Inward Connections "Brute" or Retro "Double Wide"??

[ToneRexx]

Which one have more character or Mojo?

which one is better for vocals?

In what excels each?

I know everybody have different taste, but I want opinions specially if somebody have or tried both units.

[ToneRexx]

Nobody??

[ToneRexx]

mmmmmmmm

[outUVphaze]

Ok I'll bite.

I have both units as well as the OPT1A,

Hardware-wise I run with UREI LA3A's, LA2A re-issue, UREI 1176 blackface revision F, STA Level (Retro), Distressors, Brute, and the OPT1A's. (Yes I am heavy on the opto's). Oh yeah, I have some drawmer and Aphex that don't get used much. Almost forgot about those.

In regards to the Brute, you can hit it hard and it resists pumping.
It's fat for certain, leaves a finger print. Not as big as a STA. They are similar. If you try the Brute and like it, you may save yourself a sizable chunk of coin.


'IF' you use compression during tracking, and I do mean 'IF', then between the two I would lean towards the Brute.

The STA is a tremendous unit. Absolutely tremendous. However, you can squash something to the point of no dynamics with it and it still sounds great through the cans. Not ideal for tracking. I like the 1176 for tracking if you are going to use it on tracking.

Let me state that I am a user not one of the mega techno guys on here who know way more than me when it comes to the inner workings of gear.

I'm old school. If you don't have to compress then.... Don't compress on the way in. (of course in the end, there are no rules>>> go with what works)

Nowadays there is no reason to push meters, it's digital right?

I love my STA and I have bastardized every which way possible to use the thing. It's great, Not good. Great. It slays dragons on mix. It's unreal on upright bass and fantastic on vocals. That said my 1176 sometimes wins out on upright bass and sometimes the LA3A. They are all classic pieces and those black faces will never leave that rack.

I record for myself and my own music these days so I cannot give you the wide scope that some guys here can. I do jazz music and that's it. But my studio packs a punch for a now "home unit".

Rock is an entirely different world.

So which is better?

Depends on the source, the desired effect and ultimately the song.

One song may absolutely need the STA while another may ask for something else.

If you are just looking for a tracking comp to shave off a point or two then cheap out and get an RNC. For a few hundred you can have everything that you need (if it's only for tracking) then add color to taste. For $600 more you can get a Brute. Don't let the small price of the RNC fool you. It's a very respectable unit.

If you want 500 series for tracking; Pendulum, Elysia, Buzz essence ( costs more than the Brute)

Be light on the compression on the way in.

Do searches you'll find lots here on GS;

Vocal tracking : Inward Connections Brute/OPT1 VS J-Lab Studio Electronics JLA-3


Good luck, and try out the gear for yourself. Let your own ears be your guide.


Cheers,

J

[outUVphaze]

Inward Connections The Brute vocal samples

[czarthp]

I've been looking a brute or doublewide. Hard choice, I know both are great. But I don't know how I feel having a 2 space compressor in a lunhcbox.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by outUVphaze

Ok I'll bite.

I have both units as well as the OPT1A,

Hardware-wise I run with UREI LA3A's, LA2A re-issue, UREI 1176 blackface revision F, STA Level (Retro), Distressors, Brute, and the OPT1A's. (Yes I am heavy on the opto's). Oh yeah, I have some drawmer and Aphex that don't get used much. Almost forgot about those.

In regards to the Brute, you can hit it hard and it resists pumping.
It's fat for certain, leaves a finger print. Not as big as a STA. They are similar. If you try the Brute and like it, you may save yourself a sizable chunk of coin.


'IF' you use compression during tracking, and I do mean 'IF', then between the two I would lean towards the Brute.

The STA is a tremendous unit. Absolutely tremendous. However, you can squash something to the point of no dynamics with it and it still sounds great through the cans. Not ideal for tracking. I like the 1176 for tracking if you are going to use it on tracking.

Let me state that I am a user not one of the mega techno guys on here who know way more than me when it comes to the inner workings of gear.

I'm old school. If you don't have to compress then.... Don't compress on the way in. (of course in the end, there are no rules>>> go with what works)

Nowadays there is no reason to push meters, it's digital right?

I love my STA and I have bastardized every which way possible to use the thing. It's great, Not good. Great. It slays dragons on mix. It's unreal on upright bass and fantastic on vocals. That said my 1176 sometimes wins out on upright bass and sometimes the LA3A. They are all classic pieces and those black faces will never leave that rack.

I record for myself and my own music these days so I cannot give you the wide scope that some guys here can. I do jazz music and that's it. But my studio packs a punch for a now "home unit".

Rock is an entirely different world.

So which is better?

Depends on the source, the desired effect and ultimately the song.

One song may absolutely need the STA while another may ask for something else.

If you are just looking for a tracking comp to shave off a point or two then cheap out and get an RNC. For a few hundred you can have everything that you need (if it's only for tracking) then add color to taste. For $600 more you can get a Brute. Don't let the small price of the RNC fool you. It's a very respectable unit.

If you want 500 series for tracking; Pendulum, Elysia, Buzz essence ( costs more than the Brute)

Be light on the compression on the way in.

Do searches you'll find lots here on GS;

Vocal tracking : Inward Connections Brute/OPT1 VS J-Lab Studio Electronics JLA-3


Good luck, and try out the gear for yourself. Let your own ears be your guide.


Cheers,

J

Are you comparing the STA Level Retro against the Brute?? or you are talking about the Doublewide?

[ToneRexx]

anyone?