Middle Man Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Bruce, just finished reading "Make Mine Music". Thanks for putting that all down in one place. Great read. If you don't mind I had a couple of questions regarding some of your gear. 1. The Neve 1084 seems to get a lot of use for the gold vocal track. Are there any other preamps that stand out in your mind in this arena? Also, do you end up using the the EQ much while tracking with the 1084? 2. The Bass DI - You mentioned its transformer and I was curious about the construction of this little box. I am in the mood to do some mods to my DI, any insights would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Middle Man asks the musical questions---------> 1. The Neve 1084 seems to get a lot of use for the gold vocal track. Are there any other preamps that stand out in your mind in this arena? Also, do you end up using the the EQ much while tracking with the 1084? 2. The Bass DI - You mentioned its transformer and I was curious about the construction of this little box. I am in the mood to do some mods to my DI, any insights would be appreciated. Brucie tries to answer-------->I'm in the middle of a bunch of stuff. All very good! I don't believe in taking these questions lightly.... I'll get back to you with some proper info soon..... Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shniggens Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Y'know, you are one talented and brilliant man . . . If only you could learn how to use the quote feature. Amateur Hack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 shniggens sez-------->Y'know, you are one talented and brilliant man . . . If only you could learn how to use the quote feature. Brucie sez---------->Don't plan on it!!!! Brucie the Viking!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBBPaul Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 I think Bruce does just fine. All that extra typing keeps his fingers nimble to run the faders. Or is it the other way around? Our new and improved website Today's sample tune: Lonesome One Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sp3nc3r Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Don't worry about it, Bruce. It took me 3.5 years to learn how to post links and pics.... Cheers! Spencer "I prefer to beat my opponents the old-fashioned way....BRUTALLY!!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shniggens Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 Originally posted by Bruce Swedien: shniggens sez-------->Y'know, you are one talented and brilliant man . . . If only you could learn how to use the quote feature. Brucie sez---------->Don't plan on it!!!! Brucie the Viking!!!! Awwwww, c'mon, look how much easier it is to read. Amateur Hack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelo Clematide Posted May 17, 2005 Share Posted May 17, 2005 shniggen----->If only you could learn how to use the quote feature Angelo----->Bruce will learn that pretty soon... well, in the nearer future. To name a precise date, exactly then when all Japanese start yodeling, and all East Frieslander blow the Sakuhachi. If not then, maybee later, when he vacuum cleans my appartment in Ougadougou. http://69.28.73.17/issue1/camel.jpg -Peace, Love, and Potahhhhto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Man Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 This bump is to say, Just buy the book. If Brucie signs it, you have not only the masterpiece but the collectors piece. Still waiting...they are in high demand. Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Middle Man asks the musical question--------->1. The Neve 1084 seems to get a lot of use for the gold vocal track. Are there any other preamps that stand out in your mind in this arena? Also, do you end up using the the EQ much while tracking with the 1084? Brucie answers--------->My Neve 1084's seem to be my favorite microphone pre-amp and EQ for sound sources that I really care about. Every manufacturer in the industry sends me their new mike pre and EQ. Most of them I send back! I love my Universal Audio 2-610 Dual Channel Tube Microphone Preamplifier. It can be a first choice.... But then I grew up with that mike pre in the Bill Putnam designed and built consoles at Universal Studios in Chicago. As far as EQ on my Neve 1084's goes..... Normally very little is what I end up using... 2 or 3 db at 4.7 k., 2 or 3 db at 10 or 12 K, and just a squirt at 110 htz. I customarily high pass the signal at 110 hz.... More to follow as I get the time.... Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 110hz on HP is interesting for vox Bruce. I usually do mine at 70hz, 12db/octave. I think I will run up to the 110 and see how it works out. I actually like to use as shallow a slope as I can get away with..but 12db down at 35hz may not be enough cut...I usually don't have a plosive problem..but depending on the Q, 110 may be better in many cases. I never thought of running it quite that high. Will try next session. I do it in post anyway...no harm done. I did notice you said a "squint" of 110 as well...so this would help the hpf to be a more relaxed curve around the transitional fq. Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Bill Roberts sez---------->I did notice you said a "squint" of 110 as well...so this would help the hpf to be a more relaxed curve around the transitional fq. Brucie sez-----------Bill, Clean your glasses!! I said "Squirt"! That's the M.I.T. nomeclature for "A very small amount of anything technical"! Brucie the Viking!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 ...Perhaps I need to start wearing my glasses! LOL I was "squinting" (Smiles) Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Middle Man asks the Musical Question---------->2. The Bass DI - You mentioned its transformer and I was curious about the construction of this little box. I am in the mood to do some mods to my DI, any insights would be appreciated. Brucie answers--------->The centerpiece of my Bass Box is its' United Transformer Company LS 10 X transformer. GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF BRUCE SWEDIEN'S BASS BOX...... I designed and built this Bass Box when Quincy and I were recording The Brothers Johnson for A & M records. Recording Louis Johnson's unbelievably powerful bass style has been of real interest to me because I'm sort of a frustrated bass man myself. Louis has a nickname of "Thunder Thumbs." There is a real challenge in getting that tremendous sound clearly on the recording. I tried all the conventional direct boxes, combinations of mic and direct pickup and all of these fell far short of his real sound. One day while we were in the studio recording a bass solo withn Louis, I put a high-impedence electronic volt meter across the output of his electric bass. I was amazed at high the actual output level was. You could almost