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Sta-Level vs. Audimax

B

Bitman

Guest
I'm looking to recreate a retro 60's AM top 40 sound for my oldies show. I want to go mono, so which would more accurately re-create the old sound - one of the retro Sta-Levels or an Audimax? If Audimax, would I need to couple it with a Volumax?

Thanks

David
 
Great question. Start with the source, use the original radio mono mixes wherever you possibly can, that's a B I G one. TM century is okay, but there are other services like msaoldies.com that get crazy about having multiple mixes/versions/mono. There's others.

If this is for the internet, you can get away with using a dsp final limiter on your encoder soundcard, and using an Audimax before it. I was happy to get my hands on one for an AM awhile back.


I'm looking to recreate a retro 60's AM top 40 sound for my oldies show. I want to go mono, so which would more accurately re-create the old sound - one of the retro Sta-Levels or an Audimax? If Audimax, would I need to couple it with a Volumax?


David
 
Bitman said:
I'm looking to recreate a retro 60's AM top 40 sound for my oldies show. I want to go mono, so which would more accurately re-create the old sound - one of the retro Sta-Levels or an Audimax? If Audimax, would I need to couple it with a Volumax?

Thanks

David
Click to expand...

Sta-Level will give you that "punchy sound" you're looking for. Audimax is a gentle AGC device not a limiter.Volumax will do the trick but why not consider some of the great plug-ins available for your PC to re-create that retro tube limiter sound you seek.
 
For $300, the ART pro VLA is pretty darn good. You can run the 2 channels linked, or unlinked.
It uses an LED optocoupled to a 12AX7 for variable gain.
So I run 2 passes, the first at infinity, fast attack and release, then feed that output into the
next stage with fast attack and auto release, at a 4:1 ratio.

In use, I see the 1st stage limit up to 20db on peaks the way I have it set, then the 2nd pass
gives a mushier sort of compression that shows the peaks have already been controlled and it indicates "peaking" of sometimes
15 db compression.

The "punch" of of voltage controlled amplifiers is something this design was trying to avoid, as it is designed
more for recording applications.

You need to tell us if this is for on-the-air or a stream.

I have dubbed most of my own music, and am still not quite through the 45's.....then theres the 33's and 78's!
I have tried comparing what should be exactly the same mix from old original albums to the old original 45s, and
regardless of mono or stereo, the 45s always sound better on-the-air.

Perhaps this combination is an approximation of the Audimax/Volumax on the cheap.
 
Ah, but gents and ladies, this brings us to the other important question...which cartridge: Shure m-series or Pickering v or Stanton 500

And then, phono pre-amp. Turntable: Ramko or Rec-O-Kut? Penny or dime scotch taped to the tone arm? Mixer...Gates Yard? CCA? RCA? Tubes only? Using a Mackie or Berringer would be sacrilige. Ampex 300 or ReVox A77 to record. Irish Tape?

Look, if you're going to be persnikity down to processor, and mono 45 vs mono LP, THEN feed it over a digital medium, what's the point? And I know Tom has what is argueably the finest Part 15 in America, but really, unless they're listening on a 5 tube All-American, or hopefully a Zenith console tube hi-fi, what's the point? They can't hear your intent.

I enjoy hearing the classic top 40 hits of the 60's, reissued from the original multi-track tapes. They reveal their recording session secrets when played in stereo. Remember, even Buddy Holly, Ahmet Ertugen, The Belmonts, Bobby Vee, Elvis, Neil Sedaka and the Flamingos were huge stereophonic fans. I've heard these songs a zillion times in mono. But when listening to new remastered versions, it's like hearing them for the first time again. I also like color HDTV over B&W analog kinescopes.

But I DO appreciate your purist persuit. It's fun.
 
Way too many remastered versions are not mono compatible, it's important for broadcast. Great for home listening.
 
amfmsw said:
<snip>
I enjoy hearing the classic top 40 hits of the 60's, reissued from the original multi-track tapes. They reveal their recording session secrets when played in stereo. Remember, even Buddy Holly, Ahmet Ertugen, The Belmonts, Bobby Vee, Elvis, Neil Sedaka and the Flamingos were huge stereophonic fans. I've heard these songs a zillion times in mono. But when listening to new remastered versions, it's like hearing them for the first time again. I also like color HDTV over B&W analog kinescopes.
</snip>
Click to expand...

Some songs use different takes in stereo versus mono versions, or different mixes that just sound, well, different (re-makes are a whole different matter: they're just sacrilege!)
If you grew up with one version, the other just doesn't feel the same.

I'm sure there are plenty of examples. "The Rapper" by Jaggerz, or "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", by Sly and the Family Stone immediately come to mind.

Another matter is short, 'single' versions of songs. "Light My Fire" by the Doors is just a complete different experience as a single, even though it's just a simple edit. Same with "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who. I really like the single version of both songs, but when it comes to what I'd play for MY own enjoyment, it would almost exclusively be the album version.

BTW, I'd pick the Audimax over the Sta-Level. But I would never use the stock release resistor. :)

Kind Regards,
David
 
David...excellent point. Yes, the version MUST be mono compatible. Usually the mono safety slave copy was fed through a limiter before cutting the master disc to prevent "skipping" on loud passasges, resulting in a different sound from the original studio intent. Phil Spector got so frustrated with the stereo / mono bs that he finally just released everything in mono. The Righteous Brother stereo leaked out because they were on Verve, not Phillies label.

And the 45 edit is a whole other thread. And do you play the standard Jagerz or the "or me or me or me or me" echo version?

But so many of the 45's were pressed at different plants, some farmed out to other labels. I have way different sounding versions of Isley Brothers "This Old Heart Of Mine" on original Tamla. The print style is different font, and the one is pitched faster till it's almost in a different key! But both purchased in 1966 on Tamla. Which one is thr "real" version?

Good point.
 
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