Post
by soundsubs » Sat Jan 14, 2006 8:58 pm
let me first start off by saying that i dont have any problem with the way alan replied to the open question, and it didnt seem salesman-like at all. i think we should remember what we're here for: finding info on gear--- that IS the title of the forum, right???
so to the original question: i just got a joemeek 1q, and i love it. i am using it basically as a single voice channel. i replaced an avalon 737sp with it, and no, im not crazy. after 4 years of owning the avalon, i wasnt loving it anymore. in fact, it had gone into disuse for some reason. for the record, the mics im using are neumann tlm-103, electrovoice 664, and shure 57 and 58. i havent yet used it on femme vocals or male rap vocals, but will in the next week.
i find the oneQ to be extremely flexible. turning it up and bypassing the eq and compresser and de-esser on the line input it is very quiet indeed, perhaps more quiet than the avalon. i have previously owned a joe meek vc6 that was used on 58 mostly. it was fairly noisy, although it came in handy occasionally for DI for bass. the oneQ seems to fit my bill really nicely. to be fair, i am recording vocals in my apartment all by myself 90% of the time. i also have taken a liking to dirtying up the vocals from time, overdriving here and there, getting different tones ALL the time. i think the avalon, to be fair, wasnt trying to do this, it was trying to be an all tube pure signal as much as possible. when i overdrove it, i didnt really like the sound. to be fair, i havent run a guitar through it enough, or a bass through it (with a real player) so i will leave that for another time. i WILL most likely connect the line input on the back to use as an insert on a bus, so that i can throw synths or whatever through it.
here are some features as i see it:
PROS
1.) burr brown circuitry. seems to breath new life into low's of DI and voice. yes, im bypassing the eq while saying that. i havent tried the syteks, so i cant really a/b them against that or have a valid opinion.
2.) iron switch. i can hear a definite difference in the two, it gives a nice new color (not always better mind you) to the input at the push of a button.
3.) the compressor has a lot of control. you can make this sound crunchy or gentle. i imagine i'll be using this to crunch up fake drums a bit
4.) the digital output! yes, finally something integrated that just works. this way, i can monitor through a mixer, while going straight to my soundcard. of course the multiple analog outputs would also allow me to do this.
5.) it drives the shures and EV nicely without too much gain. the neumann needs a bit of gain to come out, but definitely not anywhere near 60db.
6.) very good eq: i can dial in the lofi radio voice instantly, somehow quicker than i could on the 737.
7.) the attack time is definitely better on this than the previous meek i had.
CONS
1.) mic input on front and back cannot be connected simultaneously. the manual says not to, but im not sure why. i wish the front panel would override the back, like the line input does.
2.) not sure what the 2nd line input on the backs signal path is. cant tell if it goes straight to the DA or ??? i imagine it doesnt go through any of the other circuitry.
3.) i love the VU meter but its a little tough to see from 10 feet away or so. i could see a digital led meter on here somewhere as a compliment. thats nitpicky though.
4.) the compressor is really nice, but its easy to overdo it in a hurry. there seems to be a sweetspot in the knob position.
i am glad i made this "downgrade" now (i see it more as a cross-grade), because i can see potential uses for it. and its solid state so i dont have to let it warm up for 30 minutes before i can use it---- woops there goes that idea! it just seems to me that i have LOTS of tone shaping controls, the digital output, and an easy to use voice channel. i would strongly recommend this unit to any pro level recorder that wants a lot of tone in an easy package, specializing in vocal work. seems a perfect fit.
just my .02
----------shane