Gearslutz.com - View Single Post

alexkemp · 4th January 2007

can't argue taste, right?

API 7600 channel strip-- good pre, lousy comp, brutal EQ, and terrible terrible lay out (DI on back? and it defeats the mic in? really?)

On the other hand I use the Focusrite ISA 430 (1st generation) all the time for acoustic guitars and vocals and really love it. Didn't like the Mark II, though... pronounced bump at 500hz and the new options on the compressor aren't very useful for tracking because they're so so so colored.

Just did a shootout with the Avalon 2044 stereo comp with a new neve 33609 and a chandler TG-1 and to my ears the Avalon was the only one worth the money (I've heard older 33609's that sound good, though, just not this new one).

Another GOOD piece of gear: Apogee Trak 2. Those preamps alone are worth the price you can get the unit for now... Much better than I had ever expected, clean, transparent, lots of head room...

Oh, and I also agree that Distressors are way over hyped. I know I know they can be really transparent and fast so I can see why they would help certain elements in a mix, but when I'm in a room with a lot of gear, I just don't find myself reaching for them.... ever.

ADAM P33A's- the jury is out for me on these. I've been working on them for a while and I love the sound and clarity and size of the mix when I'm working, but my mixes just aren't translating.... yes yes yes it could be my room to some degree. So the jury's out.

4th January 2007	#262
alexkemp Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2006 Location: venice, ca	funny stuff can't argue taste, right? API 7600 channel strip-- good pre, lousy comp, brutal EQ, and terrible terrible lay out (DI on back? and it defeats the mic in? really?) On the other hand I use the Focusrite ISA 430 (1st generation) all the time for acoustic guitars and vocals and really love it. Didn't like the Mark II, though... pronounced bump at 500hz and the new options on the compressor aren't very useful for tracking because they're so so so colored. Just did a shootout with the Avalon 2044 stereo comp with a new neve 33609 and a chandler TG-1 and to my ears the Avalon was the only one worth the money (I've heard older 33609's that sound good, though, just not this new one). Another GOOD piece of gear: Apogee Trak 2. Those preamps alone are worth the price you can get the unit for now... Much better than I had ever expected, clean, transparent, lots of head room... Oh, and I also agree that Distressors are way over hyped. I know I know they can be really transparent and fast so I can see why they would help certain elements in a mix, but when I'm in a room with a lot of gear, I just don't find myself reaching for them.... ever. ADAM P33A's- the jury is out for me on these. I've been working on them for a while and I love the sound and clarity and size of the mix when I'm working, but my mixes just aren't translating.... yes yes yes it could be my room to some degree. So the jury's out.