Joemeek twinQ Part II

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Monroe
  • Start date Start date
Can't say that I have, tdukex. I can't see the point of re-amping something recorded on the Avalon through the twinQ. Yeah, the twinQ is a perfectly good channel strip, but when the dust settles, the Avalon is simply one of the best solid state pres on earth. If I was going to do that, I'd either run the vox through the twinQ, or patch a standalone optical compressor into the signal chain after the Avalon. Mostly, I compress the Avalon by going out by unbalanced XLR into an RNC. That's more for dynamic control than as a sound filter. The twinQ is a worthy tool which I am proud to own, but it is not an Avalon, and I belive that placing 2 pres in series is not a good way to stage gain, as a rule. It would, however, be cool, if the box had insert points so you could access the compressor or the EQ section without going through the preamps at all. Are you listening, Alan?-Richie
 
Any thoughts about how the new Meek unit compares to the Toft ATC-2 quality-wise (that is, if you've had a chance to play with the Toft)...?
 
Unfortunately, I haven't gotten my hands on an ATC-2, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit if the EQ section of the twinQ shares a similar lineage. I think the compressors are different in design. As far as how the Toft really sounds, I only know what I've read on this board, but both pres seem to be Burr Brown based. At this point, I think only PMI audio could shed much light on the extent to which the two units are similar, and different. - Richie
 
Thanks, Richie. I've ordered a Twin Q today from 8th Street. I look forward to chekcing this thing out.
 
Well, Supercreep, thank me when you listen to it, if you agree with what I hear. I'm interested in other opinions. It's very intimidating reviewing gear, especially gear with as many functions as the twinQ. I don't want to mislead anyone with positive or negative impressions. If you hear something different from me, sorry. Most of what I have read seems to be similar to my impressions, which gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I know enough to know it's a useful tool. It may be a while before I decide what it does best and worst. It has a whole lot of shades of color, so it's not a simple tool to use. A great contrast to my Avalon, which does one thing, just one... Very well.-Richie
 
I remember talking to Alan Hyatt about the 'new' Meeks a while back, as I own a VC1Q (not CS version) and was curious about the differences. He told me that the version I have is one of the good sounding ones with the transformer, which was taken out for the CS version. He said that the pre's on the older units were actually quite transarent and clean, but with a nice bit of 'iron' in there! I think the CS versions were actually quite a bit different to the standard VC1 and VC1Q (and Twins) and Alan said were generally not good units! He said the CS circuit simply did not work! He did say he liked the earlier models though.

He said that the new Meeks would regain that early Joe Meek sound, only with more versatility. Sounds like this has been achieved and then some!

I'll never get rid of my VC1Q, as it does have it's own thing going on, and I think will be a classic in years to come?
 
I very nearly went with the RNP/RNC/Funklogic thing - but I use a MOTU 896 HD and can use the digital output of the Twin Q to link them seamlessly. This degree of connectivity and the transformer option are what put it over the top for me. /checks UPS tracking/ Sigh. Not till Thursday, alas.
 
Richard Monroe said:
The twinQ is a worthy tool which I am proud to own, but it is not an Avalon, and I belive that placing 2 pres in series is not a good way to stage gain, as a rule. It would, however, be cool, if the box had insert points so you could access the compressor or the EQ section without going through the preamps at all. Are you listening, Alan?-Richie
Click to expand...

Hey Richie,

First of all, thanks for all the kind words. We are very proud of all the new Joemeek units, and from the reviews from pros and users like yourself, we think we did what we set out to do.

We agree, the twinQ is no Avalon, and the Avalon is no twinQ. There are advantages and disadvantages to both units, yet it is only our opinion that the new Joemeeks are in the same league...just different. Especially when it comes to money.

