What Analog Gear Should you buy first?

In this video, we're going to talk about what analog gear you should buy first for a great signal chain. This will help you get the best sound from your recordings in a home studio.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, a good signal chain is essential for achieving great results. In this video, we'll talk about what analog gear you should buy first to build a great signal chain, and help you get the most from your equipment!
We'll take a look at mic preamps, compressors and eqs in rack equipment and 500 series that are worth your time and will fit your budget.
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Recorded by Mitchell Rose at The DIY Recording Studio
Filmed and Produced by Mitch at The DIY Recording Studio
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[@lizmayfield6778]

Fantastic video Mitch and perfectly timed for me at the moment. I’ll be taking all this advise on board, thank you 🙏

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks Liz! Congrats on finishing your studies too! If you need any further advice, feel free to hit me up!

[@monkeyplusplus]

Great video! I use a Sound Skulptor MP & EQ 573 as well! They're so nice. On my voice, one thing I love to do is use an 1176 style compressor (I use a Hairball Audio FET/500 - also a great DIY kit!) and a DIYRE OLA5 in series. Neither are working super hard, but the FET/500 is great at capturing the quick changes in volume and gives just a little boost into the OLA5 so it can do its buttery-smoove thing. Then finally a DIYRE EQP5 on the end does a wonderful job of smooth eq tweaking. Also, a noise gate (I use a Drawmer DS101) is really nice to have between the preamp and compressor, especially with harder to drive mics like an SM7B. Even on other mics though, it can be a big help. I landed on an Earthworks Ethos as my 'daily driver' mic on my voice, and love it.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Oh man, what a chain you have!!! That's THE Chain for sure. I've played with that 1176 into opto thing. Man it works a treat for sure. Ive been eyeing off the hairball fet and DIYRE EQP5 for a while. Have you tried the Sound Skulptor versions for both at all? I'm coveting those too hahah!

[@romelafaitele]

MITCH ! Bruh sorry just saw your comment on another vid, Apologies brother ! i dont use this account as my main, only on it when music related ! sending nothing but love and respect your way ! Also great informative vids as per usual !!! Bless you bro for sharing your knowledge with us !! Absolute LEGEND !

[@eranddroory9987]

Thanks Mate.. 🙂

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Not a problem, thanks for dropping a comment!

[@FiddleCzar87]

This was a great video! I have fairly recently started following you - and I am currently considering venturing into some analog gear. I really liked your detailed comparisons, as well as the specific gear recommendation. I am also interested in an upgrade to my interface that will better support that hybrid digital/analog environment. Any recommendations on an interface with line inputs that can support up to 6 to 8 total inputs? I’m mainly recording acoustic instruments (i.e. Bluegrass).

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Honestly most of the 8 channel interfaces are of similar quality preamps and converters. Any of them will do a good enough job. I would go for whatever fits your workflow best and more importantly your budget. The evo 16 is pretty great for the money. Whatever gives you easy connectivity and workflow.

[@MichaelJamesWood]

After researching your signal chain and checking out prices, I've decided to stick with plugins until I find some really good deals on new or used equipment. Or, maybe I'll win the lottery. haha

[@diyrecordingstudio]

If you go the DIY route, you can build a chain for about $1500 which will set you up forever. Not cheap, but Not a lot of money in the scheme of things. If you buy the original ie, NEVE1073 etc it gets very expensive. Depends on your budget and what you're using stuff for. Just for perspective, I do this as a business so if i look at my gear as tools, the hardware may cost $1000-$1500 but in any other industry, this might be similar to the cost of tools r equipment. if not cheaper. If you factor in software subscriptions and updates of many years, they might actually wind up costing you the same if not more. It's a long game thing. Also the time it save recording with hardware and having to do less in mixing is invaluable. Just my thoughts though, everyone has to do what they can and what they can afford, I totally get it! Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@johncarlino7101]

Great video! You mentioned getting a cleaner and more detailed preamp setup for classical music. Would you care to elaborate? I'm considering a capi VP28 with red dot opamps with a Capi 550 EQ for classical guitar. I'd love your thoughts

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for asking John, great question! So I wouldn't call the CAPI preamp a clean preamp. It is amazing and detailed, but they do colour the sound. You might be interest in the preamps made by companie like Grace Designs or Millenia, I have friends who record classical and Orchestral and thats predominantly what they use. Focusrite ISA preamps aren't bad either.

[@MartinCoolMusic]

Hi, your video was great!. I understood the advantages of using hardware before going into the DAW. Talking about preamp and compressor clones, you said you would consider some that are not very cheap. What's your opinion about the Audio Warm Audio WA73-EQ and the WA-2A?. With those two I would have the preamp, EQ and compressor for recording guitars and vocals. And finally, what would be the difference in tonality between a SSL Pure Drive Quad and a Neve 1073?. Thank you!

