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01-14-2019, 03:49 PM
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#1
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Warm Audio WA-2A, anyone use it?
Hi, I've been thinking about adding a good comp to my signal chain. I almost only record vocals, my current chain is:
Hulk 990 Mic -> Golden Age Pre-73, -> ART Pro Channel II (comp/eq only), -> Motu, -> Reaper
When mixing I'm all inside Reaper. I am using Waves CA-2A on vocals all the time, it really has the smooth sound I'm looking for, so I thought having the real thing in the signal chain might be good.
So, curious if anyone has any experience with this unit or other 2A clones, or other optos. Any drawbacks, etc?
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01-14-2019, 04:29 PM
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#2
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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I thought about picking one up but haven't yet. I do have two WA-87 LDCs which is what turned me on to Warm Audio.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
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01-14-2019, 05:11 PM
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#3
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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How is that mic? I am happy with the mic I have now, but you know how that goes, haha.
I was also looking at Stam Audio, who makes some vintage clones of the 2A and others. Similar price, too.
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01-14-2019, 06:01 PM
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#4
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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I was looking for a set of LDCs that didn't have that airy peak in the 8-12k region which many have - this one is more flat there, possibly less flattering but more natural sounding since I already had plenty of other LDCs with that peak in the high end.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
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01-14-2019, 10:59 PM
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#5
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,912
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How do you find your WA-87's Karbomusic?
Impressed beyond reason?
Impressed?
Genuinely pleased?
Pleased?
Moderately pleased
Okay?
A little disappointed?
Disappointed?
Use them because I have them?
Grinder
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01-16-2019, 10:51 AM
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#6
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grinder
How do you find your WA-87's Karbomusic?
Impressed beyond reason?
Impressed?
Genuinely pleased?
Pleased?
Moderately pleased
Okay?
A little disappointed?
Disappointed?
Use them because I have them?
Grinder
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I think the best answer is they fill a whole I didn't have in my mic collection. So I'm genuinely pleased if I'm using them for what I need them for. FWIW, those are the only mics used in these recordings which are live aka M/S config/single take about 24-30 inches back:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3tyRVmqU9k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU_U4CDOuLM
They also don't do a bad job on drum overheads.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
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01-16-2019, 11:25 AM
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#7
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,912
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Thanks for that Karbomusic yes you do have to try these things to know I do have some reasonable mics already.
To purchase two of these that does say something though.
Among my collection I have two Lewitt LC 650's which I am only just recently getting to know. The same can be said for my one Rhode K2.
Grinder
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01-16-2019, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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I remember hearing really good things about the Lewitts.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
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01-16-2019, 01:03 PM
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#9
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by karbomusic
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Wow, pretty sweet dude and the mic sounds great...especially so far back from it. do you have any processing on that recording?
Also, does the mic come with that particular shock mount?
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01-16-2019, 01:19 PM
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#10
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
Wow, pretty sweet dude and the mic sounds great...especially so far back from it. do you have any processing on that recording?
Also, does the mic come with that particular shock mount?
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It does come with those shockmounts and nice cherry wood cases.
There is some processing, some CLA-2A on the track itself but only knocking none to 1 dB off. SSL G on the master hitting a little harder maybe 3dB, reverb and there is also very light JS: ozzifier chorus and some analog delay but it is subtle. I hoped that would sound good but not too obvious.
It's a project I worked on end of the summer into the fall because I was a bit burned out on multiple takes, editing and slicing and dicing and other studio tricks, I wanted to take a break and force myself to just play and sing a song from beginning to end with no post edits. I'm glad I did it, I think I wept openly a few times by making a mistake during the last 5 seconds of an otherwise great take. That's also why "we just disagree" begins with that lo-fi accidental losing of the pick, I staged that but it was about my journey of not being able to make a mistake.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
Last edited by karbomusic; 01-16-2019 at 06:20 PM.
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01-17-2019, 03:55 PM
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#11
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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very nice, dude. nice performance and sweet sounding mic, it's definitely going on my list for this year. I have the Hulk 990, which is supposed to sort of mimic the U87 as well but purposefully brighter in the top end. It makes the sweet spot for driving the preamp pretty small (without eq), and I do want something a little more versatile.
thanks for sharing!
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01-17-2019, 05:22 PM
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#12
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 29,269
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Thank you sir, and before I forget, nice to have you on board aka happy 1 year forum anniversary.
