Just one month ago i got a neve 1073 and a cl1b for recording vocals and the first thing i noticed was that since i took off the digital eq pluging and the slight digital compression and replaced it with analog gear the signal had less latency while recording💯 besides the amazing sound analog delivers it does make a difference for me even the artists that pull up for a session can notice the difference.
I record on a portable interface when on the road and I run back some of the key tracks like vocals and main instruments through analog gear. It gives me the freedom to run it in cycle and tweak the gears to my liking and print back to computer. I try to recreate that sound in plug-in only as a challenge and sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to stack multiple plugins to get close but by the time you get there it feels like a lot of work. I believe some of the best engineers who claim they only mix in the box have already tracked or run most of their tracks through analog first. And that is very effective as those subtle analog flavors on a number of tracks will make a significant difference on the overall mix. Also makes your mixing session go fast. Great video as always.
I think analogue gear does have an edge but imo it's so minor that when the mix is done you barely hear it, if you hear it at all. If you have tons of money, analogue outboard is a lot of fun but unless you are a rock star with world fame, imo it's just not worth the price anymore. That's what I find a pitty: the exaggerated prices. We all know electronic parts cost almost nothing. A tube tech CL1B (apart from an AMS Neve DMX1580s) are the only outboards I have; In a CL1B there is hardly anything in there. Yet they charge over 3000 for a single unit. To build one maybe costs 100 or 150 bucks. That's why I like Tegeler Audio. They offer top material for affordable prices. Outboard should be less expensive. Same with some synth manufacturers. Take DSI, Moog, Neve, etc. All top brands but they want excessive profit marigns. That's too bad.
You can get 99% of the way there inside the box but reaching that destination is much faster when it comes to getting that legit sounding/feelling compression, saturation and distortion. The majority of people that are going to listen to the music can't tell the difference. micing amps vs. DI recorded instruments is one of those things where it's almost impossible to get a DI recorded guitar to sound quite right to fool someone with a trained ear into thinking it was recorded via micing amps
Cool story from the past bro. What if I give you a perfect tracks with luxury plugins and then see how long it will take you to match that with analog hardware. You won't be able to. Because it's not the same thing
Analog is cool cause it gave me a reference in terms of the difference between analog and digital. Now knowing the sound of analog, it feels like I can get my digital plugins to get closer to that sound. I think that is a pretty useful bit. But if you are starting out, I don't think you should invest in it right away. It can get mad expensive. There is so much to learn first about music that can be done without analog. But once you feel you can take the leap monetarily and mentally, it is a pretty powerful plunge.
I have a Warm Audio TB12 (preamp) for my vocal mic and i love the way it adds colour to the sound. It makes it feel way more alive. I also tried to record vocals through preamp emulations on my Antelope Discrete 4 Synergy Core and even though they sound great and do make a difference from just the interface preamps themselves, they can't compete with the TB12... The TB12 feels way more alive and real.
And also, what you said about the analog wide sweet spot, i find it true on it as well. I rarely touch its settings. It sounds awesome almost 90% of the time without having to tweek it
Absolutely love your thoughts on using the hardware, and your ears instead of eyes on a plug-in, as this is the exact experience I have with hardware synths; becoming part of the machine and working with it - often with two hands. As soon as I get out of the box I feel so liberated and connected with the music.
The best piece of gear I have is my Rupert Neve Newton Channel. It's pretty much all I need to record vocals and I've had other hardware but mostly clones. This is the most affordable thing that is the actually the real deal.
Analog gear forced me to use my ears more. To be more critical with my decisions. Plus turning knobs and pushing buttons makes me feel more connected to my craft. But definitely not required to make good music. Great video Dom.
I sometimes feel that the irony is that analogue gear is often easier to use - it's more benign, it does less and it's harder to mess up when you have one real compressor vs a dozen plugins; so it's probably better for beginners to learn on. Experienced mixers, folks like Andrew Scheps, can move ITB because they know exactly what they are aiming for and are more able to tame their plugin collections. A lot of the big name guys from the 80s and 90s era, like CLA and Joe Barresi, always appear in front of their SSLs, but then that's now sort of their brand, it makes them stand out in a crowded market place. I find that plugins like the Brainworx Black Box MS with its density control and the adjustable headroom on the Shadow HIlls Mastering Comp are a big help as an easy way to dial in more of what a plugin does and then reduce the impact to get a more natural result. Great vid Dom, food for thought.
This is the ultimate guide. It covers everything that can be said for all three production stages - recording, mixing and mastering. Just one thing you forgot to mention: Analog gear does not only give your clients confidence, it also gives YOU confidence. Why should you reach for a simulation when you can use the original? Even if you cannot tell the differences, which actually happens here and then, mostly on EQs and limiters, not on compressors, chances are that you can feel it in the mix - still. And even if not - why put your reputation on risk? I understand that budget is an issue for some people, but invest 150$ in a plugin that's worth nothing after some time, or invest 3000$ into hardware that will still be $3000 after a decade... decide what works best for you. Or could it be that most people who praise plugins are the ones who actually never paid for one? Which make about 95% of people out there using software?
I think the biggest flaw in comparing analog gear to plugins is: If you hear a difference, any difference, most people will automatically assume that the hardware is better…tadaaaaa….marketing. I have plugins that are the reason I sold the hardware, because for my taste, or in my opinion, the plugin does a better job. But I know, if you want to buy a 5000$ compressor…any sound difference goes in favour of the gear…
this is so true who decides that the difference is better since they are both still interpretations of the source material which analog intentionally changes, digital is more true to source since it adds no discolouration
@@nicefish10 That is the common believe. But the technologie at the time (in the 1920s and 1930s) limited the applications of the mathematical formulars behind it. There is no argument that the digital technologie today is prefered by the industry that invented all of this. And I don‘t mean the music industry, that was just a side product…
Exactly !! Well said. These guys are tapping themselves on their own shoulders, tooting their horn. In the hopes of eliminating competition. Look at me I have analogue gear you cannot do what I can do ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Speaking for vocal recording - mic pre-amp all the way and I recommed API 512V or a used XLogic XR 621, but you will need an X-Rack or Mynx rack for the latter. My 3rd recommendation is the SSL Six 500 series, but need a 500 series box for that too. Of course it might depend on your mic and those pre-amps work good with my Neumann TLM 107
Best ‘analog’ DAW is UAD Luna Pro 😊 Has that good old days workflow with its extensions, tape simulations and summing. I’m a Cubase head but love LUNA Pro
Another great vid Dom... my personal preference for analog is for 3 reasons. 1 I suffered option paralysis with plugins, I am now more limited and thus more creative with fewer options. 2 I got an error message "Cubase no longer supports 32 bit plugins", my analog gear will outlast me and will still run when we have 256 bit processors in our phones lol. 3 there are 2 letters of the alphabet that instantly make me lose the will to live... IT, the less I need my computer the better. The last point is prob me being a luddite, however I think the first 2 points are worth considering.
