All In One Channel Processors
Roger Eyre
those all in one devices which usually offer something like mic-pre,
compressor, tone controls, noise gates, parametric EQ and various other
signal tweaks/filters. A specific example:
http://www.focusrite.com/products/platinum/p2.html
I liked the look of the spec of the ToneFactory after Sound On Sound
magazine deliberately fed my recording desires with a review on the
Penta model, a close relative of the ToneFactory, basically it gave the
impression the Focusrite range in question was good value. In the case
of the ToneFactory it seems to offer features of interest to someone
recording their guitar widdles. Features like a high pass filter for
amp mic'ing, compression, equalisation, gating for noisy pedals, etc.
Anyone tried an all in one channel processor for recording and live work
? Any things to look out for ? Anyone tried the ToneFactory or
Focusrite Platinum range in general ? Are there others in the same
price banding that may suit a guitarist better ?
I'm just pondering the merits of one of these things being part of my
recording set up.
Thanks,
Roger Eyre.
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Rick Booth
> I liked the look of the spec of the ToneFactory after Sound On Sound
> magazine deliberately fed my recording desires with a review on the
> Penta model, a close relative of the ToneFactory, basically it gave the
> impression the Focusrite range in question was good value.
I think, if I didn't already have my Joe Meek VC3Q channel, I would
probably consider a Penta very seriously indeed (if I rememember the
review correctly). It looks very nice indeed. It would all depend on
how it sounded, of course.
Adrian and I both have VC3Qs, and like them a lot. They're a bit cheaper
than the Focusrite stuff; I really really fancied the Platinum voice
channel, but my credit card wouldn't quite stretch that far.
> I'm just pondering the merits of one of these things being part of my
> recording set up.
I've experimented with mine a very little bit, for bass and vocals. It
has the feel of being a "how the hell did I manage without it?"
situation, so far.
- rfb
--
ri...@rfbooth.com http://www.rfbooth.com/ My opinions are.
We all enter the world in the same way: naked... screaming... soaked in
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to stop there.
Adrian Clark
> I've experimented with mine a very little bit, for bass and vocals. It
> has the feel of being a "how the hell did I manage without it?"
> situation, so far.
Yep, I've used mine for every bit of guitar I've recorded (electric and
acoustic) in the last three years. Seeing as I'm now playing bass, I've
started shoving that through the VC3 as well.
Half the time, I don't even understand what it's doing (apart from the
obvious compression). I unplug it and initially think the sound's
exactly the same. But then I start to think "Before I unplugged the VC3,
I was happy. Now I'm not. Therefore the VC3 makes me happy."
Adrian
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Roger Eyre
> I think, if I didn't already have my Joe Meek VC3Q channel, I would
> probably consider a Penta very seriously indeed (if I rememember the
> review correctly). It looks very nice indeed. It would all depend on
> how it sounded, of course.
>
> Adrian and I both have VC3Qs, and like them a lot. They're a bit cheaper
> than the Focusrite stuff; I really really fancied the Platinum voice
> channel, but my credit card wouldn't quite stretch that far.
Yeh, I not what you mean about the credit card, the Focusrite stuff, esp the
red range is well pricey. The Tone Factory looks to be worth it, its got just
about anything I would ever want to use and the user interface looks very good
from the pic's.
I'm looking at the ToneFactory and the Joe Meek VC3Q/VC6Q stuff too, sadly I'm
in possession of a studiospares catalogue and they're really doing a nice deal
on all of them (thats what I keep telling myself anyway), can't find these
products cheaper in any of the mags.
I think I would benefit from some mild compression for the biting blues and
also the rock stuff I'm trying to record down. Something to thicken the
solos. Looks like I'm going to be forced at GAS gun point to try these out.
The EQ on the Tonefactory looks impressive and its got a decent guitar input
on TRS or an XLR input plus some lovely switching for various stages.
Regards,
Roger Eyre
Roger Eyre
> Half the time, I don't even understand what it's doing (apart from the
> obvious compression). I unplug it and initially think the sound's
> exactly the same. But then I start to think "Before I unplugged the VC3,
> I was happy. Now I'm not. Therefore the VC3 makes me happy."
I guess sound processing skills are through experience and almost art, you
have to employ some scientific discipline to understand what you're doing to
the sound but at the same time stand back and simply say thats great/useless
but I don't know why.
I got recording for the first time last night, experimented with Cakewalk
Guitar Studio 2, wow, the filtering and equalization is impressive, I can't
wait to hear what a decent separate unit like VC3Q or Tonefactory can do and
compare it to the software plug'ins. The software even has 50hz hum removal,
and it worked without trashing the spectrum on either side.
I can't believe I waited so long to start recording on my PC. So far I've
learnt its critical to get the levels absolutely bang on right the way
through the signal path and to also try your best to get the overall sound
feel you want right as early on as possible in the signal chain, through
setting the amp up and tinkering with the mixers eq.
I think one of these channel processors is going to be a must have for the
list, can't wait to try them out.
Regards,
Adrian Clark
> I think one of these channel processors is going to be a must have for the
> list, can't wait to try them out.
There are just so many available... I guess one of the main reasons why
people like Rick and me went for the VC3 is that it's pretty cheap, but
Joe Meek do lots of other recording channels. Then there's Focusrite,
and then you start getting up to the serious stuff (like Tony Larkin's
valve processors and suchlike).