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Post by nobtwiddler on Aug 3, 2021 7:49:32 GMT -6
I just received a U87 from Neumann that has had a new capsule installed. Mic was cutting out for a few weeks now, so I sent it to them, and they said it needed a new capsule. So I said go for it. Besides that, one of the switches was broken (the pad) so I had that replaced also. Literally just opened the box. Will have to test and report back on it's sonics.
Very expensive repair, but the mic is from the early 70's and I'm the original owner, so I had to do it!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 28, 2021 9:27:33 GMT -6
Just in case I haven't updated the photos, After all that this is the rig, that I use for the 8 track sessions. (I built 2 x of these complete setups.) Along with the Radar 6, loaded with 1 Ultra Nyquist card that limits us to the 8 tracks. Sometimes on a smaller gig, I bring just the one rack (as pictured) with a few free standing boxes to add what I might need, comp's / limiters, etc.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 26, 2021 14:43:18 GMT -6
Anybody else jump on the 8 channel bandwagon?
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 23, 2021 7:07:41 GMT -6
Thanks guys. And what a night it was! (from what I can remember)
Jeremy, the kick is a 1926 Slingerland marching drum, found in a local antiques store, purchased for $75.00 28 inch. I had the local drum company (Precision drum), put legs on it for me. It sounds amazing!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 21, 2021 15:41:25 GMT -6
Hey Eric, Thank you bud! This has been a helluva ride, Crazy year, and even crazier with the last minute Covid move GO figure.
Anyhow. You know if you're ever in this neck of the woods... It would be my pleasure to have a few goblets of the finest Belgians with you! (or whatever you'd like for that matter?)
Paul
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 21, 2021 15:09:21 GMT -6
So, some of you know that last April I was informed I had to leave the place I was very last minute. As the Landlord decided to sell very quickly and never told us. Well, ok, so not only did I have to move all the contents of a three Bedroom House, but then my studio, and my studio's pub! So here I am a year later, in the new joint, and I have just finished the pub this past weekend. Tomorrow is the Grand Opening at the new location... Much bigger, then the last one. And if you don't already know, I'm a beer fanatic, so besides the 100's of offerings I have here, On tap for the opening is - St. Bernardus Christmas, yes it's Christmas here in July! - Houblan Chouffe - Delirium Tremens Figured I'd share a few photos I just took.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 21, 2021 13:11:56 GMT -6
I built a 1/4 inch patchbay for this . Basically all of my amps, whether they are combos, or heads (at this moment I believe I'm down to 20) reside in the control room. And the speaker outputs of 14 those amps are wired to female 1/4 inch connectors. Then under the amp outputs, there are another 4 female jacks, which are wired to 4 x cabinets I have mic'ed and wired in the basement of the house. Each cab has different speakers, and are different configurations, 1 x 12, 2 x 12, 4 x 12, and I set them up ahead of time, for the style of music we are gonna do that day .... you get the idea. This allows a guitarist to plug into any of the amps (only 14 are wired at any time) and we can pick what cabinet we want for that particular song. I usually know what to have wired and ready before we start, but this gives us quite a palette of sounds to choose from, and we can switch cabs in a matter of seconds. I designed and built this over twenty years ago, and if I remember correctly EQ did a story on "The Studio Guitar Patch" as they called it, because the guys in Blue Oyster Cult were so moved by the ability to change amps and cabs in seconds... So there ya go...
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jul 12, 2021 13:21:38 GMT -6
I have both Nyquist, cards, Super, Ultra, as well as the Classic cards in my Radar V, 6, and Studio recorders. Every card is GREAT! If your doing mostly Rock, there really isn't any reason to go further than the Classic or the Super Nyquist cards. Ultra is great, but only needed if you are doing very high resolution music, Jazz, Classical, Acoustic, etc.
At least that's my take on it.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jun 2, 2021 15:59:27 GMT -6
One tune I recorded this past Feb, for a stream we did here at my joint back then.
1 mic, but it is a Josephson C700S !
That said, I do this all the time, usually with a 87, 67,, or a good ribbon, It's wonderful once you set the balance between the vocal and guitar.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jun 2, 2021 5:48:37 GMT -6
Hey Tony... Yeah this was done very quick, so there is a get opening and closing incorrectly, and some other artifacts that I just didn't have the time to adjust and or fix. As I just wanted to get the 3 versions done. If I do this again, I will do proper mixes, and spend more than 30 minutes on each version.
