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Sasha redefines his studio environment with SSL equipment (pg. 2)
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| Eric J |
Oh yeah, I completely agree here. The need for things like this is diminished for the average producer, especially if you are not making much money off of your work. The Summing config they have for the X-Rack clocks in at just under $10,000. So unless you have money to burn, getting into a set up like they have is going to run you a pretty penny.
For fun (im bored at work), I added up the cost new for all the stuff I could see in the pictures:
- SSL X-Rack with 4 Four line inputs, 1 8 input + St. Buss Comp - $9,600
- SSL Alpha Link I/O - $2,700
- RME Fireface 800 - $1,699
- Apogee Big Ben - $1,300
- Empirical Labs Distressor EL8 x 2 - $1,350 x 2 = $2,700
- Eventide DSP4000 Ultra Harmonizer - $1,400 (used)
- TL Audio C1 Valve Compressor (used) - $1,000
- UA 6176 Channel Strip - $2,399
So thats a little over $22,000 in just outboard gear alone, not counting the cost of the synths (a TI Polar, Vintage Jupiter 6, and I'm sure a few others), the desk (at least $2,500), and the computer and dual monitors (around $4,000). Then add in the cost of software (> $2-3,000), cables (which are quite expensive once you start buying high grade cable, probably > $2,000), and the monitors (easily > $3,000).
Going the hardware route can get very expensive, very fast. |
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| palm |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
Going the hardware route can get very expensive, very fast. |
part the reason im selling it before i get addicted to it. |
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| MrJiveBoJingles |
| I wonder how much different Sasha's tracks would sound if they were mixed with a less expensive setup. |
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| palm |
| i cant come to mind any of his tracks really. well belfunk was awesome but its older than most of us. |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles
I wonder how much different Sasha's tracks would sound if they were mixed with a less expensive setup. |
Well, in the article, they complained about trying to use Abletons' internal plugins and how things would "stick out" in the mix or weren't just sitting right.
Honestly, when I read the article, it seems to me like these are a bunch of guys who are used to going the hardware route. When they tried to do everything ITB and when they did not feel comfortable, they decided to go back to "the way they used to do it". A lot of it is just a matter of this particular set of producers feels more comfortable in the hardware realm, than someone who learned everything through software, as many up and coming producers are doing now.
While I do agree that running any type of source sound through something like an SSL unit or a good valve compressor is going to give it a pleasing "character", I am still of the belief that you do not NEED to have this amount of stuff if you know what you are doing in the software world. There is no question that running a hardware OR software synth through a nice compressor or console unit is going to make it sound better, that's just what those type of units are good at. Still, I and many others seem to have no problems getting great sounds out of software emulations as well, it just may take a bit more work. |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by palm
i cant come to mind any of his tracks really. well belfunk was awesome but its older than most of us. |
Damn, dude, you must be really young. |
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| palm |
it was figurearly speaking or how you say it. im old enough to have quarterlifecrisis.
btw if u would reccomend only one external unit for mastering (compressor/maximizer etc) what would it be? |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by palm
it was figurearly speaking or how you say it. im old enough to have quarterlifecrisis.
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Haha, I hear you. :)
| quote: | Originally posted by palm
btw if u would reccomend only one external unit for mastering (compressor/maximizer etc) what would it be? |
Honestly, I'm a big fan of the UA 1176 compressors. I wouldn't use one for mastering, but they are outstanding hardware compressors.
The thing is, if you are going to pick up gear in that range, you'd better have pretty good AD/DA conversion, or it's not going to matter how good the compressor sounds. |
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| palm |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
Haha, I hear you. :)
Honestly, I'm a big fan of the UA 1176 compressors. I wouldn't use one for mastering, but they are outstanding hardware compressors.
The thing is, if you are going to pick up gear in that range, you'd better have pretty good AD/DA conversion, or it's not going to matter how good the compressor sounds. |
i used to have the echo audiofire 12 but sold it as i didnt need it anymore for now, im just looking for what i could buy someday. u consider that a good AD/DA? it seemed great imo. ist mastering tools im after tho maybe there exists something with included AD/DA? |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by palm
i used to have the echo audiofire 12 but sold it as i didnt need it anymore for now, im just looking for what i could buy someday. u consider that a good AD/DA? it seemed great imo. ist mastering tools im after tho maybe there exists something with included AD/DA? |
Echo is not going to cut it at that level. At minimum you'll need something along the lines of a MOTU HD192, and better would be RME, Lynx or Apogee, which are all in the $2,000 or greater range. In addition, you'll need to spring for decent cables as well, Mogami are the ones I use, but they can get quite expensive.
Honestly, why are you looking for a mastering processor before anything else? |
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| palm |
| beacuse im going to make my music on computer only (atleast for a while), tho i might get good enough results by using software tools for mastering too, just need to learn it. i just thought it would be nice to just close my eyes and turn some knobs on the final touch. |
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| Eric J |
| IMO all you need is an EQ, a multiband compressor and a Limiter, all of which should be included with any decent DAW software package. I have an all software studio and I do all of my mastering in software, and it sounds just fine. I wouldn't spend a bunch of money on outboard mastering hardware if I were you. Remember, if the premastered mixdown doesn't sound good, mastering isn't going to fix it. |
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