i need 2 more pre channels and 2 more compressor channels.... all in one or no?

[sadworld]

seems to me i'd be saving money if i buy a pre/compression all in one box.... was wondering if there are drawbacks to that, and what would be the benefits of having seperate boxes... also suggestions would be helpful (gimme something to research) thanks. i'm looking hard at the pendulum units! (i have nothing tube at the moment, wouldn't mind if that changed)

one box im interested in is the langevin dual vocal combo(dvc). dual pre/limiter for a hell of a good price. i think it even has separate access for the limiters. ive never heard this box, but it seems cool.

[woodworm]

I'd say that you'd be fine with an "all in one" provided there is an insert point between the mic pre and the cmpressor/EQ.

This way the box will not be limited to just recording. You could also use it in a mix. Or insert a different kind of EQ or comp if it sounded more suitable for the task at hand.

The dog's balls would be a box where you can place the insert either before or after the filter to have a chain that goes Mic Pre - Filter - Insert - EQ - Comp or Comp - EQ if the EQ/Comp order can be chosen (the cherry on top of the dog's balls).

Off to make some shavings now...

[ransomRR]

I haven't heard it myself yet (finally checking it out this weekend), but you may want to check out Focusrite's new Liquid Channel. Supposed to sound very close to most of the preamps and compressors worth having all, in one box. (Think Pod XT of mic pre-amps)

[brownmouse]

with the pendulum quartet you can use each of the functions independently or as a regular 'channel strip'.
good luck,
joshua

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by sadworld
(i have nothing tube at the moment, wouldn't mind if that changed)

Nothing against tube gear, but are we talking about guitar amps or recording gear? What particular reason is there for you owning a tube piece versus a solid state piece? What do you want to achieve sonically? Because I'll tell you...basing it on that criteria may get you something you don't need. Here's a real world example of what I'm talking about:

Solid State pieces that are complete opposites:

Chandler TG-2 -- GML Preamp


Tube pieces that are opposites:


Tube Tech preamp (we call it the 'pillow') -- Pendulum MDP-1


See my point? You put the Chandler up against the TT and no one is going to "hear" the tubes (not enough to make it a big deal anyway), they'll both just have 'color'. I'll bet if Massenberg designed a tube piece, it would be as clean as a whistle too.

[sadworld]

i base my interest in the pendulum from the reviews i've read, and what folks on this forum have said about it. i'm obviously not like "gimme tube or gimme death", since i own all solid state units. i'd basically like to try one out simply cause i haven't. i haven't worked with a tube preamp, ever. sheer interest and intrigue, i guess. i'd like to just treat my ears the luxury of "hearing the difference (or lack of difference) for themselves"

[bloodstone]

Originally posted by chikkenguy
one box im interested in is the langevin dual vocal combo(dvc). dual pre/limiter for a hell of a good price. i think it even has separate access for the limiters. ive never heard this box, but it seems cool.

I love my DVC, and you can access the limiter & mic pre as separate units. The one drag is I wish it had line ins you could use to take advantage of the EQ at mixdown. If you set the mic pre attenuator really low, it will work sometimes, but there's a slight difference between working and distorting like crazy. I find the pres work well with tube mics on voice. I haven't tried putting lin level into the DI inputs.

If the sections of a device are fully functional as separate pieces, I don't see any difference in separate units and all in ones, except perhaps overall quality.

The mic pres don't have enough gain to handle a ribbon very well.

[arimaka]

I heard a Drawmer 1969 briefly the other day... I think it's an amazing box and might be what you are looking for... 2 mic pre's and comps that can work separate and both sound great!!

my .02 cents

[Mike O]

You might want to consider a SLAM without converters (for now).

[bloodstone]

Originally posted by arimaka
I heard a Drawmer 1969 briefly the other day... I think it's an amazing box and might be what you are looking for... 2 mic pre's and comps that can work separate and both sound great!!

my .02 cents

I have owned a 1969 for a while and I do like it a lot. But it's not in the same price point as a DVC, so it's hard to compare. They are both useful tools in their own right. I like the 1969 with solid state condensers & ribbons, but not as much with tube mics. The 1969 is far superior for 2-bus apps.

[Revelation]

I also say get the Langevin DVC. I have it and love it to death. The optic limiter is so transparent . Check out this review
http://digitalprosound.com/articles/...e.jsp?id=19932

[woodworm]

I don't think any review or spec sheets will ever tell you how good a unit sounds. before committing cash, I would recommend to ask the dealers/distributors to lend you a demo unit for a couple of days so you can try it out on your turf within a well-known environment.

Very often a "rent, but discount the rent money from future purchase" approach works well and helps build your credibility as a potential buyer rather than a PITA.

When faced with a NO, I usually wonder how that specific dealer would handle afetr-sales service if it isn't keen to sell in the first place. And my back is the last they'll see from me

[zimv20]

Originally posted by bloodstone
I haven't tried putting lin level into the DI inputs.

next time you think of it, try bass direct. yummmm...

The mic pres don't have enough gain to handle a ribbon very well.

there's a way to increase the gain some 8db, iirc, via an internal adjustment. caveat: i haven't tried it.

[Revelation]

I would say the DVC can handle ribbon mic's just fine. You need to use the gain on the limiter and just make sure that the limiter reduction knob is down so it is not doing anything.

[bloodstone]

Originally posted by Revelation
I would say the DVC can handle ribbon mic's just fine. You need to use the gain on the limiter and just make sure that the limiter reduction knob is down so it is not doing anything.

I found it very noisy when I resorted to that.