Now that being said, ITB = is just that, plugs on the channels, and stereo out. 2BUSS+ = Same but routed thru the unit, and making adjustments, for levels, balance, etc. because of the tonal shaping options included in that unit. Helios = re-routed again, using the type 69's into the 8816, all reverb returns went thru the API 8200A, and then out to a TC finalizer, for a little level control, NO EQ~! And then digitally into one of the Apollo X16 units to print.
To the point of doing this type of comparison again, but more accurately... How would you guys do it?
ITB is easy, use the plugs, and put nothing on the stereo out. Done
2BUSS+, now this gets a bit more complicated, because of the Harmonix, & the Para-Limit functions which I use all the time, as well as the Transformer option.
Do I shut off these type of plugs I used while ITB, and now use the 2BUS+ versions, or...keep what I had ITB, and shut off the 2BUSS+ options?
Remote rig mix, now what? Haha Once again, should I turn off all the ITB stuff, and go for a totally Analog mix, and or just re-route the ITB mix with plugs into the Helios / Neve / API
Not sure there is really a fair way to do this, to get a real feel for what each piece can bring to the table. A Apple to Apples comparison, is impossible.
Any thoughts?
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 31, 2021 17:37:01 GMT -6
"Then, I went and listened to the 2-Bus version. I thought it sounded MUCH closer to the OTB mix than the ITB mix after one listen" (and possibly with a bit more work it could sound as good? ) Who knows ... Maybe, .... it is after all like mixing thru a console.
" I still prefer the Helios / OTB."
ME TOOOOOO!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 31, 2021 7:29:58 GMT -6
"CLA did it a couple years back.
He did a mix on his SSL and then the same one with plugins, trying to showcase a plugin he collaborated on, I don't remember which one and anyway all I remember thinking was that it wasn't a very good ad for the plugins.
The SSL mix sounded quite a bit better."
There ya go... Exactly my point~!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 31, 2021 6:29:00 GMT -6
Hey Stormy, Attached is a few photos of one of my Remote recording Rigs I built. Each rig is comprised of 6 racks. The three slanted racks on top, and the 3 base racks. I have 2 complete systems, (12 racks) one is here at my place set up in my little room, as my console & cabling won't fit, so I'm using one of these at the moment, and the other is still on rental in a friends great room, where he uses it to cut tracks. (that one is also listed for sale) I designed and built these out of the desire to get out of the studio and have the ability to record in different locations / environments so to speak. Not for live in the club type of work, more often used when someone sets up camp in a rented space for a month or so. As a teenager I was completely amazed that more than half of the records I loved were of British Rock Bands, and most of those records were recorded using a Helios Console! And quite a few were recorded outside of a typical studio, using a remote recording vehicle, and those also had Helios consoles installed... So that was the impetus for this setup. Where I live there are many, unused Estates, Barns, Grange Halls, Churches etc... And this is where this system comes into play. Left Rack houses the Radar 6, and a folding screen that you cannot see in the photos, it pulls out in front of the Radar! Middle Rack is the 8 Helios type 69, mic pre / Eq's, the API, 8200A, which is used to sum tracks to gather while tracking, or used as 8 extra returns if mixing...And then the Neve 8816, which is usually used for monitoring while tracking, and in my case was the main mixer, for the mix I posted... Right Rack, house another 8 Helios type 69's, but I've popped 2 out, and replaced them with 2 x 760 limiters...for mixing... Below that are 4 x Shadow Hills, Mono Optograph, limiters, and a Dual Vandagraph stereo limiter. You can't see in the photos, but there is complete, 96 point "TT" patchbay atop the racks towards the rear so patching in / out of all this gear is relatively simple. Once arriving at a location, setup, other then mic's in and such, usually takes about 30 minutes. The lower racks house the 2 Genelecs, as well as all the snakes and cabling to wire it all together. There is also, another rack, with 4 x UA X interfaces, if someone wants that instead of the Radar? Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 31, 2021 6:08:04 GMT -6
Everyone's ears are different. We all hear things differently, and gravitate towards certain sounds that appeal to us, that maybe someone else doesn't like. And that's the beauty in having choices.
But for me, and it might be simply due to 46 years of mixing thru a Analog console, with lots of outboard, that I lean in that direction. Once again, I've spent days on a few ITB mixes, and I thought they sounded great. BUT if I tried a Console mix, I would be shocked in the difference.
Now, here's a thought, We all know that there's a lot of famous engineers mixing quite successfully ITB, and their mixes sound great! We also know most of them are doing so, literally because of Recall...and that makes total sense I get it.
Funny thing is, did any of them ever take a song mixed ITB, and do a fully Analog console mix of the same tune for comparison? Like I did ... but for real???
