GR ME-1NV + UA Solo/610 or Pacifica?

[lordnielson]

Originally Posted by Mikem

I haven't had much time with my Pacifica yet, but I put together this little cover of a cover. I'd be curious to hear what you think, but please be gentle.

Sounds like a rekkid to me

[Daedalus77]

Originally Posted by Mikem

I haven't had much time with my Pacifica yet, but I put together this little cover of a cover. I'd be curious to hear what you think, but please be gentle.

Mike,

Very nice-sounding recording. Can you elaborate further on the details? Mics used on guitar and vox with the Pacifica? Compression while tracking? DAW (or console)? Outboard or plug-ins used in mixing stage? Oh, and what's the guitar?

Thanks...
David

[mindbend]

Originally Posted by Mikem

I haven't had much time with my Pacifica yet, but I put together this little cover of a cover. I'd be curious to hear what you think, but please be gentle.

Sounds Rad Mike. Good job.

[mookie]

hey, that's pretty f-ing good, man!
so what is your verdict on the pacifica? was it noticably better than your other pres?

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by Daedalus77

Mike,

Very nice-sounding recording. Can you elaborate further on the details? Mics used on guitar and vox with the Pacifica? Compression while tracking? DAW (or console)? Outboard or plug-ins used in mixing stage? Oh, and what's the guitar?

Thanks...
David

I'm so glad to read some positive responses! I'm still very insecure about my musical and engineering abilities.

First off, I have no outboard EQ's or compressors (other than an RNC), but with no inserts on the Pacifica, it made it less tempting, so I chose not to use it. All of the compressing and EQ'ing was done ITB.

The mics on the guitar were an AT4060 at the bridge and an SM81 at the 12th fret. Both went directly into the Pacifica and then the FF800. The main vocal mic was an AT4060. I really struggled with the EQ on the lead vox, and it still sounds a bit off to me. I'll need to continue to experiment with different mics and levels to get a more natural sound (i.e., one requiring less EQ'ing). I'm going to test out a TLM 49 in about a week, so maybe that'll make a difference, too.

The doubled vocal tracks were an SM7 on one (panned center), and then a U195 on the left and right tracks. I basically tracked the song a couple of passes with each mic to see what I liked best, and used the 4060 as the winner, with the other tracks as doubling.

The DAW is Cubase 4, and I used a combination of mostly UAD-1 compressors and EQ's, with a little Voxengo and Waves thrown in on the master bus for my little homemade "mastering".

Oh, and despite all the recent Taylor bashing around here, the guitar is my trusty 10-year-old 810. I'm still getting the UA Solo/610 that I'll use as a direct box for the guitar's Fishman pickup, just to give me an additional blending possibility with the stereo pair on the guitar.

Anyway, I'm sure there are people here that will listen to this and hate it--I'm just glad they've chosen not to post.

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by mookie

hey, that's pretty f-ing good, man!
so what is your verdict on the pacifica? was it noticably better than your other pres?

For sure. I noticed I needed a lot less EQ'ing on the guitars, for one. I'm still tweaking the vocals, as I said in that post above. But yeah--no question an improvement over the FF800 pre's and the RNP (and need I mention the VTB-1?).

[AllAboutTone]

melts in your ears , not in your hands.

[Mikem]

Thanks!

I forgot to mention one other little fun tidbit: the harmonies were creating using the new Melodyne plug-in. It was sort of a late idea, and rather than set a mic back up, I just tried messing with Melodyne using one of the takes. Sounds like I sang it that way!

[Mikem]

Funny:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/archi...p/t-35374.html

That thread says that the Gary Jules version of this song was recorded on a Pacifica console. I guess it was a good choice for my first Pacifica recording. thumbsup

[The Beatsmith]

I don't think the pre had that much to do with this being a nice cover. It would have been great on cheap preamps too. I'm sure the Pacifica helps, but i think it's the artist that made it so good. Good job man.

[tombuur]

"Anyway, I'm sure there are people here that will listen to this and hate it--I'm just glad they've chosen not to post"

Okay, so here we go ...


Sorry, have to disappoint you about hating it. I actually think it sounds very professional, not far from a finished song you could hear on the radio. If anything the vocals are a bit more creamy than my personal preference. Then again we can't all have the same preferences for everything, that would make life boring.

Now could you please make a version with U195 on main vocal through a ME-1NV, just for comparison.

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by Mikem

I haven't had much time with my Pacifica yet, but I put together this little cover of a cover. I'd be curious to hear what you think, but please be gentle.

