Har-Bal

[mixmkr]

Thanks Glen, thanks masteringhouse. I appreciate your comments on this subject. I actually was first intrigued by using HarBal on individual tracks, for the reasons you listed.


I also agree with the "Golden rules", put into that context.

I realize that something like HarBal shouldn't replace a proper mix, but sometimes I've been put into situations to "blend" a variety of mixes together, that didn't necessarily have the benefit of that "proper" mix. I thought HarBal saved my backside in a couple of those situations.

I also thought the limiter function was a decent as any software hard limiter. But, maybe my ears aren't as experienced in these things as they should be.

I think we might be on the same page on some issues, but are having the "typed word" syndrome.

thanks for the replies.

 

[mrhotapples]

I like Harbal. It's like a Drumdial, or any electronic tuner: you get close, have a tool to point you in the right direction if you're way off, and if you're almost dead on, you get machine-like precision.

I see nothing wrong with it and I've used the demo on stuff a few times to make sure I wasn't just imagining huge imbalances in some mixes I couldn't get my head around.

 

[giraffe]

whatever.

it's better then trying to master your own stuff (which is a mistake)
and cheaper then any mastering studio worth a dam.

magic, no.
but it will make sure that your mixes translate well if used properly.

 

[Daisy]

The problem with Hairball ...

is that it completely fails at doing what people buy it to do in the first place. It's kind of like the green marker on the CD thing. I don't mean this as any sort of slam, but really ... the concept of it is a joke, and it has no real value in the real world, other than as a mastering EQ. And there are many free plugs that are much better at that, even.

To use an analogy ... it would be like me wearing the same clothes as Oprah Winfrey, because I figure she's a pretty snappy dresser, and maybe I'll be a snappy dresser if I wear what she's wearing. First off, I'm probably at least a good half-foot or so taller, and a good ten pounds or so lighter. I'm also a white dude.

Her clothes ain't gonna' fit me. And even if they did, they'd still look ridiculous.

One more analogy: Suppose I'm sick. I have no idea what I'm sick with, but I figure I'll ask the doctor to prescribe me the same thing he prescribed my brother last year when he was sick -- because it seemed to work for him really well at the time. That's pretty much what you're doing when you take one song and try to mimc the spectral balance of completely different song with completely different instruments and arrangements, etc. You're putting on another dude's (or chick's) clothes, in the hopes they fit you okay. If they somehow do, then it's completely by random chance, and you'd have an equal chance of success if you were to simply put any random preset on it.

I'm sorry to say it, but it's a scam, targeted at people who don't know any better.
.

 

[WhiteStrat]

The problem with Hairball ...

is that it completely fails at doing what people buy it to do in the first place.

It's kind of like the green marker on the CD thing. I don't mean this as any sort of slam, but really ... the concept of it is a joke, and it has no real value in the real world, other than as a mastering EQ. And there are many free plugs that are much better at that, even.

To use an analogy ... it would be like me wearing the same clothes as Oprah Winfrey, because I figure she's a pretty snappy dresser, and maybe I'll be a snappy dresser if I wear what she's wearing. First off, I'm probably at least a good half-foot or so taller, and a good ten pounds or so lighter. I'm also a white dude.

Her clothes ain't gonna' fit me. And even if they did, they'd still look ridiculous.

One more analogy: Suppose I'm sick. I have no idea what I'm sick with, but I figure I'll ask the doctor to prescribe me the same thing he prescribed my brother last year when he was sick -- because it seemed to work for him really well at the time.

.

Or suppose you dress like Oprah Winfrey then go the doctor and...oh nevermind. I thought for sure there was a joke in there somewhere, and I just couldn't help trying.

As you were...

 

[Daisy]

So I got a hairball in my throat ... and decided to go see Doctor Phil?

 

[mixmkr]

And there are many free plugs that are much better at that, even.

.

Can you point me in their direction?

 

[WhiteStrat]

So I got a hairball in my throat ... and decided to go see Doctor Phil?

That's what I was looking for! And you found it yourself! Nice job...

 

[Daisy]

Can you point me in their direction?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=free+eq+plugins

 

[RAMI]

Or suppose you dress like Oprah Winfrey then go the doctor and...oh nevermind. I thought for sure there was a joke in there somewhere, and I just couldn't help trying.

Hmmmm....How 'bout....

What if Oprah IS my doctor, and I was sick and had no clothes, so I.......nah, that doesn't work either.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

How about, "How are George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton and Thomas Jefferson exactly alike?"

"None of them knew when to pull out."

That's got nothing to do With Oprah dressing up with hair balls or anything having anything to do with this thread. I just had to get that one out there before it was completly obsolete.

G.

 

[mixmkr]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=free+eq+plugins

thanks for googling for me!! I actually have tried some of the stuff, but honestly never use it. I have some Waves stuff, Voxengo and the stuff with Sonar PE, which I think is all better than most of the 1st page google listings. The Classic stuff aint too bad either for free.