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-   -   AGF MEMBERS GEAR LIST, TUTORIAL VIDEOS, PODCASTS, & COMPREHENSIVE BEGINNERS GUIDE (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594800)

jim1960 10-09-2020 07:33 AM

AGF MEMBERS GEAR LIST, TUTORIAL VIDEOS, PODCASTS, & COMPREHENSIVE BEGINNERS GUIDE
 
Some of the most commonly asked questions are about choosing a daw, choosing an interface, microphones, plugins, and outboard gear. This post and those following contain information that will help you begin your research on all those topics. All prices for software and gear are current for 2022.
If you're wondering why some things are spread out over multiple pages, it's because every post has a 10k character limit.

Table of Contents

Post #2
  • DAWs
  • Video Editing Software
  • Interfaces & Converters
  • Portable Digital Recorders
Post #4
  • SDC, LDC, Dynamic, & Ribbon Microphones
Post #9
  • Outboard Gear
  • Monitors
  • Fabricated Acoustic Room Treatment
Post #11
  • Recommended Plugins
Post #14
  • Video introductions to Specialty Plugins
Post #16
  • Video introductions to Specialty Plugins continued
Post #18
  • Video tutorials on Room Treatment, Recording Acoustic Guitar, Monitor Placement, Equalization, Compression, Reverb & Delay, Noise Reduction, Cables, Headphones, Various & Helpful Information
  • Podcasts
Post #23
  • Video tutorials for Mixing
Post #25
  • Video tutorials for Mastering Audio
Post #27
  • A Quick Peak at DAWs - a selection of videos that give some insight into the workflow of available DAWs

Posts #92-96 A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide (located on page 7 of this thread)
If you have no experience recording but you're thinking about giving it a go, this guide should be helpful.
Posts #108-112 An Overview of Virtual Instruments (located on page 8 of this thread)
Posts #113-119 Microphone Shopping Information and Mic Shootout Videos (on page 8, scroll 2/3 down)
If shopping for a microphone seems confusing and daunting, this information may be helpful.
Posts #125-135 Preamps Overview (on page 9, scroll down 5 posts)
An overview of what a preamp is and why you may want to invest in one. In addition, is a collection of videos for various preamps.

Posts #136-150 Compressors Overview (this makes up the entirety of page 10)
An explanation of what function compression serves as well over 100 videos covering five categories of outboard compressors.

jim1960 10-09-2020 07:35 AM

DAWs
DAW stands for “Digital Audio Workstation.” It’s what we call the software (sometimes part of an integrated electronic device) that allows us to record & playback audio, edit & manipulate waveforms, and apply effects to our recorded tracks.

Digital Audio Workstations
The number preceding each DAW is the number of people in this forum who reported using it.
11 Apple Logic Pro ($200)
9 Cockos Reaper ($60 or $225)
7 AVID Pro-Tools (free for "PT Intro," other subscriptions range from $99 to $599 per year)
7 PreSonus Studio One ($400)
5 Bandlab Cakewalk Sonar (free)
4 Adobe Audition (part of Adobe CC or $21 per month)
4 Apple GarageBand (free with Mac OS)
4 Steinberg Cubase ($100-588)
2 Audacity (free)
2 Magix Acid Pro ($200)
2 Magix Sound Forge Pro ($250-350)
2 Reason Studios Reason ($500)
2 Ableton Live ($100-$749)
1 WaveMachine Labs Auria ($25-50)
1 Universal Audio Luna (free but requires UA Apollo interface)
1 Traction Waveform (free-$1069)
1 Steinberg Nuendo ($975)
1 Acoustica Mixcraft ($150)
1 Magix Samplitude ($400)
1 MOTU Digital Performer 10 ($500)


Video Editing Software
Creating videos has become a popular pastime for many players. The following are video editors used by members. The number preceding each software name is the number of people in this forum who reported using it.
10 Apple Final Cut Pro (Mac only) ($300)
6 Black Magic Design DaVinci Resolve (free) (DaVinci Resolve Pro is $300)
2 Adobe Premiere Pro ($36/month subscription or more for larger software package)
2 Apple iMovie (Mac only) (free)
2 Sony Vegas Pro (Windows only) (price n/a as site isn’t working)
1 Adobe Premiere Elements ($100)
1 Reaper ($60)
1 WeVideo.com ($5/$8/$20 per month depending on resolution)
1 Adobe After-Effects ($36/month subscription or more for larger software package)
1 Avid Media Composer ($240)
1 Lumafusion (Mac, beta version for Windows) ($30)
1 Edius (Windows, use on Mac requires Bootcamp) (free)
1 Ffmpeg (Linux only) (free)



Interfaces and Converters
Converters and Preamps are the heart of any digital studio. Converters take analog sound and convert it to digital so it can be stored on your computer. They then take the digital information and convert it to analog sound so you can listen. Most commonly, the unit will have 1-8 preamps. The number of preamps determines how many microphones you can operate at one time through the unit. When all of these functions exist in a single unit, it is referred to as an “interface.” Sometimes the conversion functions are performed by separate boxes and are referred to as “convertors” (A/D, D/A, and A/D/D/A). When choosing an interface, it’s a good idea to assess your current needs and to make some guess about future needs. Be aware that not all interfaces will be able to attach to your particular computer, so always check the connections available for the model you’re researching.

Here is a list of what forum members are using, or have used. Also included is the name of the forum member using that unit.