I have noticed a difference between plug ins and analog hardware in compressors. The plug ins seem to have problems with certain frequencies. I don't notice a lot of difference between a real LA-2A and an IGS One LA (I have this in a 500 series. It is very nice.)
Hi Dom, was just seeing your video where you explained how to create customized scripts for midi controllers and was super informative. Can you please help me in understanding how to assign one rotary knob from my midi controller so that I can scroll between tracks in my project window as well as the mixer window ,. Right now, I can see two different options to go to previous track and next track and would have to assign 2 rotary knobs, thanks a lot in advance☺
In my opinion. It is critical to have a good recording chain of: microphones Rode K2, Shure SM7b, 2 x Rode NT5, Rode NTR Ribbon microphone etc. Go into a channel strip like Focusrite ISA-430 Mk2, into good A to D converter. I agree about the analogue recording chain. Record to 48k and 24 bit. Mix in software. I find my Mackie CR1604-VLZ mixer and RNC1773 compressor works really well too, cheap and very effective. On the rare occasions I need to record drums I go to another studio. Most of my drums are samples played with a mouse or MIDI keyboard. (I must get a Roland V-drum kit.) Most pf my gear has been purchased used. Lots of people buy gear, lose interest, and sell it. For bass I have Ampeg PF 20-T going into a 15" EV or a Avalon U5 for DI. Mesa Boogie Nomad 100 and a choice of several speakers for guitar. There are 4 basses and 3 guitars in the studio maintained with intonation set correctly and new strings available. As for the psychological effects, I let my work speak for itself. I find people don't come to my door unless they have heard my previous work. I would prioritise making the studio feel good than some boutique compressor. Have a nice artist's lounge, a kitchen with cans of drink and some wine in the fridge. I have the services of my wife as a quality catering service. She is good, she cooks or takes orders and gets Thai take away. I have put way more time into learning about composition and arrangement than worrying about gear.
Decided to skip McDSP APB in lieu of a few carefully picked plugins that are as close to analog as you can get ITB...Tone Project, Schwabe Digital, PSP...ETC. Even the SSL channel strips sound excellent and add some body. Now I use Kelvin as first insert...this already adds that weight, then adding additional emulations after just elevates the experience.
As somebody working a in studio with an SSL 4048G+ and also having my own spot with plenty of analog gear, I think : - Analog makes a different during the recording stage : You can track through plugins now. A lot of them offer latency free options (not only UAD). But it's true that tracking through gear (or plugins for that matter) makes mixing easier along the way. And it's true that the wider sweet spot of analog makes it "safer" to track through. - The "wow factor" making artists/clients comfortable : I agree fully. - Analog makes a difference when mixing, you can get to the sound quicker : I think it is true but if I am being really honest : The recall/print or the patching will take as much time as piling up plugins to get to the sound desired. So analog will only be effectively quicker if it is used as "set and forget", like preset. Although hardware do not sound more "3D". They are still stereo or mono imho ^^. - Bigger sweet spot with hardware : Yeah I could agree to that. When pushed they sound great. It is kinda true but a lot of modern hardware sounds absolutely crap when pushed now. - Hardware is inspiring : It's idiosyncratic but I agree too, for me at least. - Music is a human thing : Well depending on how things will go, this statement will either age very well or awfully badly ^^. What you forgot to mention it's that, as soon as audio engineering remain a thing (which I don't think it will much in the near future), hardware is an investment. When buying something second-hand, you can resell it for me and it can help facing tough financial situation. I recently made 1k profit on a sale of a second hand gear. And no I am not 50 y old, I just was lucky to find a great deal, restore the unit (very basic stuff) and sell it back.
One thing that usually is forgotten when comparing is that the signal will go through the preamp/input on the audio interface. Could that be the reason for some of the difference? I have heard about professional studios just sending the sound out and in again with no outboard gear just to get the analog touch.
I've been professionally mixing/mastering for over 15 years. Aside from when I worked in professional studios, I did it 100% in the box till about 2 years ago. It is entirely possible to make "industry standard" music just in the box. That being said, about 2 or 3 years ago I started buying analog gear HOWEVER I only got the stuff I felt like plugins just didn't do the job as good as I knew was possible. So I stick with compression and saturation for my hardware. I don't have any analog EQ or fx and don't intend on getting them. The mixbus is the best place to start in my opinion. Get a GOOD mixbus compressor (I chose the WesAudio Dione and it's AMAZING) and build from there. I waited till I felt like plugins were holding me back to start purchasing analog gear and I think that's the best way to do it! Great video as usual Dom, thank you!
Exactly! This is the most reasonable philosophy when it comes to investing in analog hardware. It also doesn't need a boutique price tag to be good. The Dione is awesome, indeed, and so is the slightly pricier Tegeler Audio Creme.
