Hand crafted labs products

[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by The MPCist

Hi Albert,

Can your Leveller be equipped with stepped knobs for total recallability?

And what is the cost of one?

For all knobs? Basically it is possible. However... some doubts regarding stepped knobs... We install matched components,of course - tubes,optocouples,passive components. But even matched components,optocouples,in particular,has some different characteristics,it naturally. These charactereristics can alter a bit during long usage. In case of usual pots you can compensate this difference a bit,in case of stepped knobs not. Stick with two ends...

[mr.gefell]

nice..got any sexy pics of the new pre?

[filltrate]

Oh boy! i just got my HCL Solution stereo compressor earlier today and this thing sounds GREAT !!!!as soon as i got it i rushed to the studio and pluged it in just to make sure the thing would work. I put up a beat we had tracked yesterday and ran the compressor across the stereo buss just to hear what it would do. at first i had it so it wouldnt compress at all (peak Reduction and ratio all the way down) i brought up the input gain meters begin moving and... SIGNAL!!! It made the overseas trip and passed the first 2 tests (It truned on and passed signal) from there i hit the meter switch to GR and brought up the peak reduction and ratio knobs, at first im not really hearing anything but i see meters showing me compression is happening, so i hit the bypass switch (putting it in bypass) and the mix seemed to get thin i look over at my asstistant and hes just smiling from there i decide lets smash this 2mix!!! I bring up the input to about 3oclock (with the peak Reduction and Ration at about 11) and HOLY S*HIT the mix get's this really nice harmonic tone on both lo and hi ends i look over at my assistant and his jaw is on the floor but one thing did kinda bugg me out. I hit the link switch the meters are still jumping around but not in unison they just continue on their own so i start turning the input gain and realize that only one side is being affected Im not to sure what this means but the more i mess with it the more i think this link switch is not working I have e-mailed Albert about this and i hope he can explain it to me. The meters seem a little eratic and as i looked closer it looks like they used a paper cut out for the VU meter Oh well im not one to complain to much about looks im more about the sound and i have no complains about that. Also if you really smash it with all knobs all the way up it just craps out, not a plesant sound. but then again most gear doesn't sound good when completely overloaded. Anyway,
Ive been working with a producer at a studio here in LA for a good 2 months straight now. He plays a little bit of everything gtr, bass, drumz..and piano being his main instrument. I have his bass going thru a demeter tube bass preamp into a channel on the SSL and on the insert a Urie 1176..Sounds Great. I changed the insert to my new S2 compressor without the producer knowing. He came into the studio at 6pm as always and begins making a beat... his Mpc is bangin drumz hard, he get a nice little piano riff going, he grabs his bass and begins to play... He looks over to me stops the beat and ask's.. "What did you do to the bass ?" i respond "Why whats wrong ?". He says "nothings wrong it just sonds big & PHATT " i smile and show him "the handbuilt compressor from the Ukraine" ive been telling him about this whole month. He smiles back gives me a thumbs up and proceeds to turn the beat as loud as possible.

So overall im very pleased with my purchase its got a great sound with its own characteristics. I also compared it to an LA2a and it sounds some what similar. the LA2a seems to give the bass a little more color with less work but i was able, with a little dialing, to get the S2 to sound just as good. It seems the S2 is just cleaner sounding but if you want you can get some real grit and tone out of it. I think im falling in love. can't wait to hear their mic

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by filltrate

Oh boy! i just got my HCL Solution stereo compressor earlier today and this thing sounds GREAT !!!!

Oh man! I can't wait for mine! It's being made as we speak.

Originally Posted by filltrate

I also compared it to an LA2a and it sounds some what similar. the LA2a seems to give the bass a little more color with less work but i was able, with a little dialing, to get the S2 to sound just as good. It seems the S2 is just cleaner sounding but if you want you can get some real grit and tone out of it.

Considering the HCL Solution is just over a grand for 2(!) channels and LA2A is close to $3K for 1 channel, that's a hell of a deal. For the price of 1 channel of LA2A you can get 4 channels of HCL S2!

