Great Video! Thanks for reminding me the things to look out for when trying to get and maintain gain staging.
@scottlassiter6982
Жыл бұрын
Another Great Video. I always learn something. Thanks.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
awesome! 🙏
@GeorgeBet-mn3no
5 ай бұрын
Thank you for taking your time to explain this console’s features on this channel. I don’t know if to thank you or blame you for buying one of these.(My wife kicked me out of the house lol) It is arriving next week from vintage king!!!!! (I’m a gearsluXX) For me, it was the closet getting to the API sound without spending a ton of money. Like you said, you get a lot for your money just on the 8 312s,and the 527 compressors. I will use the summing side with ssl plugins and a UF1along with my Patchbays and other pres. You mentioned the summing bus for effect returns which we only have one. I just purchased a used Studio technologies 721 rack mount line mixer for $99. (Have to replace one Neutrik connector) It has 8 line level ins with input/output control with great specs,+26dbu max output. (Way more than needed) It kind of solves the problem with my aux returns. Again, thank you for taking your time on this channel All the best. George
@hopetownsound
5 ай бұрын
lol! Hey George! congrats on the mixer! Hope the Mrs forgives you. If you put an api EQ in the 500 slots, the combo of the 312, the 527 and 550/560 is a devastating recording channel. Enjoy!
@GeorgeBet-mn3no
5 ай бұрын
@@hopetownsound I’m saving my pennies for the APIs. It never ends when your a GearsluXX.I also have a couple of Avedis e27s but I don’t know how they will sound. Maybe for the inserts on the summing side in the future but for now I will use the software eqs on my ssl 360 with my Uf1.No plugins purchased yet.I purchased a Studio Technologies 742 mixer for now for my effect returns for my Lexocn 300 and cheap TC M300 through the Program Sum.Still waiting for it The Box 8 to arriive. All this because the one of the fader broke on my Midas Vf24 and there are no replacement parts. Thanks again for your helpful posts Pier. George
@hopetownsound
5 ай бұрын
@@GeorgeBet-mn3no Avedis stuff is good. 👍
@GeorgeBet-mn3no
5 ай бұрын
@@hopetownsound Thank You, will try them.
@GeorgeBet-mn3no
5 ай бұрын
Hey Pier, wanted to ask you how reliable your API Box 2 is. I’m sure you record every day/night probably with now issues. I just got mine Thursday with output problems on the control and PGM outputs.On the control output with the CR knob at 2 o’clock and a sine wave at 0VU, pin 3 is dead and pin 2 is outputting .377 volts..On the PGM bus output, I'm getting .889 Volts on pin 2 and .321 volts on pin three, such a difference for a balanced signal that should equal 1.23Volts.It was the last one from vintage king and it came with a Sweetwater pamphlet inside the crate..Sorry for the off topic, man, but I’m worried about this mixer with all these problems already.(2520 op amps on control and master bus)? Thank You, George
@velocitygirl8551
Жыл бұрын
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
@fl7210
9 ай бұрын
I find plugins like uad especially sensitive to needing to be fed the right level, down to .01 sometimes. I’m constantly going back and adjusting output gains on the previous plugin to see if there’s anything to be gained from half a db or less up and down. The weird thing is you can often find things coming “in focus” that way in a way that really makes the plugins shine. And sometimes the settings make next to no sense. But if it sounds good, hey. Even stuff like eq and verb. For example the Ams verb can often sound best smacking the input at a level that would normally be “inappropriate”… but the emt plate verb on the other hand, I often am feeding it fractions of what other verbs see, and then boosting the hell out of it afterward with bitshiftgain. Seems to get a less “cloudy” verb that way. It’s all math and it has its (huge) limitations, you know? But there is a sweet spot for all of em for any source material
@hopetownsound
9 ай бұрын
Sorry to take so long replying. i agree that gain staging is more important with UAD - i suspect this is because they do a more thorough job of simulating analog gear at the component level, and non-linear responses of real gear (transformers, tubes, etc). The weirdest UAD gainstage i know of is their fairchild. You really have to use the headroom setting and use the input metering to get it performing correctly.
@rockvox7419
Жыл бұрын
Great content! Thanks for making these vids
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
ty! 🙏👍
@preciseaudioblog
Жыл бұрын
Amazing vid! Thank you!
