Can you guess the plugin vs. hardware?
- digitaldrummer
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Can you guess the plugin vs. hardware?
I had recently used the UAD DBX 160 plugin on kick and snare when trying to get a particular drum sound.
Then I was playing around with a DBX 118 compressor that I fixed up (new caps, replaced the old RCAs with more reliable 1/4" jacks, etc.). I tried to see if I could get a similar sound with outboard hardware (or I guess really seeing if the plugin sounded like the hardware). I know the plugin is modeling the 160VU and not the 118 but I don't have a 160VU. It still sounds like a DBX compressor to me...
So here's a couple files (256K mp3's) to listen to. See if you can guess which one is the plugin? One hint, mix1 and snare1 are the same except the snare is isolated vs in the mix. nothing is scientific here. I'm sure the levels are not 100% matched, etc. conversion is through a UA Apollo 16. sm57 on a Ludwig supra 5x14 through an A-designs EM-blue.
mix1
snare1
mix2
snare2
Then I was playing around with a DBX 118 compressor that I fixed up (new caps, replaced the old RCAs with more reliable 1/4" jacks, etc.). I tried to see if I could get a similar sound with outboard hardware (or I guess really seeing if the plugin sounded like the hardware). I know the plugin is modeling the 160VU and not the 118 but I don't have a 160VU. It still sounds like a DBX compressor to me...
So here's a couple files (256K mp3's) to listen to. See if you can guess which one is the plugin? One hint, mix1 and snare1 are the same except the snare is isolated vs in the mix. nothing is scientific here. I'm sure the levels are not 100% matched, etc. conversion is through a UA Apollo 16. sm57 on a Ludwig supra 5x14 through an A-designs EM-blue.
mix1
snare1
mix2
snare2
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- re-cappin' neve
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Well, I only listened to the mixes. I liked the snare in mix 1 better than 2. It had a little more body and shorter decay. If I had to guess I'd assume the UAD160 is on the snare on mix 1. It feels more 160, to me anyway.
Keep in mind this was listening on Apple earbubs.
Keep in mind this was listening on Apple earbubs.
"If there's one ironclad rule of pop history, it's this: The monkey types Hamlet only once."
- digitaldrummer
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- digitaldrummer
- ghost haunting audio students
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hmmm. kinda dead around here...
anyway, yeah, mix1/snare1 is the UAD160 plugin. it was my favorite too but then again that was the sound I initially found and used for the track, whereas when I tried the DBX118 hardware I was just trying to see if I could match the sound I got with the plugin. had I done it in the other order, the results might be different...
the UAD160 plugin did the trick for this particular track (where I used it on kick and snare) and took me about 30 seconds to insert and find the sound I wanted, so it was a little easier than patching in the 118 and trying to dial in a similar sound. and recall is much easier...
Mike
anyway, yeah, mix1/snare1 is the UAD160 plugin. it was my favorite too but then again that was the sound I initially found and used for the track, whereas when I tried the DBX118 hardware I was just trying to see if I could match the sound I got with the plugin. had I done it in the other order, the results might be different...
the UAD160 plugin did the trick for this particular track (where I used it on kick and snare) and took me about 30 seconds to insert and find the sound I wanted, so it was a little easier than patching in the 118 and trying to dial in a similar sound. and recall is much easier...
Mike
Last edited by digitaldrummer on Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- casey campbell
- buyin' a studio
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hardware is way more fun, but if you are using hardware in the mix stage, then you have extra d/a - a/d conversions...
now, what real effect it has on the overall sound, im not for sure, but my guess is that it wouldn't be positive (even with really great converters).
this is of course assuming you are mixing in the digital realm and not all tape with an analog console... im making this assumption because the o.p. is speaking about plugins.
we've progressed far enough with technology, that reputable plugins sound pretty darn good.
now, what real effect it has on the overall sound, im not for sure, but my guess is that it wouldn't be positive (even with really great converters).
this is of course assuming you are mixing in the digital realm and not all tape with an analog console... im making this assumption because the o.p. is speaking about plugins.
we've progressed far enough with technology, that reputable plugins sound pretty darn good.
- digitaldrummer
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FWIW, I track with hardware, not mix with it.
So, I find myself doing stuff like my last vocals track: M-Audio Luna to Eureka+comp (padded) to RNLA.
In mixdown then, I used a touch of native (quick FET) compressor patch in CEP 2.1 into a native plate reverb patch.
No other way I could get that cool reverb with the smoothing compressor effect, me, but the hardware going in is also unique, at least with my equipment and software limitations.
I think of that like:
tone --> effect
So, I find myself doing stuff like my last vocals track: M-Audio Luna to Eureka+comp (padded) to RNLA.
In mixdown then, I used a touch of native (quick FET) compressor patch in CEP 2.1 into a native plate reverb patch.
No other way I could get that cool reverb with the smoothing compressor effect, me, but the hardware going in is also unique, at least with my equipment and software limitations.
I think of that like:
tone --> effect
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