A Tape Machine Without Tape?! Handsome Audio Zulu

[@mixbustv]

USE THE SUPER THANKS IF YOU LIKED THIS VIDEO! 👆👆👆 ZULU: www.handsomeaudio.com/ 🔥 YOU GOTTA WATCH THIS! ➡ kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6a1h3evfLFjjLs 🔥 0:00 What Is The ZULU? 2:05 Rear Panel and Connections 2.36 Front Panel and Funcions 4:50 Drums 6:35 Vocals 7:36 VST Piano 9:00 Loop 10:10 Full Mix

[@kenzoblytheproducertv4934]

Hey fam what do think is more better for saturation and warmth,Audio Zulu or the Elektron Heat? Dope video and channel btw fam🔥

[@MixedByDotRob]

Love my Zulu! Very versatile unit. You have to hit it quite hard, if you want more color - so it's handy to have a unit with a gain knob before the Zulu to drive it.

[@GraffHabit]

I use mine as a dual mono insert on my mixer channels when tracking and I also use it on the mix bus insert path. I put 4 band wide curve EQ after it and have gain control before it as well. I love it. I’ve mainly used it on mixes and vocals. I kinda wish I had a couple more. I think it could work very well in M/S with different biases, to tame harshness in the middle with different decks or modes even.

[@cbrooks0905]

I really appreciate this video already and I’m only 4 minutes in. I’ve owned this unit for years at this point and have been very frustrated with it because there’s no clear instructions or tutorials on how it actually works. I’m not a master of this craft yet so I don’t always know what I’m listening for. Just the explanation at the beginning about how the knobs are set up is so helpful to give me some actual perspective when I’m trying settings. Thanks man! I don’t know why Handsome Audio couldn’t simply put that in the manual. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@cbrooks0905]

Can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be able to play with this thing and actually know what’s it’s doing and what to listen for. Thank you!

[@cyorkgo]

I have been using the Zulu for two years now. I use mine with the Neve Preamp on drums, passive when mixing I also use it with the Fusion. It’s so versatile and fun to use.

[@kenzoblytheproducertv4934]

Do you think the Zulu is better than the Elektron Analog Heat?

[@emilybeats6556]

Sounds great! Thank you David!

[@mauquibzonedout]

Thank you doing what so many are afraid to do! You reviewed it and I'm pretty sure Langston Masingale and his team truly appreciates it. Be blessed!

[@michaelsstatement]

I bought the Zulu in September and used it on few mastering sessions in parallel. It's so good. Thanks David...now I understand few things even better. I will use it more often in future.

[@GraffHabit]

It def takes some time spent with the unit to really understand it. If you can drive the gain really hard going into it, you can easily feed a signal that’s 27 or 30dB into this thing and get some amazing color. The headroom setting, I usually keep on low or middle notch if I want color. With low or middle deck notch and bias around 50. I drive the signal in as hot as possible - that’s how tape machines worked and that’s kinda the idea with this too. The enhance knob adds a parallel blend of the original signal but it’s all going through a lot of custom transformers built by the creator of the box, he also has a transformer company.

[@benroe]

to say this is an impressive piece of gear and a great demo from you!?!?!? seriously! owe you several beverages for all that you do.

[@wyrlismike]

just got this thing, stoked to find david did a review. its definitely got its own vibe thats for sure

[@jfabian6802]

By far my favorite piece of hardware #zulugang

[@mufakkas9731]

Thanks purchased two 500 series

[@asiergonzalez5260]

Sounds really well! Different compared to the 542 you have I guess. Any preference?

[@joesalyers]

I have waited for a long time to actually hear Langston's Zulu in a video review. Thanks for making this with good examples!!

[@dougr5187]

It's a curious situation: whilst the Zulu is good-sounding (and I bought mine around summer 2020 and I enjoy using it frequently), quite a number of people lost money as a result of 'decisions' made by the company. The Gearspace audio forum thread with the title "New ZULU Thread" (around about page 90) will shed more light upon that controversy for anyone unaware of it. Lastly, if I hadn't bought the Zulu (and I am pretty happy with it overall), I'd probably go for the Bereich03 Density, as they consist of arguably better quality components and also the company doesn't have a history of selling orders and then failing to deliver on these, and then requiring upset 'customers' to chase the issue up over several weeks...

