Lil' Freq

StuartMac · 5th August 2005, 05:58 PM

I've had one of these for a few months now, but I wanted to wait until I'd really used it before posting any impressions.

First of all, it's an extremely flexible and versatile tool. I know Dave Derr was aiming for something that could be used in both a clean AND coloured way, and I think he succeeded pretty well. Personally, I have been enjoying the subtle colour you can get from it at mixdown on vocals. The two different outputs are very handy as well (electronically balanced or transformer balanced, I believe) and the difference between them is often quite pronounced - especially on bass DI.

It's also a very powerful unit, in that seemingly minor changes go a long way. The filters are well-selected, as are the shelving frequencies (initially I thought the HF started a little low in theory, but in practice it works well). The de-esser is really excellent, although again a little goes a long way - this is one section where it's easy to overdo things and screw things up.

Nice surprises? The HF limiter and the de-esser do a nice job on lessening hi-hat bleed on snare tracks. It is excellent for lead vocals at mix down (in fact, I think I have used it on every lead vocal since I got it, including one singer who has the hardest voice to capture that I have ever heard!!). It can get very surgical with a nice tight Q. It's also very musical and has a very smooth top-end - not quite in the league of the Ibis, but loads better than my Audient console EQ or my Expounders.

Finally, the DI is great for bass. I didn't bother with it for weeks, and then for once had a couple of hours spare one day for a little shoot-out. I've always loved the DI on the IBP for bass, and the Lil' Freq was similar but a little richer and fuller sounding. As mentioned the two outputs were radically different as well - one far more modern, the other softer and warmer.

It's a great unit, really. In fact I'm surprised nobody's snapped up the pair Barforama has for sale,.

brownmouse · 5th August 2005, 09:04 PM

cool man, thanks for sharing. i may have to grab one real soon.
joshua

kevinc · 6th August 2005, 05:02 AM

I`d like to get one as well but I`m kind of stuck on the idea of the Great River EQ right now.

I`m wondering why we haven`t heard more on the freq.

You`d think people would be all over it by now.

The HF limiter feature looks really cool.

Dave just thinks up some really neat shit. I`m wondering what he`s gonna come up with next.

Klauth · 8th August 2005, 10:08 PM

I agree, I havn't really been able to find alot of "real world" user info. on the lil freq. kinda surprised by that! the distressor was the same way. I ended up getting 4 of those for my kiks and snare and was very happy. my lil freq is reported to arrive this saturday and I'm expecting "big things" if I like it i'll get another. I was going to get a couple of API 560's but, I was so happy with the empirical labs that I decided to try out more of their stuff......The Klauth.

Kesadiq · 8th August 2005, 11:30 PM

How would you compare the de-esser on the Lil' freq, to the DBX 902?

I was thinking about getting 2 of these, for my vocal chain, instead of
trying to get 902's to go along with my current vocal Eq and Compressor.

Thanks

StuartMac · 9th August 2005, 08:22 AM

I don't have a 902 here, but I do have an SPL De-esser and a Drawmer MX50. The Lil Freq is a good deal more transparent than either of these when set properly, but takes a little more time to set up initially

studjo · 9th August 2005, 09:50 PM

I think the little freq is a very deep unit. I have one for checking out at the moment. I know that I need way more time to find all the sweetness Dave put in that thing. But the deesser is THE shit - I really like it. I don't have to turn thos knobs too far - a little goes a long way - if you move one pot, you'll hear it imediately; that's how I like it.

I might get one or two

Jo

mixerguy · 6th July 2007, 08:42 AM

I own one channel, and totally love it.

Recently i was able to rescue a poorly recorded lead vocal with it.

I'm now considering a second one.....

studjo · 6th July 2007, 03:03 PM

little update - I have 2 now - meanwhile I changed to a bigger desk with an amazing EQ, so I don't use em that much anymore but the De-esser is still great and the HF comp comes in very handy - I won't sell em (I didn't mention that the Lowcut is amazing too - Dave for President)

Jo

mixerguy · 6th August 2007, 07:18 AM

I just bought my second Lil Freq - damn that Dave Derr!

(kidding)

GYang · 6th August 2007, 08:12 AM

It's Lil Freq admiration thread.
Actually, never heard anything less than good or great opinions on them.
IMO they are excellent.