I think your sleeping on the analog eq. I’m almost the opposite. Compression, whatever analog eq though… once your up boosting past 10db analog absolutely crushes digital eq. Just my two cents. Just one solid stereo eq is really all you need. I believe Wes audio has one if you like that brand
@@shoogabooga2072 Ohhh I have some analog EQs. I have a few channel strips, I should have been more specific in my comment. I meant like stand alone EQ, those I don't have any of but I've used TONS. I totally agree they are better than digital. What I mean is the cost-to-value ratio isn't worth it. I find much of the money to be much more "worth it" with compression and saturation when it comes to analog. No plugin has EVER gotten me even close to the sound my analog gear does when it comes to compression. EQ, sure analog sounds a little better but honestly, I'm rarely boosting or cutting much more than 4 or 5dB in my work so I just don't get the same cost-to-value as I do with compression/saturation. I've done the null tests and while of course, I didn't get a complete null the difference was very very minor whereas with compression I have a completely different experience. I have a Wes Audio Dione and I've shot it out against every SSL G Buss Compressor style plugin I own and I own ALL of the popular ones lol. Digital compressors just sound flat and boring to me but analog compression really gives me an "immersive" sound, you know... "depth" haha! I thought all those sayings were just BS till I dove into analog and heard it for myself. Thanks for the comment! That's what's awesome about mixing/mastering. It's all very subjective and we all hear, process, and experience sound in different ways!
@@matt_nyc_audioengineer yeah analog rules haha. How is that compressor by the way? I was thinking about getting one for the recall. Have you used a racked Xlogic ssl comp? I just looove those. But recall..
@@shoogabooga2072 Ya, I've used loads of the X Logic stuff over my days. The Dione is next level tho. The additional THD circuit is worth the money alone. The recall is really fantastic too! I love turning knobs and dials but honestly I rarely even touch the unit. I use the plugin to control it so I don't have to leave the sweet spot. It sounds fantastic! So does the Rhea which is their Mu style compressor.
Hi Dom. Thank you for this. I've always wondered whether one can emulate an analog environment by using plugins in the input channel. Is this advisable? Can you maybe make a video on this?
It is common knowledge that you can do a high quality hit record in the box. It is also known that it is more cost effective and has many advantages. But some want to be more hands on in the process. Knobs,faders and can get to their results with analog. Music is feeling. An experience. And if you get it with a console and hardware then nothing someone says matters. The debate for some is about quality. For others it is being right and saying others are wrong. Obviously the cost difference is large but if you have the means and prefer being involved with analog then it's what you should follow. You have a new subscriber Dom.
Great video. I can't afford the great analog gear but i do use inexpensive stuff and get great results. I have my Beheringer Tube ultragain rack mount preamp going into my ART Pro VLA II compressor. I have 3 mics that I use for vocals. A Warm Audio WA47jr, an Apex 435 and my Lewett 240 Pro. The first 2 mics go through the rackmount gear while the Lewett runs through my Presous series 3 mixer which is my audio interface.
Everything is personal choice really. I have both Analog and Digital, Analog is the true source though. You could call it special sauce really. Have Warm Audios VCA Bus Comp and their 1073 pre amp and EQ, comparison is night and day
Great video, only analogue gear I have is the Dangerous 2-Bus+, summing to it creates depth, almost 3D and warmth I cant seem to match with my 1,000+ plugins.... :D
I mix hybrid and even though I really like my distressor plugins, I would never get rid of my hardware distressors are my vari mu comps.. I have 16 units of hardware eqs & compressors and they’re here to stay.
I agree plugins are great emulation but you hardly go wrong with hardware cuz of their harmonics, soft saturation and fullness so you get a great recording you don’t have to Eq much or compress much when mixing so I go with analog if I am to choose, but remember some artist don’t always record in studio so Plugins are really good too if you don’t twice much out of it A whole 10db turn on knob can be 2 db’s in a plugin
Before watching: if somebody can't make a good mix with stock plugins they aint gonna know how to use equivilent hardware stuff either. And I'm not trying to say I'm any genious on mixing either. I'm pretty avarage. But I know I would't automatically make something better by buying any fancy stuff.
I've been producing like 100% in the box since 2009 for most of my music except for when I record guitar(acoustic and electric for which I used an isolated cab I built to record my Mark V in 2014 and 2015 before purchasing a Mesa Cab Clone in 2016 and more recently a Torpedo Live). But I recently started to purchase analog gear and plan to slowly go hybrid!
Seems like Tech has caught up for this to even be a question. I know I have found more than a few guitar amp sims that sound so close to the real thing you can not do a blind test! You can also put effects on headphones through a daw with some great plugins real time as well. Like my first statement said........
Dom. I’m a big fan and really appreciate all the videos you post. I’ve learned so much from you regarding Cubase and “in general” recording techniques. But, I do have a question I’m hoping you can answer regarding real drums. When I choose to use the various programmed drums in Cubase, my songs sound more professional, or should I say, more professionally mixed. I can use the same recording techniques on my guitars, bass, vocals, and keys, but if I use “real” drums, the mix seems to fall apart. It’s like there’s a cohesive element that disappears. Do you have any secrets to mixing real drums and obtaining that tight, cohesive, professional sound? I’m using DW’s, high end Zildian cymbals, SM57’s, AKG414’s, 12 foot ceilings, different room sizes, but there’s just something missing. I call it a glue that holds the rhythm tight. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this properly.
Make an extra parallel drumbus and use a fair amount of compression, blend it in with the mix of the separate drum tracks. Also if you use room effects you should use it on the complete drum kit, this gives it a more cohesive sound. And of course use a bus compressor on the drumbus 👌🏼
I 100% experienced that singers perform better with a nice front-end. Nice pre-amp with some compression to give a big sound in their headphones and suddenly stop moving their head away when they hit louder notes. Makes it more fun for everywhere. I also noticed that you cant away with more gain reduction on the way in than can do with a plugin. And finally, when I decided to upgrade my vocal chain (including the mic) I dont have to do a lot in mixing. Some low-cut, maybe a boost. Finish it off with a nice La-2a plugin, add verb/delay and done. I used to spend ages on vocal EQ and compression with plugins.
DOM, This was great video. I noticed you have a Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer. How do you like having the red and blue silk at the same time? I really want one of those but they are so expensive. You should do a video on it!
OK, i understand that you need a compressor while recording a singer, but it's not clear why it has to be analog? Why not use a plugin? Or why not use a compressor from the Line6 Helix for example? Why does it have to be analog?
