Helpful ReplyThe $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream

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smallstonefan
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2017/04/17 15:53:37 (permalink)

The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream

Say you were currently 100% mixing in the box, but that you were given $5,000 to spend on outboard gear. You have mics, etc. covered, so you want to use it for mix purposes only.
 
For me, I'm thinking a really nice hardware comp, and/or maybe a hardware summing mixer.
 
What would you get?
 
 
#1
bapu
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 16:24:37 (permalink)
Did someone get a great refund this year?
#2
smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 16:31:06 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby cclarry 2017/04/18 00:14:31
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..................................
 
so what would you get? :)
 
API 2500, a pair of Pultec clones, and a taco?
 
(probably not the taco)
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wst3
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 17:03:34 (permalink)
It depends on what you are trying to do - everything from microphones to preamplifiers to dynamics processors to filters/equalizers seems fair game to me. Still not sold on the summing mixers, but my Avatar demonstrates that I have not given up completely on analog mixers<G>!

Maybe tell us more about your workflow?

-- Bill
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 17:14:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby mettelus 2017/04/17 18:26:28
smallstonefan
Say you were currently 100% mixing in the box, but that you were given $5,000 to spend on outboard gear. You have mics, etc. covered, so you want to use it for mix purposes only.
 
For me, I'm thinking a really nice hardware comp, and/or maybe a hardware summing mixer.
 
What would you get?



World-class front end (vs mixdown) will make a bigger impact on the quality of your recordings.
If you have world-class mics, I'd grab a pair of world-class pre-amps (if you don't already have those).
If you have top-tier mics/preamps/A/D, then I would take the $$$ and splurge on a high-end instrument.  
 
If you've got all the above... then I'd recommend taking a nice vacation to recharge the creative batteries.

Best Regards,

Jim Roseberry
jim@studiocat.com
www.studiocat.com
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wst3
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 17:19:52 (permalink)
hate to do the me-too things, but listen to Jim, he speaks the truth!
 
If you don't track live instruments then you can move on to the monitors/amplifiers/processors - in roughly that order.

-- Bill
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#6
fret_man
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 17:29:13 (permalink)
For me: room treatment and a control surface.
#7
smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 17:41:50 (permalink)
Interesting perspectives guys, thanks! :)
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timidi
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 19:55:10 (permalink)
smallstonefan
 
 etc. covered.
 
What would you get?



I guess it depends what "etc." is:)
 
 

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#9
bapu
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 20:55:29 (permalink)
I think for me maybe an actual LA-2A and/or 1176 would be a step up for me.
 
Given that I'm
a) a self project only studio (no clients)
b) not that great of a singer
 
I feel that this list covers all my vocal needs without stepping up to "world-class" stuff:
AEA R84 Ribbon Mic
AKG C414 B-ULS (circa 1984 with a Transformerless mod)
AKG SolidTube
Grace M101 Mic Pre
dbx 266xs Stereo Compressor/Limiter/Gate
dbx 160a Compressor
 
For my bass needs I either use:
Alembic F2-B Pre-Amp (for my Series I or Rick 4003S basses)
Universal Audio LA-610 MKII (for my mono basses)
 
For guitars I use:
True System P-Solo Mic Pre
 
#10
smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 21:03:32 (permalink)
timidi
smallstonefan
 
 etc. covered.
 
What would you get?



I guess it depends what "etc." is:)
 

 
Say you got the front-end covered, and good monitors. So focusing on improving the mix...
#11
timidi
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 22:38:59 (permalink)
Of course, the room is #1. We all know that yet keep going on with subpar acoustics. Well, I do anyway.
 
Actual Faders and real inline eq manipulation would be nice.
I don't know or understand fully the logistics of using a controller such as Mackie control or something but, in my mind, if I got something like that, it would need to be at least 16-24 channels and "just work". And from the various threads I've read over the years, it just seems more of a pain in the ass than what it's worth. Sure would be nice though.
 
Then there's always, good references, and practice, practice, practice.
 
Or, somehow turn the $5k into $100K and get a real mixer with full automation.

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#12
Pragi
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 22:43:57 (permalink)
That´s a good question  which is álso interesting me 
cause I wonna upgrade my studio with hardware for mixing and mastering.
The 3 devices I will buy  next year are :
 Fredenstein Bento 6 lunchbox :
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Bento6S
Elysta x filter:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/xfilter500 and 
Elysia Xpressor:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/xpressor500
 
Ihave  heard the elysia hardware tools in a friends studio,
very impressing
.Its a nice upgrade  for a software based studio.
 