Originally Posted by filltrate

I think im falling in love. can't wait to hear their mic

I also ordered the mic - it's actually already been shipped. Any day now. It would be interesting to hear your feedback on the mic. Your credentials are very impressive. It would be super cool to find out that an HCL leveller or mic (or both) were used on the next Janet Jackson or Christina Aguillera hit. Please do tell if that happens!

[worm]

yeah the VUs are very erratic for me too

when i run the 2 channels with identical settings the effect is not the same in them (the difference is fairly drastic too) so it would be helpful if the VUs worked properly

also re: the paper cutouts, yeah, when mine arrived i noticed that too and it appears as if mine were stuck on in a rush as they are right up in the top of the display so i have to actually stoop down to read them fully. the wonky hi-jinx continued when i noticed that the knobs on one of the channels did not line up with the settings markings on the face plate, they knob has been drilled in a bit to the left.

to put the cherry on the cake i also realized that when i rested the unit flat on a table it seemed to rock very slightly on 2 of the corners... turns out the face plate had been put on skewif so it cannot rest flat as one corner reaches down further than the other. I only hope this will not prove a problem when i get around to putting it in a rack.

i was kinda pissed at first and wanted to send it back but i dunno, it sounds good, i just wish it was a bit easier to operate.

[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by filltrate

Oh boy! i just got my HCL Solution stereo compressor earlier today and this thing sounds GREAT !!!!as soon as i got it i rushed to the studio and pluged it in just to make sure the thing would work. I put up a beat we had tracked yesterday and ran the compressor across the stereo buss just to hear what it would do. at first i had it so it wouldnt compress at all (peak Reduction and ratio all the way down) i brought up the input gain meters begin moving and... SIGNAL!!! .....

... and HOLY S*HIT the mix get's this really nice harmonic tone on both lo and hi ends i look over at my assistant and his jaw is on the floor .....

....im more about the sound and i have no complains about that. Also if you really smash it with all knobs all the way up it just craps out, not a plesant sound. but then again most gear doesn't sound good when completely overloaded....

...I changed the insert to my new S2 compressor without the producer knowing. He came into the studio at 6pm as always and begins making a beat... his Mpc is bangin drumz hard, he get a nice little piano riff going, he grabs his bass and begins to play... He looks over to me stops the beat and ask's.. "What did you do to the bass ?" i respond "Why whats wrong ?". He says "nothings wrong it just sonds big & PHATT " i smile and show him "the handbuilt compressor from the Ukraine" ive been telling him about this whole month. He smiles back gives me a thumbs up and proceeds to trun the beat as loud as possible.

He-he....I would recommend such experiment before final tracking directly and with photo or video camera :-))

So overall im very pleased with my purchase its got a great sound with its own characteristics. I also compared it to an LA2a and it sounds some what similar. ...

... It seems the S2 is just cleaner sounding but if you want you can get some real grit and tone out of it. I think im falling in love. can't wait to hear their mic ....

Well, Oscar, we glad that device impress you and I sure that it will
stimulate you for new creative ideas in tracking,mixing and at all

Originally Posted by azzzy

Oh man! I can't wait for mine! It's being made as we speak.

Ha-ha, device has been sent today! With 1 May from Maidan, dear Azzzy

Considering the HCL Solution is just over a grand for 2(!) channels and LA2A is close to $3K for 1 channel, that's a hell of a deal. For the price of 1 channel of LA2A you can get 4 channels of HCL S2!

You want one more Leveller?

I also ordered the mic - it's actually already been shipped. Any day now. It would be interesting to hear your feedback on the mic. Your credentials are very impressive. It would be super cool to find out that an HCL leveller or mic (or both) were used on the next Janet Jackson or Christina Aguillera hit. Please do tell if that happens!

Hmm... btw... hey guys... may be, you will able to collaborate?Really... Azzzy is not bad compouser,guitar/bass player and singer. (we shall be in a share (small)he-he....
So... meanwhile, you can inform all public and each other just now here - Oscar about leveller, Azzzy about mic........ ;-)

Well, Azzzy gear before and after -

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

Ha-ha, device has been sent today! With 1 May from Maidan, dear Azzzy

Awesome!

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

You want one more Leveller?

