Hand crafted labs products

[flute player]

Hello you all,

There are times that you can take a risk and think: " why not buying something out of the Ukraine "
Well, I did and bought several items from HCL with tremendous result.
I bought an affinity A2 preamp, solution s2 compressor and at this moment they are building a summing mixer for me.
I hear you guys and dolls think, what on earth to buy it form there.
But listen very carefully, I will say this only once ( allo allo ) THIS GEAR IS F..CKING AMAZING!!!
The people over there are friendly and real pro if it commes to manufactering tube gear.
I have a Dramer 1968 mercendarry and thought that it had a warm sound.
But comparing it to the solution from HCL it is like driving a Skoda or a Benz.

The most important thing is that you are buying it for less than all the big trade marks.
And the sound is the same as that from Tube tech.
So do your profit because this is not commercial talk but real enthousiasm.

[digitalM]

Hello flute player,
Interesting!Have you A/B'd the HCL units side by side to the TubeTech stuff?
Possible to post any samples?

Cheers, Martijn.

[flute player]

Originally Posted by digitalM

Hello flute player,
Interesting!Have you A/B'd the HCL units side by side to the TubeTech stuff?
Possible to post any samples?

Cheers, Martijn.

Well, I don't have a tube tech.
I have only done a test comparing it with my drawmer and that sound very warm.
But for a little sound experience you van listen to this thread.

Hand Crafted Lab Tube micamp and compressor, Blind test against 1176,v72,ADL and more

[Vertigo2006]

Viva la HCL! I have a Faust mic from HCL and it is AMAZING!
I just ordered one Faust more and Affinity pre amp.
Helpful people and very good quality!

V

[Ruudman]

Originally Posted by flute player

Well, I don't have a tube tech.
I have only done a test comparing it with my drawmer and that sound very warm.
But for a little sound experience you van listen to this thread.

But why do you say the sound is the 'same' as Tube Tech then?
Even TT products differ: a LCA2B sounds different than CL1B...

What's your point?

ruudman

[Labs]

Originally Posted by flute player

But listen very carefully, I will say this only once ( allo allo ) THIS GEAR IS F..CKING AMAZING!!!

HAHAHAHAHA RENE!

Gustav

[George Necola]

HAHAHAHAHA RENE!

Gustav
_________

??? what?

[C/G]

Originally Posted by Vertigo2006

Viva la HCL! I have a Faust mic from HCL and it is AMAZING!
I just ordered one Faust more and Affinity pre amp.
Helpful people and very good quality!

V

We need more comments on the Faust. You are probably the only person on this forum to see/hear/feel/use this mic. What could you compare it to? Is it dark or bright sounding? I need more info.

[Ruudman]

Originally Posted by George Necola

??? what?

Listen carefully, I will show zis only once (René to the right):



ruudman

[flute player]

The Tube Tech sound I heard and directly recocnized because I used it in mastering my album.
That's why so no point at all

Originally Posted by Ruudman

But why do you say the sound is the 'same' as Tube Tech then?
Even TT products differ: a LCA2B sounds different than CL1B...

What's your point?

ruudman

[flute player]

Originally Posted by Vertigo2006

Viva la HCL! I have a Faust mic from HCL and it is AMAZING!
I just ordered one Faust more and Affinity pre amp.
Helpful people and very good quality!

V

And this is just the reason why everybody must have the guts to by with this real profi's

[KingDaddyO]

Hmmm... would that be the same 'Handcraft Laboratories' whose work is shown in a linked image from this thread (see post #23)

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showt...57#post1044557

If not, then never mind.

[HandCrafted Lab]

Well, we shall never mind...

But if we something were afraid or doubted - what for we would place such huge and detailed pics at the our web-site always?

Thus everyone could make an own correct choice - nice wiring (on own discretion with count of own understanding of correct wiring) or nice sounding. These things are very inconsistent often, in tube gear, in particular.And "clear" picturesque wiring not guaranty of clean sounding often....besides of noise floor, crosstalks,self-excitation,net hum etc. also

http://www.papa-movie.com/Di-Box_Top_2_2048.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/Di-Box_Top_2036.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_top_1843.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_ind_rear_2039.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_ind_front_2041.jpg

[not_so_new]

Okay first, in the interest of full disclosure I was the one who posted the photos on the link above and in a few other threads as well.