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
Ty! 👍
@woodnoname5015
11 ай бұрын
Thank you, I use Logic without presets. When i am mixing (amateur only) i use plug ins A(apple and thirrd Party likes Waves_ to taste and when needed. That seems to work. Yoy are right about the short fader-throw / length. Thats a bit annoying.. Anyway: i like your vid's for sure. No big talk just useful info. Txs.
@hopetownsound
11 ай бұрын
Thx! yes, if you're careful logic is great!
@georgeconte5607
Жыл бұрын
I just saw a photo of your mixing room on API’s website - very cool! Have you found your Fredenstein Bento 8 Pros to be reliable and can they supply the proper current requirements of your 500 series outboard gear?
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
Oh thats cool! I knew they used the photo in an ad. yes, the bento pros have been great. they actually supply 500ma per slot which is higher than most. When I first replaced a standard bento with the analog pro I felt like I could hear an increase in headroom. They've been reliable, sound great, great feature like cascading to the adjacent slot (make a channel strip). And like I mentioned in the video, having the VU meter is very addictive. i think they're the best choice by far in a 500 series rack.
@ttyylleerr
Жыл бұрын
Hey man, love your videos. I’m curious if you’re just considering upgrading to a full size console at this point? I just went from the Box after a year of use to a loaded 24 channel 2448 with final touch. While the box is great, I had no idea how many workflows a dual input console would unlock when I really just found myself using the box as a summing mixer.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
Im always thinking about it :). At the moment i can't justify the expense. Also with adding the X-Desk i have 32 channels, with 16 channel EQs so... i am definitely doing full mixing. IDK, if i were going to upgrade, it would be tough to beat the Neve 8424. 24 channels with full console recall for under $30k. Im worried though that i would miss the API sound. Right now, with the EQs i have im getting a really sweet, big sound. As i'm working on it I'm really not sure i need anything more. We'll see. congrats on the 2448! im sure it is amazing!
@hinky7729
Жыл бұрын
Hi, i appreciate that content - very good Information. Sir are you teaching also? I search someone experienced that shares his knowledge (paid of course).
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
you can feel free to reach out through email or DMs. studio@hopetownsound.com
@noegostudios7130
Жыл бұрын
Interesting...To be honest I used Nuendo and then Cubase for years and had so many issues wih their DAW I turned to Logic then Logic Pro. I never face plug ins unless I ask for them. I suggest that method is for newbie users to call up presets maybe to get excited and going but not for an experienced user. I use mostly all rack gear in my hybrid studio but I don't see those issues with Logic and plug ins as I choose when I want them.Nice video though all the same. I use the SSL Matrix with the SSL X Desk and the Xpanda. What do you feed the X desk to? The Matrix has a sum add in the record or cue buss which the stereo output from the X desk feeds. Do you send it to two channels on the Box? when using it as a side car? Those are nice boards.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
i've been using Nuendo since version 2 in 2002. its been incredibly stable. Nuendo in particular is nice for a hybrid set up because it has separate input/ output bus channels. - what I like most is the way nuendo clearly labels channels. Everything isn't just a "bus". You specifically have FX channels, group, channels, input channels, output channels. And so for instance, when my mix comes back to the computer from my analog Console, I can add additional plug-ins to the input channel, then just capture it on a normal audio channel. I don't have to create 2 normal channels, and then a bus send from one to the other. It's a small point, but it's nice. There is a German efficiency to that design that i appreciate. I have Nuendo, Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton (and Wavelab). they all have their pluses and minuses, and they can all get the job done. The best DAW is the one you know best. i'm a commercial recording studio, so I work with Musician all the time who are doing their own work mostly on logic because it's the cheapest option. it's not about who's a newbie or who isn't, it's about musicians who are more interested in their music than learning software, and frankly, I see a lot of engineers who aren't new who are still screwing up gain staging. Logic's GUI is a little bit worse than the others for that, but if you're careful, it's not a big deal. The Steinberg design is the most straightforwardly similar to an analog workflow, which was what attracted me to it in the first place. yes, the API has a stereo summing input on the mix buss. i'm using the X-Desk as a drum submixer. Its working very nicely. The drums arrive at the API already having hit parallel compression, and drum reverb. between the two mixers, I have 32 analog channels that all have 4 auxes, inserts, pan, mute, faders. there are no sub layers - its all in front of me. The matrix is nice, I considered it quite a bit. Also the XL desk. In the end, I decided I wanted the API sound. SSL does an excellent job with adding features though. Even the X desk has some very nice things like input trim and alt channels
@noegostudios7130
Жыл бұрын
@@hopetownsound I must admit it was Cubase 4 that finally broke me being a fan. I go back to before Logic to Emagic and before that tape, but I agree with you on Nuendo. It was reliable then. Also a fan of Doug Fearn. I have the two channel mic pre VT2 and VT4EQ. . We have some similar gear. Cjeers. Enjoying your videos
@ismscsim
Жыл бұрын
How are you routing your limiter on the master track? Got confused there.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
So the API console has built in stereo 527 compressors, that's what the signal hits first. Then the Master Channel has Analog inserts. And that's where I am patched to the D.W. Fearn limiter and the Chandler EQ. And the insert return is just before the master fader which I can use to control the recording level when capturing the mix back to the computer. Also, that master fader controls how hard I hit the output transformers in the mixer. They don't have much sonic affect at low levels but once you get louder, even a couple of dB up or down, can make a big sonic difference because of the transformers.
