Avalon VT747SP vs Api 8200/7800

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

cesartsrl@tin.it wrote:
> Hi from Italy.
> I have a pc daw, with Nuendo3, and I'm thinking to buy something to
> insert in the mixing bus. Right now I'm using a UAD1 with Precision
> Limiter and Precision Equalizer, but I'm feel ready to start with an
> hardware.
> Today the summing bus Api 8200+7800 seems to be a great choice for a pc
> daw and another option could be a stereo eq/comp like the Avalon VT747
> in insert to the stereo bus before the 2 track (dat or cd recorder)
> At a friend of mine studio I have had the opportunity to listen a song
> mixed with the help of Api 8200+7800, the sound was interesting, more
> sculpted I think. By the way I'm using Nuendo3, that IMHO is a good
> sounding software. Maybe it's me but it seems more good sounding than
> my old ProTools LE, listening to the same tracks by the same audio card
> (digi002r).
> Therefore I was thinking to something more "mastering oriented" like
> the Avalon VT737SP and not something mixing oriented like the Api
> 8200+7800.
> I record mainly audio tracks with some decent mics (U87AI, Earthworks)
> and pres (Millennia and ISA428), small combos rock/soul/jazz
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks in advance and sorry for my english.
> Ciao
> Roberto

What kind of music will you be recording and why are you using a
compressor on ths stereo buss? I know why I use one when I do, but I
want to know what you're trying to achieve.

In some wasy, the firs thing ou need to decide is what type of
compessor. Genreally I pefer a JFET or a Vari-Mu, with the Pendulum OCL
2 being the one opto I'd consider. My guess is the API is a JFET and I
don't know what the Avalon is - is it an opto like the 737? I imagin
you find the 474 acctactive for the EQ, but I've never liked it's
comrpession and while I havne't used the API, I'm pretty sure that I'd
prefer it's compression and owuld be happ to forgo the EQ.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

cesartsrl@tin.it wrote:
> Thanks for the reply
>
> Mike Caffrey ha scritto:
> >> What kind of music will you be recording and why are you using a
> > compressor on ths stereo buss? I know why I use one when I do, but I
> > want to know what you're trying to achieve.
> >
> I'm using an eq and a limiter (plugins) from the UAD1 and I'm happy
> with them.
> I use them in a slightly way, not to overcompress or overeq. I'm try to
> not destroy the music.
>
> > In some wasy, the firs thing ou need to decide is what type of
> > compessor. Genreally I pefer a JFET or a Vari-Mu, with the Pendulum OCL
> > 2 being the one opto I'd consider. My guess is the API is a JFET and I
> > don't know what the Avalon is - is it an opto like the 737? I imagin
> > you find the 474 acctactive for the EQ, but I've never liked it's
> > comrpession and while I havne't used the API, I'm pretty sure that I'd
> > prefer it's compression and owuld be happ to forgo the EQ.
>
> my question was if someone's using Avalon VT747SP (that is, if I
> understand correctly, a sort of mastering tool with an eq plus a comp)
> and if someone's using a summing bus from API the 8200+7800 master
> section (they aren't comp), that is a simple line mixer, but in these
> days of pc based daw it seems that the approach of the external summing
> bus could be fine, to avoid the internal summing bus of the software.
> I'm trying to compare apples and oranges but sometimes at the end of
> the lunch I would choose from apples vs oranges.
> Maybe it's me, I'm not a pro, but I feel the need of some eq and comp
> at the master bus.
> By the way I've listened to some projects mixed with the summing bus
> Api and they sounded very well.
> I never used nor the Api 8200/7800 neither the Avalon VT747SP.
> Thanks
> Ciao
> Roberto Costa

I'll give you one good reason not to do that.

You've got the comp/EQ on the buss, you're part way through and the
drums aren't bright enough? Do you tweak the drum EQ or the stereo buss
EQ? Either one could solve the problem.

I'd suggeest separating the work process. Stage one, nothing on the
buss give yourself a limitation, do the best you can with that and then
pop the comp EQ on at stage two and why don't we call that stage
mastering.

Break it down and specialize.