adats & pro sound quality?

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sponge bob

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I have just picked up a pair of blackface 4.03 adats & elco's from a buddy of mine very very cheap.(He used them for tons of projects that became CD's in local stores in the past.) I was told after I bought them, by a salesman, that I made a mistake, they sound horrible, and they most certainly would never yeild "PRO" results. Crap.

The question is, can these old blackface adats still really acheive "PRO" audio results, or did I just buy some useless antiques? My friend might take them back if I think they are crap... If I can acheive pro results, is there anything I need to know or special tips?

Thanks for your replies,
SPonge Bob

ps. the units have newer heads- like 250 hours on each
 
You can certainly get "pro" results if you take care of your signal path....

Alanis Morrisette's CD was recorded to blackface ADATs...

Of course, mixer, monitors, your own engineering skills play a huge roll -- but from a recording media perspective, the ADATs will not be your weak link!

Bruce
 
"Of course, mixer, monitors, your own engineering skills play a huge roll -- but from a recording media perspective, the ADATs will not be your weak link!"

That is a relief! The mixer is a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8, and right now all I have for monitors are some Monitor Ones.

Speaking of Monitor Ones, can they yield good results, or is this an obviouse weak link? I can't afford Genelecs or Mackies (I wish!)

Thanks a ton for your replies,
Sponge Bob
 
Monitor ones are fine,they used to be cutting edge actually(apperently).

I wish i had a pair of decent monitors,im useing $80 dollar Pc speakers! i can actually get a great sound from these things! as long as i dont pump the volume.

By the way ADATS RULE!!!
 
Monitor Ones aren't known to be good monitors, but hey, if you're used to them and they work for you, go for it. If people can sit thru NS-10s, they can sit thru Alesis monitors!!!

Personally, I find they sound like they've got the mids scooped out, which to me is a big no-no for monitors, but... again, some people get used to them.

Bruce
 
What would you recommend for under a grand for really accurate monitors? I want to get the best possible sound I can withing my budget!!!

Thanks,
Bob
 
Tannoy Reveal, Event PS6 or PS8, Event 20/20, JBL LSR25....

All are good choices...

Bruce
 
My band recorded a whole Cd on blackface ADATs in a basement, mostly. We did overdubs in my home. Mixed carefully using DAT and a Promix1 in sync to Digital Performer. I had a friend master the project using a Finalizer. The album came out sounding very good. Astonishing, considering the gear we employed. So, it CAN be done on ADATS. No question.
 
crawdad said:
[BI had a friend master the project using a Finalizer. The album came out sounding very good. Astonishing, considering the gear we employed. [/B]
Click to expand...
Even more astonishing that a Finalizer was used and it sounded good! ;)

:D :D

(just pokin' a bit 'o fun!)


Bruce
 
"Even more astonishing that a Finalizer was used and it sounded good!"

Bruce--I understand where you are coming from because I have heard projects murdered--er,.. mastered with a Finalizer that sounded awful. Fortunately for me, the guy who did the mastering is a pro engineer. He did all the engineering for all the Hurcules and Zena shows. He knows his stuff. He showed me that the secret to the Finalizer is using as little as you can get away with rather than slap everthing on a track just because you have the bells and whistles. Oh, and I wish my ears were as trained as his.

I don't know if the Finalizer has a bad rap here, but I believe it is a great piece of gear in the hands of a person who understands what and what not to do with it.

"The best do, and the rest buy more equipment!"
 
By the way, would somebody please explain to me how to:

1. Put a smilie in my post
2. Quote another post so that its bold and called a quote. I've tried all the stuff I see and nothing works. I guess I'm just BB illiterate!

Any help would be appreciated and help me to communicate with everyone a little better. Thanks!
 
crawdad said:
By the way, would somebody please explain to me how to:

1. Put a smilie in my post
2. Quote another post so that its bold and called a quote. I've tried all the stuff I see and nothing works.
Click to expand...

:D i have absolutley no idea :D


a smilie is made as such : D but with no space b/w the two

to quote hit the button that says quote, (just to your right, thats it) and dont delete anything in [ these brackets ]
 
crawdad said:
I don't know if the Finalizer has a bad rap here, but I believe it is a great piece of gear in the hands of a person who understands what and what not to do with it.

"The best do, and the rest buy more equipment!"
Click to expand...
It doesn't have a bad rep... as you say if someone knows how to use it, it's a great tool.

My comment came from the fact that many novices buy the Finalizer, hit preset #1 (or #2, #3, or #4...), and then think they've "mastered" their mix!

Or they buy it for the "Steely Dan" preset!! ;)


:D :D
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
It doesn't have a bad rep... as you say if someone knows how to use it, it's a great tool.

My comment came from the fact that many novices buy the Finalizer, hit preset #1 (or #2, #3, or #4...), and then think they've "mastered" their mix!

Or they buy it for the "Steely Dan" preset!!


:D :D
Click to expand...

"Steely Dan Preset?! Hello, 8th Street? I'd like to buy one Danalizer Pro with the preset--you know the one!" :D

OK. I'm workin' on my quotes and smiles...I'm tryin, folks!
 
ADAT's, the King of Digital, Taped-based recording!!!
 
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