergonomics can be a little annoying. Haven’t gone that route myself.
Anyway, it strikes me as a way to roll your own channel strip. For instance I’d love to have IC Brute to Neve 1073LBEQ at my disposal. Also the Heider pre CAPI makes looks intriguing.
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Post by matt@IAA on Apr 20, 2018 13:54:11 GMT -6
I really want to try some of the UTA stuff. Looks sexy as hell.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 20, 2018 14:21:23 GMT -6
I think the 8801 is pretty clean, right? Not like getting a 1073 channel strip. You thought about the Chandler TG Cassette? That think is awesome.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 16:59:38 GMT -6
I can heartily recommend the Vintech X73i, great Pre and EQ. The Undertone channel strip would be worth demoing, I suspect. Are you anti- 500 series? My own real complaint is that the ergonomics can be a little annoying. Haven’t gone that route myself. Anyway, it strikes me as a way to roll your own channel strip. For instance I’d love to have IC Brute to Neve 1073LBEQ at my disposal. Also the Heider pre CAPI makes looks intriguing. Been a great thread with plenty of cool suggestions, no I'm not anti-500 it's just a cost thing really.. Somebody actually suggested a kinda similar path as in Avedis MA5, API EQ / any 3-band and IC Brute or OCL.. Would it really be worth the extra cost over the Vintech though?
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Post by jeremygillespie on Apr 20, 2018 18:49:33 GMT -6
I can heartily recommend the Vintech X73i, great Pre and EQ. The Undertone channel strip would be worth demoing, I suspect. Are you anti- 500 series? My own real complaint is that the ergonomics can be a little annoying. Haven’t gone that route myself. Anyway, it strikes me as a way to roll your own channel strip. For instance I’d love to have IC Brute to Neve 1073LBEQ at my disposal. Also the Heider pre CAPI makes looks intriguing. The undertone stuff is interesting. A buddy had one at the studio that he had just gotten. The preamp sounded fantastic. Then you move on to the eq section and things get weird. I’m assuming if you spend a bunch of time with it and figure it out, it would be awesome. I’m not the most brilliant fellow, but I’m also not missing any screws or anything - but even with the manual right in front of my face I couldn’t make heads or tails of what the heck was going on with all the possibilities of the eq. Trying to dial something in on the spot was a total PITA. We wound up just plugging into a Neve and rolling tape.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 20:14:40 GMT -6
I think the 8801 is pretty clean, right? Not like getting a 1073 channel strip. You thought about the Chandler TG Cassette? That think is awesome. Actually not a clue, Chandler looks good.. Issue is at that price something gotta give, I had a set budget for complete new setup including new vocal booths and furniture.. Anything over 2K for a strip would mean a cheaper "do-all" mic which I'm pretty sold on a U89I for those duties, if I could find a cheaper replacement then it becomes far more viable. I've looked at a Lewitt 640 for e.g. but still prefer the Neumann. I've thought about deferring either the strip or the expensive mic till later (as I have some decent mics anyway)..
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Post by yotonic on Apr 20, 2018 20:32:33 GMT -6
A U89? Are you sure about that? Had one and it was underwhelming for vocal duties. A vintage U87 is far better on vocals, and can kill with a simple sdc on guitar, and with a 57 on electrics, and on acoustic piano. I'd rather have that than a U89 unless you are doing something unusual. A high quality microphone will have the greatest effect on your final sound of anything in your chain. Buy the best mic you can and don't worry about the channel strip. A lot of the preamps in interfaces today will suffice along with eq, and compressor plug ins. After the instrument it's all about the mic.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 21, 2018 11:17:27 GMT -6
I can heartily recommend the Vintech X73i, great Pre and EQ. The Undertone channel strip would be worth demoing, I suspect. Are you anti- 500 series? My own real complaint is that the ergonomics can be a little annoying. Haven’t gone that route myself. Anyway, it strikes me as a way to roll your own channel strip. For instance I’d love to have IC Brute to Neve 1073LBEQ at my disposal. Also the Heider pre CAPI makes looks intriguing. The undertone stuff is interesting. A buddy had one at the studio that he had just gotten. The preamp sounded fantastic. Then you move on to the eq section and things get weird. I’m assuming if you spend a bunch of time with it and figure it out, it would be awesome. I’m not the most brilliant fellow, but I’m also not missing any screws or anything - but even with the manual right in front of my face I couldn’t make heads or tails of what the heck was going on with all the possibilities of the eq. Trying to dial something in on the spot was a total PITA. We wound up just plugging into a Neve and rolling tape. Thanks for the intel! I don’t even particularly like Distressors for their tweakinness, this EQ sounds annoying.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 21, 2018 11:24:04 GMT -6
I can heartily recommend the Vintech X73i, great Pre and EQ. The Undertone channel strip would be worth demoing, I suspect. Are you anti- 500 series? My own real complaint is that the ergonomics can be a little annoying. Haven’t gone that route myself. Anyway, it strikes me as a way to roll your own channel strip. For instance I’d love to have IC Brute to Neve 1073LBEQ at my disposal. Also the Heider pre CAPI makes looks intriguing. Been a great thread with plenty of cool suggestions, no I'm not anti-500 it's just a cost thing really.. Somebody actually suggested a kinda similar path as in Avedis MA5, API EQ / any 3-band and IC Brute or OCL.. Would it really be worth the extra cost over the Vintech though? Hard to say. A 550 is so different from a 1073 style eq. In looking at the Vintech I’d have to look at the newer, even more affordable clones, but I think I read you’re not into Warm gear. I think one great thing about 500 series is the sheer amount of 2nd have units as people burn through flavor of the month picks. Lots of bargains to be had.
