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Everyone knows that 'amateur' demo's are given away by loads of cheap reverb washing around - that's probably why they sound so good some of 'em. (Not sure what the signs are these days, maybe huge chunks of uncleared samples).
However most producers eg Bob Clearmountain, have phases of leaning too much this way or that. Bob was having a ball with reverb on Roxy Music's Avalon.
My first single was recorded by a producer in a very dry phase, bone almost. With hindsight it was not flattering but it was interesting. I'm currently obsessing about high frequency EQ-ing. Will it pass?
So what phase are you in?
"I've got a fuzz box and I'm gonna use it"?

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hollywood_steve Thu, 10/25/2001 - 12:57

I am heading deeper and deeper into the land of minimalism. My 16x8 console sits unused as I record straight to 2 tracks. I'm working towards putting together a little 4x2 board from some Telefunken v78 mic pre's and assorted other modules. My goal is to have a very high quality "live in the studio" setup with no more than 4 mics open. The secret behind this concept is that its cheap. Even a home studio guy can afford to offer nothing but top quality pro gear when you only have to supply 2,3 or 4 channels worth of equipment. For me it came down to a simple question: Would I have more fun with 24 channels of hard disk recording through a Mackie console, or 4 Telefunken preamps into 4 API EQ's onto an Ampex 2 track? hell, I'd rather go mono before I'd bruise my knuckles trying to turn those tiny plastic knobs......
That's the "phase" I'm in - I just hope this phase never ends.

steve
sjp@pacbell.net

Guest Thu, 10/25/2001 - 14:33

I am being drawn into a 'that sounds amazing phase" - I must admit I am not resisting it's pull!
I was starting to get a little panicked re the sound I was attaining in PT..
Fatso, Cranesong, Royer, Sony plug ins to the rescue! (Oh and 3 years learning how to make a record in a DAW).
The time is now!

Lots of doubles phase:

Snare with - no eq
Snare with - eq and compression
Snare with - Sansamp & compression

etc....

And surround phase, just set it up tonight...

This is my favorite season! (phase)

:)

MadMoose Thu, 10/25/2001 - 21:39

I'm in the sucking phase. I've hit the wall and I've hating most of my mixes, some of that is due to the Adats. Over the last few months I've become very aware of how cardboardy they sound. I just bought a JH-24 so hopefully things will change.

As far as effects go I found I've been abusing ping-pong delays a lot. Generally my stuff is farily dry though, long reverbs (maybe 2 seconds) but tucked way back. I've also been trying to compress things less and make my mixes brighter. Usually I'm happy once I add a 2 or 3dB shelf at 6khz to the mix bus. I'm trying to get some of that before mastering though. So far it's not really working.