Help ! "colored" "thick" Chain

[eqverb]

I want a really "colored" "thick" signal path. I am thinking :
Chandler LTD/LTD2 combination
Aurora GTQ2 (but strereo is not necessary)
(Loved my Avalon 737 but the tone i got came from adjusting the eq and not the preamp.)
eq is not so important so a channel strip with no or limited eq is fine as well.

I am trying to stay in the $3000-4000 price range if I can keep it under $3000 that would be great.
Thanks again

[SiliconAudioLab]

Walters?

[ejsongs]

depends on what you want to do

i currently use a chandler ltd 1 and a ua 2-1176 which sounds awesome and is pretty thick. the 2-1176 really colors the sound and has girth. i also use 1073's and the 2-1176 which is even a little thicker.

summit tla 100 colors sound a lot as well. but i think it works best with really clean pre's

my thoughts

ej

fyi the ltd 1 and 737 sound good together as well

[Jim vanBergen]

GTQ-2 thru a Purple Audio 1176 is stellar...not AS thick as using tube pre/tube comp, but really strong sound for solid state path. Do you know if you want/prefer want solid state or tube? The Chandler Germanium is great if you don't need stereo, but you lose the EQ... super versatile on color though. Just a thought.

[dynamo]

Buy the "brick" with 4)Siemens V78s that i'm selling...thick, colored and...heavy.
No eq, no comp, no bull. End of the ad, thanks!!!

[NathanEldred]

The Chandler is definitely thick (meaning emphasis on mids and lows) and very colored (lots of rich harmonic distortion). It's probably in the top 5 of pieces new on the market fitting that description. And for the record a piece of gear can still be very colored and bright....color does not necessarily equal a darker sound.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

GTQ-2 thru a Purple Audio 1176 is stellar...not AS thick as using tube pre/tube comp, but really strong sound for solid state path. Do you know if you want/prefer want solid state or tube? The Chandler Germanium is great if you don't need stereo, but you lose the EQ... super versatile on color though. Just a thought.

I just wanted to pop in and say how much I disagree with the above.... sorry Jim. A blanket statement that "tubes equate to a thicker sound than solid state" is just over the top.

"Tubes" are NOT thick or thin or whatever, it's all about the design of the WHOLE circuit. There are plenty of very thin sounding tube units just as there are plenty really really thick sounding solid state pieces as well.

The whole "tubes will warm up your cold digital audio" marketing BS back in the 90's was just that... marketing BS! Don't buy the hype, don't buy a tube unit because it is "warm" buy the right unit that works for your ears... here is an idea, try getting a few in your room first and see what they do but skip the tube = warm crap.... well... unless you are talking about physically heating your room, then that is another matter.




Carry on.

[Jim vanBergen]

Nah man, I know exactly what you're talking about, but I feel that some tube gear is really well designed as has a slightly different vibe or tone to it. No offense intended, and none taken. But I DO appreciate you being very specific in your criticism, and not just calling me a no-brain d*ckhead, as I have seen happen when other people disagree.

Ok, enough of a hijack. Cheers!

[7 Hz]

oops wrong forum.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

Nah man, I know exactly what you're talking about, but I feel that some tube gear is really well designed as has a slightly different vibe or tone to it. No offense intended, and none taken. But I DO appreciate you being very specific in your criticism, and not just calling me a no-brain d*ckhead, as I have seen happen when other people disagree.

Ok, enough of a hijack. Cheers!

Way cool... now THAT I can agree with....

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I just wanted to pop in and say how much I disagree with the above.... sorry Jim. A blanket statement that "tubes equate to a thicker sound than solid state" is just over the top.

"Tubes" are NOT thick or thin or whatever, it's all about the design of the WHOLE circuit. There are plenty of very thin sounding tube units just as there are plenty really really thick sounding solid state pieces as well.

I completely agree. Tubes do not make things warm and thick, however tube _gear_ often does. When it does it's the circuit, as you said, and in my expereince primarily the transformers.

[Mike Caffrey]

As far as a thik toned path at TG-1, even just in the THD mode, combinged with anythign will give you thick. The LTD 2s are a good choice too.

I've had good luck with 1073s when trying to create thickness with EQ and also the Pendulum 6386.

[u b k]

you mention a thick chain, but you only talk about one link. the only pre's i've heard that warrant the term 'thick' all by their lonesome are the old tube ones, siemens tele's and rca's to be precise.

anything neve (or cloned), anything api, phoenix, etc., are all very colored but not thick on their own. couple one of them with a u47 and smack an la2a on the way to a studer and you'll have your thick. serious thickness comes, imo, from multiple stages of saturation, of the tube and transformer and tape variety.

to be fair, i haven't heard the germ so i can't comment on it.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by u b i k

to be fair, i haven't heard the germ so i can't comment on it.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

More "fat" than "thick". Maybe "girthy" in a good way.

When I think think, I think gooey, syrupy and and honey like. I ususally go for a TG-1 or the 6386 when I want that sound.

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by u b i k

to be fair, i haven't heard the germ so i can't comment on it.

you should. treat yourself.

best box ever.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by 3rd world order

best box ever.