record his bass without a mic preamp. Looking at one of those puny little transformer direct boxes... no wonder there was something lacking. Those poopy little transformers are able to handle about +8 dBm maximum level and apparently that isn't enough. I scrounged around my shop and in a big box labeled "to be organized", found a large, old transformer whose weight is measured in pounds not ounces. With my United Transformer Company LS 10 X transformer, I made Louis a special "Thunder Thumbs" bass direct box. It has really worked well. I have tried the electronic "FET" active boxes but in an area of high rf and electrical noise, they are a bit undependable. Louis has many different basses that he plays, including keyboard bass, all of them sound terrific through that big old transformer. Occasionally I mic his amp and mix a bit of that sound in with the direct pickup. If you don't know who The Brothers Johnson are, I'm sure a little scrounging at flea markets and garage sales will yield favorable results..... I still use that same bass box on all my projects!!! Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 LJ is one of my favorite bassers!! 'Thunder thumbs' Louis and 'Lightning licks' George. I love all of the BJ's music..always have, always will. I listened to "Q" last night by them. Man...I really wonder what the cats are doing today..any idea Bruce? I think Da Costa also was slapping some skins on those albums. http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200/drp000/p053/p05379c8l8m.jpg Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Bill Roberts asks-------->Man...I really wonder what the cats are doing today..any idea Bruce? Brucie answers------------>At Quincys birthday last year we saw George Johnson. He looks great and is tryng for a movie career. Last thing I heard about George was that he is manageing a video rental store in Compton. They are great musicians. Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 >>Last thing I heard about George was that he is manageing a video rental store in Compton. Bill sez> Hangs head and cries...... Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Middle Man Posted May 19, 2005 Author Share Posted May 19, 2005 Thanks for all the answers Bruce. It's great when someone of your stature sheds light on the usage of your gear. And yes, sad to say, I have been around long enough to remember the Brothers Johnson. I beleive Louis was one of the first, if not the first thumb player. Bill thanks too for your EQ insights. OK I opened up my cheap little DI box. Picture attached. This is the wimpiest transformer I have ever seen. I'm off to the local electronics shop for something bigger. (Sorry, couldn't get the image to upload. Believe me, it's small) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 shniggens sez--------->If only you could learn how to use the quote feature. Brucie sez---------->Don't plan on it!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Awwwww, c'mon, look how much easier it is to read. Brucie sez-------->I don't care if it's easier to read or not! A little extra effort reading will make folks remember my posts better.... Bruce Swedien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sign Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by shniggens: Y'know, you are one talented and brilliant man . . . If only you could learn how to use the quote feature. Oh c'mon, do you really think Bruce can't find the quote feature, that he doesn't know how to click on the http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/quote_ubb6.gif icon? He just prefers to do it his own way, he has develloped his own system and haven't you noticed that some posters are using his system as well now? I agree with you, the quote function is a better read, but if Bruce wants to do it his own way, what the **** does it matter, he's doing things his own way for almost 50 years and not without success now didn't he? The alchemy of the masters moving molecules of air, we capture by moving particles of iron, so that the poetry of the ancients will echo into the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneinaPond Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by sign: ....and haven't you noticed that some posters are using his system as well now? And that's because it's easier to read? Yorik Stone In A Pond "Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 StoneinaPond sez----------->....and haven't you noticed that some posters are using his system as well now? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And that's because it's easier to read? Brucie sez---------->And that's because it's MUCH easier to read!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Actually...it is because Bruce is cool and what he does...usually works at maximum effectivness. Sorry for patronizing..but it is a fact... Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 I feel terrible!! No one has even noticed my Graemlins. I put them there myself!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Roberts Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Bill Roberts Precision Mastering -----------Since 1975----------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sign Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Bruce Swedien: I feel terrible!! No one has even noticed my Graemlins. I put them there myself!!!! And you didn't ask anybody how to do it! The alchemy of the masters moving molecules of air, we capture by moving particles of iron, so that the poetry of the ancients will echo into the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneinaPond Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Originally posted by Bruce Swedien: I feel terrible!! No one has even noticed my Graemlins. I put them there myself!!!! Hey, can't give everything away. Yorik Stone In A Pond "Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Swedien Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 sign sez--------->And you didn't ask anybody how to do it! Brucie sez-------->Perhaps I'm not as low-tech as I thought!!! Brucie the Viking!!!! (I absoluely love the Green Grinner!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Gunn Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Bruce, Have you ever given thought to manufacturing the BassBox? Is the transformer still made or if not, can it be duplicated? I am sure everyone wants one now. Recording bass can be pretty tricky and you sound like you have the perfect tool. I would buy one if it did't cost an arm and a leg to produce. KB Gunn website: www.visionoutreach.net ....government is a necessary evil, but it is dangerous nonetheless ... somewhat like a drug. Just as a drug that in the proper dosage can save your life, an overdose of government can be fatal. -Neal Boortz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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