Is there an 'approved' or recommended Gearslutz gear list?

[bloodsweatfire]

All (Gearslutz members) subjectivity aside, is there a 'recommended' list anywhere of acceptable pre's, microphones, compressors etc.?

My point being, instead of asking the redundant "I have $2200, which are my best choices for a mic pre in that range" or tryig to do a search on the only few 'nice' pre's I know of, or asking how's this pre? How's this other one?...I was hoping there was a 'guide' of sorts about.

One could then search and research from there.
There is alot of lesser known or lesser talked about gear that is worth owning and I would assume alot of us 'newer' members would like to know about them.

thank you

[Dave Martin]

There isn't and there shouldn't be a list like that. We all have our opinions, and there is no piece of gear that everyone likes, and no piece of gear that everyone hates (there are even some Pehringer products that some GS memeber swear by). All you can do is try a bunch of stuff out and buy the things you like (until you run out of money). Then you save some more money and buy some more gear.

Inthe meantime, use the Search function - it's a big help for people in your position...

[Chris Muth]

One of my favorite approaches to this is to borrow and swap gear with friends. One can learn a lot by recording through different stuff. Sometimes there are really pleasant surprises this way... well... sometimes it sucks... but you always learn from the experience!
One of my mentors (Phil Ramone) told me many years ago, "I've learned everything I know through experience... mostly bad ones."

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by Dave Martin
There isn't and there shouldn't be a list like that. We all have our opinions, and there is no piece of gear that everyone likes, and no piece of gear that everyone hates (there are even some Pehringer products that some GS memeber swear by). All you can do is try a bunch of stuff out and buy the things you like (until you run out of money). Then you save some more money and buy some more gear.

I think the idea of being able to "borrow" a rack full of gear to try out is nice but in most cases is unrealistic especially for those just starting out. There most certainly should be a list like this. If for nothing more than to keep people from asking the same questions. Preamps, comps, etc. can easily be broken down into seperate catagories by color, age, price, most recommended etc.

There are some CD's I've seen available that test different pre's and the likes but you might be on the wrong website to get helpful info on a specific question that may have been roughly asked over the past year. Some of these "gear sluts" are too arrogant to properly continue to participate on this forum because they think they are so much better than "newbies".

The better question for you is what are you looking for in a mic pre. Color, clarity, price, etc. That's a better question and you'll get many responses to individuals particular tastes and why. For those that keep sending you to the search link, just ignore them because it's obvious they have no intensions of participating in this forum, just the need to feel superior when most need to be working on more music than wasting peoples time.

So let us know what you are looking for and I'll help you out. Many others will too, you just have to learn to do what the monkey below is doing, to certain individuals if you want quaility responses.

arrogance!

[Chris Muth]

Hi SF,
I don't think Dave is being arrogant and I also don't see what's wrong with borrowing a True Audio mic pre or Crane Song HEDD from a friend and finding out that you like it and can afford to buy one. Having parused this site for quite some time (since Jules was considering starting it up a few years ago), IMO, there is a wealth of ideas and opinions available from Slutz.
The difficult part about answering a question like the one at the top of this thread is that there is so much stuff and so many variables that it is hard to answer without knowing a bit about what the questioner does and what they have/need... so, BSF, what do you got and what do you want to accomplish? I'll take a whack at it. I've had the opportunity to use, repair, and modify millions of dollars of other people's equipment over the years. Just remember that any advice I may be able to offer is FREE.

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by Chris Muth
Hi SF,
I don't think Dave is being arrogant and I also don't see what's wrong with borrowing a True Audio mic pre or Crane Song HEDD from a friend and finding out that you like it and can afford to buy one.

Ideal and true but as I said, in many situations this is unrealistic. Not everyone has a buddy with a $3000 ADA or mic pre to let you "borrow" and even if he does, he better be a really good friend.

Also, I'm not just speaking about "dave". I'm speaking in general. I see many people come on this site and they are instantly blasted for asking a question you may or may not be able to find after of hours of searching. Instead of just asking the question and waiting for replys. Isn't that the point of a forum?

So my advice is this, if all you have to offer to a question about gear is "search" then stop wasting everyones time and just bypass the post. There are many others who love to be in discussions about micpres, etc. even if it's subjective and has been asked a million times.

Just remember that any advice I may be able to offer is FREE.

Amen to this!

[TC5]

I think a lot of times some people overlook the fact that in many cases gear may simply NOT be available to borrow/rent/demo/test before purchasing. People live in different locations some of which might be remote. This is where info gathered here from other user's experience becomes most valuable.

A list of top recommended gear in different categories could be a useful starting point for someone to research.

[bloodsweatfire]

Originally posted by Dave Martin
There isn't and there shouldn't be a list like that. We all have our opinions, and there is no piece of gear that everyone likes, and no piece of gear that everyone hates (there are even some Pehringer products that some GS memeber swear by).

Thanks Dave,
I did mention 'ALL subjectivity' aside as the first 3 words in my post but perhaps you missed that. Besides if any Pehringer gear is great to own in anyone's opinion, it should be on the list.

