So I got one..had to..couldn't not do it. Although I am happy with my current configuration for my mic chain..which is a patched together deal involving a Wagner U47, a Universal 610-B preamp, and a bizzarre setup using a Valley Audio "Dyna Mite" (I expand on one channel and feed the compressor with it's output to get a process that expands/gates BEFORE the compressor) I had just read so many glowing reports about this all-in-one box that I need to try one.
Sweetwater had a B-stock unit that I was able to get on the cheap, and I must say it looks brand spankin' new.
So I pulled out an unused piece of rack gear and put the new toy in the rack. Used current wiring to feed the mic into the Aphex's tube preamp, and took the output from the analog side (yup it has a digital output) and fed it into the console.
First impressions were that it was mushy. Way too much low end. It was boomy. But I remembered that this thing has the Aphex "Big Bottom" feature that will nicely tune any voice, but I now choose to disable it. The U47 has enough to cover that end. After I dropped the "Big Bottom" things got much better.
A nice compressor is responsive and f-a-s-t even on the medium release setting. The de-esser is sweet..and doesn't muddy up the sound at all. There is a primitive "parametric" section, and it can help add a little midrange if needed..and the ever-present Aphex Aural Exciter adds a nice crispness to cut through anything if tuned properly.
The issue I have is with the Smart-Logic Gate. This is supposed to cut out breaths and room noise..and it does..BUT! It acts as a switch..it's either open, or closed. Sure you can adjust the sensitivity, and depth, but it essentially switches the mic on when you speak, and off when you stop. It is far more tuneable than other gates..but it is not an expander (My personal preference)and it tends to cut off beginnings of words..Soooooo
I see that it has a set of "effects" insert jacks on the back..and I take the send output and plug it into the IN on my old Dyna-Mite set to "expander" mode, and send the output back to the RECIEVE jack of the Aphex...Problem solved! And a really nice rich sound too. I believe I may be sold on this item. It tips the sales chart at a little over 670 bucks, but it truly sounds great. Much less noise than the Avalon, or the Symmetrix, and the pre-amp section is clean, clean clean. I can even barely tell that the 610-B preamp is no longer in the chain.
Be looking for my Ebay ads in the coming weeks...
As usual..just my humble opinion.
Sweetwater had a B-stock unit that I was able to get on the cheap, and I must say it looks brand spankin' new.
So I pulled out an unused piece of rack gear and put the new toy in the rack. Used current wiring to feed the mic into the Aphex's tube preamp, and took the output from the analog side (yup it has a digital output) and fed it into the console.
First impressions were that it was mushy. Way too much low end. It was boomy. But I remembered that this thing has the Aphex "Big Bottom" feature that will nicely tune any voice, but I now choose to disable it. The U47 has enough to cover that end. After I dropped the "Big Bottom" things got much better.
A nice compressor is responsive and f-a-s-t even on the medium release setting. The de-esser is sweet..and doesn't muddy up the sound at all. There is a primitive "parametric" section, and it can help add a little midrange if needed..and the ever-present Aphex Aural Exciter adds a nice crispness to cut through anything if tuned properly.
The issue I have is with the Smart-Logic Gate. This is supposed to cut out breaths and room noise..and it does..BUT! It acts as a switch..it's either open, or closed. Sure you can adjust the sensitivity, and depth, but it essentially switches the mic on when you speak, and off when you stop. It is far more tuneable than other gates..but it is not an expander (My personal preference)and it tends to cut off beginnings of words..Soooooo
I see that it has a set of "effects" insert jacks on the back..and I take the send output and plug it into the IN on my old Dyna-Mite set to "expander" mode, and send the output back to the RECIEVE jack of the Aphex...Problem solved! And a really nice rich sound too. I believe I may be sold on this item. It tips the sales chart at a little over 670 bucks, but it truly sounds great. Much less noise than the Avalon, or the Symmetrix, and the pre-amp section is clean, clean clean. I can even barely tell that the 610-B preamp is no longer in the chain.
Be looking for my Ebay ads in the coming weeks...
As usual..just my humble opinion.