Famous last words.

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Famous last words.

i hope so... i'd love to hear stuff that makes me take that back.

[Mike Caffrey]

Have you heard the Germanium EQ?

[edvdr76]

Originally Posted by eqverb

I want a really "colored" "thick" signal path. I am thinking :
Chandler LTD/LTD2 combination
Aurora GTQ2 (but strereo is not necessary)
(Loved my Avalon 737 but the tone i got came from adjusting the eq and not the preamp.)
eq is not so important so a channel strip with no or limited eq is fine as well.

I am trying to stay in the $3000-4000 price range if I can keep it under $3000 that would be great.
Thanks again

Try the Vipre. That sounds very "colored" and "thick".

[eqverb]

Originally Posted by ejsongs

depends on what you want to do

i currently use a chandler ltd 1 and a ua 2-1176 which sounds awesome and is pretty thick. the 2-1176 really colors the sound and has girth. i also use 1073's and the 2-1176 which is even a little thicker.

summit tla 100 colors sound a lot as well. but i think it works best with really clean pre's

my thoughts

ej

fyi the ltd 1 and 737 sound good together as well

I have a germ I actually really like it alot but was thinking maybe the the LTD1/LTD2 would be a better combination or the Aurora GTQ2 with an LTD2. I am thinking the input and output transformers on the chandler units would be key to getting that "girth" I have used 1176 portion on a UA 6176. I am going to hook my germ up to it tonight at a friends and try it again.
Thanks

[eqverb]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

The Chandler is definitely thick (meaning emphasis on mids and lows) and very colored (lots of rich harmonic distortion). It's probably in the top 5 of pieces new on the market fitting that description. And for the record a piece of gear can still be very colored and bright....color does not necessarily equal a darker sound.

Nathan thanks alot for your input. If you could please tell me what are the other 4 units that fit in this category. I am doing r&b/soul mostly from time to time some hiphop. This is mostly for tracking vocals and bass. I had an API 512/Amek DMCL/ Avalon 737/and the built in pre's on the Panasonic/Ramsa DA7 ( which I used to get great recordings from with a FMR RNC on the insert.)
Live drums get tracked at an outside studio so I dont worry about that, but I do sample my drums and may be down the road do stereo sampling through what ever chain I decide on before I chop up the loops when creating drum kits for my soft synths.
Thanks again
Almost forgot I do have a germ but was thinking the LTD1 or Aurora would be a versatile pre.

[eqverb]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

GTQ-2 thru a Purple Audio 1176 is stellar...not AS thick as using tube pre/tube comp, but really strong sound for solid state path. Do you know if you want/prefer want solid state or tube? The Chandler Germanium is great if you don't need stereo, but you lose the EQ... super versatile on color though. Just a thought.

Thanks Jim,
But in my experience I have found tubes to be a bit on the "bright" side of things.
But i did buy a Charter Oaks SA538 over a Soundelux U195. Go figure ?!
( I am thinking of making the U195 my next microphone purchase)

I do have to say that Mike Demming is the on of the BEST when it comes to customer service he made some adjustments to the SA538. I am mor than happy with the results.

[eqverb]

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

Have you heard the Germanium EQ?

Mike I acually I haven't but I do have a germ. Have heard it and/or used it?
Any samples you could post?

[eqverb]

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

As far as a thik toned path at TG-1, even just in the THD mode, combinged with anythign will give you thick. The LTD 2s are a good choice too.

I've had good luck with 1073s when trying to create thickness with EQ and also the Pendulum 6386.

Thanks I am thinking based on the germ that Chandlers are the way to go.
maybe i should keep the gemaniums and add an LTD2?
Thanks

[rids]

If you go for the LTD2, try to get the mod w/ it. Gives you more options.

[harvestmark]

Do yourself a favor & try the Wunder Audio PEQ1. Instead of overdriving or distorting, it seems to get thicker first. It's the only pre/eq I would call "thick".
Mark Miller

[joshelevator]

GTQ2 sounds thick to me. i love it. a nice compressor can help too. im not sure what thick exactly means, but it is definitely warm and not harsh.

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

Have you heard the Germanium EQ?

rounding up money to get one now... top of the list of things to get... biggest need in the studio right now is a high end color eq, so this sounds perfect for the job.

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by eqverb

Thanks I am thinking based on the germ that Chandlers are the way to go.
maybe i should keep the gemaniums and add an LTD2?
Thanks

I can't really argue, because I've used that path with great results.

I guess you'd looking for a compressor, but if I was bilding on a Germanium pre, and I wanted to stay with Chandler, I'd go for a TG Channel or and LTD 1 to use as an EQ after.

The more I think about this, the more I think that if you're not getting a thick enough sound with the Germanium pre, you've either got a really specific taste (and I may ahve a sense of what you're going for) or you've got a problem with room acoustics peventing you from hearing what you already have.

[vernier]

the only pre's i've heard that warrant the term 'thick' all by their lonesome are the old tube ones, siemens tele's and rca's to be precise.

Yep, gotta be old.