just got a Vari-Mu.... couple of questions

[t_d]

hello GS,

just unpacked my Vari-Mu... Vari Happy, indeed

i have a couple of questions:

1. in LINK mode, i read here on GS, and also (to a lesser detail) in the manual, that even when you're Linked, you still have to set each channel's knobs/settings independently... if that's the case... why have LINK mode at all? i assume LINK is doing SOMETHING... can someone clear this up for me?

2. secondly.. anything i should know before i put this to use? i read over on recording.org, in a post by Mr. Scrip that he suggests running thru some sort of interior unit check/calibration.. and stated that this was outlined in the manual.. yet it's not in my manual... the only sort of trim/calibration settings in the manual are on page 15 regarding "service adjustments".. and recommended after a re-tube only.

thanks so much for your help...

oh, PS: i ordered with the HP mod.. based on high recommendations around here.. for $200, seems like a no-brainer!

[T_R_S]

Link Mode Stereo Operation you would probably want to use that.

What is the HP mod?

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by t_d

i assume LINK is doing SOMETHING... can someone clear this up for me?

Link sums the left and right channel voltages that control the compression so the center image will stay stable during stereo use.
You should also be aware that the Vari-Mu has a 600 ohm input impedence that may limit what devices you use to drive it. For example a consumer level CD player may have a hard time driving that low of an impedence and will give you a shallow distorted signal. Just a heads up.
The Vari-Mu is a fantastic piece of gear...enjoy!

[StrykeBack]

Great piece of gear. Thats one of those pieces of gear that would always be wired up ready to go on every mix and I'd never let it go. if I had the cash to have one in my project studio....

Is this one of the new versions?

Hey Rick I just noticed your sig says your in Atascadero. Do you have a commercial studio or just a home setup? I'm in Santa Maria and always looking for a great new place to track.

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by StrykeBack

always looking for a great new place to track.

well, I've had a commercial studio here for 32 years so it's kinda a great OLD place to track. Over the years I've kinda specialized in acoustic music so these days that's what I mostly do. Also do a lot of mastering on my Sadie system. Give me a call sometime, the next few days I'm working with the Byron Berline Band but I'll have more time next week.
Cheers, Rick

[StrykeBack]

You know now that you mention mastering and the studio in atascadero... Before I moved down to Hollywood to go to MI I recorded and mixed a friends indie band out in Nipomo/SanLuis, the band was called Blesk and the guy that they had master it came by a few times and said he was working out of an atascadero or paso robles studio, Jim Folkrod. Friend of yours maybe?

I don't want to drag this thread anymore off topic and didn't see any contact information on here for you Rick, but if you e-mailed me so I could talk with you.
DanielKoenen@mac.com

Had to move home from hollywood because of bills and helping out family here at home and also just getting burned out of LA but I've been looking for anything music/production/studio whether work or volunteer just to keep my chops up and stay in the loop.

[gainreduction]

A little left of the topic...

Does anyone have experience with the very first Vari-mu ? It's 1,5 rackunits high, single channel, based on the 6386 "Fairchild tube". I might be able to grab one cheap but am I getting in trouble 'coz of the obsolete tube ?

How do they sound compared to the recent line of Vari-mu's ? Grab it or pass on it ?

[t_d]

yes, i know the Link mode is for stereo operation.. i was just wondering, technically, what it did, since they tell you to set both sides anyway..

thanks, Rick, for clearing that up.


the HP mod is a High Pass filter sidechain.. lets your bass go thru untouched.. i forgot where the cutoff frequency is, actually... it's not even in the manual.. but i did read it somewhere here on GS

Originally Posted by T_R_S

Link Mode Stereo Operation you would probably want to use that.

What is the HP mod?

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by StrykeBack

Jim Folkrod. Friend of yours maybe?

yeah, Jim works out of my studio and he and I worked on the Blesk mastering.
Give me a call next week if you'd like to come up. Listed as Sutton Sound Studio in phone book.
Cheers, Rick

[StrykeBack]

Thanks Rick, I'l definitely give you a call this next week.
Daniel