When was the last time you...

[Mike Tholen]

I do it everyday...on a Helios desk.

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by Tim L

...a full project using just the mic pre's on the console

That would be 1995.

I'm not likely to do it again, regardless of the console. Call me spoiled, but being able to match different sounds to the characteristics of different pres and build textures that way adds a depth and realism to the mix.

Using one pre or one type of pre for everything locks you into a particular sound/color and aural imprint. Some may regard it as a cute trick for a special effect on a particular mix, a gimmick if you will - but my view is why make an entire meal out of only spinach (or any other single vegetable) when there are so many other flavors and textures to complement and enhance cuisine.

[Tim L]

Originally Posted by DarkSky

That would be 1995.

I'm not likely to do it again, regardless of the console. Call me spoiled, but being able to match different sounds to the characteristics of different pres and build textures that way adds a depth and realism to the mix.

Using one pre or one type of pre for everything locks you into a particular sound/color and aural imprint. Some may regard it as a cute trick for a special effect on a particular mix, a gimmick if you will - but my view is why make an entire meal out of only spinach (or any other single vegetable) when there are so many other flavors and textures to complement and enhance cuisine.

Totally agree... but many a great record was produced 'single pre type', relying on other methods for layering textures and creating dimension... thought it might make for an interesting discussion.

[carival]

I very often record everything (typically 5-8 musicians) live, all at once using only a Neotek Elite console (fairly neutral sounding), a Studer 820 or Radar24, and a good selection of mics. No nothin except a limiter on the bass and voc. It's so fast. If the music/players/sounds are good, I don't miss my racks of flavors. Some records I use all outboard. I wish I could say that those were better records, to justify owning all that crap, but they're not. guess that kinda makes me a gearslut

[chetatkinsdiet]

The songs on our myspace page are all off my studiomaster board pres.

www.myspace.com/natefowlerselixir

I think it sounds pretty good too.

m

[seaneldon]

maybe a year and a half ago, i did it on a trident 80b for two records back to back. actually for the second of the two i used a manley voxbox for lead vocals. other than that it was all console pres and directs.

[phelbin]

I record bands live through my Trident Series 80 straight to Radar. I usually put the vocals through a Tube Tech Pre/EQ/Comp first, though. But otherwise it's all Trident.

[Jules]

Long time ago when I set up shop at a hardly used MCI 500 studio
Brought lots of clients through there for 2 years
Then the desk became 'too small' for midi productions
And they bought an Amek Hendrix
That was OK, it had far better low end eq contour possibilities than the old MCI but little of the magic - (ironic that the old MCI would be good for "DAW stem" mixing and that having multiple channels for midi hardware has pretty much gone the way of the Dodo!)
worked on that for another year or so
Then I started to acquire gear
First came an API 3421, then a Focusright 215, then an SSL compressor
I would record kick snare & OH with API then use it for all other overdubs... bypassing the Amek's own pre's by patching the outboard pre into the insert return of the channel..

Working in mid priced studios - the gear I owned was pretty much ALWAYS the best stuff in the control room as I traveled around as a freelancer.. OK every now and then I would wind up working at somewhere like Great Linford Manor, where they had a 24 ch Neve 1073 console as a SIDECAR..to a modern Neve (V something..) but that would be a rare event. Nope, gradually my 'tower of power' became a far more attractive place to plug in a mic than most studios consoles..

All the big budget producers were working in the studios with the API & old Neve consoles, I didn't get into them often. Besides there were VERY FEW of these type of studios left at all in London, UK........as all the 'classic' consoles in this town had been sold and exported to the USA..

Short answer - 1999

[octatonic]

I've been desk-less 1998.
Since then it has been a collection of outboard and Protools HD since 2001.
Recently decided to go back to using a console- so bought an old D&R Series 4000- still recapping it though.