Good outboard processing around $600?

[JBlongz]

I'm from the world of sophisticated software production. Now I'm looking to get send my mix into some hardware before it hits the master track. I almost bought an MPC just to get that warmth, but it will destroy my ultra-efficient workflow.

I just want to keep it simple and run a stereo output of my entire session into a nice unit and run that back to the master track. I'm looking to spend around $600. Saw some options for EQ/Compressors from ART running for about $300 each. I'd spend $300 on separate units or $600 on a combo unit, maybe more if performance is desirable.


Any suggestions?

[JoRillo]

I think you should know what you want before you ask this question. The fact that you only want to send it out and get it back as something different is easily suggestible by one of us, but you really should find out what you want before this is even considered.

[Audio Child]

This should be something simple enough for you:

NICE DI | Phoenix Audio

[jrides]

Pro VLA was the only thing ART made that I ever found usable. I had a modded one with Telefunken tubes. Used it for synths. Not bad. I recently read where cats had it on the 2-buss on the low.

I actually might still have that thing. It didn't get much use because I found a different technique soon after I got it. If I didn't sell it, its probably in mint condition. lol
I should sell it...or use it... maybe sell it. Hmmmmm

[JBlongz]

I've been looking into the ART Pro VLA II and the BBE 882i Sonic Maximizer.

I looking to put a nice finishing touch on my rnb and pop music. I not very experienced in hardware processors, but if I had th perfect budget' I'd try everything.

[Red Mastering]

I think with this budget you'd be better investing in some plugs...
let's say PSP vintage warmer - i am sure you got better effect then art pro vla,

[Hobbs_Won]

does anybody know if Bowie is still around?? I want to get my hands on some tubes...no homo

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Hobbs_Won

does anybody know if Bowie is still around?? I want to get my hands on some tubes...no homo

I got some from him last year to update a tube preamp that I use for sampling. Shoot him a line. See what happens.

[jrides]

Originally Posted by Red Mastering

I think with this budget you'd be better investing in some plugs...
let's say PSP vintage warmer - i am sure you got better effect then art pro vla,

I poked around in The Low End forum today, and those guys are high on retubed/modded VLA's. Do a search on it OP and see if it fits the bill. Surprising amount of threads about it actually. The theory is that you should chase it with a faster compressor and use the VLA for light compression.

I think I got the one I had from a dude who bought it for a session had a tech mod it on site, then ended up not being able to pay for the session fully. Got the 60 and 2k in a similar fashion. I had other ways to get the sound I was looking for though.

There might be a higher end product that you can find used though for your budget.

[JBlongz]

I have a ton of plugins, but I'm looking for something not totally "mathematically correct". I feel have at least one piece of hardware will provide some natural feel.

On that note I'll look into the modded VLAs

[superchibisan]

spend that money ITB... the only good outboard processing that you can't get ITB is going to cost a LOT more than 600 bucks. (2k-10k)

Better to spend it on awesome plugs for the computer or save the money to buy something that is actually worth a damn

[jrides]

Went to the storeroom and what do ya know. I still have mine lol. I'm probably gonna unbox it soon maybe within the next week and give it a whirl. I don't have a mix I can share but pm me if you have onethat you want me to run through it to hear how it sounds. Along with the settings you want to try of course.

[SWAN808]

Overstayer Recording Equipment - Home

[jrides]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

Overstayer Recording Equipment - Home

You would put that on the mix buss?
I thought it was meant to do 1176 type stuff.

[John Paul]

what does their comp sound like?
Overstayer Recording Equipment - Stereo Compressor

looks like a pretty cool company

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by jrides

You would put that on the mix buss?
I thought it was meant to do 1176 type stuff.

keep looking around the website

[jrides]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

keep looking around the website

No.

Im not interested in this website. I thought you were recommending the Overstayer and asked a question about it specifically. Nothing on that website will answer the question I posed about whether you use the Overstayer on your 2-buss.

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by jrides

Nothing on that website will answer the question I posed about whether you use the Overstayer on your 2-buss.

haha

thats great. Good luck.

[Audio Child]

Originally Posted by jrides

No.

Im not interested in this website. I thought you were recommending the Overstayer and asked a question about it specifically. Nothing on that website will answer the question I posed about whether you use the Overstayer on your 2-buss.

It has enough options for you to decide whether you should use it on your 2buss! It has a blend control! If the effect is too much blend the signal to less of the effect!

Also with the phoenix di it has transformers in it which you can run your tracks thru it for the transformer sound!

