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R/E/P => Mastering Dynamics => Topic started by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 21, 2011, 09:19:00 PM

Title: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 21, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
Hi,

I have been using the following chain for some time:

Pre EQ PSP MAster Q >> DAW AES OUT Digidesign 192 IO Digital >> Hedd 192 d/a >> Crane Song Ibis EQ >> Pendulum OCL2 (with physical sidechain) >> Crane Song STC8 >> Hedd 192 a/d >> Pro Tools HD Digidesign 192 Digital AES In> Daw ( PSP Neon HR M-S Mode > PSP Master Q > PSP Xenon > TC BW Limiter II from MD3 Suite).

I have considered two ideas:
a) Doing M-S in analog chain, thus the need to add a second analog EQ;

b) Adding a second Eq in stereo mode after the STC8, prior to Hedd a/d stage;

I am still not sure which idea would provide me better results.

I am more than satisfied with the present chain, but we are always trying to improve a bit.

As a second EQ, I have considered buying:

1) another Ibis EQ ( already accustomed to it).. although seems weird picking same brand/mode/sound...

2) Millenia NSEQ unmodded. No logistics to buy, send to FF, wait and so...

3) Avalon 2055 ( People have pointed me in the past as sounding hifi, pillowed low end).

I would like to buy something fancier like the Buzz Audio EQ or a GM EQ, but are out of my budget!

Any ideas are greatly welcomed!

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: lowland on August 22, 2011, 03:56:44 AM
Hi Alécio,

A nice little problem to have!

How fixed is that budget? I see the Great River MAQ-2NV is $4350 at Mercenary and Sweetwater, so presumably you could find one second hand more in your range (they do come up from time to time) if you couldn't stretch to new.

I can't praise this EQ highly enough, and am continually surprised it's not much more prevalent in mastering than it is - it has little in the way of a downside and much to recommend it, such as being all-switched, having a stereo link mode and, most importantly, a lovely sound that also somehow manages to be neutral. Although I haven't used the Ibis personally, from what I hear I would imagine the two would complement each other well - if you liked the MAQ I imagine you'd then be set EQ-wise for some time to come.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expan
Post by: Laarsø on August 22, 2011, 06:16:11 AM
How about you hire Jaakko to make a Barry Porter clone?  With two different irons switchable?  Then add Dangerous Sum Difference.  Patch and hard bypass, as needed.  I'd rather see you have two analog eq's in the chain than two compressors.  But, with High Passed side-chain, is less compromise and more solution.


Cheersø,
     Laarsø
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 22, 2011, 09:30:55 AM
Thanks, Laarso.
In fact I rarely take more than 1db of gain reduction with each compressor.

Barry Porter EQ clone could be great!

And what is your opinion about my question II, the second EQ doing M-s in analog world x  additional  ST EQ after Stc8, prior to Hedd a/d?

I guess you have already answered it, mentioning the M-S Matrix...
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 22, 2011, 09:41:46 AM
Hi, Nigel
Millenia Nseq-2 , Avalon 2055 or even a second Ibis EQ could be great and are under the U$3500 ceiling!

Brad, what is your opinion considering the second EQ doing Analog M-S xthis same  Stereo EQ after the STC8, prior to Hedd a/d?
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: lowland on August 22, 2011, 10:10:21 AM
Hi, Nigel
Millenia Nseq-2 , Avalon 2055 or even a second Ibis EQ could be great and are under the U$3500 ceiling!

I'm sure you're right, Alécio, though I don't know those EQs. I guess the MAQ will just have to remain 'my' little secret a while longer (Mwahahaha! etc.).

All that said, second hand can help reduce outlay for a good return - all the best with your search.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: dietrich on August 22, 2011, 12:10:53 PM
Used market could bring you a Massive Passive which would be a much different flavor in your chain.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: bblackwood on August 22, 2011, 12:22:37 PM
The Ibis is a beast in M/S mode - just look for a good stereo EQ and strap the M/S box around the Ibis...
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 22, 2011, 12:34:24 PM
Hi, Brad

You mean puting Ibis to M-S mode and picking another EQ for the regular Stereo Processing?
Ibis doing the analog lift at stereo here has been great too.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Ed Littman on August 22, 2011, 06:33:03 PM
This is what I do. nothing like a little color on the sides to focus some crunchy panned guitars. Or pushing 104hz in the center to bring out the kick.
Ed
Hi,

I have been using the following chain for some time:

Pre EQ PSP MAster Q >> DAW AES OUT Digidesign 192 IO Digital >> Hedd 192 d/a >> Crane Song Ibis EQ >> Pendulum OCL2 (with physical sidechain) >> Crane Song STC8 >> Hedd 192 a/d >> Pro Tools HD Digidesign 192 Digital AES In> Daw ( PSP Neon HR M-S Mode > PSP Master Q > PSP Xenon > TC BW Limiter II from MD3 Suite).

