Upgrading to 500 series??
-
- takin' a dinner break
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:52 pm
- Location: Southeast Iowa
- Contact:
Upgrading to 500 series??
I have a little project studio at home and have been recording with a Roland VS-2400 CD. I'm thinking of upgrading to some outboard gear and I'm looking at the vast 500 series options. My questions are:
What do I need to know about a 500 series set-up?
Any suggestions for a chassis?
Any suggestions for a pre, an eq, and a compressor? I'm considering the Shadow Hills Mono Gama for a pre, the Grace M502 for a compessor, and the Great River 32 EQ for eq.
My "studio" is basically just for self-recording and not a commercial enterprise. I've released a couple of CD's, a film soundtrack, and some PSA work for the film director I did the film with ... all on the Roland but I've got the means and desire to move out of the box if I take a smallish step.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks as always to this generous community!!!
What do I need to know about a 500 series set-up?
Any suggestions for a chassis?
Any suggestions for a pre, an eq, and a compressor? I'm considering the Shadow Hills Mono Gama for a pre, the Grace M502 for a compessor, and the Great River 32 EQ for eq.
My "studio" is basically just for self-recording and not a commercial enterprise. I've released a couple of CD's, a film soundtrack, and some PSA work for the film director I did the film with ... all on the Roland but I've got the means and desire to move out of the box if I take a smallish step.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks as always to this generous community!!!
Re: Upgrading to 500 series??
dennisjames wrote:
What do I need to know about a 500 series set-up?
The thing to keep in mind with 500 series is that its a popular/convenient solution primarily because it allows you to mix/match modules in a modular form factor (either the chassis you see for sale, up to mixing consoles), either for purpose of designing your own channel strip or having a lot of processing at your fingertips...etc....
I wouldn't necessarily consider it an "upgrade" so to speak, as much as the hip thing right now in outboard gear...just a repackaging of hardware, and often redesigned to fit certain spec requirements (power being a big one, and of course size), you do pay a premium for 500 series when manufacturers sell both.
Which isn't to say that 500 series is good or bad, just my observation...
- digitaldrummer
- cryogenically thawing
- Posts: 3527
- Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:51 pm
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Contact:
-
- takin' a dinner break
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:52 pm
- Location: Southeast Iowa
- Contact:
-
- speech impediment
- Posts: 4270
- Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 5:31 pm
- Location: Norman, OK
- Contact:
Plugging into the chain that you described, and hitting your Roland via a line input should be a mind-blowingly obvious improvement over just plugging into the Roland's built in microphone preamp.
Studio - http://www.hookechosound.com
Label - http://www.wearenicepeople.com
Band - http://www.depthandcurrent.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/HoodEchoSound
Label - http://www.wearenicepeople.com
Band - http://www.depthandcurrent.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/HoodEchoSound
- Jeff White
- ghost haunting audio students
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:15 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact:
I honestly cannot say enough great things about the Brent Averill lunchboxes and racks. I personally own a 6-space BAE rack that currently houses a pair of CAPI VP26 preamps, and I also have a BAE DLB with a pair of CAPI VP26 preamps in it on loan over here that I put together for a friend. The racks and power supplies are top notch, plus a single power supply will power 2 6-space racks. Awesome.
As far as preamps are concerned, if you are into DIY, the Classic Audio Products of Illinois VP26 (etc, etc) are a totally amazing front end to any DAW setup. I prefer them over the BAE 312 preamps, which are also awesome. (Side note: The 4 BAE 312s that I borrowed and extensively used for off and on for 5 years were built from actual API cards with the 2520 op-amps.)
I personally love the flexibility of the 500-series racks and modules, and combined with the DIY stuff that is out there it all ends up being a really affordable way to get an awesome front end to your setup.
Jeff
As far as preamps are concerned, if you are into DIY, the Classic Audio Products of Illinois VP26 (etc, etc) are a totally amazing front end to any DAW setup. I prefer them over the BAE 312 preamps, which are also awesome. (Side note: The 4 BAE 312s that I borrowed and extensively used for off and on for 5 years were built from actual API cards with the 2520 op-amps.)
I personally love the flexibility of the 500-series racks and modules, and combined with the DIY stuff that is out there it all ends up being a really affordable way to get an awesome front end to your setup.
Jeff
I record, mix, and master in my Philly-based home studio, the Spacement. https://linktr.ee/ipressrecord
I just hopped on the 500 series train with a 6 slot Lindell lunchbox and a couple of CAPI VP26s that I bought already assembled for incredibly reasonable (well under $400 each) prices. I coudn't be happier with the pres and the lunchbox. The Lindell was cheaper (a factor that drives many of my purchases) than comparable products; it can be found for $299 shipped if you do a little Googlage.
