Please help me spend some money:)

[vaesion]

Im gona go ahead a use the credit card.

For 1500 im having the room acoustically treated with the nice covered panels a cloud and bass traps. hes also gona test the tone of the room and all that stuff..
i think im getting a good deal. the room is 16 by 26
I make techno and hiphop. IM wondering if you guys could come together on what my last few pieces of gear to buy should be. I could obviously buy gear to no end..........but for my pop/ techno studio do you see anything as a must to put me in the game.......apart from an SSL!

i was thinking of getting a amp by hafler for about 5 to 800. I have a ghetto alesis 100 right now

apart from the skill is a harmonizer used ALOT in pop stuff?

i think i need a better compressor for my vocals........ no one talks to good about distressors on vocals and after a year of using it ive got some damn nice vocals sounds but not like i hear on most rap pop records i buy..

thinkin of the 737 avalon or a la2a .......1176

alos thinking of a eq2nv for my mp2nv
I have no analog eq

ive got some nice stuff and I just wanna put the cherry on top.
i think the amp and acoustics are critical but I know theres something u pros can look and see that im missing that could really help alot.
I know I can make hit records with this....but I wanna make a hit record with a vocal that im use to hearing on hit records

i have a 20,000 budget but I damn sure dont wanna spend it all.

heres my stuff

pc
nuendo 2.0
waves diamond plugs
elemental eqs plugs
blue tube eqs plugs
sonalksis plugs
mp2nv
tc finalizer 96k
tc fireworx
2 distressors
apogee rosetta 800
rme digiface
u87 mic
monster cabling
pent 4 3ghz 1 gig ram
krk and alesis monitors

[CaliBrian]

It looks like you have a lot of great gear right now to make good tunes. I don't think you need a lot more. If you really want to upgrade, you might want to add a couple of more mics for variety. The Neumann U87 is a good mic, but some mics sound better on people than others. Also, you might want to get some high end monitors. Maybe a really clean mic pre, like a Hardy M1 or a Buzz 2.2 to go with your Great River. The Great River is a great pre though in itself.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

i have a 20,000 budget but I damn sure dont wanna spend it all.

heres my stuff

pc
nuendo 2.0
waves diamond
elemental eqs
blue tube eqs
sonalksis
mp2nv
tc finalizer 96k
tc fireworx
2 distressors
apogee rosetta 800
rme digiface
u87 mic
monster cabling
pent 4 3ghz 1 gig ram
krk and alesis monitors

That's a lot of digital going on.

I would agree on the investment of some choice analog pieces.

What?

EQ's-

Massive Passive EQ, EQN2V and a API 560 and 550a.

Compressors-

SSL FX 384,UA LA2A,1176 and 3-4 DBX160x's.

Definitely an Eventide Harmonizer.

If you are smart buy(2) a newer unit and a older unit(H3000).

A hi end reverb.

Some PCM42's.

Better monitors.

An outboard summing type device(maybe a Folcrom).

A monitor controller for your new monitors.

[vaesion]

someone recommended some dynasomethings bm6?
I was looking at the new krk rockits
right now i use these alesis monitor 1's

Most people look down on them but there popular for most techno people. sasha, rabbit in the moon and some of my other fav techno groups use em.

2nd monitor pair is probably lower on the list but will be bought.

ill be buying only one compressor
my friend has a la2a.......... i can atleast hear that

ill be using the tc fireowrx for reverb and delay. i think its good enough and not my weakest link.........
u guys know what the place is in brandon FL that has pro audio stuff?

[vaesion]

i read about this massive passive.........from what i read it has a penis insert on the back?

b

[Drumsound]

Originally Posted by vaesion

u guys know what the place is in brandon FL that has pro audio stuff?

Is that Atlas Pro Audio? If so Nathan the owner posts her a lot and is very knowledgeable.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

ill be using the tc fireowrx for reverb and delay. i think its good enough and not my weakest link.........
u guys know what the place is in brandon FL that has pro audio stuff?

The TC Fireworx sucks for reverbs.

