What equipment are you guys using to track Keyboards? Motifs, Tritons, etc..

[youngmain]

I have a Korg Triton and want to buy some killer slutty equipment to start tracking it into my signature series 003. I just dont know what to get because it has a low level output signal. What equipment would be my best bet as far as compressors, preamps, and DI's are concerned. Money is not a factor, but I can only buy one piece of equipment now and then build later. I want warm, huge, and quiet. Lachapell, Avalon, Great River, ADL 600? I appreciate any help, Thanks!!

[dbbubba]

Because a synth is a line out type device you probably want a decent D.I. or two for stereo.

Any nice pre will do, but you don't have to get crazy since it is a synth.
There really is no sound reference with a synth.

Running it through a GTR amp and mic'ing it can help, too.
Record both D.I. and an amp.

You know... synth patches are made to sound impressive at the muisc store.
They can be a bit bright and edgy in recording situations.
An amp can help, but EQ is often necessary.
That and modifying the patches a bit.

I don't know why you can't go direct into your rig.
What interface do you have?

[youngmain]

I am getting my 003rack modified by Black Lion. "Signature Series" Mod. I dont want to go line level because it seems to me that the sound is thin and lacking warmth. I guess I can get this in the box but LE kinda sucks to use plug ins like Waves and PSP since you have to do all this manual delay compensation. So DI's huh? A designs Reddi? I was thinking the avaon 747 comp just to add tube warmth and a hint of EQ to lifeless tracks or sounds. What you think? Thanks.

[fross]

I wanted the pres to be on the clean side.
With 14+ ch. of synths and other keyboards, the "color" could start adding up.
I use (2) Millenia HV-3Ds for the keyboards.

I have both the Triton and Motif and honestly have never found them to sound "thin" and "lifeless".
Different tastes...

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by youngmain

I just dont know what to get because it has a low level output signal. What equipment would be my best bet as far as compressors, preamps, and DI's are concerned.

You know, youngmain, it's not so much what synth you are tracking, but what sound you are going for that should determine the gear you select.

If you want the sounds to come up thick, present and lush, then a Neve (or after-Neve) pre through a 1176 or similar will be worth considering. If you want to give the sounds spacious hi-fi transparency and gloss, you might prefer something like the Avalon AD2022 through, say an ELOP.

There are many combinations that can work very well, but each may be best suited to certain sounds in certain mixes. Different strokes. Since you are making only one purchase right now, you need to decide what predominant direction will work best for what you plan to record.

[alexp]

Originally Posted by youngmain

I am getting my 003rack modified by Black Lion. "Signature Series" Mod. I dont want to go line level because it seems to me that the sound is thin and lacking warmth. I guess I can get this in the box but LE kinda sucks to use plug ins like Waves and PSP since you have to do all this manual delay compensation. So DI's huh? A designs Reddi? I was thinking the avaon 747 comp just to add tube warmth and a hint of EQ to lifeless tracks or sounds. What you think? Thanks.

If your sounds are lifeless, then its a programming problem. You cant polish a turd.

alexP

[youngmain]

Your Right, I cant polish turds. I think my whole perception on preamps has been obscured slightly. I dont neccesarily need them to run my keyboards through. Yeah their nice to add some flavor but I think what I need is a Di like an Avalon U5 or A designs Reddi. Those give me tone and the output I need. I will look into True systems and others mentioned but I think a dedicated DI is my ticket. Thanks Fellas!!!

[TurboJets]

Reddi - all the way.

[fross]

Originally Posted by youngmain

Your Right, I cant polish turds. I think my whole perception on preamps has been obscured slightly. I dont neccesarily need them to run my keyboards through. Yeah their nice to add some flavor but I think what I need is a Di like an Avalon U5 or A designs Reddi. Those give me tone and the output I need. I will look into True systems and others mentioned but I think a dedicated DI is my ticket. Thanks Fellas!!!

Your search for answers is a bit confusing.
You're saying a DI is the key and that perhaps the U5 or REDDI will fit the bill.
How so?