I also like the fact that quite a bit of 19" rack gear can be found for much cheaper in the 500-series form.
I also like the fact that quite a bit of 19" rack gear can be found for much cheaper in the 500-series form.
-
- tinnitus
- Posts: 1135
- Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 8:19 am
- Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA
- Contact:
If on a budget, you pay a premium for 500 designs. They are priced far above equivalent designs in traditional rack platforms, if you shop carefully and buy used. I also find 500 modules congested, too many tiny knobs in too small a space.
One can spend $500~600 quickly for a single compressor. You can buy used rack comps for about $100, if you shop around. Look for used Aphex, Rane, Symetrix and other 'off brands' not on the current fashion list.
Same with EQ's, I got a bunch of used EQ's for nothing, some as low as fifty bucks.
I filled a 12 space rack with goodies all for the price of one 500 module and a 500 rack to hold it.
One can spend $500~600 quickly for a single compressor. You can buy used rack comps for about $100, if you shop around. Look for used Aphex, Rane, Symetrix and other 'off brands' not on the current fashion list.
Same with EQ's, I got a bunch of used EQ's for nothing, some as low as fifty bucks.
I filled a 12 space rack with goodies all for the price of one 500 module and a 500 rack to hold it.
Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades
Audio Upgrades
- Jeff White
- ghost haunting audio students
- Posts: 3263
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:15 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Contact:
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm on ebay right now looking at rack gear!Jim Williams wrote:If on a budget, you pay a premium for 500 designs. They are priced far above equivalent designs in traditional rack platforms, if you shop carefully and buy used. I also find 500 modules congested, too many tiny knobs in too small a space.
One can spend $500~600 quickly for a single compressor. You can buy used rack comps for about $100, if you shop around. Look for used Aphex, Rane, Symetrix and other 'off brands' not on the current fashion list.
Same with EQ's, I got a bunch of used EQ's for nothing, some as low as fifty bucks.
I filled a 12 space rack with goodies all for the price of one 500 module and a 500 rack to hold it.
I agree with the "buy it used" thing, as everything that I have for the most part is used. My BAE rack w/ power supply was $400 from here on the TOMB. It took me a long time to commit to spending that kind of cash to dive in. I agree that the rack/power supply for 500 series is definitely a bit pricey for something that doesn't process any audio. However, once you are in, you are in.
For me, my plan is simply to build a bunch of preamps for my rack, so the small squished form factor isn't really an issue with them. However, I can definitely see how it could be an issue with busier modules. My VP26 preamps were under $300 each with op-amps DIY. They sound great and a bunch of local hero engineers/producers who I have been working in tandem with love the sounds that I'm getting as well. At under half as much as a BAE or API 312 preamp, I feel as if I'm on the right track.
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/77/vp26-preamp/
As Jim said, if you want to have a single channel strip made up of great-sounding components (preamp, EQ, compressor) then yes, 500-series may NOT be the way to go on a budget. If you are looking to build a rack of 6-12 preamps that you'll pretty much never outgrow that will fit in a 3-space or 6-space rack with a power supply, then 500-series is the shit.
Jeff
I record, mix, and master in my Philly-based home studio, the Spacement. https://linktr.ee/ipressrecord
-
- takin' a dinner break
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:52 pm
- Location: Southeast Iowa
- Contact:
Turns out you were really, really right! It was a mind blowing experience. As a matter of fact, I bought a 500 lunchbox, a couple of pre's, an eq, and a compressor but I got a new mic collection as an added bonus. I cannot believe the difference.Plugging into the chain that you described, and hitting your Roland via a line input should be a mind-blowingly obvious improvement over just plugging into the Roland's built in microphone preamp.
-
- speech impediment
- Posts: 4270
- Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2003 5:31 pm
- Location: Norman, OK
- Contact:
dennisjames wrote:Turns out you were really, really right! It was a mind blowing experience. As a matter of fact, I bought a 500 lunchbox, a couple of pre's, an eq, and a compressor but I got a new mic collection as an added bonus. I cannot believe the difference.Plugging into the chain that you described, and hitting your Roland via a line input should be a mind-blowingly obvious improvement over just plugging into the Roland's built in microphone preamp.
Studio - http://www.hookechosound.com
Label - http://www.wearenicepeople.com
Band - http://www.depthandcurrent.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/HoodEchoSound
Label - http://www.wearenicepeople.com
Band - http://www.depthandcurrent.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/HoodEchoSound
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: digitaldrummer, Scodiddly and 174 guests