Rupert Neve Designs MBC Demo & Review

[@producerdanieldennis]

You’re doing the best gear reviews ever, love your attention to detail and video editing. Thanks for doing these!

[@alecbrits]

Thank you for the kind words Daniel! :) will keep working away on them.

[@martinkorner8450]

Alec, you are doing the best gear reviews with the best demo songs on KZbin. Keep it up and never ever give up on love!

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much Martin! :) I won’t give up!! :D

[@tonvaterhahn2889]

I just discovered your channel some weeks ago, watched maybe 15 videos, yet. I am not exactly sure, of what i enjoy more - your unexcited, objective way of testing gear, or the exceptionally good music, performances and productions you are presenting in your videos.

[@alecbrits]

Thank you for the kind words Tonvater! :) I hope that it can be both elements.

[@ParadNorthProd]

Super review. Your vid showed exactly what I heard when I compared my Apollo x16 and MBC. The x16 has a "nose" to it, and the MBC goes wider and doesn't have that upper mid poking out. Awesome that you a/b'd the clocking as well, as I didn't do that comparison. Surprised how much better it was.

[@alecbrits]

That’s the thing with the X16, that upper midrange bite and loss of clarity in the bottom end. :) the clocking blew my socks off really. Was really surprised by that.

[@DomSigalas]

Super solid review Alec, keep it up and thank you! Greetings from London, Dom

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much Dom! Will keep working on it! :)

[@paulmolive1821]

Always enjoy these reviews! I was considering this piece of gear and voila - a brand new review. Not as “night and day” as I was expecting between the Apollo and MBC, which is surprising. The clock is more crucial than I imagined.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Paul! :) it’s a great unit, and like you say, the clock alone is a huge leap forward. Combined with the silk, limiting and ADC it’s a no brainer.

[@starboy2013]

It all adds up.

[@chilligreen21]

I love your videos so much, please keep them coming!! So happy right now!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much Georg! :) will keep working on them.

[@agentwhitesnake3097]

SPONSORS PAY ATTN: I liquidated several pieces of gear to get the MBC after watching this video, and I'm absolutely loving it. RND does everything to incredibly high standards and it shows. I would never have looked twice at this box if not for Alec's very insightful and professionally sound presentation of what makes this piece so good. Hats off to Alec, and I hope to see much, much more from him.

[@alecbrits]

It’s a great unit for sure! :) glad you are enjoying the unit.

[@LIONDUBNYC]

Excellent Video. Fantastic presentation. Thank you for all the great information and examples!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much! :)

[@MateusTinocoMusic]

That’s so amazing!!!! In the future, it would be great to see a comparison between the MBC and Burl ADC, looking forward! Keep rocking man

[@alecbrits]

That would be a lot of fun to try for sure! :)

[@dirface]

Thnx for the in depth reviews, your music works really well with the vids because of the dynamics. Awesome channel and tasty gear!

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :) dynamics are everything!

[@gifbeats]

First video for me on this channel, excellent review! This thing is serious... Wordclock really makes difference

[@alecbrits]

Thank you Guido! :) it’s a serious piece of kit for sure. 👌🏽

[@bobbarney1923]

What a great review! Love that you covered the clock comparisons. Really eye-opening !

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Bob! The clocking thing really blew my mind.

[@bobbarney1923]

@@alecbrits I clock with Apollo as well.. part of me is like, “well, geez… and the other, is like , well ok…. Lol”

[@nilsgariboff]

The star in this excellent review is not the fantastic MBC but the music! So well played and sung! Are these your original Songs? Songwriting, arrangement and production are just brilliant! Love it!!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much Nils! :) they are indeed all original tunes all through the channel. Really appreciated that comment!

[@nilsgariboff]

@@alecbrits Wow man, I'm impressed! Are they available somewhere (spotify, vinyl..)? I mean seriously, these are really good songs! Thanks for the great work!

[@teashea1]

terrific music ---- want to hear more of that Alec

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Thomas! :) Working on it.

[@teashea1]

@@alecbrits great to know......

