Hello all,
I'm writing this prior to doing any actual testing, but I thought it would be interesting and hopefully enlightening to bounce some of this off you good people in the meantime. It'd be really helpful to get your thoughts as I am sure someone will suggest something I haven't yet thought of.
I took delivery of an API 2500 today, and running it alone I recalled someone once saying about running it in M/S. So, using Voxengo MSED before and after DA and AD, I gave it a go. It sounds really really nice that way - really nice - and knowing the sort of material I get, it's something I'd be inclined to use a
lot.
I run the chain hardwired, everything is stereo controlled and the only thing that hasn't got a bypass is the Avalon 747. Conversion is Mytek 8x192, chain goes G14 > 747 > MLA-3 > [2500 here probably] > Summit DCL200.
I can see a number of options for what I'm considering, and it's this I wanted some thoughts on. I could;
- forget the whole thing and stay as described.
- run the whole chain in MS when the material demands some MS 2500 action; it's the possible implications on the sound of the other devices that interests/concerns me here. Uneven tubey-ness between M and S, for example, also potentially undesirable fiddling with the width as the Summit gains aren't linked, and are a touch fiddly.
- set the 2500 on a separate DAAD loop and use it as a separate external plugin. Allows a little more flexibility in routing (first or last in the chain) and means the API can go either way while everything else runs LR.
- some other combination of gear on two DAAD loops.
FWIW, generally I prefer to have eq prior to compression. The 747 does gain staging and the sidechain comp acts as an eq, with the MLA being in between eq and compression (what a box), hence their position at present. It works really well. So I'm considering how to get best sound and greatest flexibility, with a view to getting that tasty MS 2500 thang happening.
Thing is that having just laid out for the API I'm not laying out for anything else just yet, and if I did I wouldn't bother with an MS matrix - rather just skip to a proper router a la Crookwood and have done with it. That's a way off though, so I am looking for a solution with what I have
I'm also sure that once I actually get a bit of time to test it I may well deem something 'the way to go' or 'completely unviable'. But I also thought some clever clogs here might have a bright idea or two to get me thinking in another direction, or that at least it might make for an interesting discussion.
All thoughts gratefully welcomed!
Cheers all,
Bob.