...and I come back for a few days and end up forking over some scratch for Mercury (thanks Larry), but that's another story... :)
 
I'm here (in this sub forum :P ) because I've been messing around more with hardware than plugins lately. I was just wondering if I'm the only one...
 
As some of you know I bought a Midas console to use as an analog summing unit feeding it with a UAD 16 Silverface. I have since added a Stam Audio SSL G bus clone, so I feed the Midas to the SLL and then back into the DAW. I also added a pair of Neve 1073 pre-amps (from Stam), and an 1176 (also form Stam, I think there is a pattern). My LA2A clone is supposed to ship from a builder (I'll let you guess who) and I should have that in a few weeks. I plan to use the 1073 > 1176 > LA2A together for my vocal chain.
 
My most recent acquisition is a pair of Dorrough 40A2 meters that I just got yesterday and I'm hooking up now with some clever routing (I think). They are bigger than I expected them to be, and while I've used the Waves version and love it, the hardware is even more mesmerizing... :)
 
So, any of you got the hardware bug lately?
 
James

I going more with hardware my self these days also. I bought some 500 series modules as well as a few new preamps. The modules are, Trident 80b eq, Kush Audio Electra eq, Tonelux EQ5P, Lindell PEX 500 eq, AEA RPQ preamp and the DBX 560A compressor. I also have the Warm Audio WA 273 dual preamp (minus the eq) which is their version of the 1073 pre, Warm Audio Tonebeast preamp which is their version of the API 312 pre and the Warm Audio WA76 which is their version of the Uri 1176 D rev so I have 4 different eq's 3 different pres and 2 different compressors to work with. I do like working with hardware but when I can't get what I want out of the hardware plugins come in handy for sure. I'm probably to get the Warm Audio EQP-WA tube eq soon.

Hi Bob,
It sounds like we have gone done a similar path. :) I haven't gotten into a 500 series yet as I'm concerned that will be a rabbit hole for me. I took the drums out of my studio in the last six months and believe the days of recording bands are behind me, so it's mostly going to be vocals that get recorded by mics. Probably my guitar cab at times but most of the guitar recording is digital through a Fractal Axe FX II.
 
I've heard good things about Warm and had got to hear their Pultec clone first hand and it was pretty awesome. I'd love to have a pair of Stam Pultecs on the master, but that's $2k that I can't justify. 
 
If you had to pick one hardware EQ to use in your vocal chain, which would it be?
 
James

Nice mics are better.

I have an external compressor i really like.

Analog stuff is cool.

I did my first soldering this year. I made a diy.re reamp box.

Analog is heavy. ;)

All digital is analog going in - and out.  So it kinda makes sense that good analog will help your sound - or at least get out of the way.
 
And rather than getting into an in- and out-side the box arguments, let us just say that using good outboard hardware to record is play time in recording (and or mixing).  It has less to do w/ sound, than learning how to control sound before it hits the converters.  Like an audio engineer.  Any professional guitarist (and many that aren't) have a huge collection of expensive guitars, each guitar a tool for a specific sound.  Engineers can get the same way.  Just like the apocryphal 60's keyboardist that taped down the knobs on their Moog (ARP, etc.) for that one specific "preset" they needed in each song.  A big room full of black taped synths he'd have to take on tour.

I loved this!
 
let us just say that using good outboard hardware to record is play time in recording (and or mixing)
 
I feel the same way. I enjoy looking at the gear (a bit more tangible than a plugin lol), playing with the gear, and the results I get out of the gear. 
 
I have zero interest in arguing the merits of analog vs. digital (unless you want to talk vinyl), I am just having fun with these toys! :) 

I just have a small home studio and the digital works for my application. 
But I have a friend that started up a recording studio and its all retro Tascam.  Tascam 4 track tape recorder, Tascam board. Hardware plate reverb, etc.  It reminds me of the studio I maintained (and staff steel guitar player) in late 70's, Tascam tape deck, Tascam board, Ampex 2 track tape for masters, etc.
 
 
 
 

smallstonefan
Hi Bob,
It sounds like we have gone done a similar path. :) I haven't gotten into a 500 series yet as I'm concerned that will be a rabbit hole for me. I took the drums out of my studio in the last six months and believe the days of recording bands are behind me, so it's mostly going to be vocals that get recorded by mics. Probably my guitar cab at times but most of the guitar recording is digital through a Fractal Axe FX II.
 
I've heard good things about Warm and had got to hear their Pultec clone first hand and it was pretty awesome. I'd love to have a pair of Stam Pultecs on the master, but that's $2k that I can't justify. 
 
If you had to pick one hardware EQ to use in your vocal chain, which would it be?
 
James

For a main go to eq I would need one that can do fine adjustments. The eq's I have aren't meant for that. I would like to get the Harrison 32 eq. Great River makes one. I really haven't figured out a specific vocal chain or any specific instrument chain yet. I'm still experimenting. I used to have an electronic drum kit but sold it. If I want real drums I'll go to my buddy's house and record there on his set. As far as guitars go I mic my amps. I prefer mic'ing. I have a DI and a Re-amp box so I'm starting to experiment with re-amping.  I checked out the Stam website and it looks like they are a bit more expensive than Warm Audio. Nice stuff for sure. I also spent around 2k on pedal effects, pedal board with a looper so I'm pretty set as far as distortions,fuzz, delays, reverbs, comps, modulations and so on. I even have the Quilter amp pedal which is pretty good and I have the Digitec CabDryVr which is a pretty good cab sim. I'll always be a hardware guy and like to print my sound on the way in. There are occasions where I will create a sound in the box. It's great to have the option.

Whether it's in the box or not, I think there's fun to be had trying to use different tools.
 
Last week, I delivered a polished mix to a band.
 
Today, I've spent the day trying to re-master one of the tracks with just eq's in the RME UCX and my DBX doing multiple bounces to try to get a version I like more than the one I did in the box.
 
I'm not there yet, but I've done a ton of listening and know more now than I did this morning.
 
:-)
 
Some of the differences come from not using multiband compression. With just one compressor, I can't do different bands.
 
Also, using my hardware, it's harder to get a precise average loudness. it's also interesting to hear a loud part from a vocalist push down the rest of the band. Same can happen for a loud lead guitar. The multi-bands increase the compression just on the notes required while leaving the rest of the recording untouched.
 
Because you're compressing all bands at once, to get the same average loudness, I have to compress the track harder. When the compression eases off, the other music bounces into the front. It's almost like a vocal rider in reverse. :-) It pushes up whether it in the back of the leads as soon as the leads go quiet.
 
Super interesting. And also something I'm sure I've heard in a thousands of pro recordings without realizing what was driving it.
 
Next, I tried mixing the two recordings together, normalizing so the peak was at -0.2 and taking an average volume on the EBU meter. Interestingly, it was a full 2 Db quieter than either recording alone.

I love that sort of experimenting and just learning new things as you go...