__________________
Music is what feelings sound like.
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01-18-2019, 10:40 AM
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#13
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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ha, thanks...and thanks to a great community
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03-15-2019, 12:28 PM
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#14
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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welllll, I changed my mind and have just preordered this from Stam Audio:
http://www.stamaudio.com/sa23aplus.html
8 week lead though but I'm excited! I'll definitely post some stuff about it when it arrives.
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08-19-2019, 12:57 PM
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#15
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Update! First off, screw Stam Audio. They just don't have their act together at all...I won't rant on them here but they totally lied, lied again, and again after that so I pulled my order and spent my money elsewhere.
So....I went 180 degrees with my setup, I received my Slate Digital VMS One last week and have gotten several hours with it so far. I'm very pleased with it, I'll do a thorough review of it in the near future. There's lots to say about it and the concept in general, so stay tuned for that.
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08-19-2019, 03:58 PM
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#16
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Posts: 11,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
Update! First off, screw Stam Audio. They just don't have their act together at all...I won't rant on them here but they totally lied, lied again, and again after that so I pulled my order and spent my money elsewhere.
So....I went 180 degrees with my setup, I received my Slate Digital VMS One last week and have gotten several hours with it so far. I'm very pleased with it, I'll do a thorough review of it in the near future. There's lots to say about it and the concept in general, so stay tuned for that.
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Did you check out the Sphere L22, luxurious
__________________
To install you need the CSI Software and Support Files
For installation instructions and documentation see the Wiki
Donate -- via PayPal to waddingtongeoff@gmail.com
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08-19-2019, 04:35 PM
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#17
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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I did, but there wasn't a way to demo it or see it in action (in person), my fear is the software emulation and the cpu/latency impact. I didn't see it talked about much anywhere, but I know how well slate digital and the vmr work when tracking. Plus I hate when they make proprietary mic connections. I had that issue with an MXL mic several years back, that thing is still in the closet because I couldn't get it repaired.
Edit: all that, and plus....CSI integration....
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08-19-2019, 05:52 PM
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#18
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Posts: 11,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
I did, but there wasn't a way to demo it or see it in action (in person), my fear is the software emulation and the cpu/latency impact. I didn't see it talked about much anywhere, but I know how well slate digital and the vmr work when tracking. Plus I hate when they make proprietary mic connections. I had that issue with an MXL mic several years back, that thing is still in the closet because I couldn't get it repaired.
Edit: all that, and plus....CSI integration....
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From what i can read/see/hear theSphere L22 is way above the Slate VMS sonically.
You should at least check out some demos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlFGW4E_1NU
It really is a cut above, IMHO.
__________________
To install you need the CSI Software and Support Files
For installation instructions and documentation see the Wiki
Donate -- via PayPal to waddingtongeoff@gmail.com
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08-20-2019, 01:10 AM
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#19
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near Cambridge UK and Near Questembert, France
Posts: 22,754
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Personal recommendation:
I bought a used Rode Classic Mk1 a few years ago after using one in a friends pro studio. Blew me away in terms of bang for the buck and how good it made my voice sound.
The only other mic I have used that I liked better was a very well cared-for vintage AKG C12, wich even if you could find one is out of most peoples budget range.
I got lucky & only paid £400 (about $500 at the time) for mine.
Also, Rode`s support is second to none.
I wrote them asking if they could sell me a suspension mount for my Classic.
About 2 weeks later I got a package from Australia containing a suspension mount.
And a letter saying they never made one for the Mk1 sdo they had modified a Mk2 one & it was free with their compliments.
Wow.
__________________
Ici on parles Franglais
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08-20-2019, 11:53 AM
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#20
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoff Waddington
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the Sphere has the ability to change polar patterns and therefore also better handling of off-axis signals. So yes it has that, but for what I do (recording vocals over beats) it's really more than I'll ever use. I don't like the way vocalists sound off-axis anyway on any mic and will stop a recording if I hear it....and there's never a need for anything besides cardoid.
In terms of emulating the mics...I can barely hear a difference in the slate VMS, anything beyond that I honestly don't care, it's such a small difference is most cases.
Also what's never really talked about is the fact that the ML1 mic is actually a really good condensor mic by itself...albeit very boring, but the clarity is there, super low noise from the preamp which is very important when recording over beats which most seem to be produced in the box anyway.
long sentence lol
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08-20-2019, 12:00 PM
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#21
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,912
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Poetnprophet
If you are looking again for a compressor
I doubt you would want more than one AudioScape Engineering Co make.