Apogee Duet2 (used $250-500) (alohachris)
Apogee Element 46 (used $600-900) (sdelsolray) (min7b5)
Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt (used $1900-2500) (Doug Young)
Apogee Rosetta 200 (used $500-$700) (Mbroady)
Apogee Rosetta 800 (used $600-$850) (Bob Womack)
Audient ID14 (used $135-270) (Wrighty)
Audient id14 II ($300) (min7b5)
Audient ID44 (700) (Knives&Guitars)
Avid Carbon ($4000) (KevWind) (jim1960)
Avid HD Omni (used $530-1300) (KevWind)
Behringer UMC404HD ($180) (phcorrigan)
Behringer XR18 ($700) (phcorrigan)
Focusrite Clarett OctoPre (used $450) (FrankHudson)
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen ($550) (FrankHudson)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 3 interface ($169) (Bob Womack) (Chipotle) (FrankHudson) (DCCougar) (CASD57)
Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (used $150) (TBman) (catdaddy)
IK Multimedia AXE I/O ($350) (FrankHudson)
Mackie Onyx / Blackjack (used $50-100) (Rudy4)
M-Audio Air 192/14 ($330) (slowhand)
Metric Halo 2882 (used $700-1000) (DupleMeter)
Metric Halo ULN-2 ($1200) (alohachris)
Metric Halo ULN-8 ($4500) (DupleMeter) (ChuckS)
Metric Halo ULN-8 mkIV ($4000) (DupleMeter)
MOTU 1248 ($1500) (standup)
MOTU 16a ($1500) (DupleMeter) (jim1960)
MOTU 24Ao ($1000) (DupleMeter)
MOTU 8D ($600) (ChuckS)
MOTU 828es ($1000) (gwlee7)
MOTU M2 ($200) (slowhand) (ljguitar)
MOTU Monitor 8 ($1000) (DupleMeter)
MOTU Ultralite AVB ($650) (ChuckS)
MOTU UltraLite Firewire ($550) (endpin)
MOTU Ultralite MK5 ($600) (SprintBob)
Presonus AudioBox USB 96 ($100) (b1j)
RME Babyface (used $400-600) (alohachris) (johnnydobbers)
RME Fireface UCX ($1600) (Mbroady)
RME Fireface UFX (used $1500) (gwlee7)
Sound Devices MixPre 3M (used $450-$500) (RodB)
SPL Crimson (used $300) (runamuck)
Steinberg UR242 ($230) (DanR)
Steinberg UR44C ($360) (keith.rogers)
Universal Audio Apollo Twin ($900-1500) (Bob Womack)
Universal Audio Apollo X4 ($2000) (j3ffr0)
Universal Audio Apollo X8p ($3400) (jim1960)
Universal Audio Apollo X16 ($4000) (jim1960)

A/D (analog to digital) units
Mytek Stereo 96 ADC ($900) (rick-slo)
Mytek Stereo 192 ADC ($1200) (ChuckS)
RME Fireface 802 ($2000) (Cocobolo Kid)

D/A (digital to analog) units
Bryston BDA-2 (used $1200-1500) (Cocobolo Kid)
Lake People RS06 ($1100) (ChuckS)
Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital ($500) (ChuckS)

A/D-D/A units
IZ RADAR 24 (used $1300-$2800) (RRuskin)
Lucid 88192 (used $800) (sdelsolray)


Portable Digital Recorders
Tascam DR-05 ($120) (Rudy4)
Zoom H2 ($180) (catdaddy)
Zoom H5 ($300) (RodB)
Sound Devices MixPre-3M (used $300) (RodB)
Zoom F3 ($350) (TBMan)
Zoom F8n ($1100) (keith.rogers)
Sound Devices MixPre 10 ($1800) (Doug Young)

Bob Womack 10-09-2020 07:44 AM

To all you thieves out there :D the list entries that are associated with my name actually reflect the mics owned by the studio where I work. I'm fortunate enough to have access to a large mic closet.

Bob

jim1960 10-09-2020 08:24 AM

Microphones

SDCs (Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones)
SDCs are the most common microphones used for recording acoustic guitar. SDCs are usually regarded as instrument mics and generally not very good for vocals. They can be used as single mics or paired with another mic (the same or different) to create a stereo image. In general, you can expect a crisp clean and more natural sound from SDC microphones compared to other types of mics.

The “Higher End” and “Lower End” lists are the SDCs most often preferred by both hobbyists and studios. That does not mean you have to choose from those lists to get good recordings. AGF members have offered some less popular mic options with which they’ve had success. The list is organized according to price.

Higher End ($750+ for a single mic)
Gefell M300 ($790, pair-$1840)
Neumann KM184 ($830, pair-$1550)
Earthworks SR30 ($870)
Gefell M295 ($1480, discontinued in 2022)
Telefunken ELA M 260 ($1500, pair-$2500)
Josephson E22S ($1500)
Schoeps CMC64 ($1740, pair-$3450)
DPA 4011A ($1800, pair-$3660)
Neumann KM84 (vintage $1800-$2300)

Lower End (under $750 for a single mic)
Lauten Audio LA120 ($420 for pair)
Audio-Technica AT4041 ($300)
Peluso CEMC-6 ($400)
Shure SM81 ($400)
Shure KSM141 ($450)
Earthworks TC25 (used $450)
Beyerdynamic MC930 ($550)
AKG C451B ($600)
Soyuz 013 FET ($600)
Earthworks SR25 ($620)

