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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 6, 2014 21:35:31 GMT -6
Too late, already flipped one Ferrari a few years ago... I somehow managed to escape that with just a lot of broken bones...
Then bought another a week later.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 3, 2014 18:19:48 GMT -6
John, Back in the old days... I would place a new Acoustic in front (inches away) of one stereo speaker, pan everything to that speaker, and have music play for days on end. Choice of music was usually loud, and very dynamic material. This is what we did back in the 70's and we always perceived a difference in tone after about a week or so.
Although I'm Not sure if people have the luxury of a spare room with music blasting for 24 hours a day, for a week or so? But that's how it was done way back then. (at least in my neighborhood!)
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Post by nobtwiddler on Jan 3, 2014 18:10:05 GMT -6
Haha.. You guys are good~! The book shelves are mostly filled with books on the, Stones, Beer & Ferrari.... My three favorite things!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 27, 2013 17:13:58 GMT -6
Here's my Mark I, I ordered this just outta High School. I actually ordered 5, 1 for me, and the other 4 for my rehearsal studio at the time, but Randall Smith and his wife, Raven called me to ask it would be OK if they just sent me one head, and could wait for the other 4, because Keith Richards had ordered 11 for the the upcoming Stones Tour, and they would not be able to deliver all of his, if they had to deliver my 4 before hand I believe it was late 73.. I said sure, no problem, but make sure you tell Keith...that Paul said it was OK~! Haha Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 23, 2013 21:08:35 GMT -6
Free, is even BETTER~!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 23, 2013 18:38:01 GMT -6
I had GREAT results with 1 x 12 "ruff sawn Pine" and "Cedar' planks. I covered all the walls. and ceiling, in my last place with that and it sounded beautiful. Usually one side is cut smooth, and the other is ruff cut. Not only does it look great, It also smells wonderful, especially if you do not coat it, seal it of use anything on it !!! For all the years after I redid the studio in that wood, 15 years or more, the room always smelled great, like natural wood, and the clients always commented on it.
Besides the look, I like the ruff side of the planks facing out, for me it added just enough absorption to make the space sound great... This is usually NOT tongue and groove. But not a big deal at all. You can usually get a great deal on these planks from a mill or a lumber yard. It was a quite a few years ago, But I paid $1.25 per linear foot for the Pine, not sure what the Cedar was at the time, but it was a bit more $$$.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 14, 2013 15:34:09 GMT -6
Been playing with the Unity Audio Rocks, Boulders, and the Avalanche sub for a few days. Will start mixing a few tunes possibly next week with them. Very interesting monitors. Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 2, 2013 17:39:59 GMT -6
Maybe a bit left of center for some, I know? But I really believe this is a great version and performance by a group covering a recently released song, all live in the studio. And since this was a thread about real singers, I believe big Mike fits the bill. (If you can get past the clown suit, I believe you will dig this performance!)
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 1, 2013 16:26:02 GMT -6
Call Geoff directly! He's one of the good guys... Trust me, he will take care of you, as if you were family! The best of the best!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 25, 2013 19:03:51 GMT -6
Yep, It's the real deal!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 25, 2013 10:07:15 GMT -6
The final chapter in my ultimate 8 track recorder search was written just about a year ago. At the time I had heard the IZ was releasing a new Radar version 6. So I called Barry, and asked him what's up? He told me that the new unit addressed most of my requests for my portable rig. In fact it not only hit all the specifics I had requested, but it does much, more then I could ever hope for. (could it be a case where a manufacturer actually listens to their customers requests? I think so!) So I bought one. At that point my search for a recorder was over, I have the machine I always dreamed of. Now it time to finish outfitting the rest of the unit so that it was the ultimate remote recording rig...... Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 25, 2013 9:44:31 GMT -6
I like you, have or had no intentions on hurting the man or his company... Like I said, I found Geoff to be a very likable guy, and the mixer was one of the best I ever heard. I'm just telling my story. I've kept quiet for years, and years. But I do believe forums like this are exactly where these issues need to be discussed amongst our piers, as to possibly help them with their decision on equipment purchases. I literally threw $3500 away in a few months... a substantial amount of my time and money wasted.