The quality preamps and microphones still make sense sense. But with lack of recall and the expense involved in hardware, im not sure it is worth it in 2024. I'd advise someone to put that money towards a high spec cpu.
i am not fan of analog gear for several reasons... but that's me.. this debate has started for years and years and in a serious talk everyone can have real points to show out in a conversation... in the end of the day, Analog gear or Plugins, they will deliver the job should anyway... the most important things are 1) the one using that gear, no matter what it is.. 2) when using something, knowing what you're doing, and most importantly know what to expect when applying something.. in other words working with intention...
It's interesting you speak about the "sweet spot being wider" when it comes to analogue gear. I commented on another video earlier today about plug-ins & digital mixing etc and I was mentioning that back when I was recording in an all analogue studio the sweet spot of an *entire mix* was a lot wider than what it seems to be when one is mixing in the box with plug-ins. And this wasn't even flash gear. Foxtex R8 tape machine, Alesis compressors, Boss & Peavey mulit-FX rack units.
You lose the center The Wider you go in the music is less punch. Also there's no reason scientifically for it to be wider whether it's processed by electricity or by electrons
@@levondarratt787 We're not talking about wideness in terms of *stereo width* nothing like that. It's to do with that when mixing on analogue gear there is a far greater tolerance zone where a mix sounds "good" and.or "done" (or in Dom's case, when a sound is dialed in on a piece of analogue outboard gear) then there is on in-the-box DAW mixing or plugins. I agree with what you are talking about though (re: stereo width), it always sounds gruntier when it's closer to mono!
I have to say, I’m a life long software guy. Recently got a couple of hardware bits and there is absolutely no comparison in terms of what sounds better. I was surprised. I would say plugins are 80% at best. Question is how to build a hybrid workflow that doesn’t get in the way of creativity…
Thank you for this tutorial. Do you know a good midi controller to manually act on modulation, expression, velocity, vibrato... for virtual orchestra instruments. Thanks a lot!
I think most people are mislead by the analog industry and youtubers but in reality the best starting investment you can do is buying a really good channelstrip with eq and comp (try to aim for an optical one one the way in like Dom already said) and youre set for a long time. i wish someone would have told me this 10 years ago ;D
I'm a drummer, I built 2 Capi VP28s and 2 Hairball Lolas on a 500 chassis, I love I can just flip that switch and get kick,snare,overheads that sound like a dream. Playing with the pre gains and the trims, the filters, makes it a whole worth it. I have a question... I have a Focusrite Red4Pre(4 pres, 4 lines, 16 through adat, dante and spdif), I need to expand my analog input situation... I was thinking on getting some cheap-ish used 8pre/8out adat compatible interface, any recos? It could be used and old, I'd just use it for the I/O... Presonus Digimax maybe? Thank you
I wouldnt call it magic. But since I picked up some Elysia gear, that class A processing seems to make the stems more mixable. Its a strange, unquantifiable thing but it definitely is a thing. And the Xpressor seems to allow way more solid gain and it was so hard to get that close using software only.
HI Dom! Sorry about my Bad english . What do you think about plugins simulations for analog? How about pre simulations on the in channels of the daw? I was trying many ways to find a good sound with my dynamic mic.
Its all about skill i would say gotta know how to mix and master and train the ear which comes mostly with time and exprience getting familiar with how the hardware/plugin sounds and feels or adds to the mix. When it comes to gear i use both anlog pre amps even a seperate computer
If better means more depth, 3D, real sounding etc. then go with hardware all the way and once you hear that then there will be the inspiration at least for me.
I have a CL1B too and agree it's a beast. It adds nice sound to vocals; But it is my opinion you can get a good sound allowing singers to perform as you nicely put it with any software compressor too. It will just sound a little less great but not bad. In my beginning years I recorded vocals with a 15 year old SM58 which we borrowed from a club and which smelled because every drunk DJ had been sptting in it for years. We didn't have money for a pre amp so I used my cheap Mackie VLZ 4 channel console with their "mic pre's" built in. Given that little console cost mayby 100 bucks you can imagine.... And from there, directly into digidesign 882 ADDA converters, probably the worst converters ever. And we sold quite some copies. Honestly, I can't say that all sounded really awesome; It didn't, compared to nowadays in the box quality. Just saying, while I agree anaologue gear is great, imi in 2024 you can perfectly do without and still make great sounding performances.
Soy cantante y para mí cantar en vivo incluso sin compresión en mi in ear es un suplicio, tienes que estar muy pendiente de los cambios de dinámica y te quita poder de la interpretación. Gracias Don
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m more fascinated by your shirt changing colors in real time.
lol
it's the Doppler effect, cuz the camera moves onto him
It's not bro,You're on DMT.
Cool story bro. Use your ears,always.
Merch? Or pit whiff?
6:08 makes me think of a friend who bought a big console and never used it, nor even plugged it in. The console being there got him a lot of clients.
@@MarnixMohrmannPiano so why did he buy it?
@7:10 Mic Drop. You said it all in that sentence Dom! Bless up Sir
Lots of great advice. “Listen with your ears and not your eyes” is huge. Staring at numbers on a screen can be a real problem. Thanks Dom!
Just one month ago i got a neve 1073 and a cl1b for recording vocals and the first thing i noticed was that since i took off the digital eq pluging and the slight digital compression and replaced it with analog gear the signal had less latency while recording💯 besides the amazing sound analog delivers it does make a difference for me even the artists that pull up for a session can notice the difference.
It's very interesting how quickly you can change your shirts, Dom! 😄
🤣
Who cares
I record on a portable interface when on the road and I run back some of the key tracks like vocals and main instruments through analog gear. It gives me the freedom to run it in cycle and tweak the gears to my liking and print back to computer. I try to recreate that sound in plug-in only as a challenge and sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to stack multiple plugins to get close but by the time you get there it feels like a lot of work. I believe some of the best engineers who claim they only mix in the box have already tracked or run most of their tracks through analog first. And that is very effective as those subtle analog flavors on a number of tracks will make a significant difference on the overall mix. Also makes your mixing session go fast. Great video as always.
I'm considering this tbh as plugins take so much CPU space and feel unnatural using a mouse.
I have to at least use mixing tools on my midi keyboard.
