Cheap(er) analog equipment for mastering?

[Suade]

Originally Posted by Shy

There's some good points there but no thanks, I'll continue to use some cheap equipment, because it sounds ****ing good.

Inclined to agree with you there. It's best to think in terms of people having different ideas of what sounds good.

I want my monitoring and converters to be clear - the rest I'll adjust and switch in and out of chain until I think the result sounds best. Pretty much any processor that can do any good to music could do some harm if set wrong. As long as you can hear what's happening you should be ok... imho

I sometimes layback to tape for the subtle coloration - sounds better than a HEDD to me.

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by philip

I've tried low cost vintage equipment such as Orban, Telefunken and EMT for mastering and yes it's fun but for mastering? honestly no.

That said I have owned and still owns some fantastic equipment as Focusrite RED and Manley and they are fun, but for mastering? honestly no.

I haven't found a single piece of outboard that doesn't degrade the quality. I'm sure there is such outboard but why bother when you get amazing tools in your DAW for free?

IMHO

Maybe you get better mixes that don't require anything except transparent processing.

That would be rare for me- many people love the 'degrading' sound of analogue processing on their mixes.

[sameal]

i feel like mastering is that disappearing house you always see in those b-movie mystery flicks.


mysterious!


maybe it's because i don't follow it too closely but it seems very hush hush.


mums the word boys, mums the word.........................................................nudge nudge wink wink

[PBM]

Originally Posted by Ben F

That would be rare for me- many people love the 'degrading' sound of analogue processing on their mixes.

Yup: every client I've had here in the last 4 months smiles when I switch the Pullet out of bypass. Degradation, that's the name of the game ...

Cheers,

Eric

[Kayo]

I too, have the Compounder and the Mixmaster. The Compounder, is no mastering unit, I assure you.. but, If pressed you could use the MIX preset, the only one with some glue for a mix etc.., after which, some good plugs could help fortify the master further.

KAyo

[strdsk]

I haven't had much "bang for my buck" type of luck with the Behringer or lower end Focusrite stuff either to be honest. If you want decent analog quality on the cheap look at investing in some used HHB, ART, or dBx stuff...pres/comps/limiters. If you score a good deal on that stuff, there should be some cash left for some mods that truly do take those pieces over the top. Same with the Focusrite Green series...very solid units for the cost. Is it gonna' be Fairchild or Avalon quality? To be honest...no. But considering it's all on the cheap...you can really get decent results for flavors here and there on some material.