I purchased the mastering compressor a couple of months ago and
could not be more happier.
Chris makes other types, worth a look for you.
Grinder
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08-20-2019, 12:56 PM
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#22
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Posts: 11,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
the Sphere has the ability to change polar patterns and therefore also better handling of off-axis signals. So yes it has that, but for what I do (recording vocals over beats) it's really more than I'll ever use. I don't like the way vocalists sound off-axis anyway on any mic and will stop a recording if I hear it....and there's never a need for anything besides cardoid.
In terms of emulating the mics...I can barely hear a difference in the slate VMS, anything beyond that I honestly don't care, it's such a small difference is most cases.
Also what's never really talked about is the fact that the ML1 mic is actually a really good condensor mic by itself...albeit very boring, but the clarity is there, super low noise from the preamp which is very important when recording over beats which most seem to be produced in the box anyway.
long sentence lol
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Cool, just wanted to point it out in case you hadn't looked into it.
__________________
To install you need the CSI Software and Support Files
For installation instructions and documentation see the Wiki
Donate -- via PayPal to waddingtongeoff@gmail.com
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08-20-2019, 02:21 PM
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#23
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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always appreciate the insight!
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10-14-2019, 01:34 PM
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#24
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Well, after a couple of months with the VMS I have come to realize it's just not enough on its own. It is absolutely missing "something".
I was bbq-ing this weekend, using my propane system. My neighbor was also bbq'ing using a charcoal grill. His I could smell and feel, but mine I couldn't. Analog vs digital is a lot like propane vs charcoal. There are certainly some technical "things" you can attribute to the differences....but then there's also the "feeling" you get when bbq'ing on charcoal, or consuming such bbq. You don't need to know the technical side to know one is "better" than the other.
So with that said, I ended up routing the VMS back thru the analog path and then onto the digital mic system. The sound is great, and I still get the benefits of using different mic emu's, even if they aren't true I still have the function.
I'm likely to change my mind again lol. I'm so lame
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12-24-2019, 07:52 AM
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#25
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NA - North Augusta South Carolina
Posts: 4,294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
So, curious if anyone has any experience with this unit or other 2A clones, or other optos. Any drawbacks, etc?
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Guys I know that have all of their stuff (and the real deal) like it, although one says the input is finicky.
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12-24-2019, 09:02 AM
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#26
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Joisey
Posts: 6,027
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
Hi, I've been thinking about adding a good comp to my signal chain. I almost only record vocals, my current chain is:
Hulk 990 Mic -> Golden Age Pre-73, -> ART Pro Channel II (comp/eq only), -> Motu, -> Reaper
When mixing I'm all inside Reaper. I am using Waves CA-2A on vocals all the time, it really has the smooth sound I'm looking for, so I thought having the real thing in the signal chain might be good.
So, curious if anyone has any experience with this unit or other 2A clones, or other optos. Any drawbacks, etc?
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I have the Stam SA-2A. It's very good. If I were buying today, I'd go with the Audio-Scape's LA-2A clone. A little more expensive than Warm ($999 vs $899), and larger, but I think you'd be happier based on everything I've heard about the Audio-Scape unit. I've got their Bus Compressor (SSL clone) and love it.
Audio-Scape builds their products in the USA in small batches. There's a few drops each week, and they post on social media the day of, and the products go on sale at 8PM Eastern Time and will generally ship the next day. No year-plus long waits like Stam, but you may have to try a few times or wait a few weeks to catch the product you want.
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12-24-2019, 01:05 PM
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#27
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funkybot
I have the Stam SA-2A. It's very good. If I were buying today, I'd go with the Audio-Scape's LA-2A clone. A little more expensive than Warm ($999 vs $899), and larger, but I think you'd be happier based on everything I've heard about the Audio-Scape unit. I've got their Bus Compressor (SSL clone) and love it.
Audio-Scape builds their products in the USA in small batches. There's a few drops each week, and they post on social media the day of, and the products go on sale at 8PM Eastern Time and will generally ship the next day. No year-plus long waits like Stam, but you may have to try a few times or wait a few weeks to catch the product you want.
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Thanks, I will check them out after the holidays. Lucky you got a Stam unit, I wouldn't mind the wait if they were more forthcoming, but the way they keep delaying is too frustrating.
