Anyone using the Rascal Audio Analogue Tonebuss?

[evillain]

I can not find an updated thread on this piece of gear as it is really new. The Tape OP review of this was really good.

Is anyone using it and able to share some of their thoughts on it?

I am seriously considering this as my next gear purchase....or a Burl B2...or an Anamod ATS1. I am working purely in the box (but with BLA 002, API pres, good mics)...and I want something to add some analog goodness to my mixing.

I , and I assume many others, would love to hear some reviews on the ToneBuss.

cheers.

[kidvybes]

...I can't really comment on the Tone Buss directly, but can I tell you that Joel Cameron at Rascal Audio is a straight up guy...he has rebuilt and serviced both vintage Neve preamps and tube microphones for me and he is always reliable and more than fair in his pricing...I have heard good things about his Tone Buss, but there's no doubt that Joel is quite knowledgeable where Neve circuits (iron in, iron out) are concerned...

...I'd recommend emailing him directly...he can tell you which studios currently use his products for references...

[Fleaman]

Well the Anamod is specifically a tape saturation box, while the others mentioned are not.

If you already have good analog outboard gear that you are working through, pre's (you mentioned API), EQ's, comps, then I would myself look into the Anamod.

Heck, even if I didn't have any analog OTB gear, I would still look into the anamod, it does tape so well, it reduces your need for more EQ and Compression.

[bluecouchstudio]

i have a prototype. it has the new transformers as well as some older API style transformers. it's by far the best sounding analog summing box i have heard. i do mostly mastering now and actually run a lot of my masters through it for the tone quality. a lot of the other summing boxes are so sterile. i asked Joel to build me one years and years ago because i could tell he shared my love for great tone. i don't think you will be disappointed.

ps - i prefer to run the box hot. it really needs warm-up time (30 minutes minimum), but i would also run the level up. i think it sounds better when the transformers are pushed a little.

[Rascal Audio]

Hi, all,

I've been watching to see if anyone chimes in on this thread, but I guess of the few dozen ToneBuss users out there, none are regularly on Gearslutz. So I got permission from a couple of folks to share their comments publicly:

“I love this thing! The ToneBuss is always in my chain. I monitor through it, I overdub through it, I mix through it. Sometimes I just have the main 2 buss out of Pro Tools going through it, sometimes I spread out the mix into 12 stereo stems. Either way, it's a huge checkmark off my list of must haves for a great analog console sound, and a way to get mixes melding together quickly.”

Paul Mills
PCM Productions
Nashville, TN

“I'm a big fan of ProTools HD, but the Tonebuss has breathed new life into my mixes. I finally have that expensive big board sound- clear, warm and with much more definition. We would never mix another Beatlegras project without it!”

Dave Walser
Beatlegras.com

“Joel,

I just returned from a 3 week trip and I have wanted to get in touch.

The ToneBuss has made some substantive improvements to our mixes. In addition we feel it's been a bit easier and faster to mix since we've added the ToneBuss.

Our setup may differ from most of your users. We record thru Apogee Rosetta 800s into DP6. We then return to 2 Yamaha O2R 96 consoles. The 16 O2R Busses (set up in the console template) feed the ToneBuss and finally sum to the SSL bus compressor for mixdown. We often mix fifty or more cues per week so workflow and simplicity is a priority. Working with the ToneBuss has been totally transparent. We just mix, and the result is a tighter bottom end and a more focused sound overall.

Thanks so much!”

David

David Schwartz Music
Pacific Palisades, CA

And perhaps my personal favorite (from a text message I just got last night):

“Dude, you're a genius!!! I finally patched up your box & I'm freaking out! It sounds amazing... check your email.”

[and the subsequent email]:

“DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS BOX IS THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!!

I finally got the mix finished and I mixed through my Folcrom/API, then after printing and finished I decided to switch to your box...bigger, more open, more sweet, more space, the highs are sweeter, more depth...the mix is tighter but somehow, has more detail! Best of both worlds...I LOVE IT!!!!”

Vince Reynolds
Harmonic Distortion
Dallas, TX

The two consistent things I hear from users is 1) they love how it shapes the character of the signals summed through it -- how it really imparts the feel of a nice console. Comments like “everything that goes in just comes out sounding better,” etc. 2) they also love how it speeds the mixing process, since its tone and dynamic character tends to glue things together in an intuitive and flattering way with much less processing needed from you DAW's plug-ins.

I like how Thom Monahan put it, "it just sounds like a record!"

I'm in the process of setting up dealers now, but currently it is still a direct sale. Since I'm not in a position to be able to send demo units all over, I give people 10 days to return it if they aren't happy.

To date, no one taken me up on the offer to return it. I can't describe just how good that makes me feel. People really do love it.

By all means, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I am a true gear dweeb, and I love talking shop.