It really sounds great Mike!
The Pacifica was a great choice to compliment your talent .

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by tombuur

"Anyway, I'm sure there are people here that will listen to this and hate it--I'm just glad they've chosen not to post"

Okay, so here we go ...


Sorry, have to disappoint you about hating it. I actually think it sounds very professional, not far from a finished song you could hear on the radio. If anything the vocals are a bit more creamy than my personal preference. Then again we can't all have the same preferences for everything, that would make life boring.

Now could you please make a version with U195 on main vocal through a ME-1NV, just for comparison.

Just as soon as you provide me with an ME-1NV!

I did pick up the Solo/610, but I haven't fired it up yet.

Thank you SO MUCH for the kind words, too. It makes me think music is a worthy investment for me.

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by Yetti

It really sounds great Mike!
The Pacifica was a great choice to compliment your talent .

Thanks!

[Rogervandeberg]

In a recent shooutout i did a week ago (posted here), i found out that the 610 and the pacifica complement each other very well. Use a 610 ( i used the 610 from a la-610, it is somewhat brighter voiced) for acoustics and the pacifica for vocals and you have an instant intimate unplugged sound/feel! thumbsup

[undermind]

Originally Posted by Mikem

The mics on the guitar were an AT4060 at the bridge and an SM81 at the 12th fret. Both went directly into the Pacifica and then the FF800. The main vocal mic was an AT4060. I really struggled with the EQ on the lead vox, and it still sounds a bit off to me. I'll need to continue to experiment with different mics and levels to get a more natural sound (i.e., one requiring less EQ'ing). I'm going to test out a TLM 49 in about a week, so maybe that'll make a difference, too.

The TLM 49 is a fantastic mic. Your voice sounds bright and a little airy, and the TLM 49 would really add some nice warmth. I've got a bit of a harshness and the 49 really smooths that on out..

By the way, where did the synth pad sounds come from? Sounds good, very organic.

[Mikem]

You mean my fake strings didn't fool you??

If memory serves, it was a blend between a Garritan long bow cello (giga format, played in HALion 3), and a cello patch from the EWQLSO Silver.

And Yeah, looking forward to the TLM49. The local mammoth music chain store had given me a pretty decent price quote, ordered one in from their Denver store, only to find out that it had a minimum on it that the guy said he couldn't work around. But he's calling his higher ups this morning to see what they can do. We worked out, though, that if he can't drop it below $1429 (I think that was the minimum), he would basically throw in a free Shure SM87A (or whatever other gear I could find that I wanted for about $250). I presently use a KMS105 live, and my bassist/backing vocalist uses an SM58, so I figured the 87A would be a nice addition (not sure which one of us will use it--have to A/B it with the KMS105).

[undermind]

Originally Posted by Mikem

You mean my fake strings didn't fool you??

If memory serves, it was a blend between a Garritan long bow cello (giga format, played in HALion 3), and a cello patch from the EWQLSO Silver.

And Yeah, looking forward to the TLM49. The local mammoth music chain store had given me a pretty decent price quote, ordered one in from their Denver store, only to find out that it had a minimum on it that the guy said he couldn't work around. But he's calling his higher ups this morning to see what they can do. We worked out, though, that if he can't drop it below $1429 (I think that was the minimum), he would basically throw in a free Shure SM87A (or whatever other gear I could find that I wanted for about $250). I presently use a KMS105 live, and my bassist/backing vocalist uses an SM58, so I figured the 87A would be a nice addition (not sure which one of us will use it--have to A/B it with the KMS105).

Well, if I hadn't known you were a home recording musician with a similar setup to my own, I wouldn't have thought a thing about the strings NOT being real. In other words, they sound great which is why I brought it up. I think I want those Garritan Strings! Wonder if I can make it happen with Reason..

That's a pretty good price on the TLM 49 considering the fact that you'd get some freebies thrown in. Guitar Center gave me the best price. Their low end cutoff was I think $1399. The benefits of big buying..

Like I mentioned you've got a very similar setup to mine gear and DAW wise, and heck you're even a redhead. I'll be following your gear purchases..

[weemies]

I know this is a very late entry to this thread but I just wanted to say your Mad World cover is my favorite version of the song I've heard. I really like it, and have listened to it on more than one occasion. Great work, dude!

[Mikem]

Originally Posted by weemies

I know this is a very late entry to this thread but I just wanted to say your Mad World cover is my favorite version of the song I've heard. I really like it, and have listened to it on more than one occasion. Great work, dude!

Thanks! I kinda like it, too.