@ismscsim
Жыл бұрын
@@hopetownsound Thanks for sharing that...I had a Neumann fader for that purpose I found the biggest bonus of tranformers was how waffly bass was nailed down and definite in the mix. I am a fan of transformers. Cheers for you excellent posts on here. Cliff
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
great! I find it really is a sweet spot. Hitting a transformer too hard will apply a Compression very similar to not using a side chain high pass filter. I find it helpful to mix with it lower than I ultimately will use it, and then as a last stage find the exact perfect spot which will be different for every mix.
@johnseals4862
10 ай бұрын
What levels do you calibrate from your DAW to your console?
@hopetownsound
10 ай бұрын
i actually haven't done it in over a year but i think it was -16
@jeffreyoliver4822
Жыл бұрын
What eq’s are you using in the left side of the console.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
the X-Desk's 8 channels inserts are normalled in the bay to 8 API EQs. (2) 560, (2) 550A, (2) 550B and (2) 560. In the triple bay rack there are a pair of Audioscape pultec clones, a pair of hazelrigg VLC-1 (also passive tube EQ), and a Chandler Curve Bender.
@jordanvoth7625
Жыл бұрын
Are there unity detents on the 8 faders on the right?
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
the 8 faders on the left? there aren't detents on any of the faders. They are very smooth.
@jordanvoth7625
Жыл бұрын
@@hopetownsound left is what I meant! Just curious! Really wanting to get one of these soon
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
its a great board!
@RyanHarris77
Жыл бұрын
I thought the red meant I did a good job.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
😂
@timsknuckleball2029
Жыл бұрын
Not be "that logic guy" but what are you talking about with logic? I mean, I get it if you jjust dislike Mac or Logic, but telling people that Logic interrogates you when you make tracks and then imposes plugins on your tracks is just false. You make a new track and it defaults to an empty track. i have never had logic impose plugins on me. As for the meters and mix window, I'm not sure what you consider bad metering. I have used logic since 2005 fwiw.
@hopetownsound
Жыл бұрын
I am very pro Mac (my first was an 8100 tower in 1995), and I happen to like logic for composition (also since 1995). If you use any of the track presets, it automatically slaps a bunch of plug-ins on the track. Yes you can start with no preset and that's fine, but as I mentioned in the video I've had to fix more than a few logic projects for this very reason. it's certainly possible to use logic correctly, but I'm saying that of all the DAWs I see this problem the most in logic. it's typical Apple software design, making things harder when they try to make it easier, or more complicated when they try to make it simpler. Track presets are supposed to make things easier, but instead they create a gain staging problem. it's still the software that I would recommend to any musician starting out, but I would caution them to be careful about the presets.
@timsknuckleball2029
Жыл бұрын
@@hopetownsound but who's using track presets? the people using track presets probably have no concept of gain staging anyway. i would say that telling people to not use a platform full-stop, is more detrimental than saying, "if you use logic, then to avoid creep don't use track presets and just set up your tracks manually like a professional does and you'll avoid all of these problems." honestly, i'm not sure why this got me all bent out of shape, i love logic but i have been migrating to Luna. lol. love the API
@PierGiacalone
Жыл бұрын
@@timsknuckleball2029 I 'm sorry Tim I really don't remember telling anyone not to use Logic. I've always said it's the best choice for composition. If I did say that in the video it was definitely a mistake. I'd be very interested why you're migrating to LUNA. I have both Logic and LUNA and but neither one is my go to DAW so it's good to get your perspective.
Пікірлер: 50