Lesser known SDC mics owned and recommended by AGF members
Behringer C2 ($49 pair) (robj144)
Line Audio CM4 ($130) (Wrighty)
Line Audio CM3 (cardioid) (n/a) (ChuckS)
Oktava MK-012 ($215) (DukeX)
sE Electronics SE8 ($285) (RodB) (b1j) (TBman)
Audio-Technica ATM 350 ($350) (j3ffr0)
Audio-Technica AT4041 ($300) (DukeX)
Shure KSM137 ($350) (islandguitar) (DukeX) (johnnydobbers)
Sennheiser e 914 ($380) (DukeX)
Serrano Vintage 84 ($450) (jim1960)
AKG C460B (used $500) (j3ffr0)
3-Zigma CHI TL with capsule of choice ($600) (ChuckS)
AKG C451E (used $500-700) (Bob Womack)
Soyuz 013 FET ($600) (keith.rogers)
Peluso P-28 ($1150) (alohachris)
Sennheiser MKH40 (cardioid) (used $1100-1300) (ChuckS)
Gefell M296S (omni) ($1280) (ChuckS)


LDC (Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones)
In general, you can expect LDCs to offer a fuller representation of the audio spectrum in the lower frequencies. LDCs are also the preferred microphone for vocal recording. You can record with a single LDC, a pair of LDC, or a combination of an LDC and another type of microphone.

This is a list of LDC microphones owned and preferred by AGF members. It is organized according to price.

MXL V67 ($75-150) (catdaddy)
AKG Perception 200 (used $85-100) (robj144)
Blue Spark (used $125-150) (Dave Hicks)
ADK A6 (used $150) (jim1960)
Audio Technica AT-2035 ($150) (TBMan)
3U audio CM1 Teal ($165) (DukeX)
Audix OM5 ($170) (DupleMeter)
Audix D6 ($200) (DupleMeter)
MXL Revelation I (used $200) (Bob Womack)
ADK Vienna Mk8 (used $200) (phcorrigan)
Rode NT1 (used $200-260) (Bob Womack) (Silly Moustache)
Rode NT1A ($230) (Bob Womack) (b1j)
Warm Audio WA-47Jr ($250) (TBMan)
3U Audio Warbler MK II ($300) (DukeX)
Audio-Technica AT4040 ($300) (johnnydobbers)
Miktek MK300 ($300) (keith.rogers)
ADK Hamburg Mk8 ($600 for pair) (phcorrigan)
sE Electronics SE2200 ($350) (RodB)
Sony ECM56-F (vintage $350-500) (RRuskin)
AKG C214 ($365) (keith.rogers)
Warm Audio WA-14 ($400) (TBMan)
Blue Baby Bottle ($400) (standup)
Audio Technica AT4033 ($400) (Doug Young)
Rode NT2000 ($600) (Bob Womack)
Shure KSM32 ($600) (j3ffr0)
ADK 3 Zigma TL w/ either 47, 67, 251, or 12 capsule ($600-650) (RRuskin)
3U Audio GZ251 ($700) (standup)
AKG C414-TLII (vintage $900-1200) (RRuskin) (min7b5)
Telefunken AR-51 ($900-1100) (jim1960)
AKGC414B-ULS (vintage $1000-1400) (Bob Womack)
Shure KSM 44A ($1000) (j3ffr0)
Neumann TLM 103 ($1100) (Doug Young) (Bob Womack)
AKG C414 B-XL II ($1200) (jim1960)
AKG C414 XLS ($1200) (j3ffr0)
JZ Amethyst Vintage ($1200) (rockabilly69)
Mojave MA-200 ($1200) (alohachris)
Audio Technica AT4050ST ($1300) (Doug Young)
Sony C-37P (vintage $1300-2600) (RRuskin)
Audio-Technica AT5045 ($1400, $2500/pair) (Cocobolo Kid)
Neumann TLM 107 ($1450) (j3ffr0)
Beesneez BU67 ($1500) (jim1960) (Knives&Guitars)
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 ($1500, additional cost for more emulations) (Doug Young)
Sony C-38B (used $1500-2000) (RRuskin)
Lauten Atlantis FC-387 ($1600) (jim1960) (Knives&Guitars)
Microtech-Gefell UM70 ($1600) (standup)
JZ Microphones Globe ($1700) (rockabilly69)
Gefell UM70 (used $1750-2000) (gwlee7)
Pearlman TM-1, recent manufacture date ($1800) (Brent Hahn)
Soundelux U99 ($1800) (DupleMeter)
Soundelux ifet7 (used $2000) (DupleMeter)
AKG C414 COMB (vintage $2000-2700) (Bob Womack)
AKG "The Tube" (vintage $2000-3300) (Bob Womack)
Blue Kiwi ($2000) (jim1960)
AKG 414EB (vintage $2000-7000) (Brent Hahn)
Neumann TLM67 ($2200) (DupleMeter)
Sony C38b ($2200) (standup)
Brauner FET Phantom V (used $3000) (KevWind)
Neumann TLM-170 ($3100) (Bob Womack)
Neumann U87 ($3200) (Brent Hahn)
Neumann U87ai ($3300) (j3ffr0) (DupleMeter)
Neumann U89 ($3250) (Doug Young) (Bob Womack)
ADK Z MOD 251 Tube ($3600) (KevWind)
Heiserman H47T ($3800) (standup)
Microtech-Gefell UM 900 ($4200) (alohachris)
Flea 47 ($4500) (Brent Hahn) (jim1960)
Sony C-37A (vintage $6000-8000) (RRuskin)
Brauner VM1 ($6500) (Doug Young)
Neumann U47 (vintage $25000 and up) (Bob Womack)


Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic mics usually have a cardioid pattern and are good at rejecting off-axis sounds.