[@fif666fury]

I live in France and I was lucky enough to be able to buy one from the distributor in Germany who has the Zulu in stock. It's very good gear . Thank You for your video and Merry Christmas to everyone !

[@rtdrec]

Which Distributor in Germany has it in stock?

[@sanchezproductions87]

Nice! I have the 542s right now. I'm intrigued enough to see a side by side. Do you think the color is enough of a variant to warrant having both options like we would if they were plugins?

[@jaydy71]

It sounds really cool. Not sure if it really sounds like tape, or at least the tape machines I've worked with in the past. But maybe that's not such a bad thing (I remember a lot more tape noise).

[@GraffHabit]

I had been eyeballing this on reverb when you got your unit and unboxed it. Decided to order it since I was eyeing the Neve 500 series m, but I didn’t have a 500 series rack so that could easily be close to $2500 after tax. I got the zulu and have been loving it. I use mine with an SSL Big Six which gives plenty of gain to drive into the Zulu. People with other pro gear may have even more headroom to work with - 28-30dB could easily come out buttery smooth and not clipping converters that clip at 24-27dB. I use mine as channel inserts and also on the mix bus. On the mix bus I have an API Select SR24 EQ after it followed by the simplified gbus compressor on the big six. On the channels I have an SSL EQ and comp before it although I don’t engage the comp because it’s one knob and it takes a lot of the gain out.

[@doktahyde]

You have any videos or ig with your chain? I have a similar setup

[@trashunicorn2308]

YES!! Finally the video, thank you David you rock!

[@siggidori]

Great unit. I've had it as a part of my analog chain for almost 6 years now :) PS: Perception from Meterplugs would have been perfect for the loudness matched before and after processing!

[@kenzoblytheproducertv4934]

Where do you suggest i can get the Audio Zulu?

[@FredDeMassiveAlambic]

@@kenzoblytheproducertv4934 Tricone Studios in you're in Europe

[@ac7diffusion_mastering]

Used on every mastering, gently tuned it's awesome

[@msmortimer]

Do you mind me asking how ypu are using it on mastering? Been considering getting one but little unsure where in my analog chain I can use it since its passive.

[@FredDeMassiveAlambic]

@@msmortimer Using it here on mixbus, as an insert. In logic, the I/O plugin has a gain knob before and after the insert and you can level match. Using it in a very subtle way too, just to add some density/glue without compressing. It's crazy how it can be a color box, or almost invisible parallel saturation. What I like with the most is that you can manipulate saturation in very different ways. Think of it as a two transformers in parallel : the first is a transparent one with integrated tilt-eq, the "density" part. The other is the enhance knob : hi-mid saturation that is so hard to deal with in digital audio. Not a "one knob" tool but it can fit almost every song.

[@qlyde]

Nice David! Pumped to see a good video on this unit by a great engineer. It sounds awesome and I love that it’s a desktop unit. I still prefer my Tascam 32 15ips Master Recorder with ATR Tape for the “Tape Sound”, it’s a unique thing that can’t really be replicated, sort of like trying to get a tube sound without tubes. With tape you’re usually not trying to get noticeable saturation, but there’s so much else going on and you always hear the magic. And that’s also why this unit is great, because you can get something similar to tape to use specifically as a saturator and you don’t have to worry about the cost of tape or maintenance 😂

[@mixbustv]

The tape itself alone has a sound of course. How often do you do maintenance on that?

[@qlyde]

