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OK kiddies! The dog is nipping at your heels trying to stir a little life into this place with a subject we can all join in on: (chorus of Kumbaya optional)

In recent years, what was the piece of equipment that provided you with the most surprising positive experience, and what was the biggest disappointment? And please elaborate!

I'll start it off:

Positive surprise: Sennheiser HD580 headphones. Until I got these, I thought headphones were for tracking only... I never thought they were very useful in mixing. But these babies have such a clean, open, and detailed sound... I definietly pick up stuff I don't hear on my Genelec 1031a +Genelec Sub combo.

Disappointment: the B.L.U.E. mouse microphone. Although it has the coolest metal pop screen in the world, the overly hyped upper mids are not music to MY ears. Of course, I haven't had a chance to try another of the same model, so maybe this dog just got a dog.

OK folks. Your turn...! :w:

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Comments

audiowkstation Wed, 05/08/2002 - 19:59

+ The KR audio Antares Vacuum tube power amplifier.

http://www.kraudio.com

- I try to make any equipment work withing my means of expression..and research everything before my purchase. The downer is not the equipment so much as how people jump on the bandwagon of a magical piece of gear that is supposed to do the job for them. Bullshit. Every piece of equipment made can work wonderfully in it's proper application. That is what studio engineering is all about. Make an ass for every seat. I cannot think of one piece of gear I have ever bought that I cannot find through experience and engineering to get some sort of function out of it that makes it worthwhile. My answer would be equipment so poorly engineered that it has continuous service issues..as in being defective. If equipment was so bad ..any, you could buy a brand new piece of 1991 something. All that were made were sold. Try to buy a new 1972 vega? They served their purpose..good for many..and now gone.

Not ranting..but our job as engineers is to be able to find the proper way (forget the manuals) to employ a certain piece to do the job we bought it to do. It can happen. All the people saying NS10's suck. Now..their mix sucks..work really hard with them and make them sound beautiful..and you finally have a good mix.

Bring on the flames boys....

anonymous Wed, 05/08/2002 - 20:39

Hi ya, Yeah better keep up the posts.
The HD580s are cool.
I really like my Buzz Pre as well.
I have a UA 2-610,9098, 1969 and ISA430 and the Buzz is the best "cannot get a bad sound out of really pre". Although I would not want to only have that color if you know what I mean. But would be a good adition to use with a desk. Would love to try a Vintech 1272 although none over here in OZ, and really do not need another pre.
I am trying to calm my G.A.S., I hae a HD3 system at the store and I am waiting for plugins although still cannot justify the HD3 upgrade with the price for plugin upgrades as well.
Really does not bring in new business. see my new thread.

The Fatso has been cool the last few months as well.

Things that were not maybe what I thought of them, Well the Control24 is cool for the faders and client wank, but really I do not get the money value out of it as it is still to quick to use the mouse. Apart from automation moves.

Stuff I tried and did not like, although only personal.
Avalon 737 sounded great on Bass, did not like on vox
SP T3, nice color, bad sibilance.
M147 just sounded like the singer had a hand on the nose and then was compressed. Did not like it compared to the Rode Classic II I still have and would like to upgrade from soon..

Mad John Fri, 05/24/2002 - 10:10

Hello Fellas,

Last year I got The Manley MU w/mod and The Manley Massive Passive and I must tip my unworn hat to Paul and Eva over there! The best gear I have ever had the plesure to handle!

Disapointments: for all that know me here, the Mackie 32 channel VLZ gave me so many problems, that I had to have it fixed 4 times in 7 months, then Mackie gave my money back and I saved up for a Tident 65! :D

The best is yet to come!

PS like the 1st Twilight Zone episode, I feel compeled to use it's title and ask, "Where is everybody?"

Peace & Dreams my Audio Mates!

Mad John
Zythum Studios
1st Take Productions

"The present day Composer refuses to die!" - Edgard Varese - 1921

anonymous Fri, 05/24/2002 - 12:59

Best surprise: Picked up an Electrix MOFX and FilterFactory at GC (What was I doing there?? :( . The 1/4 inch channel inputs go to the pre's just like the XLR's! Only way direct to the A/D is thru the unbalanced tape ins and then there are only two :eek:
Very disappointing. and just when I was all ready for everything to be appointing.

While we're on the subject. Well at least I am. Anyone know of anyone doing mods on the 01v to byass the pre's?

Kev Fri, 05/24/2002 - 13:53

Akai S900.
perhaps my worst choice.

Atari 1040 st
I bought this the same day and it served for over a decade.

JV1080
A true workhouse.

Takamine Guitar.
I had it a week and decided I hated it. Sold it a week later.

By the way anyone want to buy an S900 ... with the drum interface ... low miles..
oohhh! and THREE ADAT's BRC and Meter Bridge.

Yep I went down that road too. :o

You're all welecome top have a sift through my garage of crap.

Fostex comp
Peavey gatekeeper
Marshal JTM30 .. It's NOT all valve (bugger - I thought it was?) :o
Korg1212 card .. it doesn't talk to anything.

On a happy note to finish.
RNC1773 ... a bargain. :w:

coldsnow Sun, 05/26/2002 - 16:36

Disapointment: Distressor, not that it was bad but with all the hype I was expecting more.
Best things: Fatso, after the Distressor I was expecting less. Also love the Avalon 2044 compressor, sounds so damn nice on everything I run through it. and second the Vintech X73, very nice sounding machine. Finally, the Lawson's L47MP, doesn't get the hype because the merchants can't sell them. But sounds as good or better than anything I've heard made today.

Guest Tue, 05/28/2002 - 03:24

SampleCel - Swapping for MBox next week
All my sampler purchases have come to 'nothing'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q - "Yep I also have two SampleCell II cards.
How are you swapping , friend , shop , Digidesign ?? "

A - The tech guy at a dealer I am tight with happend to be desperate for one, and I needed an MBox for someone..

:)

Kev Tue, 05/28/2002 - 11:53

Originally posted by Julian Standen:

A - The tech guy at a dealer I am tight with happend to be desperate for one, and I needed an MBox for someone..

Cool.
I am doing a wiring/loom job and part of the deal is an Mbox ..... I'm also giving it to a mate.

I'll give it a going over first as one day I plan the laptop thing and it is a good oppotunity to give it a run. I think I'll keep the thing in my name so , with any luck LE will go 32 tracks and I'll be part of a free upgrade. That is , if it goes 32 track, sooner than later.

:w:

coldsnow Tue, 05/28/2002 - 18:13

QUOTE
"Gene Lawson only sells his mics direct, that's why there are no dealers for them. "
Sorry I thought that is what I said. Also, he only sells direct so he can keep the price lower than other companies who sell higher end mics but need to make up the cost of the distributer, the music store, and the salesperson by the time someone buys one. The L 47 MP is well worth the wait. I haven't heard much about the FET mics, what does you friend think of them?