One-Stop Lunch Box Stop (Questions)

[Palaver]

Hello all,

With the release of the Radial Workhorse 5000, I've completely shifted focus - I can now afford a great outboard tool. Pre-warning: I know my question(s) are pretty broad and general, but to date, I've decided I want to build a box that I could use for tracking, mixing, and basic mastering duties (if quickly needed). I would consider myself a serious hobbyist, and I've hit the wall with plugins. I'd rather invest in some nice outboard gear, anyway.

As of now, I'm tracking/writing using my MacBook Pro, Apogee Ensemble, Kurzweil PC3x, Ableton Suite/Logic Studio & Software Instruments, and my Langevin DVC.

I'd be using the Radial Workhorse for analog summing, and of course, loading it up with extremely versatile tools for the reasons previously mentioned - tracking/mixing/basic mastering. Plus, I want to warm up the software instruments.

Here is what I want (or at least decided on so far), and I'd like some suggestions or comments.

1) Surgical EQ - I'm thinking the Speck ASC-V 500 EQ (x2)

2) Character 'Mojo' EQ - I'm thinking the Purple Audio Lilpeqr (x2) pending on reviews from here. Perhaps, something from API (the 550a maybe)? Suggestions? This is where I am the most confused.

3) Compressors - Foote Control Systems 500 series (stereo mod), after calling Mercenary, this seems like a GREAT versatile toy that I can practice with, and will not grow out of... plus I could use it for literally everything.

4) Empirical Labs DerrEsser (x2) - just to fill up the box, and to fix a lot of 'great takes' but overly simbilant tracks I've done over the years - and to use in the mastering chain - take the edge off the digital... plus, they're relatively inexpensive, and there's some definite use I could get out of them.

I'd obviously be using my Langevin/Apogee pres, which I'm quite happy with, and I really enjoy the EQ and limiter on the DVC.

I know that at the end of the day, it's going to be a matter of trial and error, and I realize that I'm being somewhat naive with my expectations of creating a 'power-do-it-all-tool.' But as an intermediate (or becoming intermediate) recording engineer, I think this is a great start, and will give me many years of entertainment/learning and fun.

Am I over-looking something? Or should I approach fulfilling my needs via another method?

I'm all ears for any advice, opinions or suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
Phil

[fakiekid]

for a surgical EQ, I did get to use a pair of Arsenal Audio V14's the other day. They worked really well and it was nice to have that clean EQ at my disposal. They might be worth looking into!

[Palaver]

Originally Posted by fakiekid

for a surgical EQ, I did get to use a pair of Arsenal Audio V14's the other day. They worked really well and it was nice to have that clean EQ at my disposal. They might be worth looking into!

Good call. My only problem with those is that have no high or low shelf and no Q setting. Other than that, they seem great. I remember reading on a thread somewhere around here that JDK by API also had a compressor in the works?!

[jbjoubaud]

I have the speck eq. It's GREAT !!! you definitly can use that on everything, even the 2 bus. it a great eq !