Sure, I'd take another one! But I'm thinking my next purchase will be your summing mixer. And then your Vari-Mu (I know it's only in the design stage but I'm sure by the time I can afford one, you'll have it finished ).

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

Hmm... btw... hey guys... may be, you will able to collaborate?Really... Azzzy is not bad compouser,guitar/bass player and singer. (we shall be in a share (small)he-he....
So... meanwhile, you can inform all public and each other just now here - Oscar about leveller, Azzzy about mic........ ;-)

Well, I certainly wouldn't turn down a chance to record with Oscar. Or perhaps you know artists/producers in need of songs? I gots songs! From jazz to pop to metal! Lemme know, Oscar, eh?

[filltrate]

Originally Posted by azzzy

I also ordered the mic - it's actually already been shipped. Any day now. It would be interesting to hear your feedback on the mic. Your credentials are very impressive. It would be super cool to find out that an HCL leveller or mic (or both) were used on the next Janet Jackson or Christina Aguillera hit. Please do tell if that happens!

Well i havent ordered the mic just yet. I still wanna play with my S2 a little more
but after hearing the compressor im seriously contemplating getting a pair. God Help ME Im such a slutt...

Originally Posted by worm

yeah the VUs are very erratic for me too

when i run the 2 channels with identical settings the effect is not the same in them (the difference is fairly drastic too) so it would be helpful if the VUs worked properly

also re: the paper cutouts, yeah, when mine arrived i noticed that too and it appears as if mine were stuck on in a rush as they are right up in the top of the display so i have to actually stoop down to read them fully. the wonky hi-jinx continued when i noticed that the knobs on one of the channels did not line up with the settings markings on the face plate, they knob has been drilled in a bit to the left.

to put the cherry on the cake i also realized that when i rested the unit flat on a table it seemed to rock very slightly on 2 of the corners... turns out the face plate had been put on skewif so it cannot rest flat as one corner reaches down further than the other. I only hope this will not prove a problem when i get around to putting it in a rack.

i was kinda pissed at first and wanted to send it back but i dunno, it sounds good, i just wish it was a bit easier to operate.

I feel you worm.. I was also a little disappointed at first look. One of the knobs on the S2 is a little hard to move seems it was screwed on to tight or something. and the VU's are quite eratic even when settings are set the same and link switch is on. The day before my S2 showed up i picked up a brand new UA 2-1176(I couldn't wait for my S2. God Help Me I'm such a SLUT) and it was kinda the same thing some of the knobs are set funny and harder to turn than the others... thats just what your gonna get when things are handbuilt from scratch, no one's perfect

Originally Posted by azzzy

Well, I certainly wouldn't turn down a chance to record with Oscar. Or perhaps you know artists/producers in need of songs? I gots songs! From jazz to pop to metal! Lemme know, Oscar, eh?

Man i wish i was in a positon to say "come on down and lets record" but ive been so busy i barely have time to do my laundry but i would love to hear your music and your thoughts on the mic when you get it

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by filltrate

Well i havent ordered the mic just yet. I still wanna play with my S2 a little more
but after hearing the compressor im seriously contemplating getting a pair. God Help ME Im such a slutt...

I was the same way after trying the HCL pre. I was like hm... if the pre makes me not hate my vocals (for the first time) I wonder what the entire front end from HCL would do? The mic -> pre -> leveller combo should sound pretty sweet.

Originally Posted by filltrate

i would love to hear your music and your thoughts on the mic when you get it

Awesome. I will post the stuff I will have recorded with the HCL gear! (although it might take a while - I'm very slow with mixing)

[filltrate]

the S2 is looking cool and sounding AWSOME!! just had to post a pic

[Reza]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts guys - I'm seriously about to pull the trigger on one of these S2's.

Filltrate, let us know how you go with that Link switch.

