WHERE TO START WITH ANALOG GEAR?

[@Whiteseastudio]

I see there is a little bit of confusion about my USB2 vs. USB3 comment. What I'm sharing in my video's is my personal experience with things, and my personal experience is that USB2 doesn't work as smooth as USB3 from multiple perspectives. Yes, USB2 might work and be totally okay for you, but I'm not going to recommend it.

[@David-cg7ms]

More important than USB2 or USB3 is the latency of the USB driver and also disc chain. USB2 is 480MB/s in theory. 16bits@]8khz channel is only 1.5Mb/s.

[@Hermiel]

1. It's one thing to say _In my experience USB 2 interfaces suck,_ and quite another to say that USB 3 offers lower latency _by definition,_ which is a meaningless statement without the proper technical context, and downright false with regard to audio interfaces. 2. USB Type-C is a _connector (and cable) specification,_ *not* a data bus specification. Type-C can carry USB 2.0, USB 3.x, DisplayPort, TB2, TB3, Ethernet... So again, what are you talking about?

[@AndrewSerPro]

More important for me is the confusion with USB-C connector which sometimes is USB 2.0 protocol! Sadly the connector type has nothing to do with the protocol yet..

[@neuronmind]

Forget USB for an interface , It's to slow. PCI-e is what you want/need !! Get yourself something like an Emu 1212m, 120db signal to noise ratio , same converters as Pro-tools hardware, 192 k. /24 ability, balanced in -out and Adat (light pipe) interface for 16 x in/out. 8ms latency. They were about 150 euro brand new, are no longer made but if you are lucky you find 'm dead cheap. It was designed by the same guys that work for RME now. If you got the money, buy RME .

[@SysexOfficial]

BTW, usb 3.0 interfaces are next to impossible to find anywhere. Reason being, usb 3.0 doesn't use a-class drivers, and requires the audio be processed by the OS rather than the hardware. I think you can see where that leads hehe. For that reason, usb c and thunderbolt 3 are much easier to find and more common, and are waaaaaaaaaay faster than usb 3.0. if youtube allowed me to attach images I'd show you a table detailing just how terrible usb 3.0 is. This might be anecdotal, but with my usb c ssl2+ interface I have yet to see my latency creep higher than

[@MixedByDotRob]

The Bosch drill is a good first step, if you want to start with analog gear :D

[@CraftAero]

...and maybe a soldering iron, if your a "hacker".

[@bildjan]

and the one he has has also the hammer setting so it breaks things and is very powerful :-)

[@G.GordonMidi]

if you have to use your finger on the drills trigger it counts as digit-al tho right?

[@M.Holland]

Sure thing. You will get it in the Hardware store.

[@lowflyingdonut]

Because regardless of where you start this is all going to end like that move Pi

[@ChocolatePuppies]

That last statement “once you start with analog gear, you’ll become addicted” is so true I am feeling this now more than ever since starting my set up over after having UA solo 610 preamp to now using a newer preamp and it has me missing that warm sound from the tubes lol

[@Smurf431]

I have / had a lot of Art gear, and no matter what anyone says they are solid, decent sounding units, especially the 1 rack space 258 Mic Pre / Comp / EQ....all 3 sections being tube!

[@AIMHIGH803]

What’s the exact name of this peice? Haven’t seen a 1 rack space version of this

[@apostolicway2604]

“Analog gear can be addictive” Ha! Getting into recoding can be addictive. 😎 Thanks for sharing!

[@viktorkigyos3839]

But He doesn't told how addictive...😂😂 Now I want a huge update change from Behringer mixer from normal analog gears disstresor LIN-76 ( UREI copy ) And WA-PTQ... So yes It's EXTREMLLY ADDICTIVE! 😂😂

[@__prtcl]

Drawmer 1974 is a very nice analog EQ that doesn’t require selling a body part.

[@Kyro_Gaming_Channel]

My 2 cents - before splurging on analog gear: 1. Acoustic treatment a priority. Doesn't matter how awesome you gear is if your room sounds bad. 2. Quality studio monitors 3. A better CPU will improve your DAW life. 4. If it makes sound, or receives sound, I'd prioritize it before something that processes sound. 5. Watch/listen to product reviews before purchasing.

[@error8418]

1. Even just a little treatment is vastly better than none! 2. Absolutely! And don't place them right against a wall. 3. Any modern midrange CPU should do. And the M1 Macs show that it doesn't take a $5000+ Mac Pro to have great computer for music.

[@Whiteseastudio]

I agree, but this video is for when you are ready to splurge...

[@Fatalis069]

Yep did the same mistake.. got a small room thought i treated it well.. bought alot of analog gear.. but my u87 ai got my worst nightmare in this room .. Trapped every corner from Floor to ceiling got 2 clouds 4 rockwool panels for each side and back still got some weird reflections in my recordings fkin small room acoustics

[@Avedis-G]

I started with the Pro MPA II. I also changed out the Chinese tubes for the Russian ones. Great lower priced amp! Thanks for all you do!

