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Palaver · 13th November 2009

Hello all,

With the release of the Radial Workhorse 5000, I've completely shifted focus - I can now afford a great outboard tool. Pre-warning: I know my question(s) are pretty broad and general, but to date, I've decided I want to build a box that I could use for tracking, mixing, and basic mastering duties (if quickly needed). I would consider myself a serious hobbyist, and I've hit the wall with plugins. I'd rather invest in some nice outboard gear, anyway.

As of now, I'm tracking/writing using my MacBook Pro, Apogee Ensemble, Kurzweil PC3x, Ableton Suite/Logic Studio & Software Instruments, and my Langevin DVC.

I'd be using the Radial Workhorse for analog summing, and of course, loading it up with extremely versatile tools for the reasons previously mentioned - tracking/mixing/basic mastering. Plus, I want to warm up the software instruments.

Here is what I want (or at least decided on so far), and I'd like some suggestions or comments.

1) Surgical EQ - I'm thinking the Speck ASC-V 500 EQ (x2)

2) Character 'Mojo' EQ - I'm thinking the Purple Audio Lilpeqr (x2) pending on reviews from here. Perhaps, something from API (the 550a maybe)? Suggestions? This is where I am the most confused.

3) Compressors - Foote Control Systems 500 series (stereo mod), after calling Mercenary, this seems like a GREAT versatile toy that I can practice with, and will not grow out of... plus I could use it for literally everything.

4) Empirical Labs DerrEsser (x2) - just to fill up the box, and to fix a lot of 'great takes' but overly simbilant tracks I've done over the years - and to use in the mastering chain - take the edge off the digital... plus, they're relatively inexpensive, and there's some definite use I could get out of them.

I'd obviously be using my Langevin/Apogee pres, which I'm quite happy with, and I really enjoy the EQ and limiter on the DVC.

I know that at the end of the day, it's going to be a matter of trial and error, and I realize that I'm being somewhat naive with my expectations of creating a 'power-do-it-all-tool.' But as an intermediate (or becoming intermediate) recording engineer, I think this is a great start, and will give me many years of entertainment/learning and fun.

Am I over-looking something? Or should I approach fulfilling my needs via another method?

I'm all ears for any advice, opinions or suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
Phil

13th November 2009	#1
Palaver Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 206 Thread Starter	One-Stop Lunch Box Stop (Questions) Hello all, With the release of the Radial Workhorse 5000, I've completely shifted focus - I can now afford a great outboard tool. Pre-warning: I know my question(s) are pretty broad and general, but to date, I've decided I want to build a box that I could use for tracking, mixing, and basic mastering duties (if quickly needed). I would consider myself a serious hobbyist, and I've hit the wall with plugins. I'd rather invest in some nice outboard gear, anyway. As of now, I'm tracking/writing using my MacBook Pro, Apogee Ensemble, Kurzweil PC3x, Ableton Suite/Logic Studio & Software Instruments, and my Langevin DVC. I'd be using the Radial Workhorse for analog summing, and of course, loading it up with extremely versatile tools for the reasons previously mentioned - tracking/mixing/basic mastering. Plus, I want to warm up the software instruments. Here is what I want (or at least decided on so far), and I'd like some suggestions or comments. 1) Surgical EQ - I'm thinking the Speck ASC-V 500 EQ (x2) 2) Character 'Mojo' EQ - I'm thinking the Purple Audio Lilpeqr (x2) pending on reviews from here. Perhaps, something from API (the 550a maybe)? Suggestions? This is where I am the most confused. 3) Compressors - Foote Control Systems 500 series (stereo mod), after calling Mercenary, this seems like a GREAT versatile toy that I can practice with, and will not grow out of... plus I could use it for literally everything. 4) Empirical Labs DerrEsser (x2) - just to fill up the box, and to fix a lot of 'great takes' but overly simbilant tracks I've done over the years - and to use in the mastering chain - take the edge off the digital... plus, they're relatively inexpensive, and there's some definite use I could get out of them. I'd obviously be using my Langevin/Apogee pres, which I'm quite happy with, and I really enjoy the EQ and limiter on the DVC. I know that at the end of the day, it's going to be a matter of trial and error, and I realize that I'm being somewhat naive with my expectations of creating a 'power-do-it-all-tool.' But as an intermediate (or becoming intermediate) recording engineer, I think this is a great start, and will give me many years of entertainment/learning and fun. Am I over-looking something? Or should I approach fulfilling my needs via another method? I'm all ears for any advice, opinions or suggestions. Thanks in advance, Phil