Oh well...
Now back to our regularly scheduled program....
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 24, 2013 18:11:06 GMT -6
Yeah I had, the Studer, the original as well as the later version of the Alesis, Adats, ending up with their M-20, as well as Fostex thing with time code..(whatever that was called? Trust me, tried everything. Even built my first remote rig (I mentioned early in this post) based around 3 original Adats, right after they were introduced. Photos of that rig to come later..if I can find them.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 23, 2013 9:57:04 GMT -6
Hey John, Yeah the Aurora Audio thing was a real let down. The unit sounded fabulous, but wasn't reliable. I spent $7000 on it and waited months longer then the date I was promised for it's delivery. Canceled gigs because of this...(maybe a omen of what was to come?)
Like I said Geoff was good about trying to get it going, but it seemed like he was overwhelmed at the time. When the unit was sent back to him the first time it was because the left side would be intermittent and go out randomly, also the headphone amp would go on and off, a few little things like that? It was supposed to be back within 10 days, but instead it took six weeks, but nothing really changed, as it exhibited the same problems a few weeks later. Then it went back again cause Geoff said he figured out what it was....but it just wasted even more time and more of my money. Really too bad, cause I LOVED the GTM, and designed and built my entire system around it. I was kinda hoping I might get one of the new versions for cost or something, when they came out, but hey...live and learn. When the Neve 8816 came out, it filled the void, maybe not as great sonically, but does even more, has 16 channels, and works all the time!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 23, 2013 9:27:30 GMT -6
Haha.. Once again my Scummy little friend, you are correct!
I tried it, and soon realized that (what I already knew) I hated everything about recording to a computer.... The setup, the interface, the latency, etc, etc, etc. This went on for about a year or so, trying each time to get past the computer thing, but it just wore me down. What can I say, even with all a computer setup offers, I just couldn't get on with it. Not for me, that's all. Plus there was the fact that everyone KNEW, they could just add more tracks if needed.
Once again I didn't like that option for my purpose of keeping it real. At that point I thought I was out of options, so I started luggin the Radar V around again.
UNTIL..............
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 22, 2013 17:56:31 GMT -6
The next phase was one I fought in my head for weeks.... I didn't really want to go the computer route, no let me rephrase it... I DIDN'T WANT TO USE A COMPUTER EVER! (other then for email) But I saw no other choice, a computer was cheap, easy, made no noise to speak of, and if I purchased a 8 channel convertor, then I pretty much have my 8 tracks set up right? So after many weeks I finally settled on a Mac Book Pro 17 inch laptop with a Metric Halo UNL-8 for the 8 ins /outs ...And DP-7 (at the time) Ok, this seemed like it might work... How bad could it be? I put all this it into my setup, and did a few sessions with this configuration. The pics show, the computer, the UNL-8, a storage drawer, a Glyph 2 terabyte drive, and the second 19 inch screen which folds into the rack when not in use. And these are all installed in the new custom built rack. (after I decided the SKB's were too much) Attachments:
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 22, 2013 17:31:48 GMT -6
I figured out real soon that the SKB racks were also a bit much more then required (good thing I bought 2, ehh?). So I set out to make the system much more portable, reliable, & with a vintage sonic flavor. At this time I already owned 5 Radar digital recorders, and I was totally pleased with everything about them as my main studio machines. I purchased the 5th unit to use in this version of my remote rig.... But I found out quickly that it was still rather large to move, albeit much smaller and lighter then a analog machine, but it still was a lot to carry, and it made a hell of a lot of noise. You see most of the recording I do on location (and now in my new room) is with me setup in the same room as the band...So the 2 drives, the internal drives, the fan, all made way too much noise for the machine to be next to me where the recording is happening. Now I did relocate it to an other room on a few occasions, but sometimes, there is NO OTHER ROOM... So I needed a recorder that can stay next to me where the music is happening and make no noise. So I called Barry on the phone over at IZ and told him what I needed to see if he could custom build this for me..... My specific points were: - A slightly smaller, and lighter machine. - One that could use solid state drives, in and out, (thus reducing drive noise!) - Possibility of putting simple record / play functions on the front panel as to not have top carry the big RE-8 remote control to all the gigs. - And if I didn't need to carry a screen (there ain't one on a analog recorder!) that would be great. - I also asked if the machine could be had in 8 channel increments? (the Radar II and Radar V cards were sold only in blocks of 24) Barry was puzzled over this last request, and he asked, why would you want only 8 channels in and out...I told him about my 8 track rig and label, and that it was all based around being limited to only 8 tracks, and he replied, then only tell them there's only 8.. Haha, I told him it won't work, it either is or it ain't, and we have to bounce like the old days! Remember, Limitations. - And my last request was to make the fan QUIETER! Well at this point he told me that he could not build what I wanted at the time, but might be able to change the 2 drives out to solid state, and make the fan a bit quieter... But I needed more... So the quest for something to record to, that fit these requirements for my portable rig continued......