[@swordofyeshua]

I did the same thing!!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wytse! Amazingly good video! Love what you're doing to help educate people! Thanks ever so much for doing these videos!

[@Whiteseastudio]

Yes! They sometimes seem a bit too "simple" from my perspective, but, I do get a lot of these type of questions, so, why not make a video about it then ;-)

[@Dimelo_Rai]

Coming from Warren this means a lot!!!! 🔥💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MarcoPrimeau]

My first step into analog would be an external preamp (connected to the interface) then the preamp going to an external compressor (or a channel strip) to the interface.. no need to do roundtrips and once in the box, can stay ITB.. ;)

[@xzchc]

I'm slightly disappointed you didn't recommend to start with a cordless screwdriver. ;)

[@piijay_music]

I thought the same :D

[@jeno.javori_music]

This video is really good, it looks like a good pro homie explains things while working :), advices are really - like from first hand :)

[@trixdropd]

the latency comment regarding usb2 versus the other options isn't accurate necessarily. RME says otherwise.. At least on rme interfaces. "One of the suggested advantages of Thunderbolt and USB 3 is the improved bandwidth, resulting in a higher channel count than that of USB 2. On paper, this may seem like an area that USB 2 can’t compete. For RME interfaces however, in reality this is not a problem, as the amount of channels already provided via USB 2 is more than enough for the vast majority of applications. RME’s units [can] transfer up to 70 channels both ways via USB 2 in reference to the RME MADIface XT which, when running in USB 2 mode, gives a total of 140 inputs and outputs at 48 or 44.1kHz. RME’s other interfaces also manage to provide a high number of channels over USB 2, for example the Fireface UFX II, which provides a total of 30 inputs and 30 outputs at 48 or 44.1kHz, 24Bit." "As an audio interface format for the mass market, USB 3 makes no sense at all, because the latency is exactly the same as what RME can achieve over USB 2. The higher data bandwidth allows us to transfer more channels, but does not change the smallest buffer size and the reliability when using it with Mac or Windows computers"

[@shimmoon8061]

Exactly! Also, I don't know why he put USB-C when listing protocols. AFAIK it is just a type of connector, and can still use USB-2 protocol - e.g., Audient Id44.

[@error8418]

@@shimmoon8061 Exactly! USB type C is a big mess at this point where it's completely up to the manufacturer what they implement: USB 1.0/USB 2.0/USB 3.0/USB 3.1/USB 3.2/USB 4/DisplayPort/Thunderbolt 3/Thunderbolt 4/Power Delivery/...

[@lilsafmusic]

Because they use DSP...

[@error8418]

@@lilsafmusic They use an internal DSP mixer for (almost) latency free monitoring. There simply is a limit in terms of latency on how low you can go with USB, as USB transmits the data in chunks rather than a continuous stream. But that is completely the same whether you're using USB2 or USB3. The only way around that would be PCIe or Thunderbolt which is basically a form of external PCIe.

[@Thermolizer]

I was having latency problems with my usb2 interface so I switched to a thunderbolt one and the latency is "gone" (not noticeable at all)

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

Fully agreed to use good cables in your studio. And if possible, make your own. So you can make them on the right length, no clutter from cables here. Another great video Wytse, respects.

[@hassmiloud4686]

I generally am a hardware guy, but it got messy with all the wiring to my old console and than to my daw, so I bought a wing couple of months ago and sooo much better so more inputs and no more daisy chaining cables etc. worth the money

[@DATApush3r]

I recently purchased the ART PRO VLA II as my first piece of outboard analog gear!

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

My first analog piece was the art tps 2 preamp that i bought like 5 or 6 years ago. I'm still very happy with it

[@AnwaarAliOfficial]

Is it still working? Mine broke after a few uses. Art preamps sound great, but they break down.

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

@@AnwaarAliOfficial Mine is, brand new in 2008 and still going. It was my first tube preamp. Put Tung-Sol 12ax7 tube in mine.

[@ejmikk]

USB3 does not offer any lower latency than USB2, it only offers more bandwidth, not speed, they are not the same thing. If you have less than ~64 (don't remember the exact number) combined channels of inputs and outputs, USB2 is as fast as USB3. If you have a large amount of channels, USB2 simply runs out of bandwidth does not work, and you have to go either USB3 or Thunderbolt. This has been said many times by for example RME, the only USB3 interface they make has a huge amount of channels and they still make many current USB2 interfaces. They are also one of the very few companies making their own drivers instead of using third party drivers, they really know their stuff. Thunderbolt really is faster and has more bandwidth, but it is also more expensive. There is no problem using USB2 for years to come.

[@mltdnmatthe]

But the biggest question: Why did he remove the tubes?

[@DBCisco]

To plant them and grow more analog gear. lol

[@chaddychaddychaddy]

Maintenance.