Cheers,

Rez

[filltrate]

from what Albert has told me the link switch only links the peak reduction and not the input gain or the ratio. here is an excerpt from the e-mail he sent me to explain their reasoning for this :

"We not see a sense in linking of Ratio and Input Gain gain function due to several reasons. Any optocouples (we install matched pairs,as tubes also, of course) has a bit difference in electrical characteristics. It`s complex combination - LED or electrical lamp+Light dependent resistor,and it can not have full identical characteristic for real linking 1:1. Add tubes,passive components,pots,trafos - all with own never identical parameters. And time,which during long working device can change full similarity of channels a bit, due to tubes and optocouples resource, for example. Thus, with count of all it, you can adjust similarity of channels in any time by Peak and Gain pots and get truth result. But if performs link optocouples of both channels in hard way, you will not able receive full similarity from both channels. What for such linking mode then? But,in given case, you can set common input level of compression for A./B channels in linking mode and adjust similarity of channels by Peak reduction and Gain knobs a bit, with more perfect results in both channels. And you can make it in any time,during longest usage, if it will be necessary yet."

if you can get over the broken english it does seem to make some sense.

[C/G]

When you guys get your Faust tube mic, I would love to hear some feedback from the users. That mic has been burning in my brain for a while now.

HCL Vari MU? Sounds interesting.

More info on the Mirror pre would be appreciated as well.

[mahasandi]

I ordered a leveller . Albert is a cool guy to talk with.

after hearing some clips, reading peoples experience i pulled the trigger!!!!!

I can't wait to try it out!

[C/G]

Originally Posted by mahasandi

I ordered a leveller . Albert is a cool guy to talk with.

after hearing some clips, reading peoples experience i pulled the trigger!!!!!

I can't wait to try it out!

Mahasandi, I just noticed your avatar is from Twin Peaks.

[mahasandi]

Hey Colin

hows it going? yeah the black/white lodge ! i think they are maybe the same place .


nick

[mr.gefell]

some "sexy pics" of the new comp and pre would be great Albert

[C/G]

Originally Posted by mahasandi

Hey Colin

hows it going? yeah the black/white lodge ! i think they are maybe the same place .


nick

Just remember Nick, the owls are not what they seem.





Sorry, back on track.

[steffenb]

got the affinity pre a few weeks ago and im more than happy about my purchase
now im in need of the leveller
its a pitty that my bank account wont let me have fun in the near future ...

[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by C/G

HCL Vari MU? Sounds interesting.

Why no? Many onwers of 670 have a troubles with getting of original 6387 tubes,as GE manufactured these tubes only. But we have sweet soviet tubes,which are sole analogue of 6387,as it was found out. And we have very good soviet penthodes with long and short charachteristics also

about circuitry... all these circuitries was composed 100 years ago almost. But we have a pair of secrets,of course. As always

More info on the Mirror pre would be appreciated as well.

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

some "sexy pics" of the new comp and pre would be great Albert

The new pre Mirror will start new more elder product line (but in parallel of existing product line,of course),all based on full balanced circuitry, from In to Out. Such circuitries has high headroom and supress of non musical harmonics, how you know. But such devices are more complex in designing, manufacture and tests,of course.
All these devices (we plan Pre, Compressor, Channel strip,EQ,Summator, and luxury bass, 1 ch Di-Box evidently) will be performed in 3U racks with outboard PSU (excluding DI-Box,it will occupies 1/2 rack). Internal constructions of devices will mean point-to-point wiring (without PCB).Regarding point-to-point wirings comments will be excessive, I think. All slutz know about it
We manufactured several Mirrors in 2U simplest racks and simplest variants for extensive tests by some our customers. But we plan start of manufacturing real Mirror in summer 07', I hope. About pics - we not make pics still, since device has a line of reincarnations now, and we not hurry with pics.

But Mirror will be "blind", evidently... i.e without VU-Meters,LED peak meters only. "Usable enough,without excesses" - how testers said

[filltrate]

I forgot to mention that my S2 came with a new feature that HCL has put in(from what Albert has told me). Its a 80Hz lo cut side chain filter like i posted before ive been running the bass gtr thru my S2 and the producer decided yesterday that he wanted to run his bass thru a wha pedal for the new beat he was making. Now with the bass going thru the wah it seemed to lose alot of lo end so my first reaction was more EQ.. then i remembered the little switch on the back of the S2 that said 80Hz low cut. i go behind my rack flip the switch and what do you know the bass just came to life. the lo end was back, and the peaks caused by the wha were sitting just right. its a GREAT feature but i just wish the switch was on the front panel. the more i play with this bad boy the more i'm digging it.