I have considered two ideas:
a) Doing M-S in analog chain, thus the need to add a second analog EQ;

b) Adding a second Eq in stereo mode after the STC8, prior to Hedd a/d stage;

I am still not sure which idea would provide me better results.

I am more than satisfied with the present chain, but we are always trying to improve a bit.

As a second EQ, I have considered buying:

1) another Ibis EQ ( already accustomed to it).. although seems weird picking same brand/mode/sound...

2) Millenia NSEQ unmodded. No logistics to buy, send to FF, wait and so...

3) Avalon 2055 ( People have pointed me in the past as sounding hifi, pillowed low end).

I would like to buy something fancier like the Buzz Audio EQ or a GM EQ, but are out of my budget!

Any ideas are greatly welcomed!

Thanks in advance!
The Ibis is a beast in M/S mode - just look for a good stereo EQ and strap the M/S box around the Ibis...
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 22, 2011, 07:51:03 PM
HUn??
104?

:)
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: bblackwood on August 22, 2011, 10:32:45 PM
Hi, Brad

You mean puting Ibis to M-S mode and picking another EQ for the regular Stereo Processing?
Yep, exactly.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: DOMC on August 23, 2011, 12:29:36 AM
The Ibis is a beast in M/S mode - just look for a good stereo EQ and strap the M/S box around the Ibis...
I am just about to do exactly this - as soon as my son lets me get in enough time to finish soldering.....
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: SafeandSoundMastering on August 23, 2011, 05:40:22 AM
It is a tricky price point IMO, at least in UK where there is more choice a little higher up in price. I was incredibly underwhelmed by eq's I heard in this category. Seemingly shining in 1 particular band or being of dubious build quality. I appreciate good eq is hard to do right. Have fun choosing your eq.

I would have thought the Gyraf G14 would have been something to look at for a colourful choice.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Mastertone on August 23, 2011, 05:52:50 AM
Jaakko turned me on to this one a while back, anyone played with it?

http://www.adesignsaudio.com/hammer.html (http://www.adesignsaudio.com/hammer.html)
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Cass Anawaty on August 23, 2011, 10:50:39 AM
The Ibis is a beast in M/S mode - just look for a good stereo EQ and strap the M/S box around the Ibis...
I've been on the fence about this for quite a while.  Can anyone recommend an M/S box?
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 23, 2011, 12:48:10 PM
I think the NSEQ-2 lists for U$3400, Ibis cost me around U$3200 and the Avalon 2055 is much cheaper.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Ed Littman on August 23, 2011, 03:25:32 PM
HUn??
104?

:)
Yup... On the IBIS 104Hz (G#2) tight Q like .25 for bringing out a kick drum. of course material will vary results, But allot of time using this in the center works pretty cool.

Ed
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Waltz Mastering on August 24, 2011, 11:35:19 AM
I've been on the fence about this for quite a while.  Can anyone recommend an M/S box?

Here are a few stand alone m/s routing boxes that I'm aware of:
Dangerous - http://www.dangerousmusic.com/s&m.html
SPL - http://www.frontendaudio.com/SPL-M-S-Master-p/9999-08172.htm
DAV - http://www.davelectronics.com/sipp.htm

I haven't used any of these.
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Cass Anawaty on August 24, 2011, 01:52:15 PM
Here are a few stand alone m/s routing boxes that I'm aware of:
Dangerous - http://www.dangerousmusic.com/s&m.html
SPL - http://www.frontendaudio.com/SPL-M-S-Master-p/9999-08172.htm
DAV - http://www.davelectronics.com/sipp.htm

I haven't used any of these.

Thanks--I'm about to watch a vid on the new Avenson one. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/ZenProAudio?feature=mhee#p/u/0/1zcVXjtLKD4
Title: Re: Looking for a Second Eq. Suggestions up to U$3500 range? Analog M-s or expand ST
Post by: Alécio Costa - Brazil on August 24, 2011, 11:54:46 PM
Those clicks are really distracting....

Which of the above folks are using here? Dangerous x spl x SIPP?

The SPL looks really cool but someone at GS pointed it as being "brittle"?? Really???