I hope this is helpful information.

Much peace to all,

Joel Cameron
Rascal Audio // Tone.

[bluecouchstudio]

Good stuff Joel. Thanks for the update. I'm glad things are going well with the ToneBuss.

[DONNX]

Any new users?

[Googlyman]

updates anyone?

[Ojah]

I've just received mine this morning and after playing with it for a few hours all i can say is that this thing is awesome!!

As it has been said here straight away you can notice an improvement in stereo imaging, depth and clarity. Elements sit better and easier in the mix and it feels tighter and more open at the same time. Reverbs and delays have a new dimension too.

This thing really does sound like a big vintage analogue console, and a good one! And it sounds better than any other summing box i have tried (usual suspects...).

Allthough i will need some time to get my head around proper gain staging between the DAW and this, the two ruff mixes i have done sound way better than their ITB versions.

After hearing the quality of this little beast i think this unit is seriously well priced. I took the risk of buying it before trying (as i couldn't find anyone in UK who had it) and it has been totally worth it.

In case you were wondering it's the 16 channel version fed by an Aurora 16. It is built like a tank and feels really solid, like proper gear should.

Thanks Joel for creating this little beast, the combination of transformers you came up with is killer!

[soundtrack2life]

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on one. . . . . .If I am going to do OTB summing I think I would prefer something with a little color and tone. The only thing in this price range other then the ToneBuss to me would be to go with a passive summing box and use a preamp for the make up gain. . . . . . decisions. . . decisions.

[sergioelectro]

hELLO,

How does the TB compare with other cloured summing boxes also with transformers?

For example the Chandler mini mixer.

I am really looking with a summing bow with character and tone, adding some instant analog weight.

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinions.

Regards

SErgio

[jordanvoth]

Can anyone tell me how this would compare to a dangerous 2buslt? I'm in the market for a summing box.

[soundtrack2life]

Originally Posted by sergioelectro

hELLO,

How does the TB compare with other cloured summing boxes also with transformers?

For example the Chandler mini mixer.

I am really looking with a summing bow with character and tone, adding some instant analog weight.

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinions.

Regards

SErgio

Originally Posted by jordanvoth

Can anyone tell me how this would compare to a dangerous 2buslt? I'm in the market for a summing box.

FWIW since Vintage King Audio is the only seller of the ToneBuss it would be great if they could add audio examples to their "Hear The Gear" summing mixer section on their web page. API 8200 Audio Samples | VintageKing.com this way we could compare the ToneBuss to the other summing boxes mentioned in this thread (You can click on the examples on the right of the page under the drop down menu).
Joe

[soundtrack2life]

Just ordered the ToneBuss from Vintage King Audio!

[soundtrack2life]

After ordering the 24 channel ToneBuss I decided to have a couple of "after market" mods done! This of coarse will make it non returnable as it will no longer be stock. Mod # 1: an added switch on the faceplate that will send the stereo output to the DB25 channels 7 & 8 of the summed signal "before" it hits the internal make up amplifier. I am sure I will be using the ToneBuse with its internal make up gain a majority of the time. However I will now have the option to use other preamps that I own as well. Mod # 2: I do not have the need for the switchable through puts on 5 & 6. So I opted for to change them to additional panning for channels 5-8 switchable "L/R" or "C" (center). I am very excited about this addition to the studio! I have been pretty much all ITB for almost the last 10 years and I am looking forward to summing & incorporating some analog gear back into my work flow again.
Joe

[soundtrack2life]

Now that I have had some time to live with the ToneBuss I thought I would post my opinions. I am simply blown away!! This is one of the best investments I have made for my studio in a long time. I remixed a few songs through it that I had originally done ITB and the difference was huge! It was like I picked up the speakers and moved them out another foot on each side. The placement of instruments now have more definition & clarity. The low end is beautiful. . . . I could go on and on but the bottom line is there is just some sort of instant magic mojo that happens with the ToneBuss! Not only does the ToneBuss sound wonderful it is built really solid! First rate workmanship under the hood (I couldn't help myself to take a peek and picture before I installed it in the wall rack). As previously mentioned I immediately had Joel perform a couple of aftermarket mods for me. FWIW I am still happy I had the mod done where Joel added a switch to route the summed signal out prior to his make up amp. But to be honest I have experimented with adding my own preamps and so far none top the one built into the ToneBuss All I can say is I wish I had done this a long time ago. . . . but better late then never! Joel was great to deal with and I highly recommend the ToneBuss to anyone considering using a summing box to mix OTB
Joe

[t_d]

i'm hoping to pick one of these up in a short while. after years of going back and forth on summing i really need to try it for myself and the tonebuss seems like the one for me. i don't want anything too subtle, i definitely want tone and color.