[@ppmkalymnos3991]

Alec , excellent videos!! I bought the mbc from your review!! I wish you could make an rnb mbp review and also show how you could incorporate the shelfords, mbc and mbp all together

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much. :) congrats on your purchase! Perhaps in future I could try the MBP.

[@Nospoon777]

I love your reviews brotha!! Was pleasantly surprised to see this first thing this morning! 😎

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :) will keep working on them!

[@antcall6779]

Great as always Alec!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Ant! :)

[@SamIntharaphithakOFFICIAL]

Oh man. The MBC makes the tracks sound like they are summed through a console. The separation, 3D factor and better transient reproduction.

[@alecbrits]

It’s pretty impressive! :)

[@timball8429]

Awesome review Alec. Thank you as always! 🙏

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Tim! :)

[@jacksp8de]

Dope video! Subbed

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Jack. :)

[@AlexOnAudio]

I think youtube compression eliminates the ability to really hear the comparisons between the various modes. I mean, we can sort of hear some slight differences, but I'm sure that in front of the near fields at your location, the differences are much more perceptable. I know when I A/B the converters between my Apollo x8p and Dangerous AD+ in front of my Genelecs, the difference is night and day.

[@alecbrits]

Yeah! :) it’s a tough one for reviews in those moments.

[@MartinSchnella]

Hey Alec! Great review. I use the MBC for more than 1 year now. And I also decided to use it as my master clock. For me it was also surprising that is wides up the sound so much and that it is a kind of a game changer. I have a hybrid studio and the MBC is my final step before getting back into the box after printing.

[@alecbrits]

Ahh! Congratulations on the purchase. I really miss having it in the studio. :)

[@snippletrap]

What stuck out most to me was the guitar line. I like the resolution at the end, very satisfying. Re: converters, the Apollo sounds fine.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks! :) apollos are good converters indeed. But for those who wanna step up, these are a great option.

[@charlesrocks]

The MBC is very subtle with that Red Silk and the Limiter really brings the sound to life.

[@alecbrits]

It’s a gorgeous combo isn’t it. 👌🏽👌🏽

[@charlesrocks]

@@alecbrits it really is. BTW that song you have there is lovely. Where can I hear it in full?

[@nkozi]

Would you consider doing a full studio tour, and/or an overview of a typical tracking setup for you? I've been recording guitars for my band at the studio in which I work, and it's the first time I've used an Apollo outside of a home studio. Has me interested in your workflow and routing!

[@alecbrits]

Hey Nkozi! :) I will be doing a studio tour soon!

[@Siggiyoutube]

Bravo Alec! I am more interested in the songs you perform, more than the gear lol! We should collaborate someday. Greetings from Toronto ✌️

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much!! :D

[@dionreload]

Thx for the review Brits! Would love to see you review those ATC's ;)

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Dion! :)

[@MrKarstlok]

What a great production and what a usefull review! Just a quick question; I see you solo’ing different tracks, so you’re not bouncing right? What do you use to record Logic outputs?! I need THAT convertor 😂

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! I use OBS to capture my screen and my Apollo outputs. :)

[@jamescave7102]

Great video!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks James! :)

[@Screaming-Trees]

We use the Mytek 8x192 AD/DA. Because it is, well pretty great. Vibrant and alive like a really well maintained tape machine with an amazing low end. Nicest DAC I have heard and we had a lot of them in the studio (Crane Song, Burl, Avid, Prism et al). Especially when you factor in the price. That said, the MBC sounds really, really nice mate. Perfect for what you're doing. I guess they took a page out of Burl's book (the Bomber AD which is also very nice). Apollo is obviously very workable but it's pretty obvious to anyone with a good monitoring setup that these kind of converters are just nicer. It's a very expensive sound. Bit like a nice transformer laden console on the front end. I'd buy it and use it. Great demo thanks.

[@alecbrits]

It’s a solid piece of kit for sure. :) I like that you can pick whether you want the transformers, silk or limiting. Or just lovely and clean. It’s a bit of a chameleon which I really enjoy too. Thanks for the kind words!

