#511491 - 03/30/04 12:58 PM
Tube into Mixdown
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Shrike
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Registered: 10/14/03
Posts: 13
Loc: Chicago
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my rig is split between working in the box and some nice outboard gear. For final mixdown I'm planning on running out of one computer and into another, and would like to use the opportunity to inject some more tube warmth into the stereo mix.
I'm wondering if a stereo tube pre (put between the output of the mixer and the input of the mixdown ADC) would accomplish this, given the relative levels that are running through it, or if instead I should be looking at tube comps or tube EQs.
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#511492 - 03/30/04 01:25 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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Tedly Nightshade
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I'm as big a tube nut as any, but I would first try to determine that all other parts of the signal chain are as healthy as can be. It's always better to preserve warmth than to try to add it later. Digital transfer issues, some digital processing, not-great A/D/A, are all often prime suspects when things are a bit chilly and thin, and analog chain issues can cause similar troubles. A lot of analog mixers can be problematic this way.
It's demanding to try to be really comprehensive about making sure the best qualities of your signal are preserved through every step in the recording and mixing process- and of course capturing the best qualities of your sources to begin with- but it's the best way to go.
_________________________
A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM!
"There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau
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#511493 - 03/30/04 02:10 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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Shrike
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Registered: 10/14/03
Posts: 13
Loc: Chicago
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Thanks Ted -
I actually removed the line from my original post about "I try to be contientious about my signal path, and keep everything as warm as possible" - I thought it would be redundant  I'm already doing what I can regarding what you posted - and I don't think my recordings are particularly cold, despite not having the luxury of running to tape before dumping into digital-land.
My question is more "spec" related: Assuming that I want to put tubes between my mixer master outs and the mixdown ADC, is a Stereo Tube Pre an appropriate choice given the fact that pre's are by definition supposed to raise a weak signal to line-level? My instinct says that Tube Comps or Tube EQs, which are designed to work with line-level in, are a better choice. Am I correct? Or could I get some benefit from running through a Pre?
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#511494 - 03/30/04 02:19 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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Tedly Nightshade
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Originally posted by Shrike: Thanks Ted -
I actually removed the line from my original post about "I try to be contientious about my signal path, and keep everything as warm as possible" - I thought it would be redundant I'm already doing what I can regarding what you posted - and I don't think my recordings are particularly cold, despite not having the luxury of running to tape before dumping into digital-land.
My question is more "spec" related: Assuming that I want to put tubes between my mixer master outs and the mixdown ADC, is a Stereo Tube Pre an appropriate choice given the fact that pre's are by definition supposed to raise a weak signal to line-level? My instinct says that Tube Comps or Tube EQs, which are designed to work with line-level in, are a better choice. Am I correct? Or could I get some benefit from running through a Pre?
_________________________
A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM!
"There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau
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#511496 - 03/30/04 03:44 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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axis
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Registered: 08/15/00
Posts: 866
Loc: Denmark
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I donīt really know..I mean Tube "warmth", or what is often meant as such...Is just as often transformer "warmth", or just plain distotion of audio waveforms as such !!! Or maybe itīs just slewrate limiting one likes..I mean I wont expect anyone to claim they get "tubewarmth" from something like a Beh***** "tube" circuit
Iīd expect an old class A Neve amp will give more of that "warmth" than many new tube circuit will.. soo dont expect a unit to give you that "tubewarmth" just `cause it has tubes in it..
Kind regards
Peter
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#511497 - 03/30/04 05:11 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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Tedly Nightshade
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Yeah, transformer would be the ticket. Tubes & trannies can make a nice package though.
And only the best is really much good, whether we're talking tube, transformer, solid state, whatever.
_________________________
A WOP BOP A LU BOP, A LOP BAM BOOM!
"There is nothing I regret so much as my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?" -Henry David Thoreau
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#511498 - 03/30/04 09:13 PM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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X-Facta
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Registered: 10/16/01
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FWIW - I once tried running a chain with some tube stuff across the mix buss: Eckmiller w86 passive EQs & V72 tube pres as makeup gain.
The verdict: sounded not that great, too much change of the sound, perhaps due to impedance issues, who knows..
ANyway, didn;t work for me.
On the other hand I did have a pair of tube limiters (U73B) strapped accross the mix buss & liked what was happening with that, for at least a year or so.
Obviously they weren;t on a 'crush' setting..
That gave a nice 'tube' vibe.
Nowadays I don;t normally use anything on the mix buss.
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#511499 - 03/31/04 12:34 AM
Re: Tube into Mixdown
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gaotu
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Registered: 01/10/04
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Loc: Indianapolis
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My friend, long-time studio owner, swears by his Bellari stereo pre. He mixes in Pro Tools and has his Bellari inbetween his computer and his Masterlink. Sounds pretty damn good to me. He claims that it adds an amount of warm compression that he likes when he pins the input on the Bellari.
Go figure.
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