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by filltrate

i go behind my rack flip the switch and what do you know the bass just came to life.

I just wanted to commend you on your great use of the seemingly useless smiley.

Originally Posted by filltrate

its a GREAT feature

The S2 that's on its way to me right now better have it too!

[azzzy]

OK. I finally got the mic! Actually I've had the mic for a while now but I finally got the updated power supply.
Unbelievable!!! I tried to record a sample with it but my Cubase kept ****ing up. I finally did record something but my vocal "performance" by that point wasn't on par with this wonderful mic. I will post more tomorrow... It's 1 am, gotta sleep. I just hope I can - too excited!

[copiapoa]

Originally Posted by C/G

When you guys get your Faust tube mic, I would love to hear some feedback from the users. That mic has been burning in my brain for a while now.

HCL Vari MU? Sounds interesting.

More info on the Mirror pre would be appreciated as well.

I think it here.
Listen: Faust and Affinity

[C/G]

Originally Posted by azzzy

OK. I finally got the mic! Actually I've had the mic for a while now but I finally got the updated power supply.
Unbelievable!!! I tried to record a sample with it but my Cubase kept ****ing up. I finally did record something but my vocal "performance" by that point wasn't on par with this wonderful mic. I will post more tomorrow... It's 1 am, gotta sleep. I just hope I can - too excited!

Cool, I'm interested in your opinions.

Do you have any mics you can compare it to? Other tube mics in a similar price range? U87 or other top shelf FET mics?

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by C/G

Cool, I'm interested in your opinions.

Do you have any mics you can compare it to? Other tube mics in a similar price range? U87 or other top shelf FET mics?

Well, Faust isn't in the U87 "price" range. Faust is in the U87 "PERFORMANCE" range. But it costs much, much less!

No, I don't own a Neumann or anything else that expensive. I have 2 tube condensers - AudioTechnica AT4060 ($1100) and R0DE NTV ($900 - 6 years ago). They are decent. I particularly like the AT4060 on guitars. Much better than SM57 or any other "conventional" guitar mic. The R0DE is somewhat warmer and sounds better on vocals. But even for that brief hour that I've spent with the Faust last night I've noticed a huge difference compared to the R0DE. The HCL mic is just so much more open! I actually noticed it in the cans even when I was singing. And listening to the playback confirmed that. I also noticed that while the Faust has plenty of top-end shimmer there was no accentuated sibilance. The sibilant sounds were very natural. I don't think you'd need a de-esser with this mic! It's almost like the way your voice sounds in your head that's the way it goes to the tape.

I will definitely record and post a few simple arrangements - (like vocal and guitar, or vocal and piano), so it's easier to hear the mic. The only thing is I think I'm gonna wait till the leveller gets here. My dynamics suck and I'm not great at working the mic. I also want to turn up the pre (HCL Affinity), 'cause that thing seems to sound best maxed out.

[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by azzzy

OK. I finally got the mic!
Unbelievable!!!

What for so to shout? especially at night ...

Your American neighbours can be not such musical and can not understand your night delight.... ha-ha...

Our congratulations

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

What for so to shout? especially at night ...

Your American neighbours can be not such musical and can not understand your night delight.... ha-ha...

Actually at the moment I live above an elderly Russian couple. Yes, they are not as musical but they are also deaf and don't care. Which is lucky, 'cause once in a while I like to crank up my 100 watt guitar amps and see how long my hearing can withstand this sonic abuse. (Turns out very long - for hours).

[HandCrafted Lab]

Originally Posted by azzzy

Actually at the moment I live above an elderly Russian couple. Yes, they are not as musical but they are also deaf and don't care.....

I hope, that this older russian pair became deaf not due to your terrible Soldano and a heavy hand of the body builder ?

[azzzy]

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

I hope, that this older russian pair became deaf not due to your terrible Soldano and a heavy hand of the body builder ?

Nah, I think they are just deaf from constantly yelling at each other Russian obsenities. They usually start around 8 am. Which really sucks on weekends - I have to sleep with ear plugs!