I think analogue gear does have an edge but imo it's so minor that when the mix is done you barely hear it, if you hear it at all. If you have tons of money, analogue outboard is a lot of fun but unless you are a rock star with world fame, imo it's just not worth the price anymore. That's what I find a pitty: the exaggerated prices. We all know electronic parts cost almost nothing. A tube tech CL1B (apart from an AMS Neve DMX1580s) are the only outboards I have; In a CL1B there is hardly anything in there. Yet they charge over 3000 for a single unit. To build one maybe costs 100 or 150 bucks. That's why I like Tegeler Audio. They offer top material for affordable prices. Outboard should be less expensive. Same with some synth manufacturers. Take DSI, Moog, Neve, etc. All top brands but they want excessive profit marigns. That's too bad.
You can get 99% of the way there inside the box but reaching that destination is much faster when it comes to getting that legit sounding/feelling compression, saturation and distortion. The majority of people that are going to listen to the music can't tell the difference. micing amps vs. DI recorded instruments is one of those things where it's almost impossible to get a DI recorded guitar to sound quite right to fool someone with a trained ear into thinking it was recorded via micing amps
Cool story from the past bro. What if I give you a perfect tracks with luxury plugins and then see how long it will take you to match that with analog hardware. You won't be able to. Because it's not the same thing
Analog is cool cause it gave me a reference in terms of the difference between analog and digital. Now knowing the sound of analog, it feels like I can get my digital plugins to get closer to that sound. I think that is a pretty useful bit. But if you are starting out, I don't think you should invest in it right away. It can get mad expensive. There is so much to learn first about music that can be done without analog. But once you feel you can take the leap monetarily and mentally, it is a pretty powerful plunge.
I have a Warm Audio TB12 (preamp) for my vocal mic and i love the way it adds colour to the sound. It makes it feel way more alive. I also tried to record vocals through preamp emulations on my Antelope Discrete 4 Synergy Core and even though they sound great and do make a difference from just the interface preamps themselves, they can't compete with the TB12... The TB12 feels way more alive and real.
And also, what you said about the analog wide sweet spot, i find it true on it as well. I rarely touch its settings. It sounds awesome almost 90% of the time without having to tweek it
Absolutely love your thoughts on using the hardware, and your ears instead of eyes on a plug-in, as this is the exact experience I have with hardware synths; becoming part of the machine and working with it - often with two hands. As soon as I get out of the box I feel so liberated and connected with the music.
Dom what are your techniques for bringing plugins closer to that hardware sound ?
Perhaps that would be a good video ;)
Count me in on watch that one!
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience ! Awesome
The best piece of gear I have is my Rupert Neve Newton Channel. It's pretty much all I need to record vocals and I've had other hardware but mostly clones. This is the most affordable thing that is the actually the real deal.
There are really good points I've never though about before while working in a home studio.
Analog gear forced me to use my ears more. To be more critical with my decisions. Plus turning knobs and pushing buttons makes me feel more connected to my craft. But definitely not required to make good music. Great video Dom.
I sometimes feel that the irony is that analogue gear is often easier to use - it's more benign, it does less and it's harder to mess up when you have one real compressor vs a dozen plugins; so it's probably better for beginners to learn on. Experienced mixers, folks like Andrew Scheps, can move ITB because they know exactly what they are aiming for and are more able to tame their plugin collections. A lot of the big name guys from the 80s and 90s era, like CLA and Joe Barresi, always appear in front of their SSLs, but then that's now sort of their brand, it makes them stand out in a crowded market place. I find that plugins like the Brainworx Black Box MS with its density control and the adjustable headroom on the Shadow HIlls Mastering Comp are a big help as an easy way to dial in more of what a plugin does and then reduce the impact to get a more natural result. Great vid Dom, food for thought.
This is the best description I’ve heard for analog/ digital. Do what feels good 😊
This is the ultimate guide. It covers everything that can be said for all three production stages - recording, mixing and mastering. Just one thing you forgot to mention: Analog gear does not only give your clients confidence, it also gives YOU confidence. Why should you reach for a simulation when you can use the original? Even if you cannot tell the differences, which actually happens here and then, mostly on EQs and limiters, not on compressors, chances are that you can feel it in the mix - still. And even if not - why put your reputation on risk?
I understand that budget is an issue for some people, but invest 150$ in a plugin that's worth nothing after some time, or invest 3000$ into hardware that will still be $3000 after a decade... decide what works best for you. Or could it be that most people who praise plugins are the ones who actually never paid for one? Which make about 95% of people out there using software?
I think the biggest flaw in comparing analog gear to plugins is: If you hear a difference, any difference, most people will automatically assume that the hardware is better…tadaaaaa….marketing.
I have plugins that are the reason I sold the hardware, because for my taste, or in my opinion, the plugin does a better job.
But I know, if you want to buy a 5000$ compressor…any sound difference goes in favour of the gear…
this is so true who decides that the difference is better since they are both still interpretations of the source material which analog intentionally changes, digital is more true to source since it adds no discolouration
I disagree. Hardware is always better because it’s the original. The plug-ins wouldn’t have anything to emulate if it wasn’t for the hardware first.
@@nicefish10 That is the common believe.
But the technologie at the time (in the 1920s and 1930s) limited the applications of the mathematical formulars behind it.
There is no argument that the digital technologie today is prefered by the industry that invented all of this.
And I don‘t mean the music industry, that was just a side product…
Exactly !! Well said. These guys are tapping themselves on their own shoulders, tooting their horn. In the hopes of eliminating competition. Look at me I have analogue gear you cannot do what I can do ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
@@nicefish10 Whenever you say "ALWAYS", you're probably wrong. 🤣
Can you do a video on how to build, connect, setup, integrate with digital and use the analog gears for tracking/mixing/mastering?
Your shirt is changing color! I was like "Whaaaat" 😲. Very interesting opinions about the psychological impact of analog equipment.
Great lesson! Thanks Dom!
I am my way to analog gear but I'm confused that which is first, especially between mic preamp and compressor
Speaking for vocal recording - mic pre-amp all the way and I recommed API 512V or a used XLogic XR 621, but you will need an X-Rack or Mynx rack for the latter. My 3rd recommendation is the SSL Six 500 series, but need a 500 series box for that too. Of course it might depend on your mic and those pre-amps work good with my Neumann TLM 107
Best ‘analog’ DAW is UAD Luna Pro 😊 Has that good old days workflow with its extensions, tape simulations and summing. I’m a Cubase head but love LUNA Pro
I've been using GAP Comp-3A for all the vocals I record, and voice overs too - highly recommended!
