Rampant Colt
Member
If this has been covered, my apologies.
And the confirming memo from THAT.
And the confirming memo from THAT.
Slouching Raymond
Well-known member
A good post, Scott. (hope I got it right this time).
It would be a shame if you could only get digital plug-ins.
Makers could adapt by using discrete components.
It would be a shame if you could only get digital plug-ins.
Makers could adapt by using discrete components.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
who are these people? Saying its over. No. I think it will keep on working just fine.
Computers are the end. Go outside.
A great inexpensive VCA is the DBX 160XT.
Computers are the end. Go outside.
A great inexpensive VCA is the DBX 160XT.
rob aylestone
Moderator
It might be not quite so bad, as there are pin for pin swaps on quite a few of the chips, but I can't find an alternative for the 600 series programmable gain chips that are used in VCA designs. Sadly when this type of thing happens, the warning of end of life tends to produce big price increases, as they see a benefit in clearing their stock quickly to panic buyers.
The problem is actually not just in high end audio - it's used in large numbers of designs that use digitally controlled input stages, like microphone preamplifiers, scientific instrumentation amplifiers, audio Mixers Consoles, PC audio interfaces, digital video cameras, digital audio snakes and portable audio recorders - essentially devices that have audio passing through that needs level adjustment.
Your video title - the end of VCA compressors is the tip of an iceberg - this seems a very strange business decision for That - I suppose something impacting high end gear means not a huge number of sales, but it seems all these chips are way more prolific, and are in the analogue circuits of quite common gear?
Still - the Chinese factories might well be able to gear up for continued production. Their semi-conductor plants are really quick at picking up on potential sales?
I fear your list of gear impacted is much bigger - common audio ICs being unavailable is going to be quite impactful?
The problem is actually not just in high end audio - it's used in large numbers of designs that use digitally controlled input stages, like microphone preamplifiers, scientific instrumentation amplifiers, audio Mixers Consoles, PC audio interfaces, digital video cameras, digital audio snakes and portable audio recorders - essentially devices that have audio passing through that needs level adjustment.
Your video title - the end of VCA compressors is the tip of an iceberg - this seems a very strange business decision for That - I suppose something impacting high end gear means not a huge number of sales, but it seems all these chips are way more prolific, and are in the analogue circuits of quite common gear?
Still - the Chinese factories might well be able to gear up for continued production. Their semi-conductor plants are really quick at picking up on potential sales?
I fear your list of gear impacted is much bigger - common audio ICs being unavailable is going to be quite impactful?
Rampant Colt
Member
The first problem here is that it’s NOT “my video title”, the second is it is NOT “my list”.
I was merely passing along old news from almost a month ago.
rob aylestone
Moderator
Sorry - the video is by Colt Capperrune - You are Rampant Colt - forgive me for making an assumption. I assumed you received the letter too. Apologies for upsetting you. I just watched what I thought was you? Now I know it's not. In the video he didn't actually say much about VCAs - so the title is a bit skewed.
Rampant Colt
Member
If there’s one thing you’re good at it’s making assumptions. But everyone has to be good at something.
I’ve never even watched the video. The .pdf letter from THAT Corporation was all I needed to see.
DrewPeterson7
Sage of the Order
Tangentally related, I recently discovered how good even a software DB160 sounds as a parallel drum bus compressor - it really IS odd how you still get the feeling of attack even with audibly "squishy" levels of compression. I've mostly been reaching for a Distressor plugin on drums and it's still my favorite for smashing room mics, but this is making me question my approach.
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
Software is an interpretation of a piece of gear. I like the actual gear from the period it was recorded.
People usually describe hearing different character traits from the different 160 models.
Operates at +4. The 160 XT has XLR and TRS 1/4" . No mic preamplifier of it's own, so you get to use different physical pre's. I like it.
They can be taken in through an interface insert. Sounds great even on a $50 used 6i6 or expensive UA Apollo.
People usually describe hearing different character traits from the different 160 models.
Operates at +4. The 160 XT has XLR and TRS 1/4" . No mic preamplifier of it's own, so you get to use different physical pre's. I like it.
They can be taken in through an interface insert. Sounds great even on a $50 used 6i6 or expensive UA Apollo.
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TalismanRich
Well-known member
There was a pretty long thread on the DIY forum. Lots of people complained that they were designing gear and THAT pulled the rug out from under them.
I wonder how long it will be before those $5 chips are selling on Ebay for $50. Someday they'll be like VF14 tubes....
I wonder how long it will be before those $5 chips are selling on Ebay for $50. Someday they'll be like VF14 tubes....
LazerBeakShiek
It is a life preserver
no, Rich . That would mean that the vintage gear with those components would be mega bucks $$$. That won't be happening.
They buttoned up circuits , like they closed the door in the car hobby. Now every car is faster than ...Depreciating what should be appreciating.
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