Prado Escondido
New member
Hi.
I'm an 'advanced hobbyist.' I'm primarily ITB.
I originally wanted to (and still do) incorporate the ability to do near pro vocal recording and bring it into the box. I record into Cubase 5 with an RME Multiface II.
About 2 years ago I started building my chain. I now have an A-Design Pacifica pre and a few decent mics: SMB7 dynamic and AT4047 and original Studio Project C1. I have plenty of quality VST and DSP processing including the UAD2 platform.
I'm not trying to brag or be obnoxious ... I just want you to understand my setup and the type of purchase decisions I make.
OK. I've always heard that your vocal chain in term of priority are pre amp and mic, with AD converters going in there somewhere, depending on how you are looking at it. I didn't think so much about compression because I was thinking of it as an effect ITB.
I'm now learning that uncoloured compression as a way to control the dynamics going in and 'printed,' is really critical since most singers aren't skilled enough to keep proper placement in front of the mike and modulate their dynamics by slight movement away or closer to the mic.
OK. So now I want a high quality compressor, preferably optical, for the advantage in vocal tracking.
But, if I'm going to get one, I'd like one also suitable for 2Buss stereo mix down. May as well be able to take advantage of the 'glue,' no?
Recommendations thoughts please on the best compromise between these 2 tasks: vocal tracking and 2 Buss mixdown.
Things I've looked at/ thought about. Summit TLA-50 (2, I guess!); Drawmer 1968 ME; Neve Portico 5042; and, Buzz Audio SOC 1.1.
Of what I've learned so far, the SOC 1.1 seems like best compromise. However, the soon to be released Buzz Audio Series 20 SOC-20 Compressor looks like an off the charts, 'slam dunk' solution.
I'd give you a link, but there is none yet on the Buzz Audio website. Atlas Audio, their US distributor, has the following blurb:
"Due to popular demand we announce the Series 20 SOC, a Class A version of our well known SOC-1.1 compressor. The SOC-20 includes additional features suggested by our users including a fully balanced XLR side chain insert point, extra ratio and attack settings and a sidechain high pass filter (for less low frequency compression when used on the mix buss). At the flick of a switch, the SOC-20 converts to a MS (Mid Side) compressor allowing you to compress and/or re-balance the sum and difference signals of a stereo mix. The side chain monitor function allows you to hear the MS signals and the side chain insert send can be used as a MS encoder output. Very very cool! The SOC-20 is scheduled for shipping September 2010."
FWIW this will run about 3Gs, obviously a bit more expensive than my other preliminary choices.
Thoughts, consideration and advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Prado
I'm an 'advanced hobbyist.' I'm primarily ITB.
I originally wanted to (and still do) incorporate the ability to do near pro vocal recording and bring it into the box. I record into Cubase 5 with an RME Multiface II.
About 2 years ago I started building my chain. I now have an A-Design Pacifica pre and a few decent mics: SMB7 dynamic and AT4047 and original Studio Project C1. I have plenty of quality VST and DSP processing including the UAD2 platform.
I'm not trying to brag or be obnoxious ... I just want you to understand my setup and the type of purchase decisions I make.
OK. I've always heard that your vocal chain in term of priority are pre amp and mic, with AD converters going in there somewhere, depending on how you are looking at it. I didn't think so much about compression because I was thinking of it as an effect ITB.
I'm now learning that uncoloured compression as a way to control the dynamics going in and 'printed,' is really critical since most singers aren't skilled enough to keep proper placement in front of the mike and modulate their dynamics by slight movement away or closer to the mic.
OK. So now I want a high quality compressor, preferably optical, for the advantage in vocal tracking.
But, if I'm going to get one, I'd like one also suitable for 2Buss stereo mix down. May as well be able to take advantage of the 'glue,' no?
Recommendations thoughts please on the best compromise between these 2 tasks: vocal tracking and 2 Buss mixdown.
Things I've looked at/ thought about. Summit TLA-50 (2, I guess!); Drawmer 1968 ME; Neve Portico 5042; and, Buzz Audio SOC 1.1.
Of what I've learned so far, the SOC 1.1 seems like best compromise. However, the soon to be released Buzz Audio Series 20 SOC-20 Compressor looks like an off the charts, 'slam dunk' solution.
I'd give you a link, but there is none yet on the Buzz Audio website. Atlas Audio, their US distributor, has the following blurb:
"Due to popular demand we announce the Series 20 SOC, a Class A version of our well known SOC-1.1 compressor. The SOC-20 includes additional features suggested by our users including a fully balanced XLR side chain insert point, extra ratio and attack settings and a sidechain high pass filter (for less low frequency compression when used on the mix buss). At the flick of a switch, the SOC-20 converts to a MS (Mid Side) compressor allowing you to compress and/or re-balance the sum and difference signals of a stereo mix. The side chain monitor function allows you to hear the MS signals and the side chain insert send can be used as a MS encoder output. Very very cool! The SOC-20 is scheduled for shipping September 2010."
FWIW this will run about 3Gs, obviously a bit more expensive than my other preliminary choices.
Thoughts, consideration and advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Prado
