Originally Posted by tekis

I'm telling you that YOU couldn't spot the difference in a mix. I am a career recording engineer/producer (21 years) with several gold and platinum records and a Grammy nomination. I don't sell/pimp gear. I use it to earn a living. Years ago I met many pro-audio gear brokers at the Record Plant, Media Sound, and Power Station auctions. They were buying up all the great stuff that rank and file engineers like me use at work everyday. They took that stuff, created and unrealistic voodoo-mystique around it and jacked the price way up and began selling to rich (mostly Japanese) collectors. Once before the internet was invented, I had a conversation with one of these guys. (who still sells stuff around here today and is generally regarded as a "stand up dude") I said, "Hey, I saw that you advertised $9500.00 for a Fairchild 660 in the back of Mix magazine!" His reply, "Yes, I did." My reply, "You know damn well that they're not worth that much!" His reply, "I know I just wanted to see if anyone would bite." I said, "That's wrong! You're telling everyone out there that a 660 is worth $9500, 'because I saw it in Mix!'" He said, "I know." And that's exactly what I'm seeing happen with this whole "metal knob" 33609 BS! Hey, I'm glad your band is on the iPod commercial (that sure put "Malice" in his place). But you're probably a good songwriter/singer. Those "metal knobs" aren't going to get you another iPod spot. What don't you save your money for the lean times? Did you notice that Fletcher still just tried to sell you everything that Mercenary stocks?(I guess they don't stock UA) It that what GS is REALLY all about...?

Originally Posted by Sugarman

Syra, MY MAN!!!!!

I was just reading through the last many posts and got more and more pissed, annoyed and irritated
And then I finally got to Syra's input and fell a BIG relief!! Thank god! Syra, you said it very well, so I will not repeat it here.
But seriously, all you guys that are only here to convince me to stay far far away from vintage equipment cause it's so so overrated - START YOUR OWN THREAD!!!

Originally Posted by Bobbob

For what its worth it took me some time to learn how to get the best out of my 33609 (new version). I have an La2a and an 1176 and my initial approach was to use the 33609 in the same way. However in comparison, the 33609 is quite a powerful, grabby unit (I know, silly description), its less forgiving and its easy to choke a sound even at moderate GR.

Now when using it on the 2buss I barely have the unit registering any GR. At first that seemed weird having worked with 1176s/LA2a. But for me thats what sounds best.

Personally, compared to an LA2a or an 1176 I find the 33609 a little 'straight' on lead vocals. I really like it on stereo piano. It seems to re-balance the sound nicely, add weight in the right places and adds a lovely smoothness. But again its easy to choke the life out of it so I am cautious with the GR and play around with the release until i am happy.

Anyway thats what I find. Im contemplating doing the mod. But am a little nervous to do it myself.

Originally Posted by syra

What you just described of your 33609 JD is right on the money. It does add weight in the right places and smooths out upper midrange. And yes, it starts to choke with anything over 3-4 db of reduction. This is main difference with the original metalknob 33609. The original is a little bit more aggressive sounding (not as smooth) but doesn't choke at all. You can slam it with 10 db of reduction and it still sounds big. The difference is in the attack and release settings. The JD has faster attack and slower release which is a recipe for choking after a certain point. But it does add a beautiful weight and smoothness sonically when you stay under 3 db GR. IMO JD=Buss, Vocals and Metalknob= Buss, Drums, Piano, Guitars.

Regarding the mod it will make the JD sound a little bit more aggressive but it will not affect the choking issue at all. I don't think its necessary to do it.

Originally Posted by M.o.T.s

I had the chance to use a well maintained vintage LA-2A, and I felt in love with it, what it does on the vocals and bass is marvelous.

Do you think that this 33609 is over-priced?

Originally Posted by GYang

LA2A re-issue is cool buy, I compared it to vintages and couldn't justify hypes. 33609 didn't work form me at all.
Well worth to try is DW Fearn comp, very big and detailed sound, no vintage vibe in terms of distortion, but totally nice and smooth.
IMO Purple MC77 offers instant satisfaction, old-new classic, again IMO equal or better than old pieces.