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 22, 2013 16:05:03 GMT -6
You got it buddy, it became a job, and one I wanted nothing to do with.
So I went on this quest on how to get back to the music I loved, and get back to working with live musicians, performing together in a room. Any room...
Ok, so where did I leave off last night. The version in the SKB rack... You can see the Helios thing entering my setup here.
I loved the GTM-822 mixer, it sounded amazing. But sadly it never worked right, well at least not for more then a few weeks at a time? Geoff did his best to get me up and running, but still I had problems shortly after each one of his repairs. Obviously while out on location, I needed something that not only sounds great, but it has to be reliable. With No excuses! This proved to be anything but. And Shipping the unit back and forth to California a few times cost a fortune with insurance, it just got to be a bit much. The icing on the cake was that I lost 3 sessions I had previously booked that had deadlines...and because the mixer was out for repair, this time for 6 weeks I lost all that work! That was the final straw...sold it with full disclosure for a $3000 loss, In just a few months. What a waste.
Then on top of that disaster, the Genex unit started doing some strange things. I lost a few tracks on one session, which was not a big deal on this particular project, as we just recut a solo and a shaker, but it could have been a major catastrophe! This also got me worried... Also around this time, I found out Genex the company was in real trouble. I spoke with quite a few engineers and producers who had units of their own, and getting parts, and or service was just about impossible... Remember this was a proprietary recorder, and there were only a few of them out there, I had the ONLY remote control as far as I know. This was very troubling. So I held on as long as I could, but once again...when the company was down to just the owner (designer) and there was no service or parts to be had, I had to sell this also at a GREAT loss to someone who needed a spare machine for parts. You know you can't make this shit up... And it was really too bad, cause at that time I never heard any recorder that sounded that good. Beside the sound, the way that DSD worked in that machine was everything was destructive. So it not only sounded the closest to tape, when you punched you lost what was there....and because it used 8 channel cards it was only (at least in my unit) 8 tracks. So I used it exactly like a 8 track analog recorder. OH one thing on the Genex there was NO editing of audio, unlike what you could do on a tape machine.
But the limitations were exactly what I wanted for my 8 track label, and the sound was Glorious! Once again I had to go back to the drawing board and start over, but with what. Next.......
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 21, 2013 18:03:51 GMT -6
Did a few session with this set up. And I must tell ya, the recordings sounded amazing! To me, there is nothing, and or was nothing like recording directly to the Genex in DSD. I remember the band listening to play back of the very first take they did, they ALL had their mouths wide open, because it sounded sooooooo figgin GOOD! It was truly something spectacular. But this rig, this particular choice of gear had it's problems... (I can't be this easy right?) #1 - A was a little bulky, and the gear wasn't protected in my home made rack...(although it got me thinking how I could take this concept further and perfect it) First thing I did, was to change the case to something safer, a SKB Military Shock mount case, which was WAY more secure, but not really any smaller. As a matter of fact it was much larger, and bulkier, although very, very, secure as it was air tight and water proof! I've posted two pics (sorry for the bad photos, that's all I can find right now) of the slow evolution of gear, but you can see where I was headed at this point in time.