Boy I'd love to hear that!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 30, 2021 19:31:49 GMT -6
Hey Wiz, I re-routed all the output channels, and made quick adjustments to what the ITB mix was. You actually can't do an exact 1 for 1 mix because the 2Buss + has some processing. I mean you could, but things would really be askew.
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 30, 2021 19:14:49 GMT -6
After doing this procedure about ten times in the last few years, Setting up and mixing, ITB, 2BUSS+, The VTC Console, and my Remote rig,
Although very quickly done, I totally agree with this quote above from Brice
"I think you'd be able to get a lot closer with the plug ins though but it also shows one thing, it's easier to get a great sounding quick mix with analog, which has always been my experience too."
This has been my experience 100% the time!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 30, 2021 13:27:46 GMT -6
OK guys, so here ya go... I know the mixes are slightly different, but what they hell, I did this in less then two hours right after tracking. Pain in the ass reassigning all the outputs, match levels between formats, then trying to match plug ins with the actual hardware. I got close ... maybe? It's just a quick glance into the differences between mix methods. The fact that they are MP3's make comparing even less accurate but....whatever. All tracked to Radar. 24/48 Files brought into LUNA, - In the Box - 2BUSS + and then thru my little remote mixer rig, - Helios / Neve / API When using the Remote rig for that particular mix, I turned off as many of the plug Ins as I could, and just use the outboard EQ's and compressors, usually using the same model and settings, but only in hardware! Although hardly scientific, maybe it can shed some light on the over sonic differences, height, width, and weight of each unit. The fact is, I had a few hours free, so there ya go.. Enjoy.
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 26, 2021 19:40:58 GMT -6
Oh... Only crashes with Luna! Works fine, with DP, using the Apollo's or DP using my UNL-8's...
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 26, 2021 19:39:21 GMT -6
"That kind’ve stuff makes me nervous"
Yep That's why I still own and use Radar, never a problem, and it sounds better than mostly everything I ever heard.
I just got into Luna for the hell of it. Figured it would be a cool option for certain projects. But I'm not sure it's ready for prime time just yet. It's a great product, as is most of the Stuff UA puts out, plugs, hardware, etc. And their guys who help you out when you have a problem are the best, really great people.
When it worked, (works) it was great~!
Tomorrow's another day.
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 26, 2021 19:15:52 GMT -6
I bought new Mac mini with 2 TB of Storage and 32 Gigs of Ram, literally a week before they release the MI's I forgot the specs, but it was the best fastest one they offered at that time.
Thought I'd be good.
Have had nothing but problems while attempting to use Luna. I never know if it will work the next day.
First the Render meter would be slammed all the time, so I purchased a Sonnet GPU puck, (another $1000!) And that reduced the Rendering quite a bit. All was good for a while.
Since then I recently updated the computer to Big Sur, and then updated Luna accordingly.
Luna now crashes multiple times per song. Half the time, I can't even work so I give up. In the middle of listening to a song back the screen will go completly blank, and then say "loading" usually in a few minutes it comes back. But a lot of the time, it just crashes the entire system.
The render meter is usually OK...But now the Memory Meter is thru the roof? I don't get it.
It's too bad, cause now I can't even get thru a song.
If I knew for sure it was the computer, I'd buy yet another new one........$$$ BUT, I really don't wanna throw good money after bad...
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 26, 2021 15:17:59 GMT -6
And it probably won't work with anything we run now!
I personally can't wait.
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 23, 2021 18:43:54 GMT -6
I own the Requisite L2M limiter, bought it new from Danny at least 15 or so years ago. This thing is amazing, it's a beautiful piece of kit. Built by someone who gives a damn.
Most common uses for me are : Stereo Drum Subgroup, just a light touch here is wonderful. Stereo buss, again it's a beautiful thing using the filters.
And then sometimes split in dual mono for...
Lead Vox Subgroup which is always mono here... Bass Subgroup, again this is also mono.
Funny thing is, last year I saved enough $$$ to buy their L7 mic... As I always look to be different from the norm, with my equipment choices.
Then I got the email the building I was in, was sold, and I had to move...very last minute!
The new joint I'm in (temporarily,) only has 7 foot ceilings! Not enough room to set the mic up correctly, hanging down,
Well, unless I'm gonna be recording "midgets" !
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 19, 2021 19:46:46 GMT -6
OK, mine was sold on the east coast!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 19, 2021 19:45:54 GMT -6
OK, mine was sold on the east coast!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 19, 2021 19:17:51 GMT -6
Hey Bunch, where did ya get your 7800? Who knows, that might be my old one.
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