Beyerdynamic TG V30d ($50) (CASD57)
sE Electronics V3 ($80) (CASD57)
Electro-Voice 408 (used $80-$100) (standup)
sE Electronics V7 ($120) (CASD57)
Electrovoice EV664 (vintage around $100) (DukeX)
Shure SM58 ($100) (j3ffr0) (keith.rogers)
Shure SM57 ($110) (CASD57) (j3ffr0) (standup) (TBMan)
Sennheiser 845 ($100) (Nama Ensou)
Audix D4 ($180) (standup)
Audio Technica AE6100 ($190) (Nama Ensou)
University Sound US660 (used $200) (standup)
Electo-Voice PL95 (used $250-$300) (standup)
Electro-Voice RE18 (used $300) (standup)
Placid Audio Copperphone ($300) (standup)
Sennheiser MD421 ($400) (Bob Womack) (RRuskin) (standup)
Shure SM76 (used $400-$500) (standup)
Heil PR35 ($265) (Nama Ensou)
Beyerdynamic M201 ($300) (keith.rogers) (standup)
Beyerdynamic M69 TG ($400) (j3ffr0) (standup)
Electro-Voice EV-666 (vintage around $350-700) (Brent Hahn)
Beyerdynamic M88 TG ($360) (j3ffr0)
Electro-Voice RE15 (vintage $650-950) (RRuskin)
Beyerdynamic M88 ($400) (Brent Hahn)
Shure SM7B ($400) (FrankHudson) (j3ffr0)
Electro-Voice RE20 ($450) (FrankHudson) (j3ffr0)
Shure Unidyne III 545S (vintage around $150-400) (DukeX)
Sennheiser MD 441N (vintage around $500) (Brent Hahn)
Sennheiser MD 441 ($600-800) (Brent Hahn) (Bob Womack)


Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon mics employ a figure-8 pattern so they pick up what’s behind them as well as what is in front of them. To the sides is a null area where essentially no sound is collected. Ribbons are often said to produce a warmer sound than SDCs, LDCs, or dynamics.

Sterling Audio ST170 ($150) (TBMan)
Samar Audio AL95 ($400) (DukeX)
sE Electronics VR1 ($450) (gwlee7)
sE Electronics VR2 Voodoo ($400) (RodB)
Royer R10 ($500) (DukeX) (j3ffr0)
Beyerdynamic M160 ($700) (Brent Hahn) (RRuskin) (standup)
Cascade X-15 ($520) (Doug Young)
Stager SR-2n ($600) (standup)
AEA R92 ($800) (j3ffr0) (standup)
Fostex M22RP (vintage about $950) (RRuskin)
AEA N22 ($1000) (KevWind) (Doug Young)
Blue Woodpecker ($1000) (jim1960)
AEA R84 ($1100) (RRuskin) (j3ffr0) (DupleMeter)
AEA KU5A ($1200) (standup)
RCA 77 (vintage $1200-3000) (Brent Hahn)
Royer R121 ($1300) (j3ffr0)
Shure KSM313/NE ($1300) (gwlee7)
Coles 4038 ($1400) (Brent Hahn)
Cloud JRS-34 ($1500) (rockabilly69)
RCA 77-DX (vintage $1500-3000) (RRuskin)
Royer R-122 (used $1600-1800) (Cocobolo Kid) (Bob Womack)
Mesanovic Model 2S ($2100) (jim1960)
AEA R88 ($2000) (Doug Young) (DupleMeter)
RCA 44 (used $3000-4500) (Brent Hahn)
Royer SF24 ($4300) (Doug Young)

anton 10-09-2020 09:14 AM

Wow did you manually go through posts and compile all this data? :)

I've got the RME Babyface Pro, which is the updated version of the Babyface. All the inputs are built into unit, so no messy breakout cables. It has two XLR inputs with preamps, and two line level inputs. I've thought I should get an additional external stereo pre, which would give me 4 inputs.

I love its small form factor and the fact that it runs totally on USB power. RME's Total Mix software is really good. I do all my casual music listening through it and my studio monitors.

Bob Womack 10-09-2020 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1960 (Post 6519464)
Well that certainly changes my plans for the weekend.

Har-har-har! I love it!

Bob

RRuskin 10-09-2020 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1960 (Post 6519416)
Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon mics employ a figure-8 pattern so they pick up what’s behind them as well as what is in front of them. To the sides is a null area where essentially no sound is collected. Ribbons are often said to produce a warmer sound than SDCs, LDCs, or dynamics.

Sterling Audio ST170 ($250) (TBMan)
sE Electronics VR1 ($400) (gwlee7)
Beyerdynamic M160 ($700) (Brent Hahn) (RRuskin)
Cascade X-15 ($750) (Doug Young)
Fostex M22RP (vintage about $950) (RRuskin)
AEA N22 ($1000) (KevWind) (Doug Young)
Blue Woodpecker ($1000) (jim1960)
AEA R84 ($1100) (RRuskin)
RCA 77 (vintage $1200-2400) (Brent Hahn)
Shure KSM313/NE ($1300) (gwlee7)
Coles 4038 ($1400) (Brent Hahn)
Cloud JRS-34 ($1500) (rockabilly69)
RCA 77-DX (vintage $1500-2300) (RRuskin)
Royer R-122 ($1800) (Cocobolo Kid) (Bob Womack)
Mesanovic Model 2S ($1950) (jim1960)
AEA R88 ($2000) (Doug Young)
RCA 44 ($2800) (Brent Hahn) (RRuskin)
Royer SF24 ($4300) (Doug Young)

Actually, I don't own an RCA 44. I have a B&O Modified by Stephen Sank with RCA 44 ribbon stock. B&O is the forerunner of Royer.

Brent Hahn 10-09-2020 11:51 AM

If it's not too late, I'd like to mention a couple more things.

