thread: Calrec desks?
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Old 20th September 2002   #16
Wiggy Neve Slut
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
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Quote:
Originally posted by The Specialist
[B}

I definately think they are sleepers, but I don't think they sound like Neve in the EQ, or Pre department from my experience. Not
a bad thing, just different.

V [/B]
Hmmm... There are many different calrec modules. I think the ones that you are describing ar epossibly the IC versions. I had a couple of them (IC version) as well as Neve 1073's and Shep SN8's and the are characteristically exactly as you described them.

I tend to think of them more like the 'Baby V' Neve sound, as opposed to the flat out FAT king daddy class A sound of the 10xx series and the same of the Calrec PQ14/15 series.

FACT: Calrec and Audix started out as a primary contracting company for the BBC to provide Neve'esque consoles/compressors and limiters to the BBC at a reduced price. Both companies did many different ripp off versions of the Neve broadcast series modules like the 33314/5. These were the class A/B versions which still sound sweet as **** and no self respecting gearslut like ourselves would push away using them.
They often used the same St Ives transformers etc. as Neve did (which consitutes a large part of the 'NEVE' legendary sound. Their Eq is actually more usable IMHO than the 3 band 10XX series etc.

Calrecs current crop of mic-pres and channels strips and compressor are REALLY good and solid sounding. I have a mate who has one of their stereo compressors and i had achance to fiddle with it and its allmost as good as my fave 'al Smart c2'!!!

So do ya self a favour and check out any of them cos they are all pretty much the same in the same league sonicaly.. give or take about 1-15%. THe mjor difference is in price!!!!!!!!!
So Snap em up now b4 they are all gone! and whilst they are still relatively affordable.

PEACE
Wiggy

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