@@mixbustv tbh not much, after a good servicing it should last many years without an issue and you can very easily adjust important things with the internal trim pots if the balance or frequency response shifts slightly over time. The main thing is cleaning the tape heads, demagnetizing, and lubrication. Eventually worn out heads will need to be relapped and you may want to replace the tape guides but that’s for very heavily used machines, they’re generally built to last a lifetime if you take care of it and have it serviced after you buy one! If you’re interested: Tape isn’t cheap but the Tascam 32 takes 1/4” tape ($51 per pancake or $86 with a Reel & Storage Box) so it’s much cheaper than 1” or 2” tapes. As long as you don’t drive the input too hard you can erase and reuse tapes a few times and probably get 1-2hrs worth of Mixes out of a single tape. The 32 is a “2 Track” or “Half Track” machine (don’t confuse it with “2 channel”) so it only plays in one direction because it’s using the full width of the tape to record the 2 tracks (L+R). Consumer Machines can play a tape in both directions because they split up the tape into 4 tracks (2 forwards, 2 backwards) and they’re known as “2 Channel, 4 Track” machines. You get a little better quality sound from “2 Track” machines since the tracks are physically wider and capture more information. Think of it like a higher Sample Rate. It’s a lot to learn when you first start, but it’s super fun, sounds amazing, and if you’re worried about noise, those old DBX or Dolby noise reduction units are cheap and they work better than iZotope RX!

[@joezazasin7]

Sheeesh 😵 This thing is out of this World 🔥 I love this SOUND! What is this based on?? They use to have this unique crazy analog hybrid sound in Japan back in the 1980s all their records sounded so silky and dreamy but saturated 🔥 in the era when they we're manufacturing their Magnetic Recording units and tape machines. Basically today's Vaporware and retro lofi is sampled and based on. Very different from SSL. This unit emulates "part" of that sound, the saturation. Idk if it's just me, but this type of saturation sounds like a million bucks to my ears

[@MaxnniProg]

Do you find this pairs well with the SSL fusion? Any situations when you might use the zulu on the fx send of the SSL?

[@chrismitchell523]

The fusion insert wouldn't be a bad place for this but I prefer the put the zulu fairly late in my 2bus chain.

[@AutoclaveBeats]

Hi David.... would you recommend using this unit with a pair of preamps? If yes, what preamps would you recommend

[@mixbustv]

Is definitely, it's a really good set-up with 2 pres in front. 1073 style would be the best choice, a pair of Phoebe with digital recall so you can save all thr sweet spots 👍

[@benroe]

Thanks!

[@mixbustv]

Thank you Ben for the continuous support! Happy holidays 🎊🎄⛄

[@jorgesperoni9611]

Espectacular David la review!!! Le pregunto qué opina ud sobre colocarle un in line preamp Soyuz Launcher? Funcionaria ? Saludos desde Argentina

[@mixbustv]

My spanish is below zero but if you're asking if you can ran a preamp before this to drive it, yes. And it's pretty cool too

[@jeremysikkema640]

what's your 2bus signal chain while using the zulu typically?

[@mixbustv]

I don't use it on the 2bus, I already got way too much stuff in there 😄

[@jeremysikkema640]

@@mixbustv where in the chain would you on 2bus? just like the 542's right at the start of your signal on 2 bus?

[@AutoclaveBeats]

Hi David... compliments of the season...how does the tape section compare to the Neve tapes you have...very different? Similar?

[@mixbustv]

Very different

[@stevenbaker2634]

I've seen you review the FATSO also... is this comparable to it, or something different?

[@mixbustv]

Definitely different. They do have one thing in common but even that.. The FATSO is a colored compressor, with a dresser (warmth), and a tape circuit, that would be the common thing but you only have 1 (tape) sound and the only control is how hard you hit it. The Zulu is a multitude of tape sounds, with tons of control.

[@stevenbaker2634]

@@mixbustv You like one better than the other, or could/would you use both together?

[@ManCalledMif]

Hi David. What’s the best reel to reel tape recorder for analogue recording?

[@JackNance22]

Nice demo, David. I hit my Zulu with a hot signal from a TEAC reel to reel preamp, sounds sweet, use it for tracking everything.

[@Amish6Stringer]

Been rocking mine for about 2 years now. Thing is magic.

[@kenzoblytheproducertv4934]

Do you think its better than the Elektron Analog Heat?

[@Rhuggins]

Hey David, Do you still use this thing? Seems really cool - and a hell of a lot cheaper/easier than having a real tape machine

[@ArielNora]

Wow, such cool unit! Thank you for the video and happy holidays!

[@RockstarRecStudio]

I've always wanted to hear this in action! Thank you D!