[@CraftAero]

@@chaddychaddychaddy Yep, same reason he removed the rack in the first place.

[@MZ-tm1tw]

Beacuase the Original tubes in the Pro Vla sucks and it will sound much better with upgraded vintage style tubes.

[@zbronstein3901]

Is it because tubes can hold electrical charge and he’s removing them for safely?

[@uptownphotography]

Did you do that video on upgrading this ART Compressor? I tried to find it but could not locate it. Thanks... Phil NYC Area

[@DaneBryantFrazier]

0:56 that transition though

[@elyot4010]

First thing that helped me was getting a patch bay. I have a few rack components that I quit using when I sold my ad/da converter. Got the patch bay because my amount of synths exceeded my inputs. Then I'm like, "Hey! Why don't I hook up my rack gear to my patch bay & patch in only what I want?

[@adambarker9493]

To me, the first question when moving to analogue from a DAW based setup is whether or not the quality of your A/D converters justifies working outside of the box. If you are going to degrade the signal out and then back into the box there is a good chance you are defeating the point of any analogue magic beyond that point (unless a degraded signal path was the aesthetic you were going for). While your motus might make the cut for 2021 AD conversion for mixing/mastering studios, I would make it clear that running a signal out and back to a 200 euro Focusite scarlet is a problem (even though the scarlet series has fantastic AD conversion for it's price point). Love your analogue dedication but think issues like this should be addressed before you start talking about cables and connectors.

[@Whiteseastudio]

scarlett isn't on my list, however, I'm pretty impressed by the ADDA quality on the market right now... On the other side, there is still a pretty clear difference between converters classes

[@adambarker9493]

@@Whiteseastudio I used the Scarlett as the example as it's one of the most affordable and common interfaces on the market. They actually have an impressive set of converters for the price. I think in the not too distant future the AD quality of most interfaces will make this an issue of the past but I'm still a little dubious about about the standard of converters on a lot of common interfaces at present.

[@fenixfiretime]

@@adambarker9493 do you have interface suggestions? im searching for an upgrade from my Behringer

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

@@fenixfiretime The RME Baby face Pro or the UAD Apollo series if you are in that ecosystem. For UAD grab those on the used market at any guitar center as they have tons of them for decent prices.

[@mistik2595]

im trying to removing some screws on my fairchild plugin, but my monitor cannot let me to do that.. please help :(

[@brianzielkeii7540]

Get an AES card for your computer, then quality AD/DA convertors, then quality preamps, monitors, and monitor controller. After that EQs and compressors But i suppose, the actual first piece before analog should be a cabinet/box to mount the units in.

[@miltonmagik]

What are the essential gear elements or components to integrate in a studio, EQs, Compressor, Limiter? Thank you.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

A good start is a decent mic preamp and a compressor. Some mic preamps have compressors built in like a channel strip. Quality ones will not be cheap, but worth the investment, hence the used market. The UAD MK610 is a very good one. It's a channel strip with a mic preamp and compressor. The compressor is an opto LA2A.

[@error8418]

Great video! There's only one thing that I kind of disagree with: USB2 can't keep up? I don't think USB3 or type C make any difference in terms of latency. USB3 only has a higher maximum bandwidth which won't really matter unless you want to record more than a few dozens of channels simultaneously. And type C is just a (poorly specified) connector that could be anything from USB1 to Thunderbolt 4. A USB3 interface with bad drivers will still be a horrible experience while a RME interface with USB2 will work perfectly. Thunderbolt doesn't seem so finicky about drivers and can indeed run at a much lower latency but is still more or less Apple specific. Any experience with the FMR compressors? They seem like a great choice for cheap hardware effects.

[@valdir7426]

most usb-c interfaces are USB 2.0 anyway. only the connector is different.

[@gitarman666]

Yeah my old Eventide H3000 is all xlr with modified wiring for the cables I’d like to start using it again just looking for the easiest way line mixer? Patch bay?

[@clintonmaher6930]

Drawmer 1974 EQ is the best all around option I think for a first analogue EQ

[@joserancel6255]

Yes..good video for try to begin with analog compression,can you make videos explaining different compression gears? Thanks

[@ChristelloNervio]

Awesome Vid!! Can you do a comparison between a cheap Analog gear vs expensive gear please? I would love to see what's the difference between an ART and LA 2. Cheers!!

[@lightafluident.9950]

The Art will get the job done trust me. I would never spend to buy an LA2A. Too much money. You don't have to buy "vintage" to get great results.

[@jakubpodesva9802]

In my opinion, the best analogue gear to start with is the acoustic treatment of your mixing room. That's not so sexy as an tube compressor, right? But works probably better.

[@sofiaposadas1089]

True, but your out of context and out of topic. When the post ask what acoustic gear, it's obvious what it was talking about. Unless you just want to be a smart aleck about it.