Very underrated company altogether! I wish more people knew about them.
Another great vid Dom... my personal preference for analog is for 3 reasons. 1 I suffered option paralysis with plugins, I am now more limited and thus more creative with fewer options. 2 I got an error message "Cubase no longer supports 32 bit plugins", my analog gear will outlast me and will still run when we have 256 bit processors in our phones lol. 3 there are 2 letters of the alphabet that instantly make me lose the will to live... IT, the less I need my computer the better. The last point is prob me being a luddite, however I think the first 2 points are worth considering.
I have noticed a difference between plug ins and analog hardware in compressors. The plug ins seem to have problems with certain frequencies. I don't notice a lot of difference between a real LA-2A and an IGS One LA (I have this in a 500 series. It is very nice.)
Hi Dom, was just seeing your video where you explained how to create customized scripts for midi controllers and was super informative. Can you please help me in understanding how to assign one rotary knob from my midi controller so that I can scroll between tracks in my project window as well as the mixer window ,. Right now, I can see two different options to go to previous track and next track and would have to assign 2 rotary knobs, thanks a lot in advance☺
In my opinion. It is critical to have a good recording chain of: microphones Rode K2, Shure SM7b, 2 x Rode NT5, Rode NTR Ribbon microphone etc. Go into a channel strip like Focusrite ISA-430 Mk2, into good A to D converter. I agree about the analogue recording chain. Record to 48k and 24 bit. Mix in software. I find my Mackie CR1604-VLZ mixer and RNC1773 compressor works really well too, cheap and very effective. On the rare occasions I need to record drums I go to another studio. Most of my drums are samples played with a mouse or MIDI keyboard. (I must get a Roland V-drum kit.) Most pf my gear has been purchased used. Lots of people buy gear, lose interest, and sell it.
For bass I have Ampeg PF 20-T going into a 15" EV or a Avalon U5 for DI. Mesa Boogie Nomad 100 and a choice of several speakers for guitar. There are 4 basses and 3 guitars in the studio maintained with intonation set correctly and new strings available.
As for the psychological effects, I let my work speak for itself. I find people don't come to my door unless they have heard my previous work.
I would prioritise making the studio feel good than some boutique compressor. Have a nice artist's lounge, a kitchen with cans of drink and some wine in the fridge. I have the services of my wife as a quality catering service. She is good, she cooks or takes orders and gets Thai take away.
I have put way more time into learning about composition and arrangement than worrying about gear.
Great video! It's been insanely busy lately but I've got some down time now to get a good healthy dose of Dom Sigalas ❤🔥
Welcome back man!❤
Decided to skip McDSP APB in lieu of a few carefully picked plugins that are as close to analog as you can get ITB...Tone Project, Schwabe Digital, PSP...ETC. Even the SSL channel strips sound excellent and add some body. Now I use Kelvin as first insert...this already adds that weight, then adding additional emulations after just elevates the experience.
Schwabe sucks. Mixbus hypetrain, for his buddy who codes plugins.
As somebody working a in studio with an SSL 4048G+ and also having my own spot with plenty of analog gear, I think :
- Analog makes a different during the recording stage : You can track through plugins now. A lot of them offer latency free options (not only UAD). But it's true that tracking through gear (or plugins for that matter) makes mixing easier along the way. And it's true that the wider sweet spot of analog makes it "safer" to track through.
- The "wow factor" making artists/clients comfortable : I agree fully.
- Analog makes a difference when mixing, you can get to the sound quicker : I think it is true but if I am being really honest : The recall/print or the patching will take as much time as piling up plugins to get to the sound desired. So analog will only be effectively quicker if it is used as "set and forget", like preset.
Although hardware do not sound more "3D". They are still stereo or mono imho ^^.
- Bigger sweet spot with hardware : Yeah I could agree to that. When pushed they sound great. It is kinda true but a lot of modern hardware sounds absolutely crap when pushed now.
- Hardware is inspiring : It's idiosyncratic but I agree too, for me at least.
- Music is a human thing : Well depending on how things will go, this statement will either age very well or awfully badly ^^.
What you forgot to mention it's that, as soon as audio engineering remain a thing (which I don't think it will much in the near future), hardware is an investment. When buying something second-hand, you can resell it for me and it can help facing tough financial situation. I recently made 1k profit on a sale of a second hand gear. And no I am not 50 y old, I just was lucky to find a great deal, restore the unit (very basic stuff) and sell it back.
Fixing fusions for a living ? 😅
Haha not talking about the Fusion here ;).
Plugins into hardware is great
Congrats on getting a mandolin! They are fantastic instruments, so am sure you will have a great time learning yours. Always enjoy your vids.
Very true! Great video! Thank you!
One thing that usually is forgotten when comparing is that the signal will go through the preamp/input on the audio interface. Could that be the reason for some of the difference? I have heard about professional studios just sending the sound out and in again with no outboard gear just to get the analog touch.
I've been professionally mixing/mastering for over 15 years. Aside from when I worked in professional studios, I did it 100% in the box till about 2 years ago. It is entirely possible to make "industry standard" music just in the box. That being said, about 2 or 3 years ago I started buying analog gear HOWEVER I only got the stuff I felt like plugins just didn't do the job as good as I knew was possible. So I stick with compression and saturation for my hardware. I don't have any analog EQ or fx and don't intend on getting them. The mixbus is the best place to start in my opinion. Get a GOOD mixbus compressor (I chose the WesAudio Dione and it's AMAZING) and build from there. I waited till I felt like plugins were holding me back to start purchasing analog gear and I think that's the best way to do it!
Great video as usual Dom, thank you!
Exactly! This is the most reasonable philosophy when it comes to investing in analog hardware. It also doesn't need a boutique price tag to be good. The Dione is awesome, indeed, and so is the slightly pricier Tegeler Audio Creme.