All you can do is try a bunch of stuff out and buy the things you like (until you run out of money). Then you save some more money and buy some more gear.)

I would like to try a 'bunch' of stuff out? What stuff?
My idea was for a general list of 'stuff', that is worth trying out?
For goodness sakes .

In the meantime, use the Search function - it's a big help for people in your position...

My position?
If you are refering to someone who does not know every single manufacturer or specific model of worthwhile gear available, then I think there are many 'peoples' in my position.
What should I search for?
Fatso, Distressor, Avalon, Great River, Manley, Crane Song etc. are more likely to generate genuine search results than 'compressor' or mic pre. I suppose I will ask the redundant questions like everyone else.
Thanks anyway, it was just a question / suggestion.

[joeq]

I think if we tried to make a Gearslutz Approved Gear list it would quickly end up with every piece of audio equipment ever made on it! We are, after all, GearSLUTZ.

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by joeq
I think if we tried to make a Gearslutz Approved Gear list it would quickly end up with every piece of audio equipment ever made on it! We are, after all, GearSLUTZ.

So true! I think we could easily put together a "Top 10 list" of favorite go to units though, for each given catagory. And it could be a sticky post and could stay current through each "quarter" or whatever.

Either way, I think it's a great idea and this type of "Gearslut" sponsored list could easily grow to be "The" list manufacturers want to be on. It's worth considering, moderators.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by joeq
I think if we tried to make a Gearslutz Approved Gear list it would quickly end up with every piece of audio equipment ever made on it! We are, after all, GearSLUTZ.

I would think the opposite, it will create a lot of controversy.

Basically you would have 2 lists:

The "here drink this its the Gearslutz Kool Aid list".

or:

The Gearslutz Blacklist or how i call it the "I wouldn't be caught dead with that in my studio list".

I agree with people earlier, just do a search and what you are not clear about just ask.

[Agli]

Why not incorporate into the user profiles everyones top or most wanted mic, pre, dynamics, fx. That way you would have an ever changing list of favorite gear + u would know more about your fellow slut.

[Hiwatt]

That's a realy great idea Agli, you should talk to jules about it.

[Hiwatt]

Off the top of my head I would nominate the MP-2NV and the RNC to start with...


and I'm shure stuff from all these guys would end up on the list...
Emperical Labs, Avalon, Great River, Manley, Crane Song etc...

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by Agli
Why not incorporate into the user profiles everyones top or most wanted mic, pre, dynamics, fx. That way you would have an ever changing list of favorite gear + u would know more about your fellow slut.

[radiospace]

The ideal solution --- and I'm sure it isn't technologically possible, I' m just speaking theoretically -- would be a sticky poll where every member could vote for a favorite piece of gear in each category (i.e. "Compressor under $1,000"), and could change their vote at any time. That way you'd have a self-maintining ranking of members favorite pieces of gear without any individual having to make controversial decisions about who gets listed, who doesn't etc.

As a side note the recording forum at Harmony Central has a sticky list of "preferred gear" and it seems to be greatly appreciated, particularly by newbies. On the other hand perhaps Gearslutz don't like newbies.

[Jules]

I think an 'oficial' list of preferred gear would be a bad idea. There are always new products coming out. I dunno about anyone else but I get bored of using some (perfectly fine) gear and want a change. I dunno.... what's wrong with investing time in a search? There are a lot of engineers opinions stored in posts on the internet. I suspect only a small pecentage would want to be part of a best gear survey /.poll whatever... Nah... Also there are a lot of folks that keep swapping out their gear just so they can TRY everything! So some folks are on the 'never ending quest'. IMHO newbies spending time doing searches (here and accross other recording websites) and then asking carfully concidered questions are the most likely to reap usefull rewards..

[Jules]

Also .....Some folks make buying and selling gear a hobby so they can try out EVERYTHING! For those folks there is no 'best' merely the next piece of gear around the corner!

[Dave Martin]

Originally posted by Stoneface

There are some CD's I've seen available that test different pre's and the likes but you might be on the wrong website to get helpful info on a specific question that may have been roughly asked over the past year. Some of these "gear sluts" are too arrogant to properly continue to participate on this forum because they think they are so much better than "newbies".

Interesting response there, Stoneface.. Let me offer a couple of suggestions and then I'll wander off and let y'all make up your list. First, if you are anywhere in the US or the UK (and probably most places in Western Europe) you can rent equipment. All it takes is an address and a credit card. The major rental places ship gear whever there's a client. I dunno about Australia, Africa and the far east, but you can rent. Even if you live and work in a place where gear rental isn't possible, you can travel, can't you? if you're thinking of spending a few thousand dollars on gear, I would think that it would be worth investing a bit of that money in going to hear it for yourself.

Back to the list idea; let me reiterate that there is NO item of recording equipment that is universally loved. Lost of guys on this forum (including me) use manley gear every day. Others won't let their audio near anything made in Chino - Who's right? Well, we both are. I have read that several of the regulars here use Summit TLA 100A's on vocal tracks - I find them to be horrifically bad in that application. Again, who's right?