[@jakubpodesva9802]

@@sofiaposadas1089 True enough, you got me! :)

[@aspecialeffect]

I just got the SSL bus plus, first piece of analog gear, I guess the natural answer is to get the fusion, what is the minimum viable professional studio, is my question. If you want to get the radio ready good sound, assuming you have all the plugins and computer money can buy. The minimum viable but for real making the music sound good.

[@Ledjent]

Great vid! I would love to see a full rundown on how to connect the analogue gear and set it up with your DAW + different applications and workflows! :)

[@TonyMacaroni69_]

yess me too! I still don't know what the best way is to record the sound out of my hardware compressor back to my DAW. I kind of found a way to do it but I don't think I'm doing it right...

[@thenihilistmillennial8245]

If there’s an updated video on connections or if you figured it out I would love to know how you figured out connecting, thanks!

[@atarifalcon]

Good evening to the Netherlands.....and 12 points... ....a question in the late evening. Are you still using the Art Pro VLA II in your new studio or have you shot it into the eternal hunting grounds?

[@Brutuscomedy]

Warm 2A, JHS Colour Box pedal, a good tube mic pre... 👍

[@woz3018]

Hi. I have a Question for you. My little Steinberg UR242 has a feedback function within the controll panel plug-in. Could this be any helpfull regarding the loop I have to consider between my didital domain and my output gear? My thoughts are: UR242 Stereo Out -> Pro VLA2 ->UR242 Stereo In (it has four inputs in total) -> mute the Input channels within the controll panel -> create and mute an audio track in my DAW and record (print) my master Bus on that channel. Would there be any problem I´m might not aware of now? Thanks in advance and keep up the good work. This channel is really one of my favs for several reasons and really helpfull! Best, Timo.

[@lassorb4752]

Comp comp comp comp!!!! Istarted with a WA-76 (1176-clone) and then a KT-2A (LA-2A clone) half a year ago - best improvement to my vocals ever (i run røde ntk with avalon v5) To connect i all i have a neutrikk patchbay and a focusrite 8i6 That patchbay is the biggest Quality Of Life low-cost investment :)

[@budgetguitarist]

I'm totally jealous of your Avalon. Amazing unit that is far outside of my price range.

[@lassorb4752]

@@budgetguitarist it is phenomenal indeed ! I bought it used and had to have it repaired but it is so warm and nice Almost all my gear is bought used

[@jamespadgett5761]

When I buy anything that has a 12AX7 tube I replace it with a ECC83 which rolls of the highs and makes the mid ranger smoother.

[@Whiteseastudio]

But isn't that the same tube?

[@fromrjwithlove9819]

You never disappoint on these types of vids!

[@PyroKalfje]

usb 3.0 vs 2.0 is no any latancy difference. but has more bandwith. so when you running a 16x16 channel interface is for a usb 3.0 or usb 2.0 no any difference . but when you run higher then 16x16 channels than do you see a inprovement in latency. because the bandwith are to limited by usb 2.0. also usb c is a connector tpye, most of the usb c interfaces are also running on the usb c spec. thunderbolt , pcie and AVB/Dante have less latency because it runs directly to the pci express connection in your laptop or desktop , so usb 2.0 are fine, what i heard lot of people that the usb 2.0 interface from behringer has really low latancy and okay sounding preamps, i think that is the best starter interface. but the most interfaces are fine. but make sure that you dont run to any usb hub. unless its a thunderbolt 3 dock. i recomand its that you computer is fast anough to run realltime playback. you dont have any option as rendering out.

[@jerrychiasson9857]

I just got a BAE DMP pre amp.... upgrade from ART tube preamp.... my question is do I really need an analog compressor or EQ? If so tube compressor or solid-state....

[@TutorialesMezclaMastering]

Will be great a video how setup of an analogue mixbus chain. I use RME baby face pro and I am interested in incorporate some analog equipment in the mixbus such a nice compressor

[@error8418]

Keep in mind that you will need some external converters for that as the Babyface doesn't have enough outputs. I run a Babyface Pro in conjunction with a Presonus DP88 myself for that matter.

[@lotdproduction]

Thanks for this very useful video! 🙏🏿

[@mfkrwill]

Im really thinking of buying one of those Art VLA ii compressors. Partially to have an outboard compressor to run when i record harsh vocals for metal bands, and then also for mixbus compression (maybe if i get around to mixing again). may be slightly annoying doing both since i think id need to print the vocal and then chance settings for the mixbus. as well as drum rooms or overheads. must be why a lot of people have multiple compressors XD

[@nugznmugz]

Or patchbays...

[@seanmccarney271]

You should check out the daking fet 3 compressor and the charter oak eqp-1. Wont be disappointed. Cheers!

[@Jrscarratt]

Best affordable modern eq you can get now is the kt-eq! It’s sounds fantastic for £200!