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 21, 2013 17:42:57 GMT -6
These pics show at the time, my second attempt at building something to go out with... This was a home made wooden rack, just a prototype to see how it would all fit together... And it utilized a Aurora Audio GTM-822 mixer, and a Genex 8 track DSD recorder~!
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 21, 2013 17:23:03 GMT -6
So that being said....
I started to think, what were the reasons I got into this biz in the first place when I was a kid.
Well.. - First, during the 70's when I got started, it was the music. I loved the music, Rock n Roll was amazing, lots of great bands and artists...Every week there wasn something new was groundbreaking on the radio.
- Then it was the gear, and the technology, although limited by todays standards, very much cutting edge for it's time.
- The I really loved working with bands, and working on songs, arrangements, etc. I loved to hang with musicians... - And most of all, I loved the moment when you are tracking something, when you know, (EVERYONE KNOWs), when the magic happens. The hairs on your arms, head or wherever, all stand up, and you get this chill...You can't put you finger on it, but it's there, and it's so real.
But like I said early, that wasn't happening anymore. As a matter of fact, most of the bands weren't even cutting tracks together anymore, just a drummer cutting to a click or a scratch guitar part seemed to be the norm. And I often asked myself, how the hell is this making music?
More to come...
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 21, 2013 17:10:15 GMT -6
Hey Guys... How's tricks? Ok, this is gonna be a few parts story.... More will come as I have time, grab a beer, (or a coupla two tree,) and enjoy my odyssey.... Scum, Let's see, you are correct, the first version of this portable recording rig I designed did have a laptop as it's main recorder. Obviously this was done to make the portable system a bit more manageable. As I had already been going out on locations with a either a Otari, MCI, and or Brennell 1 inch 8 track recorders. It became painfully clear that in this day and age this wasn't making any sense...so I opted for something else. That was when I figured I'd try a computer for recording (which I had never done before) (Actually the very first portable rig I made was a long time ago, and was 24 tracks back in the 90's, but I'll post a photo of that later if I can find one?) Basically I got tired with the crazy track counts I was getting at my place to mix, and all of a sudden I was totally distanced from the music I was working on... Which was sad, cause I really loved my clients, and I had a long history with most, and we all got on great. But the music those last few years just did nothing for me...even more so as things got over produced, over processed, grid'ed, sample added, pitched corrected etc, etc, etc... All of a sudden I hated what I did for a living...and considered getting out. But what else could I do? As I started in this biz with my own studio at age 16...in 1972 So how could this happen?
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 18, 2013 19:16:39 GMT -6
Paper on the tweeter was Bob Clearmountain's trick!
Basically he taped one sheet (square) of toilet paper over the NS-10's tweeters. After mixing for a few hours, when your ears might have been fatigued, he would then peal off the first layer of toilet paper to allow a bit more high end to come thru.. And then would continue mixing...
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Post by nobtwiddler on Nov 18, 2013 18:26:21 GMT -6
Boy, they really make that look good, and I'm sure it's great (for what it is?) (By the way did Allen say the plug in was great? Or was he just talking about the original Fairchild being the holy grail??? But let's remember. There's the originals, (that are the real deal,) and there's the emulations.
I'm so done with the dumbing down of the audio industry at large...
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Post by nobtwiddler on Oct 19, 2013 9:35:43 GMT -6
I actually received a email from Tony last week... From what I can tell, all's good with him!
He has a few projects he has to finish up before he can move ahead with any new Helios pieces. But he does have some new stuff he wants to bring out.... I guess with the economy being what it is, only time will tell if it's worth continuing ahead with these pieces. We will see, I'm always waiting to see what he has up his sleeve next.
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