#13
bapu
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/17 23:54:31 (permalink)
As much as I luve my software Maag EQ I wonder if  hardware version would be a big step up?
#14
smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:03:48 (permalink)
Cool stuff Pragi - and Bapu a real Maag? Yeah that would be cool!
 
I have enough mics and I actually record mostly guitar through my Fractal Axe FX II. While I could go for better monitors, the Adams were a YUUUUGE step up over the Behringers Truths I had. The room is already treated and tuned, and I have 16 channels of Mackie automated faders.
 
I'm thinking a pair of Warm Audio Pultecs for the master, a UAD Apollo 16 to add to my UAD Apollo Quad Silverface so that I could feed a Dangerous 2-Bus LT for analog summing. Another $1500 to play with and I'd snag an API 2500. 
#15
gswitz
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:06:28 (permalink)
I haven't loved my Audient ASP880. I wish I had shelled out the extra for this...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OctaMicXTC
 
Bapu has great thoughts. One of the DBXs he mentions has expanders. I will say, I use the expanders on the RME channels way more than I thought I would to reduce feedback when the band stops playing. I often can get a band dialed in without feedback and with fairly good vocal levels while they are jamming. When they stop, it can get dodgy. Using expanders on the vocal mics helps quiet them when the band pauses after a song.
 
I like Ribbon Mics coupled with KM184s. Everyone likes them coupled with dynamics. Dynamics are probably better for really loud stuff, but a ribbon and a small diaphragm condenser make a nice combination for quieter recordings. 
 
I've wanted a lunch box for a long time (nod to Pragi) and haven't pulled the trigger because it wasn't my top priority.
 
If you do much live, you might consider a channel strip...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ShelfordCH
I've wanted to try this one.
post edited by gswitz - 2017/04/18 00:49:32

StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
#16
bapu
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:11:48 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby smallstonefan 2017/04/18 00:12:19
Ok, how about a Maag EQ, API 2500, Warm Audio(LA-)2A and a Warm Audio(11)76.
 
And then for my birthday you can get me the Dangerous 2-Bus LT for analog summing.
 
OK, my wish list is complete, when will you send it all to me James?
 
I mean... you were asking so you'd know what to get me, right?
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smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:12:45 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby bapu 2017/04/18 00:16:29
bapu
I mean... you were asking so you'd know what to get me, right?



Just like Santa Clause, but without elves to help me...
 
:)
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cclarry
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:18:43 (permalink)
Wow...I feel like I live in the Ghetto of mixing 


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bapu
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 00:18:57 (permalink)
smallstonefan
bapu
I mean... you were asking so you'd know what to get me, right?



Just like Santa Clause, but without elves to help me...
 
:)


So Imma stay home every day from now until it all arrives (don't want to miss USPS, FedEx or UPS).
#20
AT
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 04:23:19 (permalink)
Well, the warm audio la2a and 1176 (as someone above mentioned) provide optical and FET-style comps at a great price.  $1500 covers both.  The RND Portico II covers just about every aspect of input and sounds like you are going through a big board.  Or the vintage RND Shelford.  That will just about max out your $5000.  Or instead of Neve you could get a drawmer 1960 tube  stereo unit (DI, Pre and Comp).  Use it for front end or stereo two buss compression.  $2000 so you will still have some money even if you keep the Warm units.

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#21
Pragi
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 07:58:23 (permalink)
 James,
the Warm Audio Pultec Eq´s also  come into consideration ,
when I´m thinking about a studio upgrade.
I´m not sure if the Lunchbox 500 format is right 
cause it seems to be  a little uncomfortable  in handling .
 
 
#22
smallstonefan
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 11:19:37 (permalink)
I'm not sure about the lunchbox either - but the Warm Pultecs are full rack space units.
 
I just recently learned of the Shadow Hills Equinox. Man, that might just jump right up there... :)
#23
Amicus717
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 15:56:43 (permalink)
If it was for the stuff I do (symphonic and hybrid), I'd probably look into a good hardware reverb...

Sonar Platinum, Windows 10 Pro 64, Core i7-5820K Haswell-E CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM, RME Babyface, Adam F7 monitors, Mackie MCU
#24
Pragi
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 17:16:44 (permalink)
Just noticed the first time the Shadow Hills Equinox,
must be a great piece of gear - but unfortunately unreachable 
for my pocket ....
The Elysia units are also available in full rack format, I
would like to compare the Warm Audio and the  ELYSIA EQ .
These are affordable units for me
 
 
post edited by Pragi - 2017/04/19 05:56:16
#25
Kev999
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Re: The $5,000 Outboard Mixing Dream 2017/04/18 21:33:23 (permalink)
The question "what would you buy if you had the money?" is something I would answer differently at different times, depending on which aspects of the music making process I had been focusing on recently.

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