[@jeremy_woods]

Great review Alec! I actually had my Apollo X6 premium modded by Black Lion with the XB clock. (Sub Pico). It was definitely a BIG difference from the original clock until a friend loaned me his Burl B2 ADC. One day I just flipped the cable to clock from the burl instead of vice versa to see what would happen and the bottom extended another octave. It's ridiculous - and the B2 is 10 years old. More room in the lower half and smoother up top. Very surprising but I can't go back lol.

[@alecbrits]

I’m still baffled by how different the Apollos can sound with a dedicated clock. Absolutely incredible. Those Burls are wonderful units for sure!

[@dougleydorite]

For real? I think the Burl might be a good converter to get for recording

[@maxf8431]

Amazing Demo and Review!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Max! :)

[@k.ollektiv]

Hi Alec, wow, i am blown away by the difference, the clocking does to the X16. I kind of thought, that converters these days are as good, that an external clock does not do any good anymore. I use the apollo and for main bus conversion the ADI-2 Pro - wich to me is outstanding (and much cheaper than the MBC). I will try, what that does, when it clocks the Apollos. Thanks a lot for your videos!!

[@alecbrits]

It’s a huge difference right?! Crazy. Let me know what you find! :)

[@teashea1]

another very good review

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Thomas! :)

[@astein0316]

great vid. was wondering what stands you use for the ATCs. the room is looking great

[@alecbrits]

Thanks! :) I use a pair of Atacama stands on each speaker, not the most ideal solution, but it’s what I have to work with for the moment. I have them filled with Rice, and they seem to work quite well! :)

[@68Snaps]

Thanks for the great review (as usual). But I think you missed a point (or I did...). To make your mixes sound greater than life, engage the limiters, and do crank up the gain. I mean you can really crank it up wildly (+10dB, +15dB), and get awesome results.

[@alecbrits]

Hey Chris thanks for the feedback! I just worked with it to the point where it felt right to me.

[@68Snaps]

@@alecbrits And there's nothing wrong with that! But I've seen a few videos where the sound was being pushed into the limiters, and they did sound fantastic! I actually played a bit with a MBP and did the same. The RND limiters are top notch!

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

Listening to this on my ATC SCM45a and the difference is VERY apparent. Guess I will pull the trigger on this after all.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Kevin! :) great choice on the SCM45a’s what a lovely set of monitors to work with. I hope you enjoy the MBC when you get it!

[@CanadianCaymanRS]

Sold...i have the Gen 2 x8 and hope it helps the midrange clarity and imaging

[@amalgami]

Alec, if one has to record 4 channels, 2 can be captured via MBC, for the remaining 2, can i input them to the line in of Apollo and still be able to record them simultaneously? Here i suppose, the A to D conversion might happen via MBC for the last 2 channels too or how does it work. Thanks

[@alecbrits]

That MBC would add two channels to your converters provided the Apollo you used has SPIF or AES. :)

[@Sagerydian]

I am not sure how the device makes the D/A conversion sound better, like you said in the video, as it is an A/D converter. Do you mean that the clocking master coming from the MBC also improves the D/A from the Apollo? Hm...

[@alecbrits]

Yeah. :) it’s the clocks in the MBC that change the overall tone of the Apollos.

[@PicassoBeatz]

How are you listening to the unit if it has digital outs, but you are running the UA at the same time? I have been looking for an in-depth video on how to connect this unit, but no luck.

[@alecbrits]

It’s connected via AES to the Apollo. The console has three mix outputs. So I can route one set to the Apollo’s and the sending to the MBC. That way I can create two separate monitoring Channels in logic. :)

[@andYz00m]

IVE GIVIN UPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUPUP. Would be interesting to hear the difference of a whole track where every thing was tracked using the apollo clock and converters and then a whole song where everything was tracked using the RND clock and converters. Stack that shit up. Nice test and demo! This feels like a solid competitor for the Burl B2.

[@alecbrits]

Oooffff… I don’t have enough hours in a month to do that! :) oh yeah! They would be great to compare to each other for sure.