1. I've got an Apogee One with a $50 outboard phantom supply that makes it a two-mic-input interface. Darn good, tiny, portable, USB-powered.

2. Best sounding a/d converter I own, weirdly enough, is a TC Finalizer Plus set on Bypass with the Lookahead defeated (which is either difficult or impossible on the fancier Finalizers).

Also, anyone who has standalone converters is going to have preamps feeding them. My first go-to are my API's.

jim1960 10-09-2020 12:50 PM

Outboard Gear
Preamps
A preamp takes the signal from your microphone or your instrument and makes it loud enough to run into your DAW or other processing gear (compressors, EQs, etc.).

*Joe Meek VC3Q (used $200-$250) (DupleMeter)
Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII Plus (used $300) (keith.rogers)
Audient Mico (used $375-450) (rockabilly69)
Presonus RC500 (used $400-1000) (rockabilly69)
FMR Audio Really Nice Pre ($480) (RRuskin)
Focusrite ISA One Digital ($700) (rockabilly69)
Black Lion Audio Auteur Quad ($800) (midwinter)
Daking MicPreOne ($800) (j3ffr0)
Grace M101 ($850) (j3ffr0)
Speck MicPre 5.0 ($900) (ChuckS)
Summit Audio 2BA-221 ($900) (KarenB)
Neumann V476b (used $900-1500) (nsureit)
True Systems P2 (used 900) (Cocobolo Kid)
Focusrite ISA Two ($1000) (midwinter)
Ted Fletcher TFPro p10 (used $1000) (nsureit)
AEA TRP ($1000) (j3ffr0)
Pendulum SPS-1 (used $1000-$2000) (alohachris)
Presonus ADL600 (used $1150) (rockabilly69)
Great River ME-1NV ($1150) (j3ffr0)
Daking mic pre II ($1200) (gwlee7)
LaChapell 983M ($1200) (standup)
Demeter VTMP-2b (used $1200-$1750) (Knives&Guitars)
Great River MP-2 (used 1200) (DukeX)
Great River MP2-MH (used $1200-$1500) (rick-slo) (Doug Young)
Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 ($1300) (j3ffr0)
*Manley Langevin Dual Vocal Combo (used $1300-1800) (KevWind) (rockabilly69)
Universal Audio LA-610 (used $1400) (midwinter) (rockabilly69)
Millenial HV3 (used $1400) (alohachris)
AEA RPQ ($1500) (Doug Young)
AEA RPQ2 ($1500) (KevWind)
*JoeMeek VC2 (used $1500) (DupleMeter)
Neve Portico 5012 (used $1500) (rockabilly69)
BAE 1073MPF ($1500) (rockabilly69)
dbx 786 (used $1500-1850) (sdelsolray)
Spectra Sonics 101 (used $1500 - $3000) (RRuskin)
*Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E ($1700) (Cocobolo Kid)
Sebatron VMP 2000e ($1700) (DukeX)
Hardy M1 2 channels ($1800) (jim1960) (Knives&Guitars)
Sebatron Axis 200VU ($1850) (jim1960) (SprintBob)
Sebatron VMP 4000e ($1900) (midwinter) (rockabilly69)
*Trident 80B ($2000) (nsureit)
NPNG DMP-2NW (used $2000) (rick-slo)
Brent Averill API 312 ($2100) (standup)
*Louder than Liftoff Silver Bullet ($2100) (gwlee7)
Great River MP-4 (used $2200 - $2400) (RRuskin)
Great River MP2-NV ($2300) (alohachris)
Focusrite ISA 428 ($2300) (standup)
A-Designs Pacifica ($2350) (alohachris)
API 3124+ (used $2500) (alohachris)
Drawmer 1960 ($2500) (rockabilly69)
Demeter VTMP-2c ($2500) (jim1960)
A-Designs MP2A ($2850) (KevWind)
*HendyAmps DaVinci (used $2800) (jim1960)
Gordon Model 5 + Gain Control ($2900 + $300) (ChuckS)
Pendulum Audio MDP-1a (used $2900) (sdelsolray) (alohachris)
Millenial STT-1 ($3400) (alohachris)
Neve 1073 CV ($3600) (alohachris)
LaChapell 992EG ($3750) (Doug Young)
Manley Voxbox ($5000) (rockabilly69)
* denotes channel strip

500 series Preamps
FiveFish x-72 (used $325) (standup)
Sound Skulptor MP573 (used $400-$500) (DupleMeter)
CAPI VP28 DBL2 (used $500-$600) (DupleMeter)
AEA TRP 500 ($600) (standup)
AEA RPQ2 500 ($650) (j3ffr0)
Rupert Neve Designs 511 ($700) (standup)
API 312 ($750) (jim1960)
API 512c ($850) (midwinter)
Great River MP-500NV ($800) (RRuskin)
Heritage Audio HA73jr ($950) (midwinter)

Compressors
A compressor reduces the dynamic range (in simplest terms, the difference between the loudest and softest parts of a track) of the audio you run though it.

