bblackwood wrote on Fri, 23 June 2006 07:37 |
So, what's your typical chain? Is it too much? Not enough? How often do you change it up? Are you looking to change any part of it?
Discuss.
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Well, This is an interesting question. For me it depends on what kind of mastering I am doing.
I have 2 basic chains:
Classical Reissue (Analog Source) Studer/Flux/Aria to the Crookwood transfer desk>
API 550M>
Custom re-formatter/mixer>
Meitner, HDCD or Dcs converters depending on sampling rate or if it's DSD.
Analog Source: Tape machine of choice for sonic character> (ATR with OEM heads, Highly modified FrankenStuder A80 Mk1, Levinson ML-5 (A80 RCII) or above Studer Mk IV/Aria)>
Digital Source: For 44.1 masters I work in Sonic HD, For all others I use Sequoia or ProTools for playback to any one of a half a dozen DA converters. (HDCD, Benchmark, DCS, Meitner, Apogee, Lavry
Crookwood Transfer desk>
Summit MPE-200 EQ>
API 550M>
Api 2500>
Pendelum PL-2>
DBX 902 De-esser>
Additionally I have an Old school rack that I built that has the following stuff in it:
(Which I virtually never use these days)
Neumann W495STB (2x) (Modified 1dB steps)
Neumann W495 (2x) (Modified 1dB steps)
Neumann OE DUO (2x) (Modified 1dB steps)
Lawo 995/6 (2x) (Modified 1dB steps)
Neumann U473a (4)
NTP 179-120 (2) (Black Face Mastering version)
W444STB Fader
As far as the order it changes on a song by song basis. Obviously, I don’t use everything all the time, but I like to have the flexibility. The really powerful thing about my Crookwood transfer desk is that I can change the order of the processing without patching anything. And as a bonus, I have a summing/mixing insert so I can do parallel compression or add reverb to the signal.
From there I convert to digital and enter the digital processing chain.
Like the analog stuff, I change the order and pick and choose based on the application. All the processing is on a Z-sys 32X32 Router that bridges to a Tesi 48x48 Router for all the different computer I/O.
System 6000 Mastering/Reverb
Weiss EQ1-DSMk2
Weiss DS1-Mk2
Weiss EQ1-DSMk2 (for processing after compression)
TC Finalizer 96k
Computer with Plug-ins (Waves etc...) and metering. (I virtually never use these.)
HDCD Model 1 for peak limiting or Apogee UV-1000HR for clipping (Nova rules!)
All this feeds the workstation Du Jour (Normally SonicHD, but on occasion Sequoia, Pyramix or Wavelab.)
As far as changing tools in and out, It takes me a good 6 months to work a new piece of gear into my chain to the point that I feel really comfortable using it during a session.
At this point I would have to say that my Crookwood transfer desk is far and away the thing that has made the greatest difference in the way in which I work. It allows me to very rapidly find the device I want and get it in the chain with a minimum of brain damage.
We had it built for surround, so whether I’m mastering for SACD/DVD-V/DVD-A or CD it seamlessly transitions between stereo and surround.
All the best,
Mark