Dan Richards Review of the VTB-1

  • Thread starter Thread starter alanhyatt
  • Start date Start date
This begs the question;
Who REALLY is the BIG KAHUNA on all this?.
Between talk of "tube insanity", sandy "V's", and Baywatch,
this surfer dude is getting ready to wax up the boards (boogie board),
drive the Woody (not that kind of "woody") to the Beach Blanket Bingo
party to hit on Gidget (no NOT Gidge-t), even if it's at Moose's expense.
You boys better behave or I'm taking away all your "boards"-be it Amek
or Behringer!

Meanwhile, back on the sand...
Thanks Dan for your comments, just remember there can only be one
homerecording.com! (ever watch "Highlander"?)
Better paddle out now while you can (just kidding).

Chris AKA "Moondog"
 
chessrock said:
Damn, Zeke.

I was wondering why my vagina seems so "unsandy" today, and I was just asking myself: "where did all the sand go (?)"

Now I think I have a potential lead.
Click to expand...
You're replying to me, but not to my post. Alan is the one that made the comment you are referring to.

I wasn't aware that you are a female, and I made no comments regarding your anatomy.

That being said, I don't really know what you are talking about, or what kind of veiled inference you're trying for, nor do I care to try to understand it.

As I said before. If you want to say something, say it, don't be a wimp.

Taylor
 
We're in the money!!

I've got no problem clearing up any reasonable questions.

Where have I been since I signed up last year? I ocassionally lurk, but the truth is HR is so slow that I often dread coming here because it's not uncommon for me to have to wait at least ONE MINUTE just for a page to load.

Was I paid for the review? Well, let's do some math. I submitted the final version to Digital Pro Sound for no pay. I was glad to have their "frame" around my review. The editor, Frank Moldstad, liked my writing and has asked me to write for them. We're working out the details.

I have an invoice on my desk from PMI Audio for $237.50. I emailed Alan – after I'd written the review – and said if that was the price, I'd mail it back to him and order one online for $179. He replied and offered me a price of $90 for the unit – and I know he wasn't including freight, which is $7.52. So, $97.52 is my grand total.

Alright, let's see what it took to do the review through to the final version at DPS.

4 hours round trip drive to the studio
3 hours testing and playing with the VTB-1
2 hours writing out a rough draft [ that's the one posted in HR ]
8 hours surfing BBS's, reading comments
4 hours posting responses
5 hours editing and revising the article ( including HTML code )
2 hours working w/ Frank Moldstad to get the article online

28 hours total

I also put over 200 miles on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Standard operating costs are figured @ 30¢ per mile = $60. Fuel costs = $10.

$97.52 less $70 = $27.52 divided into 28 hours = $1.01 per hour

Was I paid? You tell me.
 
Re: We're in the money!!

Dot said:
$97.52 less $70 = $27.52 divided into 28 hours = $1.01 per hour

Was I paid? You tell me.
Click to expand...

Uh . . . hmm. I thought you said that you had an invoice for the pre. If you're counting the $97.52 on the credit column and not the debit column, then I'm assuming you were in fact given the model (or aren't expected to pay for it and that is it's value). Am I missing something here?

(I'm glad I'm not a writer. Didn't realize I'd need a Jeep Cheroke for that).
 
MrZekeMan said:
You're replying to me, but not to my post. Alan is the one that made the comment you are referring to.

I wasn't aware that you are a female, and I made no comments regarding your anatomy.

That being said, I don't really know what you are talking about, or what kind of veiled inference you're trying for, nor do I care to try to understand it.

As I said before. If you want to say something, say it, don't be a wimp.

Taylor
Click to expand...

I believe Mr. Rock was making a reference to sandy vagina joke in Tex's post.
 
chess,

right or wrong, you should let it go or take it to the Cave........

for you, for me, for Harvey, for the BBS......
 
Re: Re: We're in the money!!

chessrock said:


Uh . . . hmm. I thought you said that you had an invoice for the pre. If you're counting the $97.52 on the credit column and not the debit column, then I'm assuming you were in fact given the model (or aren't expected to pay for it and that is it's value). Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

Actually,

The "value" given to Dot was $89.00
Street value of $179.00 less $90.00 paid = $89.00 value

Expenses incurred equal $77.00
Gas expense of $10.00 plus vehicle depreciation (@.30 per mile) of $60.00 plus $7.00 shipping = $77.00 expenses

Value of $89.00 less expenses of $77.00 = net benefit of $12.00

$12.00 / 28 hrs = $0.43 per hour

Dot, what is your time worth? $20.00 - $25.00 per hour?