Now to answer your question. Two pres in series for one mic is not a good idea, but hell, it depends on what your trying to go after. I hope you have not forgot Richie the twinQ does have inserts that completely by-pass the mic amp of the twinQ. So you can come out of any mic amp line level into the insert of the Joemeek and only use the Joemeek compressor and EQ, and of course the digital outs. So we are listening Richie!

We felt we hit a home run with the new compressor and new EQ. That is why we had to be sure the mic amp we used was not a me too device. It had to be good, and fully featured. That is why the front panel is so loaded and we took time to develop the transformer coupling for the mic amp to get those different sounds . All those switches that run horizontal are just for the mic amp controls.

So our mic amp should do everything you ask of it, yet I understand where other sounds come into play, so if and when you want to, just insert any mic amp output into the Joemeek insert and make sure the mic/line switch is in line and away you go....

I hope this helps....
 
hognogger said:
Any thoughts about how the new Meek unit compares to the Toft ATC-2 quality-wise (that is, if you've had a chance to play with the Toft)...?
Click to expand...

The Toft ATC-2 is a much different unit than the Joemeek. The reason you want the ATC-2 is the history behind it. It is Trident...Real Trident, designed by Malcolm Toft, not the imitators. The original design was done in the 70's by Malcolm Toft and Barry Porter. As for the EQ and Compressor, nothing has been changed. It is the same circuit it was back in the 70's, and the build quality is beefier than the Meek.

You get a product with Vintage History with the ATC-2. You get real dual Trident 80B EQ's that tracked the greats, James Taylor, Queen, The Beatles, RadioHead, Elton John and more. You get the real Trident CB-9146 FET compressor. Yes, it is a simple compressor with fixed threshold, but that is the way they were made back then, and they are great. Very easy to use...

A more simple version of the Burr Brown mic amp is used on the Toft ATC-2. It is very clean like the Joemeek unit, but has less control and no transformer...but they are very good usable mic amps, but that is not why you would want to buy the ATC-2. Yes, it is nice to have some more very clean transparent mic amps as Richie described on the twinQ, but you are buying it for the Trident Sound... There is a new review in Sound on Sound on the mono version called the Toft EC1 by Paul White. It was excellent and backs up the vintage Trident issues.

I think we may have marketed the unit incorrectly in trying to say it was another multi function dual channel mic amp. It is way more than that. So, I hope my reply here has cleared up some of the things on the Toft.
 
OK Alan, I'll bite. I'm not a technogeek, but I sure would like to know how to patch that up. Now as I understand insert points, I use an insert cable (one TS to 2 TRS 1/4") if I want to use an outboard FX unit with the twinQ. The insert sends the signal to the "line in" on the FX box. Then the "line out" on the FX box sends the processed signal back to the twinQ's insert point, and the signal is taken off the "line out" of the twinQ.
But now we want to do something different. Let's say I want to use the optocompressor of the twinQ to compress the signal of my Avalon without routing the signal through the twinQ's pre (that would rock). The AD2022 has no insert points, only an XLR mic in, an XLR balanced line out, and an unbalanced XLR line out. The input impedence is variable, so I can set the XLR mic in on the Avalon for 50 ohms, which is pretty much line level. Because it is a 2 channel unit, if I had a compressed line out from the twinQ, I could send it to the other channel of the Avalon. I know how to use an outboard compressor instead of the optocompressor on the twinQ. I occasionally do this with an RNC when I want compression for dynamic control, but I want to avoid the optocompressor's color. What I don't know is how to use the twinQ as a standalone compressor to compress (or EQ) a signal from another source. If that's possible, *please* tell me how to patch it up.-Richie
 
Richie,

You can do it two ways.

The insert of the Meek is unbalanced.

the Tip is an unbalanced output
the Ring is an unbalanced input

Do not tie the Ring to the Sleeve or you will ground the Return input, ie: you will not have an input

So to patch in your external preamp take an unbalanced output from it and connect it the Ring of the Meek's insert point. Then the ground on the external preamp out goes to Sleeve on the Meek insert point. You could just use half a "Y" lead as well.