Also I am sorry to be skeptical of the posts above but I have been around here for a while and when folks with post counts of 15 and 21 come here to claim just how great a company is... well..... that raises my eyebrows. Along with that this is not the first thread that one of the posters above has shown up to defend HCL or to call out from the mountain tops just how wonderful the gear is.

I know this will get some flames and I apologize in advance if this is not the case... but I am still skeptical.

Okay that said.

Originally Posted by HandCrafted Lab

Well, we shall never mind...

But if we something were afraid or doubted - what for we would place such huge and detailed pics at the our web-site always?

Thus everyone could make an own correct choice - nice wiring (on own discretion with count of own understanding of correct wiring) or nice sounding. These things are very inconsistent often, in tube gear, in particular.And "clear" picturesque wiring not guaranty of clean sounding often....besides of noise floor, crosstalks,self-excitation,net hum etc. also

So I disagree with some of the above, sorry man. Yes bad wiring can be a source for poor sounding audio but my concern is more about how long the unit will last. With some of the wiring on the photos I have seen I question the longevity of the unit. And I don't really think the idea of sending a unit back and forth accost the ocean to get it repaired is something I want to go through.

http://www.papa-movie.com/Di-Box_Top_2_2048.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/Di-Box_Top_2036.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_top_1843.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_ind_rear_2039.jpg

http://www.papa-movie.com/VF_ind_front_2041.jpg

Now these are some nice looking photos. If all of your gear looked that good and / or if you could guarantee that a compressor I would order from you looked like that then I would strongly consider getting one. Nice work!

thumbsup

[flute player]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Okay first, in the interest of full disclosure I was the one who posted the photos on the link above and in a few other threads as well.

Also I am sorry to be skeptical of the posts above but I have been around here for a while and when folks with post counts of 15 and 21 come here to claim just how great a company is... well..... that raises my eyebrows. Along with that this is not the first thread that one of the posters above has shown up to defend HCL or to call out from the mountain tops just how wonderful the gear is.

I know this will get some flames and I apologize in advance if this is not the case... but I am still skeptical.

Okay that said.



So I disagree with some of the above, sorry man. Yes bad wiring can be a source for poor sounding audio but my concern is more about how long the unit will last. With some of the wiring on the photos I have seen I question the longevity of the unit. And I don't really think the idea of sending a unit back and forth accost the ocean to get it repaired is something I want to go through.



Now these are some nice looking photos. If all of your gear looked that good and / or if you could guarantee that a compressor I would order from you looked like that then I would strongly consider getting one. Nice work!

thumbsup

Thank for your excuse dude, you made a fool of you allready.
Never look to pictures only and underrestimate quality

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by flute player

Thank for your excuse dude, you made a fool of you allready.
Never look to pictures only and underrestimate quality

LOL... 16 posts and 12 of them about Hand Crafted Labs.... agenda perhaps? Nooooooo, never. Too funny "dude."

The ignore button is my friend, I push this little button right..... here.... poof you are gone.

[flute player]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

LOL... 16 posts and 12 of them about Hand Crafted Labs.... agenda perhaps? Nooooooo, never. Too funny "dude."

The ignore button is my friend, I push this little button right..... here.... poof you are gone.

Once in you're live you meet someone that think he is a real big one.
listen "iritating dude of mine" to have a thousend or more posts don't make you any god of the GS forum.
Behind your mask must be a real lonesome, silly man.
Go away and frustrate someone else.
Talk about gear and not about the amount of posts you have send.
I consider to write the forum mediater about you and the way you react on peoples reply.
So it's up to you dfegad off.

[Ruudman]

Flute, you're overreacting

He never made an excuse, and why would he? Nothing's awfully wrong or improper regarding the posts in this thread as far as I can see ..

Smile, after all, you're happy with your gear, right?




ruudman

[Jax]

Originally Posted by flute player

And this is just the reason why everybody must have the guts to by with this real profi's

Borat wuz here.