1st off, the output on those keyboards is plenty hot.
Whether it's DI or pre is insignificant.
And why is the U5 or REDDI the answer?
They are completely different IMHO. (I have both)
They're mono. (you can only buy (1) item, if I remember correctly)
Your keys are stereo.
Most DIs are going to basically give what they've received, so the sound of your synths won't change THAT much.
I'm not trying to talk you out of anything.
But I don't think this DI or that DI is going to solve your problem.
Just my 2 cents.

FWIW Zero 7 gets some fat-ass synth tones on their recordings and they're using API pres, not pres or DIs with big glowy tubes in them.

As a GS, you're probably chomping at the bit to buy SOMETHING ANYTHING.
I've been there.
So be it.

Perhaps you need to go back and focus on tracking/gain staging and EQ?

[666666]

Originally Posted by DarkSky

...you might prefer something like the Avalon AD2022 through, say an ELOP...

[LoudChris]

I almost always use a Amek 9098 to track stereo keyboard parts.

Neve design, but not fat, it's very clear. It also has a widener on it, which can ad some 3-D effects to pads and the like. If you are looking for a good clear signal, that's they way to go for a DI unit.

For a 100% true signal, you can digital out of most keys into the Digi 003.

But with mono stuff, like fat analog bass lines, I use API, Vintech Neve Copy, or sometimes a Manley Vox Box. It all depends on the part, and where I want it to sit!

Lately I've been running my Virus Kb right into the 002 pres, and it works really well!

I relate clean, with clear. A warm sounding pre is not on the clear side for me, because it ads color. That being said, 90% of the time I like color.

If you want clean, just go digital!

[steveman]

DI's generally convert instrument level (guitar /bass) to mic level to then go into a mic preamp. Your keys have line level out so that's a long winded way to add 'mojo '. Never quite sure why PPL use DIs to make line level synths err.... line level.... If you want to add colour you may be better getting a compressor or EQ.

[wakestyle]

i'm not all that experienced with this, but from what I know ( and do), most synth parts you want to sound RAW, or at least record it raw. I wouldn't even consider using a pre coming from a synth. I'd probably go eq for character perhaps add eventide or a lexicon to add biggness if needed, then to track. Eq/filter to fit the mix cus it will probably be too big by then. My SSL channel works miracles on my synth parts. P

WS

[SK1]

I run our triton pro x through api 312's and it sounds fantastic. The direct in on the api's is just fine. For different levels of saturation it helps to have a couple of atty's to control the output, if that's what your going for.

I've only got one reddi so I'm using it only occasionally on mono synth sounds. It's a cool different flavor, but it's still reddi/api/apogee.

You also might want to consider 2 pres with outputs as well.

[youngmain]

So my signal chain shouldnt be DI>Micpre>Convertor? I had access to an Avalon Ad2022 for a few months and using it as a line level conditioner for tracking my motif, it did not boost the gain sufficient to my liking. I had my motif cranked up all the way and pro tools Hd was registering a low signal. It was usable just not as hot as I wanted it. It was hitting like 1/4-1/5 of each tracks meter level in pro tools. Maybe thier was a problem somewhere in the levels but I know I did try setting up the 2022 in various ways and could not get a hot enough output. I figure a Radial jdv mk3 would give me a boost before hitting a Mic Pre. Am I wrong? If so I need to soak knowledge and move ahead.

[666666]

Originally Posted by youngmain

I had access to an Avalon Ad2022 for a few months and using it as a line level conditioner for tracking my motif, it did not boost the gain sufficient to my liking....

Something must have been wrong somewhere... the AD2022 will provide more than enough gain for any situation and is a great unit... sounds really nice on keyboards... I'm not familiar with the 003 but I believe there are some input level settings within, you likely have something set "incorrectly" per your goals. Before trying to figure out what type of "slutty" DI to buy, study your current set-up and get things working correctly. Your other posts also suggest that something is not right with your set-up... you shouldn't have very low levels and things should not be sounding "thin"... maybe some 003 experts can help you figure out what you're doing wrong... or maybe you have an issue with the Triton...??? Buying an extra "slutty" color box is NOT your answer... buy such ONLY after your rig is set-up correctly.