Vocals because of the detail in the mid freq's expose bad reverbs.

If you are going to skimp in one area, my advice is don't do it on the vocals.

If you want to go with a plug, check out the Princeton Digital SP2016 plug.

At least it has more character and depth than the TC Fireworx.

The Fireworx is great for special fx & mangling, but reverbs and chorusing is its weakest link.

Just an opinion.

[vaesion]

as far as the harmonizer


http://www.eventide.com/eclipse/eclipse.htm
every processor they have on thier says its the best 1 ever made.......JESUS!
which one is the mack daddy

whats the deal with this new eclipse 3.0? suppost to be all of them in 1
the waves harmonizer/pitch shift plugs are garbage.........
does the eventide actually make it sound like the lead singer has back up singers in different keys?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

as far as the harmonizer


http://www.eventide.com/eclipse/eclipse.htm
every processor they have on thier says its the best 1 ever made.......JESUS!
which one is the mack daddy

whats the deal with this new eclipse 3.0? suppost to be all of them in 1
the waves harmonizer/pitch shift plugs are garbage.........
does the eventide actually make it sound like the lead singer has back up singers in different keys?

Which is the best?

Right now its the H8000.

For 2 channel work i have a DSP7000 and a old H3000.

They both compliment each other well.

One has the new sound and the older the classic Eventide harmonization sound.

I had the Eclipse for a day and dumped it.

Picked up the DSP7000 and never looked back.

No it doesn't sound do the backup singer thing.

It does help you make them sound better though.

[vaesion]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

The TC Fireworx sucks for reverbs.

Vocals because of the detail in the mid freq's expose bad reverbs.

If you are going to skimp in one area, my advice is don't do it on the vocals.

If you want to go with a plug, check out the Princeton Digital SP2016 plug.

At least it has more character and depth than the TC Fireworx.

The Fireworx is great for special fx & mangling, but reverbs and chorusing is its weakest link.

Just an opinion.

Princeton Digital SP2016 plug

ive got that plug

good point about the vocals and reverbs a big part

[vaesion]

what do i really need the harmonizer for most

is it a unmistakeable sound?
can u name some songs its definitely on

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

what do i really need the harmonizer for most

is it a unmistakeable sound?
can u name some songs its definitely on

Nelly and Eminem?

Beyonce,Brandy, Puddle oF Mudd, basically everybody.

When its overdone it sounds sorta like Nelly to me.

Its used mostly to thicken vocals.

It also works well on keys and guitars.

[vaesion]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Nelly and Eminem?

Beyonce,Brandy, Puddle oF Mudd, basically everybody.

When its overdone it sounds sorta like Nelly to me.

Its used mostly to thicken vocals.

It also works well on keys.

what presets are used on the vocals........what effects

[vaesion]

maybe what im trying to do with my compressor and stacking is actually an effect from that thing

maybe my compressor and mic is perfect but im missing that effect

[Waylon]

rent an H3000 ( or 7000, or 8000.... ) and use it on a vocal, you will hear it and go ....ah...... thats what I was missing...

it does soenthgin that for better or worse, nothing else does. YMMV

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

what presets are used on the vocals........what effects

What presets?

Well on my older H3000, i think its stuck on the dual H910 preset.

I also use the Micropitch shift/delay and i know a lot of guys that use the dual pitch shift program.

On the newer units it varies.

What's cool about the newer units is that because of the chains, you can use one unit to do all the processing for your backgrounds in one preset.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

maybe what im trying to do with my compressor and stacking is actually an effect from that thing

maybe my compressor and mic is perfect but im missing that effect

Don't know would have to hear it.

Maybe post some examples?

[vaesion]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Don't know would have to hear it.