[@streetlogic]

Do I put the switch in the back to +4 or -10 just don't understand. Understand +4 is pro -10 is consumer but I don't understand what makes my setup either or.....is it my interface? If so I have Scarlett 18i20 3rd gen thanks if able to answer.

[@guitarstreet]

What do you mean you want to create a loop? Can you explain more on that?

[@MZ-tm1tw]

Please do a review of the Warm Audio WA2A and WA76. Pro Vla is Great for the money and useable quality ,with upgraded tubes it can be used with higher compression Ratios. On the list for starter compressors are FMR Audio RNC, RNLA, DBX 160, TL audio Fatman, Drawner MX-30.

[@bram9498]

nice video, not long ago i purchased a SSL fusion hoping to get something analog. But when i look inside the unit the components/microchips/prints are so small. Why do they put it in such a big chassis? Just to make it feel analog, well i feel fooled this way, i now have a big chassis box with practically nothing in it. Just for fun look inside the unit and you will see, a flashlight and a pair of good eyes, you dont need to screw the unit open. So there is a BIG market for analog feel. People are being fooled a lot. Just because it looks big with big knobs doesn't make it analog.

[@headbangerministries]

Hey I have a Scarlet interface the 18 i8 and I'm considering upgrading to a thunderbolt but I have limited funding resources and I know that thunderbolt is pretty expensive but the most channels that I've connected is for and I'm sure I would want to run two more but I'm also sure a thunderbolt with that many channels would be somewhere in the 600 to $800 range? The reason I like to change is to see if I can reduce some of the latency problems. I run a midi guitar program that converts my guitar into the interface and then I open my DAW/Logic Pro X, and run the program and then open synthesizer sounds TRacks by Amplitube/Syntronix, on a channel. I love to run many T-Rex eqs and effects compressors and all kinds of other stuff but sometimes I hear latency problems even during playback it'll start skipping and then an error message comes out saying that it's unable to keep up with the such and such frequency but again this is when I'm running everything and before I knew how to use buses. I'm not as educated as You are when it comes to setups and I'm barely learning about sending my effects to a bus. I've only began to learn to use a bus a few days ago. I believe if I send my effects to a bus that would reduce my latency correct? Anyhow, just curious if the thunderbolt would make any huge difference with the latency or should I just continue to learn how to run my buses and fill them with all the effects I run? Oh I run a MacBook Pro retina and I think it has eight gigs of RAM.

[@coyoteserranoband]

I suggest try it out! Worst case scenario you can return it!

[@danielectics9435]

I wish you would have looked at one of the ART Channel Strips, since they are about the same price as that compressor, but give an all-in-one box, which is great for beginners. A compressor without a preamp is useless. I just upgraded from my ART Voice Channel to the Manley Core. It was a huge upgrade, and I'm not sure if it was a good idea.

[@lightafluident.9950]

Im going to purchase the Art Voice Channel soon. I've studied on it, listened to numerous examples of it, and to be honest it holds it's weight pretty solid when compared to other "higher quality" brands out there. I own the Pro VLA 2, and I can honestly say that it is built solid and it's very impressive. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. I only use it when I want extra grit/warmth though. I mainly track through a WA12 MK2 black mic preamp from Warm Audio, and my main compressor is an LL2A compressor limiter from Little Labs, but I add the VLA into the chain whenever I need some more "depth" and "color" to whatever it is I'm tracking. One love!!!

[@aeloh6921]

Question: Apart from the obvious benefit of being able to adjust parameters with your hands on physical knobs, what can one expect sonically from the compressor you recommended? In terms of sound purely, I want to know what sonic qualities it has that a plugin comp does not. I use Fabfilter Pro C 2, and the Waves API clone as my main software comps.

[@adambarker9493]

Typically, it's the non-linear nature of the sound. The Pro C2 is an amazing clinical digital compressor, it has a consistent sound, you play the sound in each time, you get the same sound out each time. Analogue gear has many more variables based on it's physical nature and the results it produces are not consistent. It's the inconsistencies that give the perception of the sound being alive and constantly changing AKA non-linear. That's why we spend thousands on UAD interfaces, DSP and plug-ins that emulate the non-linear nature of analogue hardware. Emulating the non-linear nature of analogue gear is much more CPU intensive which is why UAD plugins require the hardware acceleration. A lot of the sonic positives of using analogue gear are on a sub-perceptional level, you may not be able to put your finger on why you prefer the analogue hardware vs the software emulation but you know that you do. With UAD plugins, that happens less often, in fact there's a good few UAD emulations that I have access to the hardware of and I prefer the plug-in or the difference between the hardware and the plugin does not justify the time spent patching, printing and other issues such as A/D conversion degradation, noise, hiss and hum from vintage hardware etc. I think it's important to have clinical digital plugins like the Pro C2 in addition to your analogue emulations and hardware but for analogue emulation plugins I will always use non-linear UAD plugins where possible. Personally I would recommend the move to UAD before the move to analogue hardware. You'd be amazed how many high end studios are full of high-end vintage analogue gear like fairchilds and pultecs collecting dust while the internationally know, award winning producers and engineers use the UAD plugins. The fact that this channel is super pro analogue and often anti-digital but doesn't ever address UAD is a serious flaw in the content.