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Post by pope on Apr 21, 2018 12:35:07 GMT -6
Daking? I love them!
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Post by notneeson on Apr 21, 2018 14:06:36 GMT -6
So, I’m clearly a big nerd. I went on Reverb and priced a theoretical 500 series rig purely as a value for money thought experiment:
Portico 511 pre @ $ 435 Kush Electra @ $410 JLM Opto @ $646 Heritage 4 slot @ $250
That’s $1730 w/ shipping but not tax.
Caveat: have only used the Kush in the list above.
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Post by Quint on Apr 21, 2018 14:34:46 GMT -6
So, I’m clearly a big nerd. I went on Reverb and priced a theoretical 500 series rig purely as a value for money thought experiment: Portico 511 pre @ $ 435 Kush Electra @ $410 JLM Opto @ $646 Heritage 4 slot @ $250 That’s $1730 w/ shipping but not tax. Caveat: have only used the Kush in the list above. Do you mean the JLM LA500A? I really want to get a pair of those. The JLM paired with the Electra would make a great combination for tracking.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 21, 2018 14:39:58 GMT -6
So, I’m clearly a big nerd. I went on Reverb and priced a theoretical 500 series rig purely as a value for money thought experiment: Portico 511 pre @ $ 435 Kush Electra @ $410 JLM Opto @ $646 Heritage 4 slot @ $250 That’s $1730 w/ shipping but not tax. Caveat: have only used the Kush in the list above. Do you mean the JLM LA500A? I really want to get a pair of those. The JLM paired with the Electra would make a great combination for tracking. Yes, that’s the one!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 17:20:35 GMT -6
A U89? Are you sure about that? Had one and it was underwhelming for vocal duties. A vintage U87 is far better on vocals, and can kill with a simple sdc on guitar, and with a 57 on electrics, and on acoustic piano. I'd rather have that than a U89 unless you are doing something unusual. A high quality microphone will have the greatest effect on your final sound of anything in your chain. Buy the best mic you can and don't worry about the channel strip. A lot of the preamps in interfaces today will suffice along with eq, and compressor plug ins. After the instrument it's all about the mic. Yes I am sure about that, I rented one for two weeks and they can sound jaw dropping if you know what to do with them (I tested a lot of mics, compared samples with friends / engineers). If it's "vocal" duties, then I have a Mojave MA-1000, Neumann U67, GZ67FET, Mojave 201-FET, ISK-2B to choose from at the moment (that doesn't include dynamic mic's either like MD441's), I do like vintage 87's but see no need to buy one. Although I don't have much in the way of utilitarian, clean and extended multi-pattern LDC's. Suggestions there are welcome.. I've not been searching for two minutes, I've built this new setup carefully selecting components / comparing every thing in MY chain over the course of months.. Never again will I make the mistake of random ad-hoc purchases, so here's another thing I have to be able to get my hands on it. As for interface pre-amps, you're joking right?
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Post by gabygab2 on Apr 21, 2018 21:16:47 GMT -6
So, I’m clearly a big nerd. I went on Reverb and priced a theoretical 500 series rig purely as a value for money thought experiment: Portico 511 pre @ $ 435 Kush Electra @ $410 JLM Opto @ $646 Heritage 4 slot @ $250 That’s $1730 w/ shipping but not tax. Caveat: have only used the Kush in the list above. Do you mean the JLM LA500A? I really want to get a pair of those. The JLM paired with the Electra would make a great combination for tracking. Hi! I have a pair of the JLM LA500. They really are wonderful to track with. So easy to set. It's really hard to get something to sound bad.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 0:18:27 GMT -6
I did get offered a Shadow Hills Gamma and Acme Audio XLA-500 for $1500.00?? Worth it?
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Post by yotonic on Apr 22, 2018 0:39:36 GMT -6
A U89? Are you sure about that? Had one and it was underwhelming for vocal duties. A vintage U87 is far better on vocals, and can kill with a simple sdc on guitar, and with a 57 on electrics, and on acoustic piano. I'd rather have that than a U89 unless you are doing something unusual. A high quality microphone will have the greatest effect on your final sound of anything in your chain. Buy the best mic you can and don't worry about the channel strip. A lot of the preamps in interfaces today will suffice along with eq, and compressor plug ins. After the instrument it's all about the mic. Yes I am sure about that, I rented one for two weeks and they can sound jaw dropping if you know what to do with them (I tested a lot of mics, compared samples with friends / engineers). If it's "vocal" duties, then I have a Mojave MA-1000, Neumann U67, GZ67FET, Mojave 201-FET, ISK-2B to choose from at the moment (that doesn't include dynamic mic's either like MD441's), I do like vintage 87's but see no need to buy one. Although I don't have much in the way of utilitarian, clean and extended multi-pattern LDC's. Suggestions there are welcome.. I've not been searching for two minutes, I've built this new setup carefully selecting components / comparing every thing in MY chain over the course of months.. Never again will I make the mistake of random ad-hoc purchases, so here's another thing I have to be able to get my hands on it. As for interface pre-amps, you're joking right? Yes I'm joking, no one who makes records for a living would ever use the preamps in an interface.
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