[@rrs731]

I might have to buy this 🤩🤩🙌🙌

[@miltonex]

Wow!!!! Awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@freirod5223]

Do you think it does a better job in simulating tape than the FATSO

[@mixbustv]

Fatso is a compressor at core, with a tape like circuit, a warm circuit and a transformer. This is a dedicated tape emulator with 3 different tape machines plus various options to tweak each and every one of them. So yes at that specific task

[@dopesnare]

sounds Freakin fantastic. On the full mix it's like ok I have a great mix.. Set up the Zulu and it sounds like you have a great record. Alive is a good word for it. Peace.

[@TigroGumi]

This has knocked the 542 off the list… It’s price is incredible and first used will be in a dual mic vocal chain. HRK do a good emulation of tape also, if you wanna check that out. This is number 1 though

[@djdanger9812]

My Neve 542s are an absolute staple on my master bus. I had the Zulu its pathetic compared to the 542s. No comparison what so ever. I sold the Zulu a few months after purchase.

[@dspoet1]

@@djdanger9812 Facts

[@Getemprod.]

@@djdanger9812 i was listening to this vs the 542 it sounds noting like tape the 542 sounds way better also real tape is active not passive IMO.

[@djdanger9812]

@@Getemprod. Yes your not going to get that tape effect with a passive box, at least not that I’ve heard. The 542s can feel a bit pricey for a pair but they are so good I’m now looking at getting another pair.

[@Getemprod.]

@@djdanger9812 yep i got the orbit that has blue and red silk i think my orbit will be closer to the Tape than the zulu IMO but i want to 542 but i dont have 500 series setup thats what keeping me away there is the 5042 which is not 500 series just a half rack version but its hard to find

[@JRSWIFTZ757]

I wonder, how can i hook this up to my MPC live

[@mixbustv]

It's passive, line level, you might need preamps to boost the signal

[@asiergonzalez5260]

Is comparable to the Neve 542?

[@mixbustv]

No totally different

[@asiergonzalez5260]

I guess the Zulu is more versatile. Have you seen the new 500 series? Are those passive like the original?

[@jossuecastaneda8135]

Yessssss finaleeee 🥳🥳🥳

[@TigroGumi]

Can we get your view comparing this to the other analogue tape emulations?... where would this fit in in comparison in it's uses?

[@mixbustv]

This is the most versatile, it's really like having multiple tape machines. Others are more a combo of transformers and tape flavor. Not better or worse, sometimes you need one, sometimes the others

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Awesome review

[@Babaksaeedi]

Thanks for this David! I've been a tape user for many years and listening to this unit I'm missing the smooth compression that you can get from a real tape machine before the saturation become audible.

[@mixbustv]

You just need to hit it harder then I'm doing here. Basically you want to have another unit where you have a make up gain right before this, that's the ideal set-up imho, you can do it with a send or plug-in in the daw but it's much better to have a knob before that, preamp will do too and it does have all the compression you want.

[@Babaksaeedi]

@@mixbustv Ok thanks David. Will buy the unit and give it a try! Although they're not listing any in their reverb shop.

[@IntheDAW]

750 for a dual mono/stereo all analog tape style color box. That's a good deal

[@MeanTrainingMachine]

Inspiring little thing, it gives me many ideas, thank you Dave!

[@Degreeees]

The Zulu is a secret weapon for any producer/engineer. This thing sounds more tape than tape 🤣 thanks! #handsomeaudiozulu

[@THEESHITSHOW]

i appreciate this test. i’m feeling kinda of meh about the actual sound thru my monitors. i think the neve 542’s have more airy vibe. it’s interesting though.

[@mixbustv]

The only thing airy in the neves is the red xformer, this is a passive unit

[@anthonyman8008]

Are you keeping that one???????

[@mixbustv]

I had it for months already, yes

[@dontfuckwithquerns6459]

Can you record vocals through it?

[@mixbustv]

yes

[@dontfuckwithquerns6459]

@@mixbustv excellent how do you hook it up to the interface?

