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Post by nobtwiddler on May 19, 2021 15:56:23 GMT -6
Let's see I can't think of the name of the company right now. But years ago, when I had a Brenell Mini 8, and an Otari 7800 (both 1 inch 8 track machines) I needed a auto locator.
It was an aftermarket company that sold this auto locater product. Basically it was a arm that attached to the top of the tape deck that had a sensor in it. It had some sort of industrial adhesive, and you set it up so that it looked over the edge of the left (supply)reel of tape. This would capture the movement of the reels. Now they also included these little black round sticky dots, that you would attach to the flange of the reel. Every time they passed the sensor they would read out. giving you a sense of where the tape was, in minutes and seconds.
Funny enough it was a God send, way back when.
If I can remember the name I'll let you all know. And who knows, I might still have it in a box somewhere? haha
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 16, 2021 7:32:59 GMT -6
At my joint I have a few setups I usually go between for mixing.
But up until this new LUNA Release, I never tracked anything EVER to a computer! I have only tracked to a Radar unit since it's release in 91 No LATENCY, and it sounds absolutely wonderful.
Literally turn it on, arm the tracks you're gonna record to, and go! Done. Amazing unit, with amazing sonics.
And then after tracking was done, I would just send the files out via Ethernet to the computer for mixing... if I was going that route.
So because of a few different things that transpired in the last year I decided to give the computer a try. Firstly, my last minute move to a much smaller space, & of course the pandemic, which lead to much more remote work, and the need for total recall... Obviously the workflow is different.
At this point it's still a learning curve, & comfortability factor for me. As I am NOT a computer person, (actually I loathe them) which is why I bought the Radar originally (still have 3)
At the moment, my UA tracking and or mixing system consists of 2 x Apollo x16's 2 x Apollo x8p's 2 x Satellites, Octos and 1 x Apollo x4 for tracking out of the studio.
Because I was going to try this new UA setup, I figured I'd go all in, just my nature. So I purchased a new Mac Mini, fully blown out, (although not the M1 version!)
Then I went for a bigger curved LG monitor, 38 inch, which made the render meter in Luna, max out, and the entire system crashed constantly. So I purchased a Sonnet "GPU" Puck to handle the new large size monitor, and all was fine.. UNTIL..yesterday,
I just updated to the new Luna / UAD software, and as well as the new API bundle. Now once again, when I open up my mix templet, the render meter is already at, 55 - 60% and this is parked!
Tried a simple 20 channel mix yesterday, and the computer crashed about ten times!
Did I mention I HATE computers!
More to come.... (maybe)
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 15, 2021 19:12:03 GMT -6
The reason I purchased the Dangerous 2Buss +, was because of this:
#1 - Chris Muth's sonic history with his designs are second to none. So the sound quality wasn't an issue, it was a plus! (plus it's built like a tank)
#2 - Since many artists nowadays are likely to ask for mix revisions, this unit is so easy to recall. Especially since there are NO level adjustments on it, just a couple of push buttons to activate the few sonic parameters, on / or off! Since I found the settings I like, I usually leave them set, and if I were to change something it would take about 2 seconds to recall! Everything else is handled by the computer! (a plus)
#3 - The 2Buss + can either be a clean / or colored summing bus, so buy it once, and use it for any type of music mixing as need be.
My 2 cents... Well worth it's price.
Who knows, maybe sometime soon, I'll be able to create a ITB mix as good as a OTB stemmed mix?
As we all know, Every year the digital stuff gets better sonically, and Luna has proved that big time. But for me personally, at this point in time, it's not as good as when it's broken out and stemmed thru a summing mixer, or a mixer of some sort. Try it for yourself & see.
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 15, 2021 17:14:00 GMT -6
"Makes me think there’s something to be said for having one console with these tools and all of the tweaking sucks some of the coolness out of it. Or makes it sound “too perfect.”
Bingo
Couldn't of said it better myself!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 15, 2021 15:23:50 GMT -6
Well as Java said,
My in the box stuff sounds better then it ever did when using Luna, PERIOD! But my point is the stemmed to 16 outs or more mixes ALWAYS SOUND BETTER! Why, I haven't a clue. but they do. And everyone in the room agrees... Now this result wasn't only while using Luna, it's the same deal when using PT & or DP and mixing ITB.