[@growprosper5279]

Nice video! Sorry for the beginner question but why do you have your pre amps and eqs in pairs? Isn't 1 enough?

[@who_is_dis]

For music and working in the box - i've found that different tracks ask for different things, at least slight variations. So me personally, I want to stay quite flexible and open instead of having a 'go to' rig. I have my eye out on a Neve 1073 DPA that I can track my U87ai (💪😘) through, as well as re tracking stems through before mixing to impart that goodness that's quite obvious when it's cumulative like that. So in my opinion, either start with something for the mixbus, or a L/R 2 channel preamp (Which can also be used on the mixbus).

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah 100% man. U87 into a 1073 is magic. Add a good comp and you’ve got an unbeatable signal chain for tracking. Mix bus definitely if you’re mixing but if you’re a tracking engineer more front end is always good.

[@redmase1]

Great vid bro

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks, are you looking at buying anything analogue at the moment, or have you got any analogue gear you're using?

[@redmase1]

I got a Neve 511 and a golden age 2a. I have the telefunken cu29

[@redmase1]

I want more but gear isn’t cheap.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Oh dude what a great chain! What do you think of the golden age 2a? Yeah all the gear adds up for sure!

[@anthonyman8008]

Modded by Signal Art WA-47 - Grace pre - tegelar 500 VCA - WA Pulteq modded by REVIVE - focusrite

[@thelashaunlove]

Once I got my BAE 1073 pre I was amazed lol. I thought I was good using my Neve 1073 emulator on the UAD Apollo, but it doesn't even compare to a real hardware 73. It also really smoothed out the highs on my Manley Reference mic.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah absolutely! Once i heard a real neve sound i was like whhhaaaaaaat! That's actually what started me on this whole journey. There's some magic in there for sure!

[@jessefildesmusic]

Hey Mitch, I’m looking to get started with some outboard gear so was looking at the DIYRE CP5 with the colour modules. Do you have any thoughts on that and do you think I would be better off just going for a straight up 1073 clone kit instead? Im doing mostly rock and pop, will be using it mostly for vocal tracking. Cheers 🤘

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Hey Jesse! Excellent question. The cp5 is a great clean preamp and the colour modules are awesome. However if you’re doing vocals, rock and pop, I think a better first purchase is a 1073 style preamp. Everyone needs at least one. My suggestion is build a strong signal chain. Your mic and preamp are the most important. Then when you’re ready and the budget is there look at an 1176 style comp and then an opto style comp. These will change the quality of your vocal tracking immensely.

[@miltonmagik]

Nice video, I'm still considering two alternatives for a mic preamp, but I don't know if these would be good clones: Warm Audio WA 273 EQ Preamplificador or WA MPX2. Any thoughts are appreciated, thank you.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Great options you have there. The warm audio 1073 clone would probably be more useful and versatile especially seeing it has a full eq. The tube pre clone would be good too don’t get me wrong I have some I use for things like bass but they get used far less often. I think if you start with a neve preamp, it will work in almost every situation for you.

[@GingerDrums]

Quibble here: the signl chain starts with the source in a room! If the source and/or room sounds bad, gear will not save you. Order of importance: 80% source and mic, 15% room and 5% SIGNAL CHAIN.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Absolutely agree with you. It’s something I’ve talked about a lot on this channel.

[@KingYahuchanon]

Dope! What do we buy to mount these?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Hey, great question! If you're talking about the the chassis the 500 series gear sits in they are available from heaps of different companies. I use the Midas L10 and the RND R10 racks at the moment. Theyre both fine. They all rack nicely into any 19" rack unit which is standard audio gear width! Hope this helps!

[@JesusPiano]

Great video mate!. - like your Core too. I have a Q: Is there a point in hooking up all the back's I/O of my several units hardware into a rack unit - connected to a patchbay - with "not so cheap" cables? (200€ or so the lot), Or, considering that later on, "the chained cable quality" its going to be broken with SO MUCH CHEAPER "colored patch cables" on the front of the Patchbay, may just as well better connecting the whole thing using JUST the much cheaper "patch cables"? (Some 40€ at most) Did you understood? Thanks :)

[@diyrecordingstudio]

I would use whatever fits your budget. Cables have never stopped me from getting an awesome recording or mix. I wouldn’t stress too much about the quality. Just make sure you’re using balanced trs ones. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[@ManofmanyfacesMusic]

Out of every production channel I follow, I've never seen anyone with the same vocal chain I use. I run an SM7b into the Alctron MP73eqV2, and on to the Lindell 76. Do you have a video on that chain? If you don't, I would love to see a vocal recording breakdown and what your approach is for dialing in a vocal sound.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

I love the lindell 76. It’s great especially for the money. It does the thing. I haven’t used the alctron much yet, I have sound Skulptor neve type preamps and eqs I prefer. I’m actually hoping to do some mods to the alctron unit sometime soon. Definitely could do a bunch of vocal tracking signal chain vids though.