I think your sleeping on the analog eq. I’m almost the opposite. Compression, whatever analog eq though… once your up boosting past 10db analog absolutely crushes digital eq. Just my two cents. Just one solid stereo eq is really all you need. I believe Wes audio has one if you like that brand
@@shoogabooga2072 Ohhh I have some analog EQs. I have a few channel strips, I should have been more specific in my comment. I meant like stand alone EQ, those I don't have any of but I've used TONS. I totally agree they are better than digital. What I mean is the cost-to-value ratio isn't worth it. I find much of the money to be much more "worth it" with compression and saturation when it comes to analog. No plugin has EVER gotten me even close to the sound my analog gear does when it comes to compression. EQ, sure analog sounds a little better but honestly, I'm rarely boosting or cutting much more than 4 or 5dB in my work so I just don't get the same cost-to-value as I do with compression/saturation. I've done the null tests and while of course, I didn't get a complete null the difference was very very minor whereas with compression I have a completely different experience. I have a Wes Audio Dione and I've shot it out against every SSL G Buss Compressor style plugin I own and I own ALL of the popular ones lol. Digital compressors just sound flat and boring to me but analog compression really gives me an "immersive" sound, you know... "depth" haha! I thought all those sayings were just BS till I dove into analog and heard it for myself.
Thanks for the comment! That's what's awesome about mixing/mastering. It's all very subjective and we all hear, process, and experience sound in different ways!
@@matt_nyc_audioengineer yeah analog rules haha. How is that compressor by the way? I was thinking about getting one for the recall. Have you used a racked Xlogic ssl comp? I just looove those. But recall..
@@shoogabooga2072 Ya, I've used loads of the X Logic stuff over my days. The Dione is next level tho. The additional THD circuit is worth the money alone. The recall is really fantastic too! I love turning knobs and dials but honestly I rarely even touch the unit. I use the plugin to control it so I don't have to leave the sweet spot. It sounds fantastic! So does the Rhea which is their Mu style compressor.
Great as always Dom!!
Hi Dom. Thank you for this. I've always wondered whether one can emulate an analog environment by using plugins in the input channel. Is this advisable? Can you maybe make a video on this?
If you can afford decent analog gear, go for it 100%!
It is common knowledge that you can do a high quality hit record in the box. It is also known that it is more cost effective and has many advantages. But some want to be more hands on in the process. Knobs,faders and can get to their results with analog. Music is feeling. An experience. And if you get it with a console and hardware then nothing someone says matters. The debate for some is about quality. For others it is being right and saying others are wrong. Obviously the cost difference is large but if you have the means and prefer being involved with analog then it's what you should follow.
You have a new subscriber Dom.
Great video. I can't afford the great analog gear but i do use inexpensive stuff and get great results. I have my Beheringer Tube ultragain rack mount preamp going into my ART Pro VLA II compressor. I have 3 mics that I use for vocals. A Warm Audio WA47jr, an Apex 435 and my Lewett 240 Pro. The first 2 mics go through the rackmount gear while the Lewett runs through my Presous series 3 mixer which is my audio interface.
Everything is personal choice really. I have both Analog and Digital, Analog is the true source though. You could call it special sauce really. Have Warm Audios VCA Bus Comp and their 1073 pre amp and EQ, comparison is night and day
Okay, Μaster....this video is the master of videos, especially for home studio... and thanks again... as for the mandolin, it's not too late...
Great video, only analogue gear I have is the Dangerous 2-Bus+, summing to it creates depth, almost 3D and warmth I cant seem to match with my 1,000+ plugins.... :D
awesome video! thanks for sharing your knowledge!
You rock, super helpful!
Great tips thank you !
Great video love my analog hardware
Great explanation between the two! Thank you for all of your great content!
I mix hybrid and even though I really like my distressor plugins, I would never get rid of my hardware distressors are my vari mu comps.. I have 16 units of hardware eqs & compressors and they’re here to stay.
I agree plugins are great emulation but you hardly go wrong with hardware cuz of their harmonics, soft saturation and fullness so you get a great recording you don’t have to Eq much or compress much when mixing so I go with analog if I am to choose, but remember some artist don’t always record in studio so
Plugins are really good too if you don’t twice much out of it
A whole 10db turn on knob can be 2 db’s in a plugin
Before watching: if somebody can't make a good mix with stock plugins they aint gonna know how to use equivilent hardware stuff either.
And I'm not trying to say I'm any genious on mixing either. I'm pretty avarage. But I know I would't automatically make something better by buying any fancy stuff.
I've been producing like 100% in the box since 2009 for most of my music except for when I record guitar(acoustic and electric for which I used an isolated cab I built to record my Mark V in 2014 and 2015 before purchasing a Mesa Cab Clone in 2016 and more recently a Torpedo Live).
But I recently started to purchase analog gear and plan to slowly go hybrid!
Excellent!!!Thanks!!
This message gives a lot of perspective. Thank you, and and enjoy that real mandolin too!
Seems like Tech has caught up for this to even be a question. I know I have found more than a few guitar amp sims that sound so close to the real thing you can not do a blind test! You can also put effects on headphones through a daw with some great plugins real time as well. Like my first statement said........
bro that's your studio in the b roll? You have some incredible pieces of hardware...
Thank you my friend ❤️
Dom. I’m a big fan and really appreciate all the videos you post. I’ve learned so much from you regarding Cubase and “in general” recording techniques. But, I do have a question I’m hoping you can answer regarding real drums. When I choose to use the various programmed drums in Cubase, my songs sound more professional, or should I say, more professionally mixed. I can use the same recording techniques on my guitars, bass, vocals, and keys, but if I use “real” drums, the mix seems to fall apart. It’s like there’s a cohesive element that disappears. Do you have any secrets to mixing real drums and obtaining that tight, cohesive, professional sound? I’m using DW’s, high end Zildian cymbals, SM57’s, AKG414’s, 12 foot ceilings, different room sizes, but there’s just something missing. I call it a glue that holds the rhythm tight. I’m not sure if I’m explaining this properly.
Make an extra parallel drumbus and use a fair amount of compression, blend it in with the mix of the separate drum tracks. Also if you use room effects you should use it on the complete drum kit, this gives it a more cohesive sound. And of course use a bus compressor on the drumbus 👌🏼
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the guidance and will give this a try.