FMR Really Nice Compressor ($185) (KarenB) (RRuskin)
Symetrix 501 (used $200-$350) (standup)
Allison Research Gain Brain (used $250) (RRuskin)
Chameleon Labs 7720 ($500-$650) (standup)
AudioScape Buss Compressor ($700) (jim1960) (gwlee7)
JoeMeek SC2 (used $700-$1000) (DupleMeter)
Drawmer DL 241 (used $200-300) (midwinter)
Oram Soniccomp (used $800) (DupleMeter)
Weight Tank WT-COMP ($900) (standup)
AudioScape 76A ($900) (jim1960) (gwlee7)
Warm WA2A ($950) (standup)
AudioScape Opto ($1000) (jim1960) (gwlee7)
Drawmer DL441 ($1250) (midwinter)
AudioScape V-Comp ($1400) (jim1960)
AudioScape D-Comp ($1500) (DupleMeter)
dbx 165A (used $1600-2000) (RRuskin)
Alan Smart C2 ($2850) (DupleMeter)
IGS Tubecore Mastering Vari-Mu Compressor ($3200) (KevWind)

500 series Compressors
Sound Skulptor LA502 ($325) (DupleMeter)
Sound Skulptor CP 5176 ($400) (DupleMeter)
Sound Skulptor CP4500 ($500) (DupleMeter)
Daking Comp 500 VCA (used $600) (standup)
CAPI FC526 ($650) (DupleMeter)
AudioScape V3A ($800) (midwinter)
IGS Audio Alter 500 ($900) (standup)
API 527 ($1050) (midwinter)
Retro Doublewide ($1200) (DupleMeter)

Equalizers
An equalizer allows you to manipulate specific frequencies or a specific range of frequencies. Just about all allow you to boost, some to cut, and many impart a tone upon the music that runs through them.

Orban 672A (used $200-600) (RRuskin)
Speck ASC (used $500) (RRuskin)
Audioscape MEQ-A ($900) (gwlee7)
Audioscape EQP-A ($1100) (gwlee7)
Warm Audio WA273-EQ ($1100) (Mike McKee)
Kush/UBK Clariphonic MS ($2000) (jim1960)
*Neve Shelford 5051 eq/comp requires special chassis ($2500) (nsureit)
Oram Hi-Def 35 (used $2500) (DupleMeter)

500 series Equalizers
Louder Than Liftoff Chop Shop ($400) (DupleMeter)
Sound Skulptor EQ573 ($400) (DupleMeter)
Kush/UBK Electra 500 ($550) (jim1960)
CAPI 553F VTC ($570-650) (DupleMeter)
Maag EQ2 ($650) (standup)
Iron Age Audioworks LH95 Inductor EQ ($825) (standup)
Rupert Neve Designs 551 ($900) (j3ffr0)
Wunder Audio Allotrope ($950) (midwinter)
Elysia Xfilter ($1000) (jim1960)
IGS Rubber Bands 500ME ($1200) (j3ffr0)
Zähl EQ-1 ($2000) (j3ffr0)

500 Series Chassis
A chassis is where 500 series gear is housed. The gear in the chassis share a power supply and can be placed in any order that suits the user.

Lindell 506 (used $250-400) (RRuskin)
CAPI 511-VPR DB25 Rack Bundle ($325 for DIY kit, $100 for psu) (jim1960)
Rupert Neve Designs R6 ($650) (j3ffr0)


Monitors
Studio monitors will either be active and passive. Active monitors have amplifiers built into the monitors; passive monitors require the use of a separate amplifier.

Picking the right monitors is a personal choice. Monitors have to be learned in the sense that in order for them to help you produce good results, you need to understand what your monitors impart on your music.

These articles may be helpful in deciding on a pair of monitors but you shouldn’t be swayed by their monitor recommendations as there are MANY excellent choices out there:
A Guide on How to Choose Studio Monitors
The Ultimate Guide to Studio Monitors


Active
Adam A5x (philjs) (min7b5)
Barefoot Sound MicroMain27 (Doug Young)
Dynaudio BM6A (R22)
Equator Audio D-5 (Gordon Currie)
Event 20/20 BAS V3 (phcorrigan)
Genelec M040 (Al Acuff)
JBL 104 (CASD57) - user does not recommend
JBL 308P MkII (FrankHudson)
JBL LSP4328 (Bob Womack)
JBL LSR305 (MarkF_48)
Kali LP-6 (M19)
KRK Classic 5 (johnnydobbers)
KRK Rokit 5 (DanR)
M-Audio Carbon BX-6 (rick-slo)
Mackie HR624 (jim1960)
Mackie HR824 (runamuck)
Neumann KH 120A (Glennwillow) (jim1960)
Neumann KH310 (j3ffr0)
PMC Result6 (standup)
Presonus Eris 3.5 (runamuck)
Presonus Eris E5 (Rudy4) (Chipotle)
Quested F11 (sdelsolray)
Quested VS2108 (Pasanda)
Yamaha HS5 (YamahaGuy)

Passive
Amphion One 18 (KevWind)
Auratone 5C Super Sound Cubes (Bob Womack) (RRuskin)
Bag End MM-8 (Bob Womack)
Daedalus w-803 (Rick Shepherd)
JBL 4315 (RRuskin)
KRK 6000 (Brent Hahn)
Quested H108 (sdelsolray)
Ryan S610 (Cocobolo Kid)
Urei 811C (Bob Womack)
Urei 813B/C (Bob Womack)
Velodyne Optimum 12 (Cocobolo Kid)

Sub
JBL LSR4312SP (Bob Womack)


Fabricated Acoustic Room Treatment
The results from just about every home studio can be significantly improved through room treatment. Even something as modest as two panels set up in a wedge shape behind your microphones can greatly improve your recordings. There are videos in this thread that show how to build acoustic panels on your own, but for those who want to purchase prefabricated panels, below are some companies that produce them.

PSA: Avoid foam. The biggest problem in small home studios is the buildup of low frequencies. Foam will help attenuate the higher frequencies but will do little else effectively (and that's true even of foam labeled as "bass traps").

Note: Acoustic treatment is not sound-proofing. The goal of acoustic treatment is to control the sound waves in a room. That can be accomplished to varying degrees without a large investment. Sound-proofing is a much more involved and very expensive process. You most likely do not need sound-proofing.

