Vocals and the ADL1000

[recky]

Hi Tchad,

here's another big admirer of your work, and on top of this, it just so happens that some of my all time favourite albums were done by you (Ron Sexsmith, Neil Finn, Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Bernard Fanning, to name but a few).

I'm a frequent user of the ADL1000 on vocals and was wondering how exactly you use it during recording (vox and otherwise). Do you push it fairly hard and go for the "final product" or do you merely use it for tone and some taming and then compress more in the mix (additive or in-line)? What compressor would you use for this?

Do you find that the ADL can cause pretty bad sibilance on some singers?

I would also love to know what your (tone-shaping) compressor of choice is on acoustic guitar. I love the punchy acoustic guitar sounds you get, ranging from the more conventional but warm (à la B. Fanning) to a more middly, metallic sound (Elvis Costello's "Brutal Youth"). Is the Sans-Amp treatment a major contributor to your acoustic guitar sound, in varying degrees?

Thanks very much for sharing! I love the fact that you're so un-technical; I learned (and am still learning) simply using my big ears.

Cheers,

Recky

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by recky

Hi Tchad,

here's another big admirer of your work, and on top of this, it just so happens that some of my all time favourite albums were done by you (Ron Sexsmith, Neil Finn, Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Bernard Fanning, to name but a few).

I'm a frequent user of the ADL1000 on vocals and was wondering how exactly you use it during recording (vox and otherwise). Do you push it fairly hard and go for the "final product" or do you merely use it for tone and some taming and then compress more in the mix (additive or in-line)? What compressor would you use for this?

Do you find that the ADL can cause pretty bad sibilance on some singers?

I would also love to know what your (tone-shaping) compressor of choice is on acoustic guitar. I love the punchy acoustic guitar sounds you get, ranging from the more conventional but warm (à la B. Fanning) to a more middly, metallic sound (Elvis Costello's "Brutal Youth"). Is the Sans-Amp treatment a major contributor to your acoustic guitar sound, in varying degrees?

Thanks very much for sharing! I love the fact that you're so un-technical; I learned (and am still learning) simply using my big ears.

Cheers,

Recky

I use it lightly for tracking. If I record with the ADL , I mix with the Distressor and vice versa. Depends on the vocalist. All compressors exaggerate sibilance at some point in my experience. Mic selection, distance and 'working' the mic can help cut it down but there's always some with many vocalists you have to deal with in post.
AcGtr, generally I like LA3As, Distressor, 1176, DBX160X.
Sans Amp+AcGtr, not always.

[scking]

Originally Posted by tchad blake

AcGtr, generally I like.....DBX160X.

I was beginning to think I was the only one.....

Some of the best acoustic tones I've ever gotten were with an all-cedar six string mic'd with an AT4033 into the 160x.

[blackbox]

I've noticed that around here on the Gearslutz forum, the ADL 1000 is a contrieversial peice of kit. Folks either love 'em or hate 'em. A lot of folks have them modified or swap out the tubes, etc. Would you mind weighing in on this with your take on it? Is yours modified in anyway? What is it that you dig so much about it on vocals?

Thanks

[tchadb]

Originally Posted by blackbox

I've noticed that around here on the Gearslutz forum, the ADL 1000 is a contrieversial peice of kit. Folks either love 'em or hate 'em. A lot of folks have them modified or swap out the tubes, etc. Would you mind weighing in on this with your take on it? Is yours modified in anyway? What is it that you dig so much about it on vocals?

Thanks

Great for softening harsh signals and just a good sound.
I have the selectable fast opto mod.