[@iggrut]

Hey. I saw the EQ "Rolls RPQ 160b" and it would be great if you could test it :) Curious about your opinion. Its available at thomann.

[@riktascale4]

This is topic is very dpt to me at this point. Thanks!

[@MACRONOne]

I would like to add, try a stagebox as an interface in stead with cat5 connectivity..faster than USB better than Thunderbolt, could save you lot of cash and you will have a lot of in/outs...

[@paulrigby001]

Interested in this. Can you share examples please.

[@MACRONOne]

@@paulrigby001 Please listen to this guy, very informative info including examples. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4PXeWSenamae5Y

[@lalchhandama7039]

Can i use alesis compressor for an outboard gear joining to my computer's DAW?

[@Tibbon]

A really solid getting-started piece in my mind are the DBX-160A/X/XT. Dirt cheap, sound good, simple, works on a lot of sources. Good resale. Fancy? Hell no. But, when you move on to fancier things, you can always use it for compressing some less critical track, like the underside of a snare or tom.

[@jeroendepauw3635]

Can you make a video where you setup a workflow for example connecting a compressor to your DAW and the workflow in the DAW?

[@TheRheinprinz]

Whenever I watch your videos, I feel like I'm traveling back in time. Like Back To The Future. Do you have a Delorean?🤣

[@emiel333]

About jack connections make sure to use TRS instead of TS. What you said about cables (price wise), I couldn’t agree more. I use decent but affordable cables in my home studio and I never run into problems. People who claim that they can here a difference between a €10 and a €250 cable must make an appointment with a good psychiatrist. 😉

[@anthonyman8008]

Yes! God bless you!

[@MichaelDowComposer]

Are you still using motu avb? I'm STILL on 2408mk3 (and two mk2s) but it's got to be time for an upgrade at some point.... But is upgrading going to make that much difference! It would be nice to bring latency down if possible but will usb3 get lower than pcie? I still use motu as it's scalable and I can still add a 24io to what I already have, which is mad. I don't need above 48khz either really..

[@brookbilney761]

Hey i remember your review of that art comp. In that vid you said you might do a mod on it. Did you? I recall that it’s not a true tube comp but feeds the tubes off the side somehow... and it is low voltage. I’ve been really curious what kind of mod would be effective in that unit. I’ve read and heard that simply changing the tubes doesn’t do that much.

[@ronithhalder5277]

How about FMR audio RNC 1173 compressor as a startup investment

[@iainmackenzieUK]

So which compressor to start with? Would be great to hear your thoughts. (FYI, I am small home studio (Teaching in China) mainly vocals and guitar. using U87, OC818 (Austrian), 1073, Lyra 2. Ready to get into analogue compression :) Cheers

[@lightafluident.9950]

Can't go wrong with the Art Pro VLA 2. And you get two channels. I bought it, and I love it. If you want something a little more transparent try the LL2A compressor limiter from Little Labs. It's 900 bucks, but I own one, and you can't go wrong. You can also master with both the units I just mentioned.

[@iainmackenzieUK]

@@lightafluident.9950 Hi and thank you for your reply. Since writing this comment, I have bought the TUBE tech CL1B. And, whilst I am very much still getting to know how to use it for vocals, I think it sounds lovely. Having said that I will take a look at the ones you suggest, particularly for work on compressing both channels. I am teaching in China these days , so a bit limited on resources but I will dig around for the VLA 2. Thanks again iain

[@hostilekeldon]

I made a pretty big effort to upgrade my Scarlett solo with a babyface pro fs, and all my setup is basically digital, I used to have a studio with a 48 ch Allen Heath, so I really miss my gear, but budget is now limited, would you prioritize a preamp like the ISA two over an analog compressor like the VLAii? I love modding gear so that looks even interesting from that pov heh... but yeah.. I'm in between those to, perhaps both eventually, it is mostly to improve mixes while self mastering etc.. trying to give an analog sound to my rig, not only modelers. And thanks for your videos, they are really good and I'm learning from them bit by bit too.

[@peterthomson7050]

Hiya, you didn't answer the question @why did you remove the valves (tubes) ? Interested because I'm a new bee and have just bought the pro VLA 2. best regards, Peter.

[@esmoroglu]

Thank you for this! 👏🏻👏🏻Can you make videos where you connect / patch a front end such as outboard preamps with more headroom than what we have in the interface and masterbus compressor?

[@vinkarume6205]

Sick transitions!!! Also that logo on the Vu meter is quite nice touch!

[@musicislife704]

Need help! When i export im not hearing the effects from hardware. Im using fx2000 behringer in my daw fl studio.