[Steffmo]

The API always sound great on synths, especially if its something where the mids are critical.

If you want to spread the lows o soften the sound a bit....a UA2610 can work great.

If you want to play with the EQ....try a pair of Chameleon 7602.

All those have line ins front panel. But you might also want to try it with a good DI like the Radial. It can be a whole different sound.

[SK1]

Originally Posted by youngmain

So my signal chain shouldnt be DI>Micpre>Convertor? I had access to an Avalon Ad2022 for a few months and using it as a line level conditioner for tracking my motif, it did not boost the gain sufficient to my liking. I had my motif cranked up all the way and pro tools Hd was registering a low signal. It was usable just not as hot as I wanted it. It was hitting like 1/4-1/5 of each tracks meter level in pro tools. Maybe thier was a problem somewhere in the levels but I know I did try setting up the 2022 in various ways and could not get a hot enough output. I figure a Radial jdv mk3 would give me a boost before hitting a Mic Pre. Am I wrong? If so I need to soak knowledge and move ahead.

Wow. That sounds strange to me . So you sent the triton or motif through the hi z inputs on the front of the 2022 and couldn't get enough gain??

Weird. I never have problems getting enough gain through our 312's or 1272's. What gives?? We must be missing something. The 2022 should have plenty of gain.

???

[SighBorg]

Get a nice converter. A Cranesong HEDD is nice and the processing on it works great on synths. Preamp should be secondary imo.

I have a Korg Triton and want to buy some killer slutty equipment to start tracking it into my signature series 003. I just dont know what to get because it has a low level output signal.

I dont know what your problem is but you have one some place. I used to run a Triton into a 002 and did not have problems with levels.

[youngmain]

No, Im not saying your wrong. Obviously I wasnt doing something right. I was sending the outs of the motif into the microphone line level ins. I was getting a fuzzy distorted signal when plugged into the HI Z inputs. Its been so long. Im sure, I did something wrong. Im going to try and get a hold of it again and find what the hell I did wrong. Im fixing this problem before even thinking about buying anything. thanks guys and now I have some stuff to do. Sorry for waisting time and energy. Peace!

[fross]

Originally Posted by Kelly644

Get a nice converter. A Cranesong HEDD is nice and the processing on it works great on synths. Preamp should be secondary imo.
I dont know what your problem is but you have one some place. I used to run a Triton into a 002 and did not have problems with levels.

When you can't get a Motif or Triton to sound right.....it ain't the equipment.

[SK1]

Originally Posted by youngmain

No, Im not saying your wrong. Obviously I wasnt doing something right. I was sending the outs of the motif into the microphone line level ins. I was getting a fuzzy distorted signal when plugged into the HI Z inputs. Its been so long. Im sure, I did something wrong. Im going to try and get a hold of it again and find what the hell I did wrong. Im fixing this problem before even thinking about buying anything. thanks guys and now I have some stuff to do. Sorry for waisting time and energy. Peace!

Hey, "everything's easy once you know how to do it" LOL

Maybe it was a gain structure thing. If you want the highest amount of headroom it should be triton relatively lower than the pre gain and the output gain being the highest of the three levels of gain structure...... for a good starting point.

Of course you can f with the sound by backing off the output or cranking the pre more for more warmth/distortion.

Recording a motif should be easy.

Stay tough.

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by SK1

Wow ... We must be missing something. The 2022 should have plenty of gain ...???

We're definitely a-missing something. Or rather, something is definitely amiss.

There's a Motif here that we sometimes run through a 2002 on its way into the converters, and I have never had any trouble getting enough level. Way too much level in fact, if the gains aren't set appropriately.

Though it's not a color piece, the 2022 is an excellent transparent DI in this role and it lends provides spacious detail. If the sound was distorted going into the Hi-Z inputs on the 2022, then something was broken or misaligned. Once you find the source of the problem, the sound will be huge and you'll have enough level and headroom to peg meters without even trying!