Gear to NOT Buy

[skimask]

How about this one? People keep asking what gear to buy. How about some suggestions on stuff to definitely NOT buy- whether it is overhyped or just plain crappy? What would you suggest avoiding at all costs and why?

[littledoodler]

Electronic drums-v-drums, ddrums, all that shit... far, far away from even coming close.

[matucha]

TL Audio FatMan... far from fat - expensive for distortion box

[Jules]

Hardware samplers...

[Chad]

Anything Made by John Oram!

[PaRaNoId]

I love threads like this...
let's see-
don't buy ROLLS headphone amplifiers (mine died within months),
the cheaper dbx compressors (ala 266 XL) sound so horrid your grandparents would notice (yes, even if they are dead!), any "cheap" set of studio monitors (unless you are using them as an alt. monitor setup...duh), most plug-in reverbs, especially the older ones, and lastly- anything but the best quality mic and instrument cords (unless you like losing frequencies, added crackle, complete dropouts, and "dead" dynamic range). I know there is more.... An easy way to look at this issue is- If it (gear)looks to good to be true, it either is, or they just stopped making it!

[ttauri]

Originally posted by Jules
Hardware samplers...

Pour-kwah?

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Drumsound]

DBX Silver series.

[el cochino]

Originally posted by RobertPhilbeck
I'll second that with the exception of the Clavia Ddrums. I've tried dozens and they were all absolutely "Ghey". However, the Ddrums were simply killa, and I'd recommend trying them out before dissing them. Ever tried?

-Robert

Ddrums rawk!

As for unnecessary gear, my vote goes to the TC Finalizer.

[Jan Folkson]

Anything by dfegad Behringer

[Simon Lomax]

Originally posted by littledoodler
Electronic drums-v-drums, ddrums, all that shit... far, far away from even coming close.

Ddrums are definitely the best of the bunch. I tried them all and went with the clavia because it just sounds and feels better - still about a mile away from the real feel of a kit, though you will keep on good terms with your neighbours.

Don't buy: mackie hr624s if you like hearing the bass in your mix and want your mix to translate!!!

Si

[Ruudman]

Originally posted by ttauri
Pour-kwah?

Peece,
T. Tauri

Agree. EMUs rulethumbsup

I love this place!!!!


1. Anything Berhenger
2. Original POD.
3. Rode NT2
4. CAD E100,200,300
5. DBX compressors 166,266,1066
6. Nady Mics
7. Cheap mic clips
8. Cheap connectors
9. Cheap soldering iron
10. Any wedding ring you have to finance!!!!




D

[cdog]

groove pak mic stands

[djs]

m-audio
(i think this one was a mobile pre or something...usb)
i know most of you would never buy one of these anyway, but i have a friend who was useing one and had nothing but major problems with it. it never functioned correctly with any software, sounded like crap (only 16 bits anyway) and had a major problem wich resulted in noticible drops in the audio (crap clock i would guess...well at the price im sure!) as large as 2 full seconds!! ocasionally it worked ok. usually not. no redeming qualities whatsoever. to be fair, it is the only one i've ever come across and could have just been a bad unit, but some how i doubt it.

we got him out of that box fast! problems gone.

[matucha]

a friend had M-Audio Duo (USB pre+24bit converter), tooooo many problems with dropouts, driver crashing... and the pre sounded like shit.

I can't complain about driver stability/reliability of their delta line though.

[littledoodler]

Originally posted by RobertPhilbeck
I'll second that with the exception of the Clavia Ddrums. I've tried dozens and they were all absolutely "Ghey". However, the Ddrums were simply killa, and I'd recommend trying them out before dissing them. Ever tried?

-Robert

I used to have a set of ddrum. They feel pretty good, but I couldn't play them whenever i wanted to (i live in an aprartment) because the pads are too noisy. The cymbal pads are whacked, i thought some of the sounds were alright, but they still don't compare to the expressiveness, feel and sensitivity of real drums (not even close).

[RichT]

1. Anything Berhenger

GOT

2. Original POD.
3. Rode NT2

GOT

4. CAD E100,200,300
5. DBX compressors 166,266,1066

GOT

6. Nady Mics
7. Cheap mic clips

GOT

8. Cheap connectors
9. Cheap soldering iron

GOT
10. Any wedding ring you have to finance!!!!


Oh wait...these are things we're NOT sposed to get?!

[not_so_new]

Agree with the NT2 but got to tell ya, I have 2 NTK's and while they are not great for vox or guitar (or much else, little spitty for my taste) they absolutely ROCK for drum room mics!!!

I would agree with the Berhenger stuff as well everything I have ever tried sucked but I have to admit I have their headphone amp. It is fine for what I need it for, non critical listening.

Add to the list the stupid drum tension units (I forget who makes them, maybe DW or Tama??). Each lug needs to be tuned to "sound" good not "be at the same tension." I thought I could use it anyway to get toms close fast but it turned out to be a big $75 paper weight!!

Oh yeah!
Good one..

Tama tuning watch OR whatever.

Never got that thing to make a drum sound as good as my ear.
Always tuned it to high.

Nice to hear about the other Ber and Rode stuff. I have never tried those pieces.

D

[PlugHead]

ditto the M-Audio crap - I have 2 USB keyboards (Keystation 49 and Radium 61) that've gone tits-up due to the KNOWN FAULTY USB bus - how the $%^ can they sell crap they know have faulty parts? Called tech support 3 times now, leaving messages, and no returned call, except for the intial one giving me the useless phone #'s

dfegad on crappy plastic %^& destined for landfills...fuuck

[smoothmoniker]

echo the m-audio

i wish somebody would step into that market gap though. They seem to be the only option for affordable portable USB powered. And i love being able to program on the plane without pluggin in.

or am i missing someone who does this better?

-sm

[cannikin]

Anything ART

[tunesmith]

focusrite platinum series.

yyyuuuuuuk!

Sorry. I know there are some octopre users out there. Don't mean to offend anyone. But the focusrite platinum series should be cast into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth and really really harsh vocal tracks.

Tunes.

[djui5]

Cheap monitors, cheap computer equipment, store brand cd-r's, overpriced studio time......

[Ruudman]

Guitar strings in Norway (or anything else for that matter).
How about 15 USD for one set of Fender Super Bullets?

Welcome to my world

[littledoodler]

Originally posted by Ruudman
Guitar strings in Norway (or anything else for that matter).
How about 15 USD for one set of Fender Super Bullets?

Welcome to my world

And gas costs $6 a gallon!

[Paul Weber]

Crate guitar comboz
Hughes & Kettner guitar "stacks"
Behringer (made in China stuff, the older German stuff still worked)
Jaz drives
ART multiFX
Roland mixers
...

Great idea to post the "gear to avoid at any cost".
After all money saved is money made...

Cheers,

Paul

[ttauri]

Originally posted by Ruudman

Agree. EMUs rulethumbsup

Actually, I'm moderately in the softsampler camp these days. I was just curious what Jules' reasons were.

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Xestenz]

Alesis 3630 Compressor,

Art "PRO" MPA (just add fizz!)

Also agree on the CAD E-100. Harsher than a cheese grater on bare flesh...