[@droningbrightness3403]

hope you are planning to do a video on upgraded tubes for the vla. that was quite the tease.

[@Whiteseastudio]

might be

[@DJFxallMixX]

Does the Art compressor have a gate I am looking for a good side chain compressor to start with.

[@matesdantesable]

Hoy! Did you upgrade this VLA unit as you sad in review video a year ago? :)

[@Whiteseastudio]

Yeah, it doesn’t make a difference 😑

[@jesseward3121]

Hi mate, I'm wanting to know how to insert something like a series 500 saturator in the mastering line in the DAW. It's likely i would want something like pro-q 2 before it in the chain though! How is this done? Also, could you show how you export a master with analogue components in the chain through the DAW.

[@gratefulmusicsound8337]

Nice video! Thanks!

[@dogpile5902]

Which interface r u using. Any Uad , Motu, Ssl, Presonus.. Snake Oil ?

[@jesusvargas3044]

I'm thinking of getting the presonus quantum 4848 to connect all my analog gear as well as to connect analog consoles with long dbs25 cables for larger sessions. So far it's the best high I/O unit I've found on a budget (less that $1,500) but other suggestions are welcome.

[@NikolausBrocke]

I want to comment on USB2 vs. USB3 too: If you use usb2 connection with an interface that has it's own cpu, than this statement, that usb2 is slower than usb3 is not correct. My example: I am sill using two "old" Motu 24 I/O converter with 48 analog ins and outs! They are connected with "old" firewire to the pci card and this one has acces directly to the pci bus which is in most cases faster than usb. Thus I get better or the same performance for 48 analog ins and outs than with small usb 3 interfaces with 4 ins and out.

[@andrewkaplan149]

Thanks for the video! Two questions: 1. Is there a way to run a stereo signal through a single channel piece of gear? Say a single channel 500 series EQ or Compressor? (I.e. sum to mono before, or run channels independently through gear?) 2. Do you run balanced/TRS cables between your patchbay and outboard gear? Would you recommend a balanced snake?

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

A method would be create the outboard piece of gear as an EFX Send Channel. Depending on your Daw you can Send in mono and Return in Stereo. If you have to Return in mono, then just duplicate the tracks, hard pan left/right, but bring the levels down via the Channel Pre Gain, which will avoid having to touch the fader, but that feature is not available then fader it is, but Channel Pre Gain is better. For patchbay you ALWAYS want to use balanced cables. Snakes are fine, but those need to be balanced. You want to avoid degradation of your signals or interference caused by bad cables and the emissions of electronics. If you have not already make sure you have a power conditioner in your rack and run EVERYTHING through it. I hope this helps and best of luck making music.

[@RayC123456789]

So, I think I see a Mac Mini as the PC for your DAW. I too have a Mac Mini, a 2018 model - Intel i5 (2.6Ghz), 8 GB ram, 1 TB harddrive - and it seems to be extremely slow and finicky. What are the specs of your Mac Mini, and does the Mac Mini work well for you?

[@split6933]

Hi Wytse, thanks for the video! Can you do a review of the lkjb qrange eq?

[@nomadrootsmusic]

When you were talking about getting hooked to analog gear and said “as you can see” *looks over at rack units* Made me laugh bro! Love the content

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

Thanks for this. I've been thinking about getting out of the box, mainly to save on computing power. I love my plugins, but as the sessions I'm working on get bigger, those layers of plugins build up, and it get to a point where I've crashed my session on many occasions. It's just getting to the point where it gets annoying and sessions become near unusable (This is at a point in the mix with 20 odd plugins all on, and pressing play gets you a near instant crash, haha!). Especially if I'm composing and doing stuff with midi, like say orchestral sample libraries which are very hungry for processing power. At college, they all taught in the box mixing at as standard, which make sense, since that's the most accessible and most likely way people be mixing when they start getting work. This was despite having big classroom studios that were surrounded by giant rack mounts all around the equally massive desk. They never taught us how to use those, even how to set the signal path for them, so they've always been a mystery to me. I'm particularly interested in re-amping out to my pedalboard and using that as my outboard mixing station, as it were.

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

Your analog gear plugin has screws.

[@thenihilistmillennial8245]

Can you or someone explain how I can get my api 5500 eq (19” rack unit) hooked up cables wise to my cranborne audio interface? I’m having such annoying troubles with it! The interface has its own built in preamps and every video is for hooking up analog to separate preamp then interface. The API is a stereo EQ unit. I’m trying to use it during mixing stage so not tracking with it. I have my corresponding IO set up correctly but it’s just not working so I know it’s a connection error on my end. So in short, please help! Thanks!

[@musiclandstudios]

Can i connect analog eq direct with art pro vla 2??

[@dandearman2871]

I'm curious about the boxes you have in the corner of your room that dampen low frequency reflections. You mentioned them in one of your videos and I thought I remember you said you made them?

