New mic pre/compressor from Safe Sound Audio

[SafeSoundAudio]

** Safe Sound Audio is proud to announce another new arrival **

And it’s …………. another toolbox!

Our new Tracking Toolbox is a complete redesign of our very first product the P1. We’ve revisited the entire design based on feedback from our users.

Features;

** New Class A discrete transistor mic pre coupled with a servo IC second stage gives over 70dB of wide bandwidth gain, means less than 0.5dB down at 60kHz and no crossover distortion from the mic pre. Very smooth for tracking vocals.

** Source switching is now possible from the front panel and its all through gold-alloy contact sealed relays.

** We've added a balanced insert point after the mic pre but before the dynamics section. So it’s now possible to use the mic pre and the dynamics chain completely independently.

** Maximum output is now a massive +27dBu into 600 ohms.

** Completely new expander design based on feedback from the many voice over artists who use the P1.

** New limiter design which still gives great clipping protection but is also better suited to driving into hard as an effect.

** A new very robust steel and aluminium extruded case which improves rejection of interference from other gear.

** Precision aluminium control knobs with the pot shafts running in PTFE bushes. Very smooth!

** Neutrik connectors throughout.

** Still 100% analogue including the integral mains PSU.

** And of course the ultra-smooth peakride tracking compressor.

We’ve just shipped the first Tracking Toolbox’s off to Warren at ZenPro Audio today so he should have them in stock by 4th November. Supplies to our other dealers will follow soon.

Get more info here:

www.safesoundaudio.com

Cheers
Robert

[warhead]

We are very excited about the new Tracking Toolbox, and hearing the upgraded audio path. Also the ability to switch inputs on the face is a welcomed change!

I just launched the product page on our site, and we will re-record session files for it in the Clipalator too.

Congrats on the new launch, Robert!

War

[Vocalvoodoo]

Wow, looks awesome!

Same price as the first version?

[warhead]

With the upgrades there was a price increase, our listing is here:

Safe Sound Audio Tracking Toolbox | Channel Strips @ ZenPro Audio

War

[GFC_Productions]

Hi guys,


Does this mean the p501 will also be upgraded in the new future?

[SafeSoundAudio]

Originally Posted by GFC_Productions

Hi guys,


Does this mean the p501 will also be upgraded in the new future?

New product and new website this week. I was really hoping to get the weekend off!

[dickiefunk]

Any idea what the UK price will be?

[SafeSoundAudio]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

Any idea what the UK price will be?

KMR are selling at £620 They should have stock sometime next week.

[XHipHop]

Oh man.... checking bank account.

[SafeSoundAudio]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

Oh man.... checking bank account.

May be some special offers at the Music Production Show at the Emirates in London, Nov 11/12. Check out the KMR stand!

[warhead]

Stock just arrived, we will start working on updating our Clipalator files with the new Tracking Toolbox now!

War

[Gigazaga]

Originally Posted by warhead

Stock just arrived, we will start working on updating our Clipalator files with the new Tracking Toolbox now!

War

Very exciting. Now I just need a trade in deal to upgrade my P1!

[SafeSoundAudio]

Originally Posted by warhead

Stock just arrived, we will start working on updating our Clipalator files with the new Tracking Toolbox now!

War

Warren, as a matter of interest, how do you exercise the mic pre from a pre-recorded clip?

[warhead]

The short story is we pre-recorded source tracks with a TRUE SYSTEMS P SOLO preamp which is fast and clean, then we "re-preamp" using a pad which knocks line level down -40dB and outputs at mic level @ 150 ohms (the Avedis Line-Z pad which he developed in part for preamp comparisons that are more fair). Seven sources are processed with each pre, then we drop those tracks into a purpose built Nuendo session and mix them the same way. This let's subtle differences be heard more easily.

By the way our initial preamp thoughts on the Tracking Toolbox are it is much smoother than the P1. Great presence and a little rounder, slight but can be heard!

The pre tests are uploaded, I also recorded limiter and compressor separate on all sources to upload tomorrow. The compressor is virtually the same but that new limiter? You're not kidding it is improved!

More later.

[warhead]

OK, we spent the day with the new Tracking Toolbox yesterday and we continue today into making the video to post by this weekend (fingers crossed). The audio is uploaded in the Clipalator Compressor folder, and we processed using the limiter and compressor separately so you could hear the effect of either exclusively.

First off we love the new knobs and switches, very authoritative feel.

The compressor is essentially the Safe Sound P1, same easy to dial in / auto release / auto makeup gain design that is near impossible to screw up on voice and many other sources.

The expander has been made a bit smoother than the P1, and is more tailored for voice work. Most weren't really using it on drums anyhow so, a good focus job done there.

The new limiter is what really makes me stand up and say WOW. This is one of the easiest and best sounding ways to grab quick control that one could want, in particular again on voice. It levels things out nicely, and can be used cleanly or pushed for drive which is pleasant to our ears. Even for those who don't quite understand compression or don't want to set it up while tracking would love it. You just switch it on, gain stage the (improved!) mic pre and balance it out...and start recording.

You can use all features at once, but it allows you to hear what each compressor / limiter circuit can do on its own. The ability to blend the action of both of course takes it to a whole nother level.

Go listen!

Clipalator: Audio and Video | Studio Gear Shootouts @ ZenProAudio.com

War

[warhead]

Videos are now up in the Clipalator and on YouTube in HD:



War

[SafeSoundAudio]

Really good variety of drum sounds in the video through varying the compressor attack time; and yes the new limiter is a lot more flexible that the P1's. The video is definately worth a watch (and listen!). Great job Warren.

[SafeSoundAudio]

Originally Posted by SafeSoundAudio

May be some special offers at the Music Production Show at the Emirates in London, Nov 11/12. Check out the KMR stand!

Confirmed! There will be special pricing at the Music Production Show! Visit KMR.