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5th August 2005, 05:58 PM	#1
StuartMac Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 810	Lil' Freq I've had one of these for a few months now, but I wanted to wait until I'd really used it before posting any impressions. First of all, it's an extremely flexible and versatile tool. I know Dave Derr was aiming for something that could be used in both a clean AND coloured way, and I think he succeeded pretty well. Personally, I have been enjoying the subtle colour you can get from it at mixdown on vocals. The two different outputs are very handy as well (electronically balanced or transformer balanced, I believe) and the difference between them is often quite pronounced - especially on bass DI. It's also a very powerful unit, in that seemingly minor changes go a long way. The filters are well-selected, as are the shelving frequencies (initially I thought the HF started a little low in theory, but in practice it works well). The de-esser is really excellent, although again a little goes a long way - this is one section where it's easy to overdo things and screw things up. Nice surprises? The HF limiter and the de-esser do a nice job on lessening hi-hat bleed on snare tracks. It is excellent for lead vocals at mix down (in fact, I think I have used it on every lead vocal since I got it, including one singer who has the hardest voice to capture that I have ever heard!!). It can get very surgical with a nice tight Q. It's also very musical and has a very smooth top-end - not quite in the league of the Ibis, but loads better than my Audient console EQ or my Expounders. Finally, the DI is great for bass. I didn't bother with it for weeks, and then for once had a couple of hours spare one day for a little shoot-out. I've always loved the DI on the IBP for bass, and the Lil' Freq was similar but a little richer and fuller sounding. As mentioned the two outputs were radically different as well - one far more modern, the other softer and warmer. It's a great unit, really. In fact I'm surprised nobody's snapped up the pair Barforama has for sale,.

6th August 2005, 05:02 AM	#3
kevinc Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,464	I`d like to get one as well but I`m kind of stuck on the idea of the Great River EQ right now. I`m wondering why we haven`t heard more on the freq. You`d think people would be all over it by now. The HF limiter feature looks really cool. Dave just thinks up some really neat shit. I`m wondering what he`s gonna come up with next. __________________ - Kev

6th July 2007, 03:03 PM	#9
studjo Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1,899	little update - I have 2 now - meanwhile I changed to a bigger desk with an amazing EQ, so I don't use em that much anymore but the De-esser is still great and the HF comp comes in very handy - I won't sell em (I didn't mention that the Lowcut is amazing too - Dave for President) Jo __________________ www.myspace.com/studjo1

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5th August 2005, 09:04 PM	#2
brownmouse Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,241	cool man, thanks for sharing. i may have to grab one real soon. joshua

8th August 2005, 10:08 PM	#4
Klauth Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 228	I agree, I havn't really been able to find alot of "real world" user info. on the lil freq. kinda surprised by that! the distressor was the same way. I ended up getting 4 of those for my kiks and snare and was very happy. my lil freq is reported to arrive this saturday and I'm expecting "big things" if I like it i'll get another. I was going to get a couple of API 560's but, I was so happy with the empirical labs that I decided to try out more of their stuff......The Klauth.

8th August 2005, 11:30 PM	#5
Kesadiq Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 57	How would you compare the de-esser on the Lil' freq, to the DBX 902? I was thinking about getting 2 of these, for my vocal chain, instead of trying to get 902's to go along with my current vocal Eq and Compressor. Thanks

9th August 2005, 08:22 AM	#6
StuartMac Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 810	I don't have a 902 here, but I do have an SPL De-esser and a Drawmer MX50. The Lil Freq is a good deal more transparent than either of these when set properly, but takes a little more time to set up initially

9th August 2005, 09:50 PM	#7
studjo Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1,899	I think the little freq is a very deep unit. I have one for checking out at the moment. I know that I need way more time to find all the sweetness Dave put in that thing. But the deesser is THE shit - I really like it. I don't have to turn thos knobs too far - a little goes a long way - if you move one pot, you'll hear it imediately; that's how I like it. I might get one or two Jo

6th July 2007, 08:42 AM	#8
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,016	I own one channel, and totally love it. Recently i was able to rescue a poorly recorded lead vocal with it. I'm now considering a second one.....

6th August 2007, 07:18 AM	#10
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,016	I just bought my second Lil Freq - damn that Dave Derr! (kidding)

6th August 2007, 08:12 AM	#11
GYang Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Moscow Posts: 2,764	It's Lil Freq admiration thread. Actually, never heard anything less than good or great opinions on them. IMO they are excellent.