Hey, Hey, UBK...

[Mojo]

Wow, that could be the beginning of a great protest chant; Slutz, feel free to finish the rhyme, extra points for political, K? ("is LBJ in the SLA?" is disqualified, cuz he's dead and Patty Hearst ain't))

The point of this post is how well UBK's demo video tells the story of his compressor mod-very few web videos translate so well, so what I gotta know is, "how'd he do dat?" I would presume that it's mostly direct, the commentary is miked, the visuals are helpfully in sync, but I gotta know the details, how was this achieved? Cameras, mics, whatever, I wanna know how it was done, because I think it's extremely effective, and that's kinda rare for a compression demo, IMO.

[gwailoh]

"Hey hey UBK
how many tunes did you squash today?"

(Protest chant for those who dislike compression.)

(I like compression.)

(UBK: Yr Fatso seems like a totally awesome thing. This rhyme is sheer joking.)

[u b k]

Originally Posted by Mojo

I would presume that it's mostly direct, the commentary is miked, the visuals are helpfully in sync, but I gotta know the details, how was this achieved? Cameras, mics, whatever, I wanna know how it was done, because I think it's extremely effective, and that's kinda rare for a compression demo, IMO.

First off, thanks for the compliments. Second, you pretty much guessed the basic procedure, there was nothing fancy or tricky about it. That's not to say it was easy (it wasn't), but it was very simple, very uncomplicated.

The gear consisted of one $600 handheld Canon to do the video, one $100 lav from AT that I chose at random because J&R had one in stock, and direct recording of the compressors into the DAW. When I'm not talking the lav is muted.

I don't know what exactly makes the demo so effective, I do know that it has at least something to do with the content but mostly I suspect it's just knowing the strengths of the UBK Fatso inside and out and coming up with some good ways to show them off. It doesn't take any gimmicks or flash, most of this high end stuff has really strong points that, if highlighted the right way, become obvious.

What I will say is that it took me one evening to shoot the unscripted footage, and 4 weeks to edit it into something that flowed. Granted, I worked for 2-3 hours at a time every few nights, but still, it was a lot more work than you might think. Editing is to video what mixing is to audio, it's the make-or-break final filter thru which all the accumulated goodness passes thru and it either comes together, becoming something great in the process, or it fails to gel and does not become what it has the potential to be.


Gregory Scott - ubk
.

[Croaker]

Hey UBK, where you goin with that FATSO in your hand.
Hey UBK, I said where you goin with that FATSO in your hand....

[opentune]

Originally Posted by Mojo

Hey, Hey, UBK...

Slutz, feel free to finish the rhyme,

Does it rhyme? Isn´t it UBK like in "ubique" (latin for "everywhere")...?

Anyway, the video is very effective. Lots of sounds and no blabla...

[steelyfan]

hey hey, UBK
I ditched the computer and I'm here to say
no mousing around or endless pluggs that lie
but need a coca colored box to make it all right

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by u b k

First off, thanks for the compliments. Second, you pretty much guessed the basic procedure, there was nothing fancy or tricky about it. That's not to say it was easy (it wasn't), but it was very simple, very uncomplicated.

The gear consisted of one $600 handheld Canon to do the video, one $100 lav from AT that I chose at random because J&R had one in stock, and direct recording of the compressors into the DAW. When I'm not talking the lav is muted.

I don't know what exactly makes the demo so effective, I do know that it has at least something to do with the content but mostly I suspect it's just knowing the strengths of the UBK Fatso inside and out and coming up with some good ways to show them off. It doesn't take any gimmicks or flash, most of this high end stuff has really strong points that, if highlighted the right way, become obvious.

What I will say is that it took me one evening to shoot the unscripted footage, and 4 weeks to edit it into something that flowed. Granted, I worked for 2-3 hours at a time every few nights, but still, it was a lot more work than you might think. Editing is to video what mixing is to audio, it's the make-or-break final filter thru which all the accumulated goodness passes thru and it either comes together, becoming something great in the process, or it fails to gel and does not become what it has the potential to be.


Gregory Scott - ubk
.

Thank you very kindly. A couple more questions, if I may? Which editing software did you use and how did you decide which of about a zillion formats to post it in? Also, and I think I already know what the answer is, but are you aware of any comparable software compressors capable of achieving similar results? (might be nice to be able to automate the knobs-but I'm saving pennies for your box, anyway-everybody needs at least one really good hardware compressor, )

[u b k]

I used Logic and iMovie 6. I exported in cd-rom quality and full-res, .mov format. I'm a simple man, I didn't sweat codecs or compression schemes or anything.

The demo even sounds good and the effects are clear on youtube. This really is a case where good content transcends the brutality of digital processing, and is a strong argument in favor of the power of analog gear. Analog is the only way I know of to get sounds so beefed up that they can withstand serious dsp massacring afterwards.

Also, and I think I already know what the answer is, but are you aware of any comparable software compressors capable of achieving similar results?

You are correct: you already know what my answer is.


Gregory Scott - ubk
.

[Fastermouse]

I am so impressed by that video, that this is now my number one gear lust. Nice job.

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by Croaker

Hey UBK, where you goin with that FATSO in your hand.
Hey UBK, I said where you goin with that FATSO in your hand....

I'm goin' down to shoot my intern
Caught him messin' 'round with a C4 Multi-band.

[Silver Sonya]

Originally Posted by Croaker

Hey UBK, where you goin with that FATSO in your hand.
Hey UBK, I said where you goin with that FATSO in your hand....

Ha! You guys are serious nerds!



- c

[Hardtoe]

This video is so inspiring that I have been using it to teach myself about the different comp models on the URS pro - If I had $2500 this sucker would be mine today! The video simply lets you hear the delicious variety of amazing sounds with little hype - just pure frequency juice...

[hawaii82]

Bravo..want one !!!

really great job....thumbsup

[nick-the-sax]

i'm also lusting after one of these.

doesn't help that UBIK is one of my favourite novels of all time either! nice job on mimicking the book cover's vibe with the colour scheme, Mr Scott!

[Tone Laborer]

Originally Posted by Unclenny

I'm goin' down to shoot my intern
Caught him messin' 'round with a C4 Multi-band.

AAAH-