Heres a quote from Zenproaudio:

I purchased this after reading on the Phoenix Audio site that they also recommend it for use on the mix bus. So it's not just a DI,it's also a stereo class A transformer design that works very well by adding a special something to DAW mixes. So far I've used it both a a bass DI in sessions and everyone LOVED it! and also on the output bus of my heavily-modified analog mixer used for external summing duties. It's not surprising that this application works well as the Nice DI is basically the same output stage use in the company's Nicerizer units. The Nice DI has an amazing amount of gain available which can easily overload my AD converters when bouncing down my final mixes. In order to access the full range of "mojo" out of this box by driving the output transformer at different levels I added a TC Electronic Level Pilot control on its output and it works wonderfully. All in all well worth the money!

[jrides]

Thanks A.Child

I'm not looking to change my mix buss at this point though. With have some decent options. I can't really reccomend them to the OP because they are outside of his budget. Next time I get my hands on an overstayer I will mess around with it more. Seems like a flexible device. Proba ly a 2 buss downgrade in my situation after reading more about it though. Might be better than the VLA II for the OP though. Might not. I really can't think f options in his budget worth going OTB.

[mp3]

Which overstayer product are you talking about?

[SWAN808]

-> Overstayer Recording Equipment - Stereo VCA Compressor $800



The Overstayer Stereo VCA compressor is meant for creative use on the ‘way in' while tracking, and on the ‘way out’ while mixing, and anywhere in between. It has wide ranging timing controls, as well as blend and high and low frequency shelf eq boost controls, all continuously variable for quick and fluid shaping of dynamics and tone. The behavior of the compression is shapeable from gentle mix bus compression to aggressive pumping and extreme ambient and transient effects.

-> Overstayer Recording Equipment - Stereo Dynamics Processor $500



From the same lineage as the Stereo VCA Compressor, the Stereo Dynamics Processor is a half rack-space VCA based unit capable of a wide range of dynamic manipulation and compression effects.

[Nahuel]

A really good hw chain is more expensive than 600 usd. Get soundtoys decapacitor instead. Slap it on your 2buss an adjust the dry/wet to taste right before your limiter.

When you ll have a couple of grands to spend you ll buy a neve reproduction and a jensen di.

Sent from my GT-I5800 using Gearslutz.com App

[Dayl]

DIY LA2A Should scrape in for $600. I would have built a couple already if I wasn't sitting here on the internet waiting to become a super produsah

[jrides]

mp3 when I think overstayer, I always think of the FET.
With that said a really underrated vca choice would be a Klark Teknik DN500 stereo comp gate expander limiter. (used)
The things were biotechnology to be high end live sound pieces, costing almost 2k. People have compared them favorably to SSL buss comps. I have 2 of these and are amazed at how well they perform. I have one of these in conjunction with an opto compressor on my 2-buss. There are people who use it solo and are quite happy.

Thinking about it, the VLA is opto, and might Be a decent budget combo with the klark.

[syntheticrhyme]

It depends on what soundcard/converters you have. If the converters aren't that great, sending out your mix to a low end unit and back to your soundcard is probably going to downgrade your sound

[jrides]

Originally Posted by syntheticrhyme

It depends on what soundcard/converters you have. If the converters aren't that great, sending out your mix to a low end unit and back to your soundcard is probably going to downgrade your sound

This is very true. I assumed the OP had good converters. If not, don't bother.

[KT1]

Originally Posted by jrides

This is very true. I assumed the OP had good converters. If not, don't bother.

Within reason. You dont need a Halo etc. For example the RME converters are great for several cycles.

[jrides]

Originally Posted by KT1

Within reason. You dont need a Halo etc. For example the RME converters are great for several cycles.

I would go with something a bit cleaner for 2-buss duties. UNLESS maybe you make music completely ITB and this is he first stage of conversion. Also if you are going for a low first sound and using color boxes on the mix buss, converters are not as important.

Really its not worth going OTB with most budget / prosumer gear. Plugins are probably a smarter choice in that scenario.

[KT1]

Originally Posted by jrides

I would go with something a bit cleaner for 2-buss duties. UNLESS maybe you make music completely ITB and this is he first stage of conversion. Also if you are going for a low first sound and using color boxes on the mix buss, converters are not as important.

Really its not worth going OTB with most budget / prosumer gear. Plugins are probably a smarter choice in that scenario.

Cleaner? I'm not sure i understand. I go out and in several times from my RME FF800. It sounds the same as when i do it from the Halo..So..it's transparent. The only time it starts to spaz out is after quite a few cycles.

What did you mean? i mean i agree converters are important to a degree but a simple cycle with a semi decent interface should be fine for this requirement.