Oh My Gawd, Help me choose my next piece of gear!

[pigpen]

Ok, so first and foremost, I am impatient as hell. I liek to have things done. Period. Make up my mind and move on.

Can't seem to do it. I will have roughly $3500 to play with soon.

So heres a short list of current gear so you have an idea.
Neve, API, Fearn mic pres
1-Distressor
1-Fatso
Apogee AD 8000
PT Mix Plus 4
1/2" analog deck
Neve 1272 Line ins for mixdown as well
peluso 47Le
Peluso 251
414
Avensons, etc...on mics (happy here for now)

What I am/was thinking was to get another stereo comp for the 2 Buss and possibly for tracking as well. In short I would like to get something that is not a one trick pony., but something that will help my overall mixes the most. I have tried the Dangerous summing, but was not impressed, but my list includes a few others as well.

Short list of items I am looking at either in combo or one piece, price savy:

Shadow Hills Comp (Of course a tad outta budget so I'd have to wait, but looks like it might be the answer)
SSL 384 (only stereo though?)
Drawmer 68 or 69
Focusrite Red 3
TfPro P10
Wait on the Neve 8816
Innertube Sumthang
SPL TD4
Purple Audio 76/77
A second Distressor

I do mostly rawk, pop, acoustic cats, and a little hip hop/rap.

Please help. I know I am opening a can of Gearslutz worms, but I am so torn, I want to rip my face off!

[84K]

If you want a buss compressor with a great sound that will impress your clients visually: Shadow Hills Comp.

SSL 384 is and always will be an SSL. A Standard. A Classic.

1969.... Great box. If you also want to use it a lot during recording ( and not just buss compression ), this would be my pick from your list.

Second Distressor.... in time. Wouldn't a 1969 and a distressor be the same $$ as the Shadow Hills or the SSL???


What about the Alan Smart compressors??? Great Buss compression.... not crazy $$$$....

[gainreduction]

Get a second distressor.., you'll want that someday anyway... just get it over with

[Lord Fear]

allan smart c2, or a neve 33609 but try and actually get your hands on a real 33609 not the 33609J i didn't like the sound of that when i listened to it, but different strokes for different folks

[djui5]

If you want something for the 2 buss....I'd recommend nothing less than a Red3

Yeah..you need another distressor too....but that's a given.

[pigpen]

Keep em coming, I love interaction...at the moment leaning Drawmer and maybe a Purple or the Spl....my new assistant has another Distressor so I will have acces to a stereo pair. Of course then again if a Red 3 pops up at $1800 again, I am buying it!


Thanks as always!

[pigpen]

Also called the Mighty Twin...anyone have an opinion on it?
Defintely a creeper on my list....has vari phase, 4 types of comps, pres, eq...the whole shoot and match

Ideas?

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Why would you need a stereo pair of Distressors?

For many reasons...drum buss, OH's, gtrs, comp Bass, well hell Anything!

[djui5]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Focusrite-Red3-S...QQcmdZViewItem


Submit an offer.....this føkker has 5 of them.

[pigpen]

Cool, offer made...sure he will turn it down, but the offer has been made!
Thanks, good looking out!

Originally Posted by djui5

http://cgi.ebay.com/Focusrite-Red3-S...QQcmdZViewItem


Submit an offer.....this føkker has 5 of them.

[InverseHelix]

Great list, of what's on there I'd say one of the Drawmers would be the best choice, but the SSL is amazing, I'll also second (or third or fourth) he suggestion of a Smart C2. In terms of 2-bus it's hands down my favorite. Don't forget about the API 2500 though, it has a nifty little switch that goes from what you'd expect to ssl-*like* (is this gunna be the next sounds like a "___")

The TD4 is also a great comp. i just got done mixing an industrial disc and used it on pretty much every tune. Mostly drums, though I did use it on bass. I had a lot of fun running some things through it in parralell, but I can't honestly say I'd use it or reccomend it for tracking, and defiantely not for 2-bus use. When it shines it's AMAZING though.

So, those are my two cents. best of luck in your decision!

[pigpen]

Ok so here is what I think I have narrowed it to ....no particular order


1- Red 3 if dood takes my offer
2- SSL 384 or Smart (Will get Vintage King to send both and choose)
3- 68 and DBX 162 or a pair of RNC's

Or I can sell my Langevin DVC and interchange option 3 with the 69 or the TF Pro Might Twin.


More suggestions?

[pigpen]

Red 3 got shot down in flames so...I think I have narrowed it. It is either:

68/69 and DBX 162
or
SSL 384

More options with he top one ( Iam actually leaning this way), but like everyone says...SSL is pretty incredible shit.

At least it is down to it now though!
Thanks again and opionions are always welcome!

[squeegybug]

There sure are a lot of sounds in the 1968. I just keep using that thing more, I thought it would hang up somewhere but it just stays musical with all kinds of mild or extreme settings. Very impressed by the performance of this Drawmer/Mercenary piece, and a reasonable cost too.

