Could a Tl audio M3 Tubetracker be good for house/electro ?

[sergioelectro]

Hi,

I am searching for something that really makes my DAW sounds warm and creamy.
I want something that adds real colour: something you can hear and not only feel.
I am mainly making house, 80's and electro sound.

Was thinking about the Tl audio M3 tubetracker.

Any opinions? or experience with it ? Will it be good for the kind of music I make ?

My reference artists are guys like: Alan Braxe, Lifelike..... their sound is so creamy and sweet but so fat at the same time (very special and unique sound they have!!!! I will also be happy to discuss about that!)

Thanks for your help guys.

Cheers

Sergio

[Tom H]

I have no experience with the M3 but played around with electronic music on a VTC console many times. I had high expectations about the VTC because it is known to get used by producers like Underworld, Dizee rascal and Kruder & Dorfmeister...

The tubes in the console definitely add a flavour wich you might like, the Alan Braxe sound kinda has that same glued thickness but I wouldn't say that comes from tubes or anything.

I liked the console for tracking actually, not so much for mixing, the eq's really weren't that special to me.

Hope this helps.

[sergioelectro]

Originally Posted by Tommylicious

I have no experience with the M3 but played around with electronic music on a VTC console many times. I had high expectations about the VTC because it is known to get used by producers like Underworld, Dizee rascal and Kruder & Dorfmeister...

The tubes in the console definitely add a flavour wich you might like, the Alan Braxe sound kinda has that same glued thickness but I wouldn't say that comes from tubes or anything.

I liked the console for tracking actually, not so much for mixing, the eq's really weren't that special to me.

Hope this helps.

hello Tommy and thanks for your reply

So what kind of equipment of mixer would you advise me to take to achieve getting a so special sound like they have ? ? ?

Thanks

Sergio

[Tom H]

Originally Posted by sergioelectro

So what kind of equipment of mixer would you advise me to take to achieve getting a so special sound like they have ? ? ?

I'm not sure, the music you're describing and especially Alan Braxe has a very analog sound, wich I think mainly comes from analog synths. Atleast that's my impression listening to Rubicon for example... If it's also mixed in the analog domain I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised.

If you are looking for a mixer with an anolog sound I found the Neve 8816 to really have that aswell as the VTC actually. The M3 you originally asked about I believe now is continued as the M1 and got a pretty good review in this months resolution mag if that means anything to you. Still I believe the real sound comes from the starting material and not so much the mixer but a colored mixer can be a way to go.

Personally I do prefer something cleaner for summing in combination with some more coloring outboard because it gives you more control of the sound in the end.

Some other sluts might better know what kind of synths would give you that typical sound.

[NorseHorse]

I wish they'd put some forethought into recording the audio for this video. I guess you get the gist though?

[SWAN808]

if you want a warm retro sound start off with analogue synths and a hardware compressor on the mixbuss. Track your analogue synths thru a nice DI or Pre amp.
Once you got the above covered then it might be time to look at a desk...
Personally I would look at SOundtoys Decpitator as a saturation plugin-and also Nebula for console emulations

AlexB Nebula Libraries - MTC

[tompty88]

Hey.

I looked into getting a M1 a while back and researched it quite thoroughly.
I ended up not getting it for the following reason;
Despite the hefty price tag, the tubes TL Audio use in all their products are the cheapest 12AX7s you can buy. There are lots of different makes of the 12AX7 tubes, ranging from £2 - £70 for the mullard bad boys. I cant remember off the top of my head which make the TL use, but they cost on ebay NOS around £3 - £5 each. An indepth review guide of different 12AX7s manufacturers also called these the lowest performers.

Also! Im not sure about the new M3s, but I do remember that on their consoles there is absolutely no way to bypass the tube stage on each channel. That seems like a massive negative if you dont want the saturation on each channel.

I looked into getting one and replacing the tubes with better quality ones, but it seems like a massive hassle.

So yeah, get yourself a mackie 32-8 and buy some lovely analogue compressors and eqs.

[galawak]

ola,

from my experience, mackie get not be compared to tl audio..

the tla m1 that i use, have amazing fat round sound and such
power and control.. fantastic