[@BrianSladek]

I like the sound of the blue circuit. Those apollo converters are not too shabby in comparison. I have been using a lot of bettermaker gear and I highly recommend it if you ever can review. Other than my mastering manley vari mu, I am starting to lean towards analog gear that has either stepped controls or a plugin to control it. Really cool technology .

[@alecbrits]

I have done a review on the Darth Limiter, I also use the Mastering EQ daily. :) plug-in control is the only way!

[@hudsonadair5923]

Excellent video dude! I'd love to see a video on the Zulu passive tape emulator. I see you have one in your rack.

[@alecbrits]

That is part of the release plan in the future! :)

[@sbroadbentphoto]

Gah! you need to put out an album with all these pearlers soon! Love your work.

[@alecbrits]

That’s the plan!! :D

[@audiokemestry]

great review! Im considering the.mbc, AD+, and crane somg head. it sounds like the bettermaker gear has spoiled you with the digital recall. lol

[@alecbrits]

All great options! :) and yes, the Bettermaker stuff really has spoiled me.

[@MR_Cellarpop]

Hi Alec! Did you test how the MBC sounds when clipped a little ?.

[@alecbrits]

Hey Mathias! The MBC does not really do much in the clipping department from what I can tell, the limiter does most of transient shaping from my experiments. The last example in the video was the unit pushing quite hard. :)

[@MR_Cellarpop]

@@alecbrits Thanks

[@MDRNMDCN]

Love mine!

[@alecbrits]

You have made a VERY good choice! :)

[@amalgami]

MBC made your song sound like a record. Small differences should be considered big in audio, this one has huge differences.. loved this video, brought out the exact details i was looking for. The D to A, will help in critical listening for mix and master and A to D is well, for the final print and tracking.. Many others have chimed in for using a dedicated convertor as master clock, same results were evident with Aurora and probably burl.. but MBC sounds the best and has a lot more to offer..

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for the input! :)

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

Great presentation ... I mix 100% in a keyboard workstation and I would like to add some "character", color and some "glue" (like you would do with a compressor 2:1 ratio - just a little bit of that spice...) before entering "computer space" to do final mastering with plugins ... Of course I would enter the computer with -7 db max. so I would leave some room for mastering. I see the transformers and silk function useful, but can the limiter be a substitute for a little compression in my case or is it better to buy just high end mastering bus compressor? :)) In another worlds can this device give me not just color before mastering but that little "analog glue", depth, wideness, before entering the sterile world of plugins?:)))

[@alecbrits]

I would look into a the Rupert Neve Master Buss Processor for all of those functions and a couple more. :)

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

@@alecbrits O.K. Thanks ... :)

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

@@alecbrits I'm back again watching this baby ... Rupert Neve Master Buss Processor is great but all this can give you plugins if you know how to use them, but they can't give you top of the line transformers and silk options that give the sound that larger than life feel. Limiter is useful for the final stage (as the last compressor limiter) after preliminary mastering just to add that extra glue at the end. You can achieve all and more of what Master buss Processor does with plugins, but you can't have it all that that this unit does and be right at the door of digital domain. Since Rupert Neve Master Buss Processor is all analog (no digital output on the back) you have to spend another 5000 dollars just to make it work. So, yeah. This unit first, all the other options later when you're already famous. 😄😄

[@Truth565]

I tried a Grimm CC2 clock with my Apollo X6 and heard a similar, but I think even more extreme difference. A better clock seems to make it sound more open and smoother in the highs and more extended in the lows. It also relaxes the mid range, so you hear more details. Overall, you end up with a more expensive and pleasant sound. Good video.

