Classic Gear Common Uses Thread...

[Corey.Scott]

I think it would be a great idea for experienced engineers to post a list of common uses for classic gear, reason why the gear was used, and generic settings for that use.

Example -
API mic pre - Drums - Fast Transient response
LA-2A - Vocals - Smooth character/warming sound
1176 - Vocals - Aggressive sound/fast response - 4:1 ratio, catching the peaks, med attack, fast release.

I think this will give people a great idea on what gear they might like to demo and buy as well as give people an idea on what to try as far as plugin emulation for certain tasks.

Moderators might want to repost this as a sticky in the Newbie section.

[Corey.Scott]

114 views but no one contributed? I thought I was going to like it here. Off to a bad start.

[Pavement Charmer]

Your question is far to practical for a response. I'm afraid you will mostly find salesman and people who have more time to write posts than make music...

Peace

[Pavement Charmer]

Bright/harsh acoustic- dark mic/pre (ribbon)- whatever works
Sony800/Manley ref- modern open bright POP sound

Sm7- a lot of mixes where you want vox to sit inside of instruments

Neve 1073 - want to sound like Rick R. - the sound of music filtered through a sponge, I love it


Etc...

Great thread, good approach to modern recording ( what has worked for tape for 60 + years may not be perfect for digital)

[soundeq]

Hmm since lots of this stuff isn't getting used anymore, I can see the "new guard" not getting schooled like us pups that have been around the block a few times. Granted I caught the tail end of analog days, but glad I did.

-SPX 90 / 900 ect.... Symphonic (#15 I believe) preset on vocals or for Chorus effect. change modulation to taste.
- API 550 EQ's. Rock guitars all day long
- Lexicon 480/960. Buckram preset on drums. Change size or RT to taste
- Roland DIM -D. all buttons in... Cool for vocals.
- Avalon 737... Door stop, boat anchor, or the most expensive Bass DI you could buy.
- AMS DMX. AC and BC settings, slightly detune (for ex 0.979 and 1.015) for chorus effect
- H3000 3500. Dual delays, same as above, slightly detune by a few cents above and below with some short delays (different for each side)
- SSL 9000/4000/6000 whatever.... Footrest, and great for faders 1/2 up, or a patch to the monitor section.
- Timeline lynx. a sync box to piss you off every couple of months to figure out what the setup code for a 3348 machine is... Then immediately forget for next time for the 10th time.