[@ManofmanyfacesMusic]

@@diyrecordingstudio Love the Lindell too. The Alctron isn't too bad for the price point. It's obviously not going give that classic "neve" sound most folks are looking for, but I feel it's a decent entry point into analog preamps. I also looked into the mods for it, like the carnhill transformers and everything. I may be going that route as well. Thanks for the reply and I'll definitely stay tuned.

[@geotungz4050]

a kt 76 is quite clean, much more than the lin76, I owned both. It is great at holding a signal in place like a 76 without the the distortion especially when you open the attack. The Lin has quite a bite of crunch and has a more li fi top end. I think both can have a place in a signal chain depending on what you want to achieve.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah I havent used the KT ones yet, would be keen to get one and potentially mod it though. You're 100% right, the lin76 has a pretty obvious rolloff in the highs and gets distorted very quickly. I really like it on snare and some vocals at the moment.

[@geotungz4050]

Yeah, if the 76 had the option of trimming the top end to get it as it is or have a flatter response, it would be perfect! It is great on snares. Did you run some bass through it?

[@rickelliott821]

I’ve purchased a Flock audio patchbay that is designed for “analog” rack mount gear and not digital signals. The prime benefit is the software that allows different patching configuration’s via the dbs connections. Question: is analog gear exclusive to the preamp, compressors and equalizers you mention or, what are other examples of “analog” gear that are compatible ie: Lexicon reverb, Digitech guitar pedals. It does not route digital gear. Thanks

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yes I know the flock Audubon patchbay. Even though a digital rack mount reverb is maybe a “digital reverb” with digital processors, as it is still a physical box, we kind of lump all that stuff into analog as well, especially pedals, it is often referred to in this case as just outboard gear.

[@rickelliott821]

@@diyrecordingstudio If it’s a line level signal that won’t be converted to digital until it reaches the DAW, I’m thinking with the exception of midi signal it should be compatible with the Patch software.

[@silveramateur571]

Since you mention the Neve what are your opinions with the Isa One ? I heard that is better than most analog Neve preamp emulation

[@diyrecordingstudio]

The most important question is what is it you are trying to do/record? Different tools for different jobs. The ISA is an excellent preamp, however much cleaner and a totally different sound to the neve 1073. Preamp simulations aren't ever as good as the real thing at least yet. Stay away from them and invest in real gear if you are serious about your craft.

[@silveramateur571]

@@diyrecordingstudio Thanks im looking for a nice preamp for my Tlm 103 to record vocals mostly Male.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

A Neve 1073 style mic pre is probably what you're looking for!

[@jtmckie]

Would you say a DBX 286s is a good one to start with?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Great question. The 286 is a completely different design and sound. It’s really just an entry level preamp and the dbx 266 compressor design which was mostly used for live audio. It’s cheaper and lacks the slap and punch you get from the vintage 160vu, 160x and other variants. It’s not the same circuit or vca design and therefore doesn’t sound the same unfortunately.

[@Auldhelm]

What prevents you from just using plug ins before the recording? then you can record a dry and wet signal?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Latency, doesn't sound as good as hardware, Doesn't have the same effect as the real thing. Maybe I should do a video to demonstrate the differences!

[@Auldhelm]

@@diyrecordingstudio That would be a great video!

[@streetracingmiscreant8589]

Would you consider the Audient ASP800 as an acceptable add on pre, or would I still need something like a Warm Audio Tone Beast or similar?

[@streetracingmiscreant8589]

Also considering the UA Twin 87… unless I am feeling wealthy when I order, and in that case it would be a OPR U-87 1:1 Clone.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

The asp800 is fine. Pretty transparent pre though, not going to give colour like a Neve or API. Sorry for the slow reply, OPR Mics are great! Stay away from UA Twin though, dont love those at all.

[@streetracingmiscreant8589]

@@diyrecordingstudio Thank you.

[@dannydaniel8975]

Buy a real tape machine..no matter what kind.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

If I had the room in my studio I might consider this. A lot of the bands I work with don’t have the budget for tape. Are the prices still very expensive?

[@GingerDrums]

If I need this I use an online analogue service like access analogue. Having and maintaining a working reel to reel is more of a hobby in itself than a tool for music production

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

Where are your Neve 1073? All i see are cheap DIY copies and cheap CrAPI..

[@gnk2517]

chill bro

[@nikdrown]

Dude some of those are the closest clones to their originals than even Neve or the makers make modern time lol. And you apparently don’t know shite if you’re calling CAPI crap

[@Pedozzi]

it sounds like you're repeating what everyone else says about analog gear. All i got from this video is, buy very expensive stuff because...yes. Correct me if i'm wrong.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Check out my other videos. I’m all about saving money! This is the DIY recording studio after all. 😉