[@alecbrits]

It’s really made me curious to experiment more with other clocks to hear the different tones. I’ve not yet tried a Grimm, but I’ll have to look into them and see what the deal is! :)

[@IrenESorius]

Working 100% "in the box" since forever,, well,, +20 years, so not realy my kind of interest sphere, but interesting review anyhow. 👍‍‍// I heard a vinyl to hard drive sample, made with a Audient ASP-880 from a DENON DL-103R (a pickup I know very very well) earlier this weekend, and it sounded freaking fenomenal. I guess its a Audient desk you have there Alec, and if so, are you happy with the mic-pre,s in it? I guess the Audients have a similair soundsignature? Cheers and thanks friend,, 🍻😎👍‍‍

[@alecbrits]

Hi Irene! :) the Audient consoles are great, lovely open sounding and extremely reliable. I believe the ASP-880 have similar mic pre’s. I really enjoy working on my console. :)

[@IrenESorius]

@@alecbrits Thanks Alec,, 🍻😎👍‍‍❤️

[@matthijsblomjous3671]

Probably a bit of a noob question but what do you mean with "DA"? Isn't this only an AD converter?

[@alecbrits]

The MBC is only a AD Converter yes. How ever it’s clock can change the tone of your interface quite dramatically. :)

[@matthijsblomjous3671]

@@alecbrits aaaah right, thanks! If you ever get one, I’d love to see a clocking comparison with the Grimm CC2, the maker of those is an old acoustics teacher of mine and I’d love to see how his “best clocks in the world” are as good as he tells everyone😂

[@barneyrubble8255]

@@matthijsblomjous3671 I cant find a single audio demo of grimm clock online anywhere, i'm interested in hearing how mbc and grimm compare to each other also..

[@ppmkalymnos3991]

Could you please share your connection between mbc and Apollo ? Thanks

[@alecbrits]

AES. :)

[@ppmkalymnos3991]

@@alecbrits aes and world clock cable ?

[@alecbrits]

@@ppmkalymnos3991 yes. :)

[@ppmkalymnos3991]

@@alecbrits thank you very very much!! Waiting the mbp + mbc+ shelfords combo video review 🙂

[@alecbrits]

@@ppmkalymnos3991 hahaha, that’s an unlikely video sadly.

[@JimboJones99]

The same (and even better) could also be achieved with a pair of Neve 542's + SPL BIG

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for the input. :) I think the functionality of this conversation is a little different than simply harmonics and width.

[@SDA-Sound]

If you don’t need the dsp switch that apollo x out for a lynx Aurora N and prepare to have your mind blown 🤯😎

[@alecbrits]

I’m excited to try one in the future. :)

[@xandervideo1]

Surprising difference when A/B'd with the Apollo.

[@alecbrits]

I know right?! Really surprised me.

[@蔡成钰]

我认为声卡直接录的 空间感更好 哈哈哈 用过尼夫以后 声音会变得紧凑 但是空间感没有那么好

[@alecbrits]

I’m using Google translate here. That’s interesting that that you say that there is more space with the sound card, I do find that sometimes things feel more open with a really solid interface.

[@ProducersVault]

Great review, The Power in the Back though? Very random, not cool at all

[@alecbrits]

Thanks! :) small things that can be fixed innit?

[@thaexception3406]

Good ending summary

[@alecbrits]

Thanks! :)

[@G.C.D4Real]

Difference is day & night

[@surgicalaudio8829]

Clocking doesn't have a sound... do a true blind test you won't be able to pick it up Eric Valentines did a whole test with the best clock on the market (and expensive !) and the result was no one could tell which one was done with that external clock

[@alecbrits]

To each their own, I hear a difference in the character of the Apollos. :) but that may also be my studio insanity.

[@musicgalaxy8832]

The Burl smokes this one, and again the price is crazy. They lost their minds. Pour Rupert…

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for the feedback. Have you shot them out against each other? :)

[@musicgalaxy8832]

@@alecbrits Yes, I did. Difficult to pass the lavel of Burl Converters and Prism. I work in classical and Hi-Fi music, and I consider Burl a revolution in audio for many reasons. This one is a nice converter but has nothing really soecial to offer except the limiter and the silk that they put in almost every piece of gear they make. Neve makes nice stuff especially the 5025, but the overall quality- price- ratio is targeting clearly more the bank then the clients. But you make some really nice music!

[@alecbrits]

@@musicgalaxy8832 cool! :) thanks for clarifying that. Thanks for the kind words to the music.