Wuz Borat here?

[flute player]

Originally Posted by Ruudman

Flute, you're overreacting

He never made an excuse, and why would he? Nothing's awfully wrong or improper regarding the posts in this thread as far as I can see ..

Smile, after all, you're happy with your gear, right?




ruudman

Right rudd, yes indeed i am glad with all in my 50000 euro costing home studio.
And HCL is a proud new member of that.
so yes the last laugh is on me

[mrbowes]

flute player,

I'm very interested in the Solution S2. What do you think of it? What do you typically use it on? Have you tried it on the mix buss? Can you compare it to any other compressors you own?

Thanks

[flute player]

Originally Posted by mrbowes

flute player,

I'm very interested in the Solution S2. What do you think of it? What do you typically use it on? Have you tried it on the mix buss? Can you compare it to any other compressors you own?

Thanks

He He finally someone serious,
Well I use and gonne the solution at the end as the leveler of the final mix.
I have made a little mastering section were it is in line with a Drawmer 1961 tube EQ.
I posses also a drawmer mercenairy edition comp but with the solution you can add the warmth to your final mix.
The warmth of the sound in my opinion is about the same as Tube Tech.
But it can colour also to much like a Manley sometimes does.
The most warm sound you find in the low and mid.
So I use it for bass line also, allthough I own a boiler comp form rich farm and that sound very good for base and drums too.
Again saying it without commercial perspectives it has realy an amazing quality.
It is an easy to handle device with clear meters and knobs on it.

[mrbowes]

Being styled after an LA2A, I'm surprised (in a good way) to hear that you're using it on the mix.

Thanks for your response.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by mrbowes

flute player,

I'm very interested in the Solution S2. What do you think of it? What do you typically use it on? Have you tried it on the mix buss? Can you compare it to any other compressors you own?

Thanks

I have been eyeing this forever as well but have been wanting to hear more feedback. I believe Tornado Ted on the forum here has 3 of the Solution S2.

[mrbowes]

Well, I just bought one so I'll let you know how it sounds when I receive it (most likely a month).

Damn, I might be turning into a slut here =)

thumbsup

[flute player]

Originally Posted by mrbowes

Well, I just bought one so I'll let you know how it sounds when I receive it (most likely a month).

Damn, I might be turning into a slut here =)

thumbsup

Well, you certainly won't regret it.
Have you seen the affinity a2 pre amp too.
As a flute player I recorc with a ribbon mic. ( Royer R121 )
and allthough in their recomendation I saw a A-designs Mp-1/2 I decided to buy the HCL.
It has a ribbon switch as extra option so I can also use other mic's and even the synth are often going through it.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Colin Gaucher

I have been eyeing this forever as well but have been wanting to hear more feedback. I believe Tornado Ted on the forum here has 3 of the Solution S2.

Yep, I have been waiting to hear more as well.

I was pretty close to just ordering one myself but the build quality issues made me really worried. If someone could ease my issues with the build quality I would probably order one (and the only thing that would do that is to have the builder himself send me photos of the specific unit I would be receiving).

[mrbowes]

Well, you certainly won't regret it.
Have you seen the affinity a2 pre amp too.

The pre looks nice, but between my Pacifica and Sebatron VMP-4000e, my pre-amp needs are covered.

My Distressor is getting lonely and needs some other compressors to help squash signals.

[jaguarmusicboy]

I'm always amazed at the ease with which people in this forum can get their noses out of joint and their knickers in a twist over this stuff; at which point a perfectly reasonable thread will become derailed as one or more parties weighs in with an initial salvo of "LET THE FLAMES BEGIN!" Now I know that musicians and sound engineers are a fiesty lot in general, but cmon folks! Save the venom for the people who need it (my candidates would be the ENTIRE Bush administration and everyone connected with the creation and marketing of BARNEY). Differences are a fact of life as are the conflicts they engender. Successfully managing conflict is an essential survival skill; it inhibits the ultimate social disease of mismanaged conflict which is WAR. So ... in the interest of fairness and a return to useful dialogue (two words never uttered in Pentagon speak) ...

