so many transformers

[Falken]

I am trying to achieve really big classic rock/alternative sounds. What is the best way to incorporate transformers into my setup in order to acheive these types of sounds? I currently use a tape machine and an outboard mixer, with outboard gear, and mix to tape as well, before transferring to the PC.

some gear I have seen includes microphones with transformer outputs, preamps, tape machines, mixers, and even eq units with transformer outputs. how many layers are necessary? should I be trying to apply this sound to certain tracks while mixing and/or tracking, or on subgroups or the master bus as a whole? Should I capture it to tape or add it afterwards, or both? or am I just really confused?

I am only asking because I know other people have gone through these same exact decisions and I could use some advice and opinions. example albums would be the classic rock and alternative albums like electric ladyland, purple, ritual de lo habitual, etc etc. thanks!!

[nosebleedaudio]

You simply have to Listen, Not to discourage you but this is where a good engineer and or producer comes in handy, they can hear a sound and know if its going to fit the song and part.. No one can tell you what is too much, or know what's in your head regarding the sound your after. Comparing other music is a start but what part of that song are you trying to duplicate?
It seems like today some people think if you copy the signal path the engineer used on Steely Dan, or Bonham's drums it will sound like them, its not that simple...
Not saying your one of those, just a observation...
Also remember this that those musicians and engineers were doing that for several years...

[Sqye]

I had to check in - I saw "blah, blah, blah transformers", and I knew there was potential for some heavy GS posting here. Give it a minute.

[Falken]

see, I am in the process of upgrading my studio. And I was just wondering, does it make more sense to go after this sound in the deck, the mixer, or outboard gear? Now that I have gotten a taste of it, I am starting to "hear" it on all of my favorite records, and I want to copy it. I know it has nothing to do with qualtiy at this point its taste and style and I think this is the sound I want. If I'm totally confused and hearing something else just let me know but I think I'm getting closer to the sound I want. Thanks.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Falken

how many layers are necessary?Should I capture it to tape or add it afterwards, or both? or am I just really confused?

For any kind of guitar driven rock projects (even mostly acoustic music) I think transformers rule. 90% of what I use in the way of microphones, preamps, DI's, compressors, EQ's, tape machine (multitrack) and tape machine (stereo mixdown) all use transformers on the input and output of the device (except for the mics of course). They are utilized during tracking to a great extent, and during mixdown also (my console is transformerless, but I insert all sorts of analog outboard during mix, and also mix to a tape machine which has transformers). And it still sounds very big and open and clean (just very organic and musical IMHO).

So on a typical project one single track (say lead vocal, or guitar amp), from the moment it's laid down, to the time it hits CD will go through around 13 transformers for tracking and mixdown (includes individual tracks & stereo mixdown). Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less (I'm not making it a specific point to get to a certain number, I just happen to have perferences of gear for each instrument). It didn't used to be this way for me, but the more I became picky about the tools I used, and the more I A/B/C/D'd different things it just so happened that those were the sounds I was after and preferred. And they were all necessary to get the sound I was after in my head. Skills are ultimately important, but you can't will the sound of a St. Ives or Sowter or UTC iron core transformer into existence no matter how good you are.