GIK Acoustics
ATS Acoustics
Acoustimac
Primacoustic

ac 10-09-2020 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1960 (Post 6519655)
I had an idea for this list as a useful resource and asked for responses in other threads over the past few weeks.



So that's heading into one-off territory, yes?



I'd add them if I could but I really am right up against the 10K character limit. I had to remove language to make the post fit.

Maybe start a brand new thread with a similar title.

If you immediately create a number of posts with something like "holding for content" written, they will be available for your list content to add, edit, and will be all at the top of your new thread.

Now you can copy and paste the list from this thread, category or subcategory, with one category dedicated per post instead of all of them stuffed into a single post and then overflowing. You will have room to grow in each category/subcategory.

When you create your first series of posts which will exist for your list categories, you may wish to create a couple extra empty posts in case some new category or division is needed in the future. They'd be lost if added months later, 5 pages into the conversations. If pre-planned, you can then edit each of your personally created posts as you need forever.

Not sure if the above makes sense, but your comment about the limit made me think about it more since I maintain another type of list on the forum. From time to time I do make changes and additions. Thankfully, I just checked and I'm well under the 10,000 character limit.

jim1960 10-09-2020 09:18 PM

Plugins
Below are some recommended plugins at a variety of price points (including free) in the most common categories. Full 2022 retail prices are shown in parenthesis but please note most of these can be bought on sale during the Black Friday period and during the summer sales, sometimes at GREATLY reduced prices. Check the requirements for any plugin before purchasing. Some may require an iLok.

Equalization
Acustica Coral Bax-ter EQ (free)
elysia niveau filter (free)
FabFilter Pro-Q3 (179)
Kush Clariphonic (199)
lkjb Luftikus EQ (free)
Plugin Alliance Maag Audio EQ4 (229)
Sonible Smart:EQ3 (129€)
Sound Theory Gullfoss (199)
Toyko Dawn Labs TDR Nova (free)
Toyko Dawn Labs TDR VOS SlickEQ (free)
Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ (30)
Waves Puigtec EQs (60)
Waves Scheps 73 (60)

Compression
Acustica TAN (free)
AdHd Leveling Tool (free)
Arturia Comp Tube-STA (99)
Brainworks Purple Audio MC 77 (249)
Chandler Limited Curve Bender (299)
FabFilter Pro-C2 (179)
FabFilter Pro-MB (199)
Klanghelm MJUC (24€)
Klanghelm MJUC jr. (free)
Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A (199)
Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B (449)
Toyko Dawn Labs TDR Kotelnikov (free)
Toyko Dawn Labs TDR Molotok (free)
Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor (30)
Waves CLA-76 (30)
Waves PuigChild 670 (30)

Mastering Limiters
DMG Audio Limitless (£149.99)
FabFIlter Pro-L2 (169)
iZotope Ozone Maximizer (varies)
Sonible Smart:Limit (129€)
Sonic Anomaly Unlimited (free)
UAD Precision Limiter+ (199)

Reverb
Audio Ease Altiverb (595)
FabFilter Pro-R (199)
Lexicon Native Bundle (825)
LiquidSonics Cinematic Rooms (199-399)
LiquidSonics Seventh Heaven (69-299)
Smartelectonix Ambience (free)
TAL Reverb 4 (free)
UAD Capitol Chambers+ (349)
Valhalla Vintage Verb (50)

Delay
FabFilter Timeless 3 (129)
Kilohearts Delay (free)
Soundtoys EchoBoy (199)
Tal Dub Delay (free)

Channel strips
Acustica Coffee ‘The PUn’ (free)
Acustica Eminence (free)
Sonimus Burnley 73 (59)
SSL Native Channel Strip 2 (329)
Waves Renaissance Channel (30)

Noise reduction
iZotope RX (399)
Acon Digital Restoration Suite (free-100)

Saturation
AVID Sansamp (free with ProTools)
FabFIlter Saturn 2 (154)
iZotope Ozone 9 Vintage Tape (129-499)
iZotope Trash 2 (free)
Kazrog True Iron (60)
Kit Burier (free)
Klanghelm IVGI (free)
Klanghelm SDRR (29€)
Massey Tapehead (70)
Softube Saturation Knob (free)
Sonnox Oxford Inflator (£115)
Soundtoys Decapitator (199)
Soundtoys Radiator (129)
UAD Ampex ATR-102+ (349)
UAD Studer A800+ (349)

Free Bundles
Melda Production MFreeFXBundle (free)

KevWind 10-10-2020 06:53 AM

I think you have provided a great source of info and should be thanked for all the work . So :up::up::up:

Should you decide to continue , possibilities could occupy your time well through the holidays :D

Off hand I can think of a few

Computers

Monitoring systems.
A. speakers
B. headphones

Outboard processing units.
A. analog
B. digital




I find the lists interesting and keep being surprised by gear I have not heard of

In any case thanks again for all your work.

Bob Womack 10-10-2020 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1960 (Post 6519961)
That's an interesting job description. How much does it pay? I'm pretty sure breaking into Bob Womack's workplace would be more profitable. I just need to trick him into giving me the address.

Oh, I'd say that we are a pretty bad bet. Our campus has its own police force, believe it or not. http://www.in2guitar.com/images2/madsmile.gif

Thank you for aggregating all this info for the community!

Bob

jim1960 10-10-2020 10:11 AM

SPECIALTY PLUGINS
The following plugins, recommended by AGF members, fall outside the more common areas of equalization, compression, reverb, delay, and channel strips. You may find them useful in your musical journey.