1) Thank you Flute Player, for initiating this thread about a line of equipment I have had a LOT of curiousity about. It appears that the general consensus is certainly in favor of the sound quality being achieved at HCL.

2) Thank you King DaddyO and Not So New, for bringing attention to the wiring and build quality issues. The photo that King supplied the link for should - infact - instill
some caution in those of us who are thinking about purchasing gear from HCL. In particular, the proximity of wires to the heat generating tubes should be a MAJOR concern to the builders especially since only a little extra care in the design and fabrication of these products would eliminate the potential for major shorts and even a possible fire hazard.

In partial defense of the builders, much of the hand point-to-point soldered vintage gear that folks seem to LOVE to throw money at on ebay (RCA, Western Electric,
Federal, etc) looks pretty messy when opened up for inspection; but wires that run in close proximity to an unshielded heat source are absolutely unacceptable. It may be that that particular photo was of an older unit, or an unfortunate "monday morning" sample. In any case, were I the manufacturer, I'd be going back to the designer/fabricators and demanding they implement rapid changes to their design and construction process to improve the safety and longevity of the product. I am still intrigued to hear and try this line; but I don't care HOW good it sounds, I don't want to pay $1200.00 for something that spontaneously combusts in eight months.

After all, spontaneous combustion is for drummers!

Final two cents: HCL should be grateful for this feedback. We all learn from this forum, that's why we're here. What's been suggested is not difficult or expensive and if incorporated, it will greatly improve both the image and sales of their products.

Now play nice in the sandbox all of you, unless of course you're contemplating shooting a purple dinosaur, in which case, GO FOR IT!

Happy New Year All!

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by jaguarmusicboy

I'm always amazed at the ease with which people in this forum can get their noses out of joint and their knickers in a twist over this stuff; at which point a perfectly reasonable thread will become derailed as one or more parties weighs in with an initial salvo of "LET THE FLAMES BEGIN!" Now I know that musicians and sound engineers are a fiesty lot in general, but cmon folks! Save the venom for the people who need it (my candidates would be the ENTIRE Bush administration and everyone connected with the creation and marketing of BARNEY). Differences are a fact of life as are the conflicts they engender. Successfully managing conflict is an essential survival skill; it inhibits the ultimate social disease of mismanaged conflict which is WAR. So ... in the interest of fairness and a return to useful dialogue (two words never uttered in Pentagon speak) ...

1) Thank you Flute Player, for initiating this thread about a line of equipment I have had a LOT of curiousity about. It appears that the general consensus is certainly in favor of the sound quality being achieved at HCL.

2) Thank you King DaddyO and Not So New, for bringing attention to the wiring and build quality issues. The photo that King supplied the link for should - infact - instill
some caution in those of us who are thinking about purchasing gear from HCL. In particular, the proximity of wires to the heat generating tubes should be a MAJOR concern to the builders especially since only a little extra care in the design and fabrication of these products would eliminate the potential for major shorts and even a possible fire hazard.

In partial defense of the builders, much of the hand point-to-point soldered vintage gear that folks seem to LOVE to throw money at on ebay (RCA, Western Electric,
Federal, etc) looks pretty messy when opened up for inspection; but wires that run in close proximity to an unshielded heat source are absolutely unacceptable. It may be that that particular photo was of an older unit, or an unfortunate "monday morning" sample. In any case, were I the manufacturer, I'd be going back to the designer/fabricators and demanding they implement rapid changes to their design and construction process to improve the safety and longevity of the product. I am still intrigued to hear and try this line; but I don't care HOW good it sounds, I don't want to pay $1200.00 for something that spontaneously combusts in eight months.

After all, spontaneous combustion is for drummers!

Final two cents: HCL should be grateful for this feedback. We all learn from this forum, that's why we're here. What's been suggested is not difficult or expensive and if incorporated, it will greatly improve both the image and sales of their products.

Now play nice in the sandbox all of you, unless of course you're contemplating shooting a purple dinosaur, in which case, GO FOR IT!

Happy New Year All!

Great post...

LOL

Welcome to GS.