I've started another blog called Random Notes in addition to this one.  It just seemed best to keep the two topics of recording and my rambling incoherent thoughts about everything else separate.   

The album is coming along fine.  It's a time consuming process of mixing and remixing at the moment.  It's 90% done. It's the last 10% that we're stressing over.  I'm a perfectionist and can't settle for anything less than what I want.

Tech 21 Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver

My gosh, has it been that long since I've posted.  On this upcoming album a Godin SD bass was used. It was modified with Seymour Duncan STK-J1 classic Stack in the bridge and SPB-3 Quarter Pound in the neck recorded through a Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver directly into the Roland 2480.

We're using a three mic technique recording live drums with crown CM 700s as over heads and a Sennhieser e206 on the kick.   The technique consists of placing the first overhead mic two drum stick lengths directly above the snare and the second over head  mic two drum stick lengths over the drummers left shoulder (my drummer, Carylee Zwang is a lefty).  The Kick mic was placed on the beater side.   This set up seemed to be pretty servicable for what I need it for. 

We spent some time yesterday listening to the 2480's mic pres and auditioning some of the mic preamp modeling software that came with the VS8F-3 card.  The amp modeling software in the 2480 is pretty useful.   It comes with the whole vocal channel:  compressor, expander, de esser, EQ and preamp selector.  Preamp models inlude models like Manley, Neve, Millenia etc.  I liked the Manley (imparted a bit of warmth over and above the standard 2480 pre) and Neve (a little more open).  The differences between models is subtle.  We also spent some time  A /B listening to the Mackie Onyx pres and the standard 2480 pres (no models).   I would say the main difference is that the 2480 has a brighter top end.  Both are very good depending on your application.

We also spent some more time with the LA2A plugin software (the main reason I bought the VS8F-3 card).   I love this plug in  especially on  a vocal track.  This is the most useful compressor I've ever used.  It's very simple to use with only 2 knobs ie; gain and compressor.  The more you slam the audio into the wall, the warmer and thicker it sounds.  It's quite interesting, and easy to get too carried away with.  I'll have to watch it.

Roland 2480

Well,  I just go back from LA where Dan Krisher from Roland demonstrated for me during my recording session the VS8F-3 card with the LA2A and 1176LN compressor plug ins from Universal Audio for the Roland 2480.  I was very impressed to say the least.  It's hard to believe what the LA2A lends to a vocal track.   The LA2A imparts so much more presence and meat to the track.  I can't think of a better adjective other than to say it sounds meaty in a very good way.  Where's the beef?  It's in the LA2A.  There's something much more going on than just a gain increase.  Often times in audio I think people make the mistake that some piece of gear makes the track better when really it's just a little louder.   Dan also programmed the software that comes with the VS8F-3 card which includes the mic preamp modeling including Mic pres from Millenia, Neve and Manley to name a few.   I'm going back to the Roland onboard pres and give these a serious listen.  The software included with the VS8F-3 card also includes the mastering tool kit, tempo mapping effect, stereo reverb and vocal channel strip.  If your using the 2480, you'll want to hear my next CD as it will demonstrate 2480 pretty well. 

Mackie Big Knob

No other tool has made making working in the studio more convenient for me.  This has really streamlined my monitoring process.  I can input up to four audio sources and route them to three different sets of speakers.   There are really only three stereo inputs as the fourth is a phono input.   I'm not even sure why they did that.   How many people are listening to a record player in their studio?  I'd rather have a fourth normal input, but have no fear, I understand that with  a couple 30 db pads in place  it turns the phonograph input into a normal input.   I'll give it a try if I ever need the fourth input.

One of the coolest features on the Big Knob is the talk back mic.  It allows me to communicate easily with my drummer sixty five feet away in my drum room.  

I really didn't want to spend three hundred dollars for just a convenience item, but I can't imagine my work flow without it now.  It was worth every penny.

Mackie 1640 mixer

We spent the day using the Mackie Onyx 1640 mixer, and I think it's definitely a keeper.  The Perkins EQ is a great improvement, and much more usable than the previous Mackie EQ on VLZ and VLZ Pro mixers.  If your a Mackie user you'll certainly appreciate this improvement.   Mackie has also added an EQ in/out switch which is a great help in auditioning EQ adjustments.  The new Onyx mic pres are also an improvement.  I'll be doing some more microphone recording with them, but so far I'm pleased with the results of the song I've recorded.  

We're using the 1640 as the front end to the Roland 2480.  Though the pres are good on the 2480,  I think the pres on the 1640 will add some more flexibility and choice in my studio.  Some have complained about the 1640 tapping the audio signal directly after the pres for the Fire Wire card which leaves the user unable to use the inserts or the very nice EQ.  This is only a problem if your recording 16 channels simultaneously.   I am tapping the signal after the EQ section via the aux sends which allows me to record 6 sources simultaneously,  which for tracking is just fine for me.  Doing this allows me full use of the insert jack and the excellent EQ on the 1640 should I choose to track with it.   I just patch the 6 aux send lines  into the 2480 line ins.  Roland informs me that with their gain knob fully counter clockwise, their pre is fully bypassed so it's just an input with gain being supplied by the Onyx 1640.  The A/D conversion on the 2480 is perfectly adequate.  I may consider something from Apogee later, but at this point I don't feel the slight fidelity difference is really worth 2-3 grand.

I'd also like to comment on the low noise of the 1640.  Single channel tracking with hefty gain at the 3 o'clock postion at several stages is very quiet.  Even six channels with gain stages at 12-1 o'clock postions, the 1640 exhibits very low self noise.   

Well, we're finally getting ready to record.   There's a few items that I want before I start.  I will be purchasing 2 sets of primeacoustic acoustic panels. These are free standing, and their placement can be adjusted.   I prefer this over a fixed acoustic installation.  It of course allows more flexibility in tuning the room.   I will also be aquiring the Mackie Big Knob.  This is really going to simplify my monitoring process tons.  Last but not least, I'm going to give the Mackie Onyx 1640 a try.  I've heard there is a significant improvement in the fidelity of this board.  My previous VLZ was good so I'm looking forward to these mic pres combined with the Perkins "British" EQ it also offers.  I hope to get these things in the next couple of weeks.