And John, maybe your idea of not using the API and going thru my stuff is correct, I dunno? All I wanted to do was stem it out without changing much of anything. And with the 2 Buss +, that is basically what I did. The difference was quite noticeable!
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 15, 2021 12:41:19 GMT -6
Yes... Same mix, same settings, maybe a few level changes because it was going thru the 2Buss+ !
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Post by nobtwiddler on May 15, 2021 12:32:04 GMT -6
OK, I figured I'd post this cause of the above post. So I bought the new API / Luna strip. Sounds great, I'm digging it. Pulled up an old track, mixed it without vocals, via Luna in the box! Even used the 2500 on the mix buss! Simple mix, drums, a few electric guitars, and acoustics. Sounded great...
Then I had a bit more free time, so I thought I would give the same mix another go, routing everything thru the Dangerous 2Buss +. Using the same plugs / settings, just really adjusting the levels to make things similar to mix #1... The difference was very noticeable. Actually, I was quite amazed that I even thought the ITB mix sounded good ! Go figure.
It's my guess I'm still not good enough mixing totally ITB as yet? But who knows? This is the third time I've done this type of comparison, using DP, PT, and now Luna... But each and every time, the mix sent to either my console, remote rig, or the 2BUSS + always sounded better. and what I mean by better, bigger, wider, and with more depth. The ITB mixes always sounded cleaner, and a bit crisper if that means anything. Each instrument, was more identifiable, and less glued, a bit like everything was placed on a flat surface? For lack of a better term, like a quick ruff mix. It seemed to me that the mixes sent to the mixers / summers, melded together better, much more of a final mix. At least to me. It could simply be, this is what I'm used to...remember I've been mixing thru analog consoles since I opened my first studio in 72. So I'm a bit biased to say the least.
Next thing to try will be to keep those settings, and run thru my little Helios / Api / Neve rig.
Now that said, I'm really digging the Luna workflow, and Luna in general. I know it's not the the software, it's must be me...
I'm, gonna need more beer! Much more!!!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Apr 22, 2021 16:57:16 GMT -6
A few years ago I only had a Metric Halo UNL-8 interface and I got called to do a remote gig that required 16 inputs. So I purchased one of the Midas XL48- 8 channel preamps.
The thing was great, dig out - to dig in on the UNL-8, worked like a charm and was sonically very good, at least I didn't notice any sonic problems at all. Very affordable, and worked the charm.
Just another option.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Apr 14, 2021 8:54:11 GMT -6
John, Look if you're NOT using it much, and have some other gear that would help you in your pursuit of getting to the next level of Mixing / Production, then sell it. If you don't have any immediate equipment purchases in mind, then keep it for now, as you can sell it whenever, and it will most likely go up in value.
Since having to move last summer, I have sold 47 x Vintage tube amps from my collection, 17 x of my personal guitars, my Ferrari 512TR, my 2017 Miata Club, tons outboard gear, and much, much more. It just accumulates, and there really isn't enough time to use it all, so off it went.
Getting back to the guitars, I'm of the mind set that if you don't use an instrument for 6 months to a year, then it's time to sell it. The only exception to that rule...is if it's a specific instrument, that does one thing, but does it great, such as my 12 string Ric's, Zematis, & Harptones. Very specific sounds that are only used once in a while. Nothing I own is precious!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Apr 11, 2021 20:58:29 GMT -6
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Post by nobtwiddler on Mar 31, 2021 6:51:08 GMT -6
I've got a beautiful Perraux 6000B for sale if anyone is interested. A real beast. Wonderful Mosfet amp. Used it alongside my Dynaudio M2 monitors for a years. Don't have the M2's anymore so amp is for sale. Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on Mar 13, 2021 15:01:06 GMT -6
Yeah, John, VK should extend the demo for ya, because of the particular circumstances... If they don't then (*^#)_ them~!
Or if need be, I can call my uncle Carmine, then I'm sure they will extend the demo!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Feb 25, 2021 13:36:17 GMT -6
I still think the Helios on the AQ tracks is a bit more REAL, for lack of s better term. Don't like the stereo-ized tracks though!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Feb 23, 2021 13:37:18 GMT -6
Both tracks sounded good, pretty damn close in fact, but that said, The H2 track sounded a bit more intimate to me, had a little something extra that seemed to work very well on your vocal!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Feb 19, 2021 10:07:40 GMT -6
I loved my entire Neotek console, all 36 of them!