[@mixbustv]

You don't. You connect it to the output of your preamp

[@TaiChiRehab]

How does the Zulu compare to the Neve 542s , sound , colour etc

[@mixbustv]

I was the first reviewing the neves, check the video out

[@TaiChiRehab]

@@mixbustv thanks for the reply however, I've seen the Neve 542 review but was wondering how the Zulu compares to the Neve in sound quality. Which is the better one in your opinion Appreciated Gareth

[@fatoslumani8891]

How does it compare to Anamod Ats-1 (if you have experience with Ats-1)

[@mixbustv]

Interesting unit (Anamod). I had a very brief run with it and I remember thinking it was a very cool color box. How close to tape or to this, it's irrelevant to me but Anamod would be more slightly more versatile but a LOT more expensive. Also the technology behind that unit is very odd to say the least: a software algorithm carried out by an analog computer. So yeah..

[@AnalogAssailant]

Which do you find yourself using more David, the zulu or the 1976?

[@mixbustv]

They have nothing to do with each other.. I use them the same amount, maybe 50% of the mixes I do

[@HondoFelder]

Must've sold out again already 🥲. Great vid!

[@amazeus1980]

Anyone tested it next to UAD Studer A800 plugin?

[@Hellseeker1]

Man if it’s just a cassette play and a record head in a box I’ll be pissed.

[@TigroGumi]

Yes!!!! luckily I still couldn't afford it yet so it's not been too long for me... but I can now add it to a list... still watching, will reply where on a list it goes 😂

[@TigroGumi]

It's defiantly going high on the list... output gain control a bit of a issue... I was just thinking I would have to have it near my monitor controller when using it on the 2 bus, as I'm thinking it, that's exactly where you have it. Is it next to the monitor controller for this reason?

[@mixbustv]

Well that and the fact that's not a rack :D

[@TigroGumi]

@@mixbustv So it went hand in hand with it's operation... perfect!! 😂

[@TigroGumi]

I wonder if some of the reason they went out of stock was because your reputation of only reviewing the best had a bunch of people buying already. If I had the money I would have

[@TigroGumi]

I'm clearly a part of the "shut up take my money" culture 😂

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I might have to get this unit

[@PeaKock-be]

been on the lookout for this unit for a long time, but it seems to still not be available

[@mixbustv]

Sold out again if not available

[@TheThinker43]

Command Apple click will bypass hardware 👍🏻

[@mixbustv]

Yeah not on PC

[@drrodopszin]

If the first wave of music engineering was analog, then the second wave should be digital mimicking analog devices and then now the third wave seems to be extending in the box mixing with analog devices that are designed like plugins.

[@mixbustv]

Analog never left the room. Home studios happened, and home product came out of them

[@sigurtsigurt549]

nice unit , but after i bought gyraf g21 i am using it less and less

[@mixbustv]

Isn't that 5K? 😄

[@sigurtsigurt549]

@@mixbustv unfortunately is :) ..but zulu is still first in chain and always checking what can do..and in m/s is just great

[@TigroGumi]

Does the flock have any form of level gaining by any chance?

[@mixbustv]

No o

[@TigroGumi]

@@mixbustv That would be a great added feature if they ever bring out new ones. I'm quite happy they offer 48v... but some sort gain staging property with it would make it even more useful

[@AudioJanitor]

If you open this open, inside looks like a hockey puck There's not much to it. It's not going to best Neve 542's.

[@mixbustv]

Neve 542 is $1700 if you want stereo, plus the 500 rack. This is what? $500? There's not much inside an 1176 either, yet I wouldn't say it's a bad compressor :D

[@JSSTUDIO-wr2jq]

👍

[@amazeus1980]

Interesting that it’s passive…

[@sybillesztorm9006]

Everytime i hear samples or video about it, I just feel kind of disappointed, sounds good but more like different types of analog eq curves/saturations to me rather than real analog tape.. I think we're still pretty far from the real deal.

[@TheTorstenGustavsson]

the frantic setting changes dont do anyone any good

[@chrismitchell523]

Cool unit, I still own one, but for people who care about such things, Langston is a fucking crook. Refer to the gearslutz saga for more detail on stealing customer's money.

[@richardaling5278]

No price and no reverb seller-listing...

[@lilsafmusic]

Why would it have reverb?

[@ilbarbiere9613]

Thanks David, I've been waiting for this review for a long time ⬆️❤️🫡

[@entity9588]

How does this compare to your RND 542s?

[@mixbustv]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2nOaIF3n9GfqZY kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWq3lah-e7x0mNE kzbin.info/www/bejne/kF7Lfa1urbVje8k