changing my "basic setup"

Improv · 15th July 2006, 07:00 AM

Although we all aspire to search out the best sound possible at all times using the different tools we have and most importantly our ears.... the reality of studio dynamics often force us to have "preset setups" for things like basic rhythm section tracking where you have no idea what kind of sound you're going to get from the talent.

And now after that run-on disclaimer of engineering "laziness", I will get to the point. After aquiring some new pres lately at the studio I work at, I've been
rethinking my standard setup for such basics (drums, electric bass, electric guitar, piano, 1 synth, b3/leslie, vocal). I think we have a lot of cool colors, and I hate falling into a rut. I really like the sounds I'm getting, so I'm not unhappy with my system at all. But I know it only gets better with experience, so why not share yours!

So, given the following selection of pres and compressors, how would you set up a basics session as described? In the spirit of quid pro quo I will certainly reveal what's been working for me in full detail. But first I'm curious to hear some unadulterated opinions rather than modifications on my setup.

I'm hoping this will be more of a fun thought experiment rather than another "which pre is best for what" sort of discussion. I could be dreaming, though

If it makes any difference, I generally go for full micing on a kit (8-12 channels) rather than a minimal approach in such a situation, so perhaps take that into account

So here goes (number indicates # of channels, not # of individual units):

(1) chandler ltd-1
(1) chandler germanium
(1) avalon 737sp
(1) amek 9098
(2) api 512c
(2) amek channel-in-a-box
(2) ua 610
(3) dw fearn vt series
(4) focusrite ISA 428
(8) true precision series

(3) cranesong trakker
(2) el distressor
(2) fmr audio rnc

I won't bother listing mics, as that just complicates things too much for now. But suffice to say they're a high-quality selection of stuff that sounds great through this gear. Some big expensive LDC's and classic ribbons and such, yada yada.

Remember, this is unknown talent here, so "it depends" won't cut it. Past experience and safe bets work best here.

So any takers?

Thanks for participating...

u b k · 15th July 2006, 10:59 AM

api on kick and snare, 2 x fearn on overs.

fearn on vox.

germ on b3, tg on guitar, ua on b3.

do i win?

gregoire
del
ubk
.

Improv · 16th July 2006, 05:03 AM

Well, thanks for trying, but what I had in mind was kinda different. See, I want to know how others would prioritize these pres and comps given that you had to record everything listed at the same time. Obviously I go for the cream of the crop when it's single overdubs. For example, I love the API's on both piano and drum overheads, but I often cut them together.

So assuming you have to cut full drums, e bass, e gtr, piano, organ, 1 synth, keeper vocal, how would you do it?

I suppose if this garners no further interest I'll give up my attempts at soliciting unbiased answers and just list what works for me.

And THEN if the thread dies I'll let it go peacefully... [slumps]

Improv · 17th July 2006, 07:08 AM

ironically, perhaps I should have posted this in a less popular forum.

Improv · 18th July 2006, 07:18 PM

[sigh] Yes, well... anyway....

Kick - (1) CIB
Snare - (1) CIB
Hat - (1) 428
Toms - (3) 428
Overheads - (2) API
Room - M/S - (2) Fearn
4038 room - (1) Germ - (1) Distressor
Gtr - (1) 9098- (1) Trakker
Bass - (1) 737 - (1) Distressor
Piano - (2) 610 / True or..
Synth - (2) 610 / True (depends on the vibe)
Organ - (3) True
Vox - (1) LTD-1 - (1) Trakker

So is anyone interested in this topic or did I pick a snoozer here?

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15th July 2006, 07:00 AM	#1
Improv Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,367	changing my "basic setup" Although we all aspire to search out the best sound possible at all times using the different tools we have and most importantly our ears.... the reality of studio dynamics often force us to have "preset setups" for things like basic rhythm section tracking where you have no idea what kind of sound you're going to get from the talent. And now after that run-on disclaimer of engineering "laziness", I will get to the point. After aquiring some new pres lately at the studio I work at, I've been rethinking my standard setup for such basics (drums, electric bass, electric guitar, piano, 1 synth, b3/leslie, vocal). I think we have a lot of cool colors, and I hate falling into a rut. I really like the sounds I'm getting, so I'm not unhappy with my system at all. But I know it only gets better with experience, so why not share yours! So, given the following selection of pres and compressors, how would you set up a basics session as described? In the spirit of quid pro quo I will certainly reveal what's been working for me in full detail. But first I'm curious to hear some unadulterated opinions rather than modifications on my setup. I'm hoping this will be more of a fun thought experiment rather than another "which pre is best for what" sort of discussion. I could be dreaming, though If it makes any difference, I generally go for full micing on a kit (8-12 channels) rather than a minimal approach in such a situation, so perhaps take that into account So here goes (number indicates # of channels, not # of individual units): (1) chandler ltd-1 (1) chandler germanium (1) avalon 737sp (1) amek 9098 (2) api 512c (2) amek channel-in-a-box (2) ua 610 (3) dw fearn vt series (4) focusrite ISA 428 (8) true precision series (3) cranesong trakker (2) el distressor (2) fmr audio rnc I won't bother listing mics, as that just complicates things too much for now. But suffice to say they're a high-quality selection of stuff that sounds great through this gear. Some big expensive LDC's and classic ribbons and such, yada yada. Remember, this is unknown talent here, so "it depends" won't cut it. Past experience and safe bets work best here. So any takers? Thanks for participating...

15th July 2006, 10:59 AM	#2
u b k Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: m a n h a t t a n Posts: 5,539	api on kick and snare, 2 x fearn on overs. fearn on vox. germ on b3, tg on guitar, ua on b3. do i win? gregoire del ubk . __________________ . . m i x _ a r c h i t e c t . . __________________

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16th July 2006, 05:03 AM	#3
Improv Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,367	Well, thanks for trying, but what I had in mind was kinda different. See, I want to know how others would prioritize these pres and comps given that you had to record everything listed at the same time. Obviously I go for the cream of the crop when it's single overdubs. For example, I love the API's on both piano and drum overheads, but I often cut them together. So assuming you have to cut full drums, e bass, e gtr, piano, organ, 1 synth, keeper vocal, how would you do it? I suppose if this garners no further interest I'll give up my attempts at soliciting unbiased answers and just list what works for me. And THEN if the thread dies I'll let it go peacefully... [slumps]

17th July 2006, 07:08 AM	#4
Improv Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,367	ironically, perhaps I should have posted this in a less popular forum.

18th July 2006, 07:18 PM	#5
Improv Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,367	[sigh] Yes, well... anyway.... Kick - (1) CIB Snare - (1) CIB Hat - (1) 428 Toms - (3) 428 Overheads - (2) API Room - M/S - (2) Fearn 4038 room - (1) Germ - (1) Distressor Gtr - (1) 9098- (1) Trakker Bass - (1) 737 - (1) Distressor Piano - (2) 610 / True or.. Synth - (2) 610 / True (depends on the vibe) Organ - (3) True Vox - (1) LTD-1 - (1) Trakker So is anyone interested in this topic or did I pick a snoozer here?