I'm visiting my parents' house in CA this weekend and my dad is a stereo enthusiast... rebuilds tube amps and all kinds of stereo equipment as a hobby now that he's retired.

He has a new set-up that sounds amazing... he has two new Canary Audio CA-903 dual mono preamps (one for left, one for right), two Cary SLM 100 tube amps (same, right and left), and a Rega Apollo cd player/DAC being run through some Revolver RW45 speakers.

There are some pics below... but I've got to tell you, I've strived for awesome audio quality in our studio and done a pretty good job. But I haven't heard anything like this before - may be the analog sound, or whatever it is, but this just sounds amazing. I put in some tracks and I very familiar with heard it SO differently. The sound was much warmer (analog) and just far more enjoyable to listen to. Just thought I'd share... I'll post an actual pic in a day or two when I can get the photo to a reasonable size with Photoshop at home, but these are pics of what he's got...

I need to get an analog sound, or whatever it is that makes this so good to listen to!!!!!!!!! And need to incorporate it from stereo to recording... any help?

I guess I kinda can imagine what you mean...the thing is, I wouldn't like that in my studio simply because monitors deliver precise sound...these tube amps and so on...the warming as you call it...means they colour the sound in one way or another...which makes you not hear as precisely as you would on monitors...

just my 2 cents


Otherwise...I'm sure it must sound amazing!

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Vintage warmer and other such effects can emulate the analogue sound. I wouldn't do it too much though.

You're right BOOsTER - I got excited about what I was hearing, but in practicality, not the system you want to monitor though. I think what I would like to do is add some of the warmth to the sounds in recording rather than monitoring.

To your point echosystem, I may look into a vinatage warmer. Have you used one? Like, dislike?

This is just the first time the sound actually inspired me... I may add a vintage warmer or something to run some of the synths I have on a current track to see the difference. Thanks for the note. I need a new sound system for the theatre room now.

Vintage Warmer (PSP) runs on your master channel. You can't put it on instrument channels because it introduces latency. Any kind of tube distortion plugins etc. can be used on individual instruments to do what you want.

would happen the same way to me hehe...I mean it's just that I hadn't heard it...so I can easily say this...otherwise I would be influenced by the same WOW effect as you...

you might want to look for some vintage preamps and then run your synths through that for some warmness...or some software emulations like the Vintage Warmer that's been mentioned before...

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Help me make soundtrack for my grandpa´s art exhibition:
Check out my topic about it here
Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by echosystm Vintage Warmer (PSP) runs on your master channel. You can't put it on instrument channels because it introduces latency. Any kind of tube distortion plugins etc. can be used on individual instruments to do what you want.

why can't you use vintage warmer on single tracks!? it's no problem this day with all the PDC in the hosts..

quote:

Originally posted by thecYrus why can't you use vintage warmer on single tracks!? it's no problem this day with all the PDC in the hosts..

It's like using a linear phase eq, something to do with the way it processes the audio while it's already reading ahead.

EDIT: Actually Cubase was supposed to pick up on that... but it doesn't for me!? Odd.

There is a huge difference in sound between tube driven gear and solid state - even with using CDs as a source.

Now if your dad is a true analog type of guy, he will pick up a good turntable (like a VPI) and you will hear even more amazing details....

Cary makes some great gear (performs above its price range) - never heard revolver speakers.

We are actually hooking up a turntable today and a Marantz receiver today. Look forward to hearing it, but wish I had some of my vinyl because I'm so familiar with the tracks.

We're going to find a good tube pre to run my synths through. He offered to rebuild it if necessary. So I can have the option of running it through the pre for the warm sound or not. Could be cool...

Question on this...

If I'm looking for a tube amp/pre to run synths (and maybe drum machine) through, does it need to be passive, or can it be a good tube amp? What we are looking at is a Harmon Kardon Citation 2 and the set-up would be:

synth/drum machine - to tube amp - to interface - to monitors.

Is it ok to have an amp in the middle of that, before the interface? Or does it too much power to the interface? Just want to make sure there's not too much power and that I can keep the audio quality with the way I'm recording. Otherwise I'll need to find a passive pre or something... Focusrite's manual sucks and the FAQ has nothing on it...

May be a dumb question, but nonetheless I don't know the answer.

Last edited by Ray_Chappell on May-27-2007 at 20:14

Dirty sent 28/05/2007 1:53 AM:
you have to turn on the delay compensation., it's in top left corner, looks like a little icon with a clock, and when it's on it's orange.. at list in nuendo

There we go. Learn something new every day.