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12-24-2019, 01:15 PM
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#28
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,912
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The more I use my AudioScape Buss Comp the more trusting
I get to feel on my logic when purchasing unused.
great builder
Grinder
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12-24-2019, 01:58 PM
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#29
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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hmm, I do need a buss comp pretty badly, this may be my next investment...if I can catch one.
thank you
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12-24-2019, 02:23 PM
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#30
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 653
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Yep... Love their pultech, 2A, Neve etc. They have a nice line
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12-29-2019, 09:31 AM
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#31
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Banned
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 55
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I remember hearing really good things about the Lewitts too
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02-14-2020, 01:57 PM
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#32
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Well.....I didn't get the WA-2A, but I just got my Comp-2A from Golden Age Project. so now my whole signal chain is GAP, haha.
I just got it connected yesterday and barely had a lot of time with it, but so far so good!
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02-14-2020, 08:50 PM
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#33
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 7
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going in with a tracking opto doesnt leave the correction ability as does the ITB method of tracking. Ive flip flopped on this approach and it seems most that track with comps do it sparingly as someone else mentioned.
sounds like a great strip with the gap pre and gap-LA....its a classic combo.
Ive not done the WA2A...but the original JoeMeek VC1 OEP transformer + opto comp is great and have the LA610 opto comp...but too much going in might not sound so good days later, while light touches control without issues. of course cranking it for fx is fun too....i dont have any answers
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02-15-2020, 03:05 AM
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#34
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Berlin
Posts: 11,818
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2:1 for tracking is fine, especially with a good opto.
3:1 is pretty extreme. Whatever works, sure, but subtle goes a long way. Most singers need to be compressed even with skillfull distance meddling.
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02-16-2020, 05:03 PM
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#35
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,676
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I think the OP made the right decision. You can drive yourself insane looking for "Mjolnir" with outboard. If you can find something that fits your needs and budget, then you've won.
It's really important to learn as much as you can before buying. There's as much cork-sniffing as there is low end junk.
In the end, if it works for you, it's an excellent piece of gear.
__________________
"I've never trusted Klingons and I never will. I can never forgive them for the death of my boy."
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02-18-2020, 11:51 AM
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#36
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coolcat
going in with a tracking opto doesnt leave the correction ability as does the ITB method of tracking. Ive flip flopped on this approach and it seems most that track with comps do it sparingly as someone else mentioned.
sounds like a great strip with the gap pre and gap-LA....its a classic combo.
Ive not done the WA2A...but the original JoeMeek VC1 OEP transformer + opto comp is great and have the LA610 opto comp...but too much going in might not sound so good days later, while light touches control without issues. of course cranking it for fx is fun too....i dont have any answers
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I hear you. I have been tracking with another opto (ART Pro Channel II) for almost a year now, I gradually increased the amount of GR from about 2db (barely any) to a modest amount, maybe 5-10db depending on who and what. I personally like the sound and it's just less I have to dig into during mixdown. Right now I'm only doing up to 5db GR, it's working pretty well. The color of this thing is pretty sweet and definitely better than the ART unit.
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09-10-2020, 10:03 AM
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#37
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funkybot
I have the Stam SA-2A. It's very good. If I were buying today, I'd go with the Audio-Scape's LA-2A clone. A little more expensive than Warm ($999 vs $899), and larger, but I think you'd be happier based on everything I've heard about the Audio-Scape unit. I've got their Bus Compressor (SSL clone) and love it.
Audio-Scape builds their products in the USA in small batches. There's a few drops each week, and they post on social media the day of, and the products go on sale at 8PM Eastern Time and will generally ship the next day. No year-plus long waits like Stam, but you may have to try a few times or wait a few weeks to catch the product you want.
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Thank you very much for the recommendation to AudioScape. It has taken me nearly a year, but I am expecting my D-Comp to arrive any day now. After perusing their lineup, that was what I saved my money for. I also have a BussComp that sounds absolutely amazing on the mixbus. cheers!
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09-17-2020, 12:48 AM
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#38
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near Cambridge UK and Near Questembert, France
Posts: 22,754
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poetnprophet
Well.....I didn't get the WA-2A, but I just got my Comp-2A from Golden Age Project. so now my whole signal chain is GAP, haha.
I just got it connected yesterday and barely had a lot of time with it, but so far so good!
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Good choice. Bo`s stuff is excellent in my experience.
__________________
Ici on parles Franglais
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