Rooster Attitude?

[Black Bottle]

I'm interested in buying a Thermionic Culture Rooster. I was originally interested in the Culture Vulture, but then realized that maybe a Rooster will suffice for the distortion element and also give me a couple more pres. It seems like the Rooster is a swiss army knife type of gear that can be used with a variety of sources, which I like. My initial thoughts would be that I could use it for:

1) Tracking. I currently have a 3124+, MP-2NV, Germanium and Chandler MKii. I think it would be good to have a tube pre to compliment my other pres. I like that it would give me the option of adding varying degrees of distortion, but also be relatively clean if that is all I'm looking for as well.

2) 2 Buss. To add some flavor for mixdown. I currently use a Folcrom and patch with pres listed above and Drawmer 1968.

3) Effect Loop: use for distortion effect. I think this might be nice to use with electric guitars, vocals, keys, drums, drum loops, etc.

My questions are:

A) How does the distortion on the rooster compare to the culture vulture? I don't think I'm looking to have 99.9% distortion as the company states in its description of the vulture, but would like to really notice it if I would like that effect.

B) Has anyone compared the distortions between the two units?

Thanks!

[AMIEL]

Seems like a great piece!! just I heard the headroom is not so good...

I guess Roc Mixwell thumbsup can give you a good iput about the rooster..and also how the Mic Pre compared to the Early Bird...and as you said how is the distortion compared to the C vulture.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by AMIEL

Seems like a great piece!! just I heard the headroom is not so good...

I guess Roc Mixwell thumbsup can give you a good iput about the rooster..and also how the Mic Pre compared to the Early Bird...and as you said how is the distortion compared to the C vulture.

The preamps and EQ's are really reminiscent of the Early Bird, [one word: awesome!!] which is one of my favorite tube pre's in the rack. Haven't had the headroom problem that people speak of, [maybe because I move the micorophone, or use a different one for the applciation at hand] but I can see why some people would suggest this issue. The Attitude is MUCH different than the CV, as well as the Bustard; but equally as cool for changing the range of tone the box is capable of.

[mellitunic]

Awesome post

[nicolasmasset]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

The preamps and EQ's are really reminiscent of the Early Bird, [one word: awesome!!] which is one of my favorite tube pre's in the rack. Haven't had the headroom problem that people speak of, [maybe because I move the micorophone, or use a different one for the applciation at hand] but I can see why some people would suggest this issue. The Attitude is MUCH different than the CV, as well as the Bustard; but equally as cool for changing the range of tone the box is capable of.

Hi Roc,

I was thinking about getting a Culture Vulture to route softsynths and drums etc through for dance music. But I just discovered the Rooster, which has the added bonus of mic pre's and eq!

Do you think it would be a good unit to fatten up dance synths compared to the CV?
I currently have a Great River 1NV. If I sell that and add to the budget I had for the CV, I could get the Roooster!

Nicolas

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by nicolasmasset

Hi Roc,

I was thinking about getting a Culture Vulture to route softsynths and drums etc through for dance music. But I just discovered the Rooster, which has the added bonus of mic pre's and eq!

Do you think it would be a good unit to fatten up dance synths compared to the CV?
I currently have a Great River 1NV. If I sell that and add to the budget I had for the CV, I could get the Roooster!

Nicolas

Dude! Don't Sell your Great River. Save you dough! You gotta get em both!! Scratch that; you gotta get them ALL!! The way I see it, none of these boxes replace each other. In fact; they are so remarkably different its scary. Words cannot really define what these boxes really do, but I'll try;

CV: Can take you from warm and fuzzy with a coating of harmonic juice; to blisteringly broken mangled and destructed. Its not a stereo processor. Its two channels. You can only match the channels with your ear, not the controls for the most part. Its a GREAT box for building density and "thickening" with harmonic distortion [the good kind] as well as GTR/SYNTH/KEY direct; for tone shaping and HF transient rounding. There are too many possibilities for me to put into a post. This box has no mic amps; so right there; you can't really compare it with the Rooster.

Rooster: The Mic amps are notably smooth [like old PULTEC preamps] the EQ is BAD ASS [Like old PULTEC 's] and the Distortion [Attitude] is a variation on the CV distortion [quite a bit more mellow] [kind of similar to the Fat Bustard, but not] and the tone shaping is great!! You can do some really cool tricks with the filters and equalizers. +1K for the Rooster!!!!

[nicolasmasset]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Dude! Don't Sell your Great River. Save you dough! You gotta get em both!! Scratch that; you gotta get them ALL!! The way I see it, none of these boxes replace each other. In fact; they are so remarkably different its scary. Words cannot really define what these boxes really do, but I'll try;

CV: Can take you from warm and fuzzy with a coating of harmonic juice; to blisteringly broken mangled and destructed. Its not a stereo processor. Its two channels. You can only match the channels with your ear, not the controls for the most part. Its a GREAT box for building density and "thickening" with harmonic distortion [the good kind] as well as GTR/SYNTH/KEY direct; for tone shaping and HF transient rounding. There are too many possibilities for me to put into a post. This box has no mic amps; so right there; you can't really compare it with the Rooster.