Steve

[matt thomas]

what did you offer for the red? what was the response?

narco

[TonyBelmont]

I would go with the Smart C2. Unless you find an early SSL 384, before they changed the VCA's....

[pigpen]

$1900. Hell no. Wants $3200. THey are new. He ias obviously a dealer. Can't believe I second guessed the other one that day at $1800....damn me!

Originally Posted by narco

what did you offer for the red? what was the response?

narco

[BobRick]

If you can't decide on something you need... perhaps you don't need anything at all?

How about taking the wifey away for a nice weekend...

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by BobRick

If you can't decide on something you need... perhaps you don't need anything at all?

How about taking the wifey away for a nice weekend...

God am I glad my wife doesn't read this stuff!
Who are you anyway? Did my wife hire you? JK..

[u b k]

Originally Posted by InverseHelix

Don't forget about the API 2500 though, it has a nifty little switch that goes from what you'd expect to ssl-*like* (is this gunna be the next sounds like a "___")

ahh yes, it grabs like a smart but it's got that api top... SO much smoother.

of course, smooth may not be what ya want, in which case it's the smart or the ssl for that kind of action.


gregoire
del ubik

[DirkB]

I'd sell your HR824's and get me some S3a's.

That's what I did and was the best upgrade ever .

Greetings,
Dirk

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by DirkB

I'd sell your HR824's and get me some S3a's.

That's what I did and was the best upgrade ever .

Greetings,
Dirk

Really? Give me more info please sir...I am not familiar with the S3a's...is that Dynaaudio?

[pigpen]

Ok, so here we go, I have narrowed the list down thanks to all of you guys. I was unawre that the Smart C2 was a dual mono comp as well, just assumed it was like the 384....so it goes back on. Right now I need that flexibility. Keeping the DVC so the budget is lessened a bit.

Here it is in order:
C2 (if I can find a used one for a decent price)
68
Red 3 (only if I find another for $1800)
TF Pro P10-Mighty Twin (Only if it smokes upon demo)

Thanks and keep em coming.

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by DirkB

I'd sell your HR824's and get me some S3a's.

That's what I did and was the best upgrade ever .

Greetings,
Dirk

Did some searching, while they look cool, gotta pass for now...too much moolah. while I understand most don't like the 824's, I think I have gotten used to them.

Thanks though

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by pigpen

Ok, so here we go, I have narrowed the list down thanks to all of you guys. I was unawre that the Smart C2 was a dual mono comp as well, just assumed it was like the 384....so it goes back on. Right now I need that flexibility. Keeping the DVC so the budget is lessened a bit.

Here it is in order:
C2 (if I can find a used one for a decent price)
68
Red 3 (only if I find another for $1800)
TF Pro P10-Mighty Twin (Only if it smokes upon demo)

Thanks and keep em coming.

You may also want to check out the C1 which is also dual mono/ stereo, if you are on a very tight budget.... you can see the differences on my site.

[pigpen]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

You may also want to check out the C1 which is also dual mono/ stereo, if you are on a very tight budget.... you can see the differences on my site.

Isn't the sidechain pretty important though? Anyhoot....pm me some prices.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by pigpen

Isn't the sidechain pretty important though? Anyhoot....pm me some prices.

It's nice to have... but is it worth $500 when you're on a tight budget?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by pigpen

Ok, so here we go, I have narrowed the list down thanks to all of you guys. I was unawre that the Smart C2 was a dual mono comp as well, just assumed it was like the 384....so it goes back on. Right now I need that flexibility. Keeping the DVC so the budget is lessened a bit.

Here it is in order:
C2 (if I can find a used one for a decent price)
68
Red 3 (only if I find another for $1800)
TF Pro P10-Mighty Twin (Only if it smokes upon demo)

Thanks and keep em coming.

If you want versatility for tracking and a 2 buss comp i would suggest the Manley Vari-Mu.

The C2 definitely works on the 2 buss but it wouldn't be my first call for tracking vocals or bass.

The 68 to me works better when mixing down(2 buss and vocals).

The Red 3 is not as versatile as it looks.

Its really more in the one trick pony category.

Also you have to find one with the transformers on the ins/outs and one without scratchy pots.

And you have to match it with the right EQ if doing 2 buss work(the best is a pair of Pultecs).

Personally i wouldn't pay more than $1500 for one.

I haven't used TedF's new comp so have no comment on it but i would love to.

The Manley Vari-MU has been proven to work on the 2 buss and it can work when tracking vocals and bass.

[pigpen]

Hello Mr Thrill...awesome to get your opinion! Not to kiss as, but I know you know your gear so thank you.
Aren't the Vari Mu's outta my budget though? I will go on a search.

Paul is going to bring the P10 and P38 over for the shootout with the 68 and Smart so I will let you know what my ears hear.
Thanks
daniel

[pigpen]

Saw a fellow Slut offering up a pair of Daking comps...I have heard nothing but good things about them...any ideas?