Not much talk about them, but people who have them know!
As for Butch, what the hell does he know. Haha
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Post by nobtwiddler on Feb 7, 2021 17:24:26 GMT -6
If used within their headroom limits, the Helios Type 69 modules sound GREAT~! And as John stated previously, if followed by another amplifier, like Capi's Missing Link, and or a Compressor / Limiter, which is the route I took for each of my 16 channels. They sound simply beautiful, and are wonderful.
I mean look, no...actually listen to their history.
Back then, it wasn't Neve that wrote the book on early 70's British Rock n Roll, it was Helios!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 14, 2021 18:31:10 GMT -6
You know all kidding aside, I'm a very honest person, and shoot directly from the hip with my clients. Sometimes, It's a good thing, and sometimes not so much. So be it.
I really don't care, I tell the truth, and they can do what they want with that info.
The fact is, I usually spell it out about the end results as I see them...
That said, Sometimes I tell them, I'm just gonna mix your project on the computer thru one of my summing mixers, Simply because they are "nit picky sons of bitches" and can't make up their minds so this will allow for multiple Exact recalls, over what I believe to be better sonics, and a better overall mix.
It's pretty funny to see the look on their faces when I describe it to them in that way.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 14, 2021 18:22:37 GMT -6
" cranky old dude "
John, it's not only you they're talking about! Haha I've been called worse...
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 14, 2021 16:22:07 GMT -6
"So I guess my rambling point was that I agree with Nobtwiddler that it’s a result of the collective dumbing down of our industry."
Yep. And it's killing me, that only a few see & HEAR IT! (or want to freely admit it?)
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 13, 2021 12:49:03 GMT -6
Has everyone drank the "Cool Aid"?
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 12, 2021 16:56:11 GMT -6
Haha! Good one.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 12, 2021 16:34:42 GMT -6
So here's a question.... Although I thought the Neve comparisons was pretty damn good in the video...
Where do you guys sit on this... I know a lot of you are much younger than me, so there's that perspective.
I own, almost every Comp / Eq / Pre Amp / I could ever want. And have sold more than anyone has ever needed. This stuff was purchased NOT for my clients, but for me, and my specific sonic requirements to do what ever I do.
But as John stated, as of late, no one has time, nor $$$ to spend on doing things the old way. And in my opinion, the right way. Sadly, not even the major clients / bands I've worked with over the last 45 years! No time, no money. So be it.
Every damn thing is a rush, and add to that the recall bullshit.
So for the last few years, I record and mix everyday, (still got to work, right?) although not totally happy in what I'm doing, and the way I'm doing it. Computers plug in's etc.
I just believe it's the slow dumbing down of our industry, taking away a little bit of fidelity, vibe, emotion, at a time, so no one really notices.
That said, I've been pretty happy with the results of the last few years of working this way, and the clients too... BUT what's bringing me down, is the fact I have all this gear that I know intimately, that just sits unpowered, and unused for the most part, because of this new paradigm. It's actually very depressing.
Although it might have taken more time, I listen to stuff I did years ago, (2 inch with all the outboard) and man did it have a vibe, a sonic signature that I just don't hear as of late.
Like I said, the slow sonic degradation of our industry. No matter what anyone tells me, using what's left of my two ears, the REAL ANALOG OUTBOARD just sounds better!
Maybe it's just me, or the last three Delirium Noels, I had...
Over & Out.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 30, 2020 11:02:35 GMT -6
My fav's are. Either a Royer SF-12 (or SF-24) Stereo Ribbon Or a pair of Gefell UM-70's
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 25, 2020 11:00:44 GMT -6
Massive storm hit us here in the North, we're in the dark.
Then this Bomb blast,
The Pandemic,
Unbelievable!
Merry friggin Christmas!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 24, 2020 11:47:21 GMT -6
Lost another great.
Leslie West, all done.
Gonna miss him, as we did a lot of work together, and boy was he a character.
Bye old friend.
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