If the lower rate, you could argue that this review COST YOU $548.00
(28 hrs X $20.00) less $12.00 net benefit

If Alan is going to pay you off for writing this review, I think he owes you at least another VTB1 and a T-3:D
 
here's another vote that chessrock's input is a constant detractor to this board, in my opinion. i have seen some fairly useful information from him, but in most of the threads i'm interested in (i.e. not "how do i work this compressor?" "i only have a 57, please help!") i see nothing but redundant smartass comments on his part, and i don't think i've ever found this sort of sense of humor very appealing. in fact, it's that sort of atmosphere that makes this board unappealing to many proffessionals, i'm sure. if you don't like alan's posts, don't read them. most people here are adults and perfectly capable of making up their own minds about anyone, and i have always found alan to be intelligent and proffessional.
 
Sorry to drag this out, but as a journalist and writer, getting a discount after the manufacturer has read your review is highly unethical.....

Would you have gotton the discount if the review hadn't been positive???

Maybe.............................

-Jett
 
Re: ...for the price

Dot said:

.....I have a Danelectro guitar that I think is truly a great guitar. I didn't buy it because it was cheap, I bought and play it because its a true instrument.

Fact is, a $20,000 strat is NOT a "better" guitar. It might be more valuable to a collector and appreciate in price, but its only better in relation to someones application. If I only could use one guitar on a project, I'd probably consider the Danelectro or an ES335 or an older Jazzmaster. To me, a strat has too much of a signature sound to use it on every track.
>>>
As far as choosing a pre for a project – well, if it was just one, I'd definitely like to audition the Viper, Great River, GML, API, John Hardy, TL Audio and – believe it or not – the VTB-1. I've used all of them except for the Viper, GML and Great River. Pres that I have used extensively that I wouldn't even bother auditioning would make a list as long as your arm and would include Avalon 737, Neve 1073, Amek, Tube Tech, Focusrite ISA, MCI, Sony, D&R, DDA, Mackie, Harrison....blah, blah...

As an example, I've spent hundreds of hours tracking w/ Amek consoles, the Hendrix, Mozart and the Langley Big. I dig 'em. Some of my favorite consoles. I think the VTB-1 is as nice as any of the pres in any of those desks. Period. End of story. >>>>>

(portions extracted from original post)
Click to expand...

whoa.... I'll leave my replies to the above, for the imagination...but definately some bold comments there. I'd sure be interested in hearing some recordings at this point. By the way...thanks so much for the review. One mans opinion put in one mans style. I enjoyed reading it.

and...as far as Chessrock...you know many of the peoples opinions around here of your antics. Why not show some courtesy and let ALL the other adults here make their own minds up? After all, your track record isn't all that hip to sway me in the first place anyway. Sorry for the bluntness, but you bring it on. (a polite way to phrase "shut the fuck up...eh?")
 
Re: We're in the money!!

Dot said:
I've got no problem clearing up any reasonable questions.

Where have I been since I signed up last year? I ocassionally lurk, but the truth is HR is so slow that I often dread coming here because it's not uncommon for me to have to wait at least ONE MINUTE just for a page to load.

Was I paid for the review? Well, let's do some math. I submitted the final version to Digital Pro Sound for no pay. I was glad to have their "frame" around my review. The editor, Frank Moldstad, liked my writing and has asked me to write for them. We're working out the details.

I have an invoice on my desk from PMI Audio for $237.50. I emailed Alan – after I'd written the review – and said if that was the price, I'd mail it back to him and order one online for $179. He replied and offered me a price of $90 for the unit – and I know he wasn't including freight, which is $7.52. So, $97.52 is my grand total.

Alright, let's see what it took to do the review through to the final version at DPS.

4 hours round trip drive to the studio
3 hours testing and playing with the VTB-1
2 hours writing out a rough draft [ that's the one posted in HR ]
8 hours surfing BBS's, reading comments
4 hours posting responses
5 hours editing and revising the article ( including HTML code )
2 hours working w/ Frank Moldstad to get the article online

28 hours total

I also put over 200 miles on my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Standard operating costs are figured @ 30¢ per mile = $60. Fuel costs = $10.