Rooster: The Mic amps are notably smooth [like old PULTEC preamps] the EQ is BAD ASS [Like old PULTEC 's] and the Distortion [Attitude] is a variation on the CV distortion [quite a bit more mellow] [kind of similar to the Fat Bustard, but not] and the tone shaping is great!! You can do some really cool tricks with the filters and equalizers. +1K for the Rooster!!!!

Yeah, ideally I would get em all, but I can't really justify having 4 orpheus pre's, 1 GR pre and then possibly 2 rooster pre's when all I record is my voice, my guitar and a couple synths, one at a time by the way!! I also only have 1 good mic, the pearlman tm1! Solo project here.. I'd rather spend the saved money on my first outboard comp or something! I bought the orpheus specifically to get some outboard gear for dance.

So my reasoning is: I want something to fatten up synths, and I'm sure the CV would do that just fine, but I don't really need blisteringly broken mangled and destructed, just something subtle valve warming. With the rooster I would get moderate distortion warming + EQ + 2nd DI for the synths, and the pre's on top. But you mentioned it isn't stereo. I'm confused about that, you mean you can't go in your daw, on one stereo track, but you have to use two mono tracks and pan them?

I know all pre's are different but if the rooster does my TM1 just fine, then I don't see why I wouldn't make the switch, it'd be less clutter and a more multifunctional unit!

Anybody know if it's worth waiting for messe for possible new products?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by nicolasmasset

Yeah, ideally I would get em all, but I can't really justify having 4 orpheus pre's, 1 GR pre and then possibly 2 rooster pre's when all I record is my voice, my guitar and a couple synths, one at a time by the way!! I also only have 1 good mic, the pearlman tm1! Solo project here.. I'd rather spend the saved money on my first outboard comp or something! I bought the orpheus specifically to get some outboard gear for dance.

So my reasoning is: I want something to fatten up synths, and I'm sure the CV would do that just fine, but I don't really need blisteringly broken mangled and destructed, just something subtle valve warming. With the rooster I would get moderate distortion warming + EQ + 2nd DI for the synths, and the pre's on top. But you mentioned it isn't stereo. I'm confused about that, you mean you can't go in your daw, on one stereo track, but you have to use two mono tracks and pan them?

I know all pre's are different but if the rooster does my TM1 just fine, then I don't see why I wouldn't make the switch, it'd be less clutter and a more multifunctional unit!

Anybody know if it's worth waiting for messe for possible new products?

What I mean about the CV is that to set the L/R channels for stereo operation; it has nothing to do with "matching the controls on the box". You can certainly use it for stereo program; but you should ALWAYS use your ears to match the Sides. That's all. Sounds like the Rooster is a better choice for you, as the distortion is more mellow and can really thicken things up nicely. I'd say you're on the right path for certain!

[nicolasmasset]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

What I mean about the CV is that to set the L/R channels for stereo operation; it has nothing to do with "matching the controls on the box". You can certainly use it for stereo program; but you should ALWAYS use your ears to match the Sides. That's all. Sounds like the Rooster is a better choice for you, as the distortion is more mellow and can really thicken things up nicely. I'd say you're on the right path for certain!

Thanks! I think so too Perhaps a final question if you have the time: Any thoughts on the difference between the pre's of the Rooster and my GR? I usually like to set my GR to 20-25 input, impendance on, 0-10 output for vocals. Is the Rooster going to be more coloured?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by nicolasmasset

Thanks! I think so too Perhaps a final question if you have the time: Any thoughts on the difference between the pre's of the Rooster and my GR? I usually like to set my GR to 20-25 input, impendance on, 0-10 output for vocals. Is the Rooster going to be more coloured?

Way different. They sound softer, more colored, have a very "pillowy" mid and low end, with more rounded and "liquid" top. Throw the EQ/Attitude into the mix and its an entirely different sport.

[nicolasmasset]

Originally Posted by Roc Mixwell

Way different. They sound softer, more colored, have a very "pillowy" mid and low end, with more rounded and "liquid" top. Throw the EQ/Attitude into the mix and its an entirely different sport.

Hmm, interesting. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be too much valve: my pearlman AND the rooster. My vocals are mostly for pop and dance stuff.

I guess it comes down to the age old saying: You have to hear it for yourself!
Problem is as always finding a demo unit in belgium :/

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by nicolasmasset

Hmm, interesting. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be too much valve: my pearlman AND the rooster. My vocals are mostly for pop and dance stuff.

I guess it comes down to the age old saying: You have to hear it for yourself!
Problem is as always finding a demo unit in belgium :/

It would be fine with the TM1. You gotta "work" this stuff for it to do what you want.

Tubes on Tubes does not bother me. I personally don't get all the fuss about being "weary" of too many glowing thing's on the path. Its the topology that really matters.