I could make up a list that includes things like old RCA Broadcast limiters, but what good would that do you? I've never even heard of these things before I bought mine, and have only heard of one since then. So it wouldn't do you any good toi put them on a 'best gear' list, even though they fit that category (for me, at least). And all of this is application specific; I do like the Summits in a couple of applications, and the RCA doesn't work at all.

So unless your propsed 'best gear' list includes categories such as, "Best Tube mic to be used for emo vocals when sung by a 17 yar old whose voice is just now settling into a baritone range when the preamps are based on one of John Hall's designs and a Preavey compressor". And then you have to know what the room sounds like.

It would be a pretty big database...

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by Dave Martin
I could make up a list that includes things like old RCA Broadcast limiters, but what good would that do you? I've never even heard of these things before I bought mine, and have only heard of one since then. So it wouldn't do you any good toi put them on a 'best gear' list, even though they fit that category (for me, at least). And all of this is application specific; I do like the Summits in a couple of applications, and the RCA doesn't work at all.

So unless your propsed 'best gear' list includes categories such as, "Best Tube mic to be used for emo vocals when sung by a 17 yar old whose voice is just now settling into a baritone range when the preamps are based on one of John Hall's designs and a Preavey compressor". And then you have to know what the room sounds like.

It would be a pretty big database...

No it wouldn't because not everyone would vote for an RCA limiter so I doubt it would make the list. The word "best" would only be to describe what the majority of GS prefer. Nothing more. I swear....as smart as I know most of you are, your comments sure seem small minded.

But it's cool. When I was at Full Sail years ago, I noticed the same thing with some of the grammy winning engineers. Most are just arrogant and are afraid of those up and coming because they believe someone new could steal there shine. Personally, I think that attitude just displays ones own insecurities about ones skills. If you are good you are good. That's it. People are so afraid to help the newbies like they themselves were born with the gift to mix.

It's also ironic that most say, "oh, that's a subjective question, do a search." Well, if it's such a subjective question, then how could it be contained to a handful of posts. It can't. It's forever changing. There is no one answer so you make no sense at all. Just pure lazyness and arrogance toward newbies. So it's probably a good idea if you did wander off somewhere and leave those that are still hungry about this business to help each other.

[Space Cowboy]

Maybe you're barking up the wrong tree Stoneface... Why don't you post the same question over at Fletcher's or Mixerman's forum and see what their response would be

[joeq]

Originally posted by Space Cowboy
Maybe you're barking up the wrong tree Stoneface... Why don't you post the same question over at Fletcher's or Mixerman's forum and see what their response would be

[Stoneface]

Originally posted by Space Cowboy
Maybe you're barking up the wrong tree Stoneface... Why don't you post the same question over at Fletcher's or Mixerman's forum and see what their response would be

Naw, it was just a suggestion based on the mass amounts of people who continue to ask the same questions over and over. I just thought it would be helpful to the new guys. I guess that's not what this forum is about. I guess it's just about verterans slappin' each other on the back.

[Stoneface]

BTW: What's the address to the forums you mentioned? Love to check em out.

[bloodstone]

Full Compass has stuff available for rent.

[joeq]

Suggesting people to try stuff out for themselves, suggesting rentals, suggesting people to use the Search function and read the Whole discussion not just the list of the "winners" IS being helpful to the new guys- and not just in "A Boy Named Sue" kind of way.

the "veterans" are not holding out on you because they refuse to give you a short list of what is "good". There is no such list, and if people refuse make one, it is the OPPOSITE of arrogance that motivates them.

I have found the people on this forum to be the most helpful and encouraging group anywhere on the internet. I have gotten informative, thoughtful responses to my questions that I have posted here.

Of course before I posted, I did a search. Or two. Or ten. I have never asked my fellow gearslutz to do my homework for me.

[Stoneface]

Joeq, I think we have already covered what you are talking about. But just to help you along because you seem a bit slow, NOT EVERYONE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO THOSE THINGS. But it's cool. I'm not worried about it. I know there are many like me that love to help the fellow engineer looking for the same answers many of you were. The rest of you arrogant, soon to be obsolete, engineers, your time will come. (And that's about the time when the next generation will tell you to go get thier coffee!)

[genericperson]

o.k., i'll start an unoffical GS favorites list:

Compressors:
Cranesong STC-8, RNC

EQ:
Cranesong IBIS, Massenburg Eq's

Preamps:
DW Fearn, Chandler

Mics:
Brauner VM-1, AEA R-84

Loudspeakers:
Adam S3a, B&W Nautilus 802

[RichT]

Stone Face,

How is it arrogant to say that there is not one answer to your question?

Many engineers favour different gear for different needs. Some gear is perfectly useful for rock but not so useful for hip hop.

Where do you do you start?

Where do you do you stop with this magical list?

If this list was created, do you need to buy everything on it?

Originally posted by Stoneface
When I was at Full Sail years ago, I noticed the same thing with some of the grammy winning engineers. Most are just arrogant and are afraid of those up and coming because they believe someone new could steal there shine.

So you went to Full Sail and you still need to be told what to use?

Instead of ripping into guys like Dave Martin who are trying to help you, why not step away from the computer, go record something and do us all a favour.

Cheers,
Rich