$97.52 less $70 = $27.52 divided into 28 hours = $1.01 per hour

Was I paid? You tell me.
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with a reviewer getting anything. I do think disclosure is appropriate as you have done. I used to be the entertainment editor at a major college newspaper. The news people freaked b/c of all the freebies we got. It never got anyone a positive review. We wrote it as we saw it.

You need to keep up with the IRS allowable mileage rate. I get paid for driving back and forth from work since I carry the data for our law office backup. It's 36.5 cents per mile.

Steve
http://www.piemusic.com
 
jet-rocker, you're so full of shit you don't know what you're talking about. If you work somewhere and they pay you for stories – your employer has an interest and an agenda.

Who do you write for? Show me some of your stuff.

A "journalist" is the last person in the world who's got a right to be throwing around the word "unethical". I'm a musician who happens to like to write. I'm not a pro writer and I can write whatever the fuck I want. If Alan's pre would have sucked you would have heard about it.

Actually, Alan sent me a T3 last year. I wrote a couple of small posts about how I was checking it out and it seemed cool and that I'd post more later. Well, I never really did. Alan still only asked for the wholesale price of the mic.

I've got a lot better things to do w/ my time than write positive reviews in order to get a few pieces of discounted gear.

Come over to the VS Planet – where I'm well-known – and attack me like that, and I'll guarantee you you'll get spun on your head.
 
Whoopysnorp said:


I believe Mr. Rock was making a reference to sandy vagina joke in Tex's post.
Click to expand...
Alan responded to the post by Tex. That is who it seemed Mr. Rock was responding to. Alan has since deleted the post.

Out of respect for Harvey, I will not engage Mr. Rock any more.

Taylor
 
Dot said:
jet-rocker, you're so full of shit you don't know what you're talking about. If you work somewhere and they pay you for stories – your employer has an interest and an agenda. You may not know it. It all comes out in the wash.

Who do you write for? Show me some of your stuff.

A "journalist" is the last person in the world who's got a right to be throwing around the word "unethical". I'm a musician who happens to like to write. I'm not a pro writer and I can write whatever that fuck I want. If Alan's pre would have sucked you would have heard about it.

Come over to the VS Planet – where I'm well-known – and attack me like that, and I'll guarantee you you'll get spun on your head.
Click to expand...

Just when I defended you...

Then you go and write some crap like this. It's the internet. You are not going to make everyone happy. And, don't always try to get the last word. In the end, it only makes you look foolish.
 
ozraves, thanks for your "advice", but I can handle myself just fine, thanks.

I don't care if people agree w/ the article or not, but when someone attacks me and calls me unethical – that's a different matter.
 
To the poster who retracted his post.

You said something to the effect: "Wasn't Dot the one that said the C1 sounded like a U87?"

the answer: Yes, he did compare it to the U87. He said it sounds better than a U87.

He said it sounded better on acoustic guitar. He said it was more forgiving when it comes to placement and proximity. He said it was quieter than the U87. He said it was hotter, more like a TLM103.

Taylor
 
mixmkr said:
After all, your track record isn't all that hip to sway me in the first place anyway. Sorry for the bluntness, but you bring it on. (a polite way to phrase "shut the fuck up...eh?")
Click to expand...

I'm not exactly sure what "track record" you are refering to. If I even have one, I suppose I should take that as a compliment -- be it bad or good. :D To think -- I thought I was just some dude posting at a forum.

Gee, that's pretty nifty. I've had many records, but never a track record. You are pretty kewl, mix, and I dig the new avatar. It's . . . uh . . . kewl, too. Unlike my track record, which supposedly (according to you) isn't :( Sob sob.

How's your, uh, track record doing these days, anyway, Mr Q? Still tearing it up at the Internet boards, I see. Eeeeew Kaaay.
 
Man,what a sad bunch of shit.Bullshit like this is one of the reasons that I don't post too often here anymore.Thing is there are alot of intelligent people even on this thread that could be sharing their knowledge with people in a constructive manner instead of engaging each other in another bullshit circle jerk.All I see when I read this thread are egos arguing over who has the bigger dick.You know what,I win because I don't give a fuck whose bigger than who,I got what I got and I'm quite happy with it.It's not supposed to be about showing off your fucking knowledge or your oh so clever sarcasm.It's supposed to be about helping and sharing knowledge,getting help when you need it and giving help when you can.We ain't here for personal attacks or ego massaging,we are just here to spread information.I don't know about anyone else but absolutely none of this bullshit impresses me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top