D.A.V. Electronics SIPP versus Brainworx Digital

[Funkasizer]

Hi fellow Slutz,

My first post in the mastering forum, hope you guys and galls can give me some sound advise. I want to get some gentle stereo widening, and so far my research has led me to either an ITB solution (Brainworx Digital V2) or an OTB solution (D.A.V. Electronics Stereo Imaging Parallel Processor). If I were to go for the latter, I would use it in conjunction with an API 5500 EQ. Any opinions on which solution gives the best results would be greatly appreciated. I am not interested in starting a discussion about ITB versus OTB, the only thing that counts is quality of the results and efficiency in getting there.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers,

Jack

P.S. I know some of you are thinking now: "why don't you try both and decide for yourself?". Actually, I am trying the Brainworx solution as we speak. The SIPP is a bit more complicated, as it does not appear possible to get a demo unit where I live (the Netherlands).

[Jack Ruston]

I'm not a mastering engineer but I do have a SIPP.

The SIPP will let you do parallell processing in analogue. It will let you do stereo widening and eq or compress the mid and side independently. Be aware that the parallell circuit can't be used at the same time as the ms.

I've always found the widening to sound subjectively sweeter than anything in the box. I've no idea why.

The advantage is that you get to use your analogue processes.

The disadvantage is that you'd find it harder to recall. You could get a sipp made with a stepped widening pot. You'd need to decide over what range you wanted that to operate. Eg if you spread it all the way from wide to mono over 12 steps you might not have enough resolution etc. You should speak to Mick.

I'm sure Mick would refund you if you bought a sipp and wanted to return it. You'd just be down the cost of the shipping which shouldn't be too much.

I gather quite a few mastering places have them now. And Mick has been making that circuit for mastering engineers for years.

J

[Teddy Ray]

OP. Go for the SIPP. Have you ever heard any software product sound as good as hardware? Everyone I know who owns the SIPP loves it. I want one myself, badly.

[dlmorley]

I really like this box.
Dolby 740 Spectral Processor
You can EQ stuff below a certain threshold and it really does a nice non-fake widening when used well.

[Joe_caithness]

I'm interested in hearing what some of the guys on here's practical experiences are with the the SIPP? I like DAV as a company (or person I guess) and the price is right, and I am planning how I am going to interface with my hardware at the mo in my head.

So when's it saved you? Is anyone using it almost daily?

[Luna Sound]

The SIPP is a good unit, especially for the money. I actually bought it for the switchable insert and the stepped gain but I do of course give the MS function a spin from time to time.
When not in MS mode the unit is suitably uncoloured and the gain is clean. When the MS switch is engaged the sound gets more coloured even without any other gear inserted and without adding anything with the width control. It's not a huge difference but I definitely notice it. Fortunately the change is often a pleasant one. The width control seems to work well. As with all widening your centre image will progressively lose focus as the width is increased however the SIPP seems to be more forgiving about this than the equivalent process with plugins.
For me I don't see the MS functions on the SIPP as a replacement for the equivalent ITB functions as they both have their strengths. On the occasions when a bit of corrective MS eq is helpful, doing this ITB is far more transparent and therefore probably more appropriate. Occasionally, when a client specifically wants the mastering process to change their mix and is wanting this to include stereo widening, then the SIPP usually proves to be the more effective tool.

[rrraaalllfff]

The SIPP is wonderful! It's making me very happy. It can be a real problem solver for troubled mixes. A little corrective eq in m/s works great. Having a matrix OTB is nice. I absolutely LOVE how i can to sweeten a mix in parallel with a pair of JLMpeq500 i have. the SIPP has opened up some doors. good luck