[@JulianDaniels]

Well, USB 3 doesn't offer lower latency as USB 2, just offers higher bandwidth which means you can record more tracks at higher sample rate and frequency simultaneously. But even USB 2 offers enough for home studio users. For examples if you work with 24 Bits and 48 kHz, you should be able to record 40 tracks at the same time. I have a Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB 2 interface and at 24Bits/48kHz I have a latency of 2.3ms something (Buffer size at 48 samples). And the Thunderbolt version is just slightly slightly faster. Some years ago I had a Firewire interface from Steinberg which was the worst interface in my life due to dropouts and high latency issues. So, you see: USB 2 isn't that outdated. And I think the more important thing to think about when it comes to audio interfaces is: Which manufacturer does deliver good drivers to keep the data transfer stable and fast?

[@Gabeconstantinemusic]

Hi Wytse! love your channel, love your videos!!! I was wondering if you might be able to answer a question I’ve been mulling over…. I’m currently working totally in the box, but I’m looking to get at least one analogue gear/processor to help give my mixes/masters that “analogue vibe/sound”. I watch lots of your videos, and I recently a friend of mine who runs a studio recommended to get two mic pre’s as a first outboard hardware component and run them into my DAW to get that analogue warmth/color/dynamic. I happen to have one golden age pre73 neve clone preamp that works well… I could buy another one and run all my mixes/masters through them both. I also just came into some extra money, and I could buy an SSL fusion instead, which I could use to print my masters out to give that analogue sound. Which of those options would you recommend for getting that nice round, fatness and dynamics? Would two mic press give the kindof coloration and fatness that the SSL would? My mixes/masters are sounding pretty good but after watching multiple sound tests with plug-in vs the hardware versions on KZbin etc, I’ve decided I need to make the leap out of the box just for one item (for now). Any thoughts? I see here that you recommend the pro VLAII, but also As an alternative for getting the fusion, I guess I could use two golden age 73 mic pres, and then add on maybe a DBX 560A compact compressor/limiter. Still debating if I should just get the fusion or not. I happen to be able to afford it at the moment, so it’s a tough one. What do you think?

[@BestOfPerusse]

Hey man I have seen your videos and man I love what you do!!! I asked a few questions by posts on some of your videos cause would like to get started with doing analog modular techno music with absolutly no computer.. but i am very limited on budget. I dont need to get the most fancy gear just something to get me started practice how to make a bassline/kicks and some funky sounds to add a melody... Is it possible to do around 500-1000$? I can buy used gear too it dosent matter too much, i just love music and would like to know if i want to invest more in the future... (Actually only have an auxiliary stereo speaker or headphones too..) Thank you so much for your help man

[@willb3698]

I have some Amphenol from Jaycar in Australia - and I find that they are a hard fit on my sockets - both UAD and DPA mic. Neutrik I should try, but I was a bit bummed by the Amphenol. Of course it could be the existing sockets. I really don't like pulling them apart with difficulty.

[@LukeLjJames]

Could you please help me , Your the only channel on youtube i trust apart from dan worrall - ALL I WISH TO DO IS EQ MY ROOM (doesnt have to be top level exact) I have a clarett usb 3 interface KRK S10 SUB - KRK ROKIT GRP8'S Ableton , wavelab pro10 , fabfilter bundles etc ive played the pink noise bands and set up the crossover and levels with the SPL meters etc according to the KRK guides and App now i have run the EQ wizard on app and have The REW software but i want to make the tweaks its suggesting with Hardware if possible So its just in the rack , All Set so the room EQ is done and put it next to my interface and never touch it. is this possible and could you suggest what i need please (EQ, shelfs , exciters i hear all these names and just get more confused what i should use for the room EQ) im cool with effect chains and stuff on channels in the DAW's etc but i know nothing about studio hardware and what order to put the RoomEQ etc i.e before the interface or after the interface then into the monitors. Please help i really want to do this properly and good enough So it stays that way . Thanks so much for you vids youve saved me a lot of time and solved a lot of issues with info over the years ;) thanks bro

[@sprtkle3516]

please make a review video on analog obsession plugins.

[@Lancethedj]

Question; I'm thinking of adding a pair of mixcubes to my home studio, you have a pair in your studio, but I want to know if it's worth getting as they aren't cheap. Great channel, always great content

[@VincentKearney1967]

What do you think if I add The ART VLA with the SSL Fusion as the mid side compressor circuit of the Fusion ?

[@jayguwa5050]

Do you think its a good idea to build monitors my self using parts from somewhere like madisoundspeakerstore.com? Would diy monitors be too colored. Or will buying speakers from like genelec,focal,etc just be better?

[@bighornaudioproductions6104]

What Motu interfaces are you using now?

[@gimmenames9039]

Nice video and pls make one on the Elysien 500 series EQ. Perhaps the Zähl EQ too, but that is definitely not budget gear anymore :D