You can also go take the balanced out from the AD2022 and plug in the line input of the Meek, and make sure you switch to line input.
 
Forgive me for being dense, but the line in on the twinQ is routed through the preamp. That's not what I'm trying to do. As for plan 1, it sounds like you are saying that I can send an unbalanced out from the Avalon to the unbalanced in on the insert point, and pull an unbalanced signal off of the out on the insert point, bypassing the twinQ's pre, but I have no idea what godforsaken combination of cables would allow me to do that. Sorry, I'm totally confused by your answer. Maybe I'm the one who's not clear. I'm trying to send a balanced or unbalanced signal to that insert point, and pull a signal off the twinQ that goes through the EQ and compression sections of the twinQ but *not* the preamp. It sounds like I would need an insert cable where the unbalanced insert in goes to an unbalanced XLR connector. Is that right?-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Forgive me for being dense, but the line in on the twinQ is routed through the preamp.
Click to expand...
Not the mic amp, so if you set both units for unity gain, there should be no added noise, and this is the easy way. Remember the AD2022 and twinQ are both very quiet, so as long as you gain stage them properly, there is no problem in doing that.

Richard Monroe said:
I'm trying to send a balanced or unbalanced signal to that insert point, and pull a signal off the twinQ that goes through the EQ and compression sections of the twinQ but *not* the preamp. It sounds like I would need an insert cable where the unbalanced insert in goes to an unbalanced XLR connector. Is that right?-Richie
Click to expand...
You need to send an unbalanced signal to the Meek insert as I explained. You will have to make up a cable, but yes, that will put you through the Meek compressor, EQ, and then through the Meek outputs. This is all Post mic pre. This is why you can do it via the line in as well. The insert is just a line level input, but not controled by the input gain. So if you plug into the line in, and not the mic in, gain stage it, you will be fine. Or, build the cable or find an XLR to 1/4" unbalanced patch cable... :cool:
 
All in due time, my pretty. I may get to work on it this weekend. I've got other issues. I was nearly killed by carbon monoxide poisoning last night. I'll let you know.-Richie
 
Yeah, Don, thanks for asking. Me, the wife, and the cat are OK. It was a malfunction of an old oil burner clogged with soot. I'll tell you this, though. If my old smoke detectors hadn't worn out and been replaced by new ones with CO detectors, we'd all be dead now. I was awakened at 1:30 AM by the alarm. We sleep on the second floor, and the alarm is on the firsr floor. The burner is in the basement, with my studio. By the time I was awakened, I was sick enough to be throwing up, the first floor was bad enough for the cat to be knocked cold, and the basement was *lethal*. We opened every window and door in the place, and then took turns tossing our cookies, including the cat. Well, $600 of furnace repair later, we're all OK, and my studio doesn't smell quite so much like an oil refinery. Trust me on this one- Just pay the $15 for one or more of the new smoke detectors, and put those pricey lithium batteries in them . It beats the hell out of death.-Richie
 
Wow what a bummer... but the most important thing is... everyone is ok. I just bought a new home and all our detectors are in good working order, thank God. Anyway, I'm glad your wife, cat, and you are ok. :)
 
I just read some reviews of the TwinQ as well as following this thread.

My little home set-up is an HHB Radius 40(version 1 Single Tube voice channel) run into a Tascam FW1884(bypassing internal preamps) recording Logic on a G4.

I record Vocals as well as Guitar/Bass(DI'd) through the HHB.
My mic is a Studio Electronics SE2200; used only for vocals.

My question is would the TwinQ be a nice step up in quality? I am also wondering if adding a nice ADC like the Mytek into the chain(TwinQ>Mytek>Tascam) would really help open up the sound.

All three would be connected digitally(spdif I/O's).

I am new to this so any help would be much appreciated.
 
Unfortunately, I have no experience with the Radius, so I can't comment on how the twinQ would compare-Richie.
 
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