Maybe post some examples?

im uploading a mp3 now
one sec

[vaesion]

heres the link
www.deep-productions.com/things
track called back in the day

its just a a clip so i put a 16 44 file 5 megs
this is a track that some people brought in tracked at 16 44 at their studio.
i recorded the vocals here with the u87 and distressor
the vocals are stacked with a lil reveb eq

the vocal chain that he is on is lin eq then C1 sc comp then l1

theres no comp or eq on the main outs

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

heres the link
www.deep-productions.com/things
track called back in the day

its just a a clip so i put a 16 44 file 5 megs
this is a track that some people brought in tracked at 16 44 at their studio.
i recorded the vocals here with the u87 and distressor
the vocals are stacked with a lil reveb eq

the vocal chain that he is on is lin eq then C1 sc comp then l1

theres no comp or eq on the main outs

Just listened to your track.

The vocals sound a tad too hazy.

There are little things you could do improve the vocal sound:

1)On the reverb give it a little bit more predelay. Especially on the lead. The words need to happen first and then the reverb. Right now its too on top of it which makes it sound hazy.

2)You could for an option use a wetter space for the backs and a really short ambience for the lead(done with delays).

This would give it a contrast and make it stand out more(by sounding clearer).

3) The U87 as a vocal mic doesn't work for everyone.

If you combine that with the Distressor and you can get vocals that are a little strident/edgy.

In your case if you are not looking to track them again, you will have to figure out away to thicken them up a touch.

Yeah the Harmonizer does help, but you have to get them ready before.

This is normally done with the right combination of compressors and EQ's at mixdown.

An expensive proposition.

I think your best bet is to get them sounding right from the get go.

This may mean picking up another mic or two.

[vaesion]

that guy had like 20 stacks..........its hi preference.......hes an old teddy rielly backup singer

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

that guy had like 20 stacks..........its hi preference.......hes an old teddy rielly backup singer

That's ok.

But it still sounds thin instead of thick.

Somewhere the "thickening" is getting lost.

It could be in the mic,pre,room,conversion,processing at mixdown.

You have to go through each and find out which is the missing link.

[vaesion]

seems like no matter what i do I always have an edgy feel to my vocals........i can never get that smooth soft sound. I have about 5 years experience with compression. I dont think its me.........think a la2a may work better for me... would a sm7 be a nice change

[vaesion]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

That's ok.

But it still sounds thin instead of thick.

Somewhere the "thickening" is getting lost.

It could be in the mic,pre,room,conversion,processing at mixdown.

You have to go through each and find out which is the missing link.

its probably me cutting to much low mids and low end out on the eq

it confuses me because when i hear pro pop cds i dont hear any low mids and lows in the vocal. I either have mud or a uncomfortable cut vocal.

I may be wrong but I just feel that if I had a analog eq cutting on the way in I could ge the vocals very close to how they would stay perminently

maybe im not leaving the instruments full enough in the back ground which is making me think i gotta cut the vocal to fit

[vaesion]

regardless of eq ive never even stumbled across a soft smooth vocal with the u87 and distressor combo........
i hear vocals that sound like u could never turn it up loud enough to hurt ur ears,,,,,
so conditioned

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

seems like no matter what i do I always have an edgy feel to my vocals........i can never get that smooth soft sound. I have about 5 years experience with compression. I dont think its me.........think a la2a may work better for me... would a sm7 be a nice change

That's more in the singer and in the mic chain/room.

The guy sounds like he has the smooth thing down, so than its probably the mic chain and the room.

Compression to me sounds like its a small part.

It sounds like you need more help in the other areas.

The LA2A can be great and at times too much.

Look for a used Tubetech CL1B(and change the tubes of course).

It gives you the smooth,buttery sound with more fidelity.

That way you can actually add EQ/comp if you need it after.

The LA2A may put you in a box you may not want to be in.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by vaesion

its probably me cutting to much low mids and low end out on the eq

If i could have a dollar for everytime i've read this i could be a rich man.

[vaesion]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

If i could have a dollar for everytime i've read this i could be a rich man.

im uploading a dry vocal out of their folder........it was recorded with about 3 db compression on the distressor in the opto 10 attack 0 release "la2a"mode

www.deep-productions.com/things its called record 1

tell me what u think

[thethrillfactor]