Blue Cat Stereoscope Pro $99
A unique tool to compare the stereo image of several tracks in real time.
  • Multiple tracks real time stereo field analyzer: visualize and compare the stereo image of several audio tracks on the same screen.
  • Unique data sharing technology with multi-core processors support.
  • Compute and display the difference between curves for easy response curve measurement.
  • Animated zoom for all views.
  • Precise measurement capabilities. Easy phase cancelation and mono compatibility issues detection on multiple tracks or within an effect chain.
  • Instant, peak and average curves display for each track.
  • Save the curves for easy A/B comparison.
  • Opacity control for the user interface.
  • Custom absolute and relative threshold control.


Celemony Melodyne $99-849
Melodyne grants you unrivaled access to all the musical details in your recordings and samples – note by note. This is made possible by a sophisticated analysis that delves deeply into your recordings and samples, and recognizes and understands the musical relationships within them: the individual notes and their characteristics, the scales, keys and chords, the timing, the tempo, the tone color. And with Melodyne you can edit all these things intuitively. With vocals, but every type of instrument as well – including polyphonic ones, such as the piano and guitar.


iZotope Insight $199
With Insight 2, you can monitor changes made during mixing and mastering, troubleshoot problematic mixes, ensure the intelligibility of your dialogue, and achieve compliance with broadcast loudness standards.
  • Customizable UI
  • Relay Plug-in
  • Spectrogram
  • Intelligibility Meter


iZotope RX De-Click $129-1199
The De-click plug-in and module in iZotope RX automatically identifies and removes clicks, pops, and digital impulse noises that can ruin a listening experience. Use De-click when polishing audio transfers and other recordings suffering from quality degradation, digital errors, cell phone interference, and more with the low-latency De-click algorithm.


Kazrog True Iron $60
True Iron accurately emulates 6 classic line transformers. Models are based on the UTC 108 X, the Malotki E4M – 4001B, the Western Electric 111C, the Haufe V178, the Marinair LO1166/A , and the UTC O-12. These transformers add weight, heft, and girth to your mixes and masters.


Leapwing StageOne2 $249
StageOne2 gives you unparalleled control over aspects of your stereo field, either to widen stereo audio, add perceived depth, or even give mono signals a stereo image so they fit better in the mix. You can adjust width, depth, and mono spread without phase or mono-compatibility problems; all thanks to a unique algorithm that produces clean results every time.
  • Widen Stereo Audio - Widen how listeners perceive off-center content and give your stereo audio a richer panorama of sound. You can rely on this unique algorithm in a wider range of applications than traditional solutions as it leaves the phantom center untouched.
  • Add the Perception of Depth - Get a natural sense of ambience and draw attention to or from parts of your mix. Directionally optimized reflections can psycho-acoustically adjust the position of audio within a sound field until you feel everything is in place.
  • Add Rich Stereo to a Mono Source - Create a stereo panorama and take mono audio into a stereo field. Balance mono and stereo elements within a mix without sacrificing mono compatibility.


Mastering the Mix Levels $68
LEVELS is a metering plugin that identifies problems with your music's loudness, peaks, dynamic range and stereo spread. If an issue is detected with your music, the problematic section will glow red. All green = no issues and you can get back to making music.


Mastering the Mix Reference $68
REFERENCE will help you compare the original production you’re working on in your DAW to your chosen reference tracks. If your mixes don’t sound as professional as commercially successful songs, REFERENCE will give you the tools and guidance to resolve this. You can drag and drop your favourite songs into the UI, then jump back and forth between your original and your reference. REFERENCE will level match your songs by default. This crucial feature will allow you to compare songs without bias, as humans perceive louder songs to have more bass and more clarity. So you’ll make better, more informed mixing decisions using REFERENCE.


Nugen Audio Mastercheck $199
MasterCheck is the complete optimisation solution for today’s delivery services, a plug-in providing the tools to make sure your music reaches the listener as intended. Streaming apps, download stores and podcasts all use data compression, loudness normalisation or both. These processes can affect your track in undesirable ways: your loud, punchy mix could end up quiet and flat, or suffer clipping and distortion.
MasterCheck reveals these problems ahead of time, and enables you to deliver masters perfectly tuned for specific playout systems.
MasterCheck demonstrates the effects of loudness normalisation so you can find the sweet spot between perceived loudness and dynamics, and allows you to hear artefacts introduced by the encoding process ahead of time. You can quickly find the point where these processes will start to negatively impact the music, putting you back in control.


Oeksound Soothe2 $219
soothe2 is a dynamic resonance suppressor. It identifies problematic resonances on the fly and applies matching reduction automatically. This results in a smoother, more balanced sound and saves you from having to notch out the frequencies by hand. The reduction kicks in only when and where needed without affecting the nearby frequency areas. This preserves the timbre of the original sound source and results in transparent treatment with minimal artefacts.
soothe2 can be used to reduce harshness, sibilance and mud from the sound source, and excels in fixing a range of problems.


Process Audio Decibel
The Super Meter is a unique (and customizable) way to visualize the three most important measurements of your sound. Loudness (LUFS), dynamics (TrueDyn), and peaks (True Peak).

KevWind 10-10-2020 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim1960 (Post 6520215)
Speaking of headphones, I've been going back and forth in my head for months about what might very well be a really stupid purchase. Yesterday I convinced myself to go for it and tomorrow a pair of Focal Clear Professional headphones will be showing up at my door. I'm really hoping all I keep hearing about these isn't just hype.

I have read about the Focal's but don't know anybody using them. Will be interested to see what you think.

For mixing I use Senn. HD 600 open back


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