Alright slutz! I need some kind of reality check!(low end vs. high end)

[1979]

So, I think this is the first thread I've ever started.

So here's what has me pretty baffled- I've been lucky enough to have used some of the legendary pieces of gear (1073's, 1176's, vintage u87's) last weekend I recorded the best, most intense, and emotional vocal sound I've ever recorded and it was using an sm 58>midas venice pre + eq> dbx 1066 > and mixed down from FOH live to 4 tracks into PTLE. I pushed up the faders in PT a couple of days later and no bullshit everything (especially the vocal) sounds like the closest thing to a record I've ever tracked.

I wish I could post samples- but I have my own 'politics' about not posting someone else' s music.

I listened to the rough 4 track mix over and over again in tons of different environments- wanting to doubt it, to find fault- but it sounds pretty good everywhere.

I guess the thoughts I'm looking to throw out there are like this:

I know for sure that the artist I recorded while doing FOH was truly f***in great. I've done a lot of shows and enjoy all the artists, but this artist just straight up moved people. It was the type of performance that we all are in this business for. It was unreal.

That being said I obviously credit the 'vocal sound' to the artist, not me the engineer. Regardless, the 'cheap' gear did not f*&^ up her sound. If anything it helped propel the performance in a direction it was already going.

So,as a mainly FOH guy who is finally about to by some gear that bumps me from bedroom studio to project studio status, should I take all the reccomendations seriously and just get 2-4 pre's and one nice stereo comp, like everybody does, or should I go with cheaper,but more of, the gear like a venice 320 + 57's, 58's, and continue to succesfully exploit the shit out of this gear for the sounds I need?

Maybe one of you slutz have been here before?

Cheers

[ScottTunes]

K.I.S.S. applies here... Start with the basics - seems like you already have that. Work with it, and add gear as you need to for the next gig.

As you found out, the best players will transcend the gear, whatever gear that is, from top drawer to bottom.


The gear is really for us gearslutz. It's something to think about, work on and pacify ourselves with 'til that magic musical moment comes along!

Enjoy! It is the journey that matters!

[DowntownScience]

The gear is really for us gearslutz. It's something to think about, work on and pacify ourselves with 'til that magic musical moment comes along!

Enjoy! It is the journey that matters!

I Have No Idea Why That Moved Me So Much... I've Heard The Same Thing Phrased In Alternate Contexts... But For Some Reason That Was Really Profound Said At This Paricular Moment...

[Jules]

Don't bankrupt yourself unnecessarily..

Keep a yin / yang balance..

If a purchase like portable racking for your recording rig will perhaps help you to do more jobs, do that rather than blow all the $$$$ on mic pre's etc..

[1979]

Well that's just it.

All I can say is it feels a little empty knowing times like this only come along once in a while.Times when you know you are in the presence of something truly awesome. I left that show feeling like I did when I saw Nirvana play Saturday Night Live when I was 13.

It's f***** to think that all the 1073's and La2's in the world will never Light it up like real talent does.

But I guess what I'd really take away from this experience (and this recording) is a philosophy or guidline which will inform everything I do from now on- I think as engineers or in my case aspiring engineers we need to find something that's like our own voice, but at the same time transparent. I think my whole new goal is to find new ways to get more performances like that one. It really makes me wonder about 'traditional' recording strategies.

Cheers

[DeathMonkey]

I recently upgraded a bunch of my stuff - went from Nuendo to Pro Tools HD. Since then, I've been adding pres etc. My own philosophy is that since I don't really have the space for large band recordings, I try to get the best channels I can for the instruments I'm recording.

At first I got a UA 2-610 and a Focusrite ISA 428 - the 428 is a pretty good deal on 4 pres. But I noticed I wasn't using it as much as the UA. They're good utility pres, but since, I have gotten an A Designs Pacifica, and a UA LA-610, and I couldn't be happier. I mainly record guitars, bass and vocals, so knowing that I have really good signal chains for each puts the pressure on me to record well. They might not be everyone's cup o tea, and I won't say they are the "best", but I know that if I can't get a pro sound out of these babies it's my own fault.

I'd rather have gear that makes me enjoy what I do than have channels I don't use. As I expand, I want more options, not just more channels. I don't want tools I'm not going to use, ya know? YMMV, but I strongly suggest getting the pres that really get you going rather than just going for channel count, unless that's where your $$$ comes from.

You don't need to get screamingly boutique stuff, but there are a ton of good, (relatively) inexpensive options that will allow you to grow your collection at your own pace.


Jules: Blasphemy! :D

[mfender]

Originally Posted by DeathMonkey

I'd rather have gear that makes me enjoy what I do

There it is.

Gear makes me happy. You don't necessarily need ultra-expensive gear to make great records, but getting real boutique stuff is (for me) as much inspirational as it is an improvement in sound quality.

You don't need a Ferrari to get you from A to B. You can get the same end result in a Saturn. However...