(as well, this thing looks like it was designed by Dieter Rams, so beautiful)

happy to hear you really like it. i look forward to trying one as well.

[sergioelectro]

Originally Posted by soundtrack2life

Now that I have had some time to live with the ToneBuss I thought I would post my opinions. I am simply blown away!! This is one of the best investments I have made for my studio in a long time. I remixed a few songs through it that I had originally done ITB and the difference was huge! It was like I picked up the speakers and moved them out another foot on each side. The placement of instruments now have more definition & clarity. The low end is beautiful. . . . I could go on and on but the bottom line is there is just some sort of instant magic mojo that happens with the ToneBuss! Not only does the ToneBuss sound wonderful it is built really solid! First rate workmanship under the hood (I couldn't help myself to take a peek and picture before I installed it in the wall rack). As previously mentioned I immediately had Joel perform a couple of aftermarket mods for me. FWIW I am still happy I had the mod done where Joel added a switch to route the summed signal out prior to his make up amp. But to be honest I have experimented with adding my own preamps and so far none top the one built into the ToneBuss All I can say is I wish I had done this a long time ago. . . . but better late then never! Joel was great to deal with and I highly recommend the ToneBuss to anyone considering using a summing box to mix OTB
Joe

Hello,

Could you post audio samples between your two mixes : ITB VS TONEBUS

ALso what souundcard or converter do you use ?

Regards

Sergio

[soundtrack2life]

Originally Posted by sergioelectro

Hello,

Could you post audio samples between your two mixes : ITB VS TONEBUS

ALso what souundcard or converter do you use ?

Regards

Sergio

Sergio, sorry I do not have permission to post the original or remix. And even if I could this was not a "controlled scientific comparison". I did not simply redirect the outputs from the existing ITB mix to the ToneBuss. I did as stated "Remix" the music. Therefore to be honest this could cause much debate. However I will say this much I like what I hear and ease of how everything comes together. As for the converters and sound card. I am using 8 channels of Lavry Blue converters for my AD and DA I have 24 channels of Digi 192 DA's. As happy as I am I think this is one of the things each individual has to try and make a decision for themselves. . . . . YMMV
Joe

[Ojah]

I'm still loving this every single day....

[t_d]

i may be ready soon to get my ToneBuss.. and have a question..

my audio interface is a black lion modded MOTU192.. it's got 12 outputs... i'm debating between the 16 and 24 channel ToneBusses... clearly, at this point i wouldn't even be able to fill a 16 because my MOTU only has 12 outputs...

but.. at one point.. i COULD get another MOTU192 and go from 12 to 24 outputs..and then be really able to use a 24 ch. ToneBuss...

but, then at that point i'm spending $4000 and i might as well get a 24 channel Toft ATB or something. (i already have the little Toft 4 channel ATB as a front end)

so, a bit of a dilemma.. i'm weighing 16 vs 24 ch. ToneBuss but leaning heavily towards the 16...

[bluecouchstudio]

Just get the 16 channel version. That's plenty of summing. And get the Tonebuss. If you like analog, you will be happy. Promise.

[t_d]

yeah, i've decided on the 16... and i love analog.. i love lo-fi.. i want dirty and colored and saturated... the ToneBuss seems to be the first summing mixer that isn't shy of imparting some color.

my next question is where to buy it? vintage king has them... but does Joel sell direct? i assume he'll make more money on a direct sale than he does from vintage king...

and, of course, i'm looking for the best price....

[soundtrack2life]

Unless it has changes since I got mine last spring Vintage King is the only distributor of the ToneBuss.

[sergioelectro]

Originally Posted by t_d

yeah, i've decided on the 16... and i love analog.. i love lo-fi.. i want dirty and colored and saturated... the ToneBuss seems to be the first summing mixer that isn't shy of imparting some color.

my next question is where to buy it? vintage king has them... but does Joel sell direct? i assume he'll make more money on a direct sale than he does from vintage king...

and, of course, i'm looking for the best price....

Please tell us when you buy it and give us your opinion !!

Thanks

Sergio

[sergioelectro]

ANYMORE COMMENTS ON THE TONEBUSS?

I was said it would be the closest unit to achieve that Neve 70's creamy sound ??

major improvment ?

Sergio

[t_d]

i should sort everything out with joel @ rascal in the coming week and will hopefully have mine soon!

[soundtrack2life]

Originally Posted by t_d

i should sort everything out with joel @ rascal in the coming week and will hopefully have mine soon!

You are going to love it! Awesome summing box
Joe

[t_d]

sorted everything out with Joel who was kind enough to talk through a hookup scheme in my complicated studio wiring.... and my ToneBuss has been shipped today (i hope!) and i'll have it next week. really looking forward to trying it out.

[DoctorG]

Anyone heard the ToneBuss next to the Chandler Mini Mixer?