I 100% experienced that singers perform better with a nice front-end. Nice pre-amp with some compression to give a big sound in their headphones and suddenly stop moving their head away when they hit louder notes. Makes it more fun for everywhere. I also noticed that you cant away with more gain reduction on the way in than can do with a plugin. And finally, when I decided to upgrade my vocal chain (including the mic) I dont have to do a lot in mixing. Some low-cut, maybe a boost. Finish it off with a nice La-2a plugin, add verb/delay and done. I used to spend ages on vocal EQ and compression with plugins.
DOM, This was great video. I noticed you have a Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer. How do you like having the red and blue silk at the same time? I really want one of those but they are so expensive. You should do a video on it!
Try Access Analog which is how I tried it!
OK, i understand that you need a compressor while recording a singer, but it's not clear why it has to be analog? Why not use a plugin? Or why not use a compressor from the Line6 Helix for example? Why does it have to be analog?
This was very useful.
A great idea for "block" colors! Thanks
The quality preamps and microphones still make sense sense. But with lack of recall and the expense involved in hardware, im not sure it is worth it in 2024. I'd advise someone to put that money towards a high spec cpu.
Do you have a recommendation for low-budget analog mastering for lofi hip hop? (without vocals)
Try MixAnalog or Access Analog services. They allow you to use analog equipment remotely at an affordable cost.
no way in hell i’m ever going back fully in the box hybrid is the way
Yes. Especially mic preamps!
It's true about the compressor for vocalists, but you could just buy Volt interface with 76 compressor emulation for cheap
Inspiring video and... I love you t-shirt 🤣
i am not fan of analog gear for several reasons... but that's me.. this debate has started for years and years and in a serious talk everyone can have real points to show out in a conversation...
in the end of the day, Analog gear or Plugins, they will deliver the job should anyway... the most important things are
1) the one using that gear, no matter what it is..
2) when using something, knowing what you're doing, and most importantly know what to expect when applying something.. in other words working with intention...
Best video that I saw for long time.
It's interesting you speak about the "sweet spot being wider" when it comes to analogue gear. I commented on another video earlier today about plug-ins & digital mixing etc and I was mentioning that back when I was recording in an all analogue studio the sweet spot of an *entire mix* was a lot wider than what it seems to be when one is mixing in the box with plug-ins. And this wasn't even flash gear. Foxtex R8 tape machine, Alesis compressors, Boss & Peavey mulit-FX rack units.
You lose the center The Wider you go in the music is less punch. Also there's no reason scientifically for it to be wider whether it's processed by electricity or by electrons
@@levondarratt787 We're not talking about wideness in terms of *stereo width* nothing like that. It's to do with that when mixing on analogue gear there is a far greater tolerance zone where a mix sounds "good" and.or "done" (or in Dom's case, when a sound is dialed in on a piece of analogue outboard gear) then there is on in-the-box DAW mixing or plugins. I agree with what you are talking about though (re: stereo width), it always sounds gruntier when it's closer to mono!
Thanks you Cubase Master 😉
Great video, loaded with honest/helpful perspective!! 🙂💛
Glad it was helpful!
I have to say, I’m a life long software guy. Recently got a couple of hardware bits and there is absolutely no comparison in terms of what sounds better. I was surprised. I would say plugins are 80% at best. Question is how to build a hybrid workflow that doesn’t get in the way of creativity…
Great video
Thank you for this tutorial. Do you know a good midi controller to manually act on modulation, expression, velocity, vibrato... for virtual orchestra instruments. Thanks a lot!
I like the intro 🥰 remembering me to witcher game soundtrack😊
This was so interesting and useful Dom. Thanks
I think most people are mislead by the analog industry and youtubers but in reality the best starting investment you can do is buying a really good channelstrip with eq and comp (try to aim for an optical one one the way in like Dom already said) and youre set for a long time. i wish someone would have told me this 10 years ago ;D
I'm a drummer, I built 2 Capi VP28s and 2 Hairball Lolas on a 500 chassis, I love I can just flip that switch and get kick,snare,overheads that sound like a dream. Playing with the pre gains and the trims, the filters, makes it a whole worth it.
I have a question...
I have a Focusrite Red4Pre(4 pres, 4 lines, 16 through adat, dante and spdif), I need to expand my analog input situation... I was thinking on getting some cheap-ish used 8pre/8out adat compatible interface, any recos? It could be used and old, I'd just use it for the I/O...
Presonus Digimax maybe?
Thank you
I wouldnt call it magic. But since I picked up some Elysia gear, that class A processing seems to make the stems more mixable. Its a strange, unquantifiable thing but it definitely is a thing. And the Xpressor seems to allow way more solid gain and it was so hard to get that close using software only.
ahahhaha Dom I was paying so much attention to your words that I almost didn't notice your shirt going from green to cyan to green again! 😆
yea same goes with all guitar and bass analog gear. Cant really make music without my tube amps and pedals!
HI Dom! Sorry about my Bad english . What do you think about plugins simulations for analog? How about pre simulations on the in channels of the daw? I was trying many ways to find a good sound with my dynamic mic.
Always the G!!!!
Im selling everything I had for mixing, just a vari-mu and a vca comp for tracking.
Its all about skill i would say gotta know how to mix and master and train the ear which comes mostly with time and exprience getting familiar with how the hardware/plugin sounds and feels or adds to the mix. When it comes to gear i use both anlog pre amps even a seperate computer
What are your thoughts on the uafx pedal version of these compressors?
Love your videos bro.. I want u to do one of my mixes
Great video my friend!! 🤟🤓
Aaaah thanks maaaan!!!
Studio tour 2024? Can we expect that?
If you record… you need a microphone.
If you use a microphone… you need a mic preamplifier.
Those two items can not be replaced by a plug-in.
Thanks... good video.
I find that where analog really makes a diff is.on the way in too...❤
If better means more depth, 3D, real sounding etc. then go with hardware all the way and once you hear that then there will be the inspiration at least for me.
Does it make any sense to edit out all breathing?
I have a CL1B too and agree it's a beast. It adds nice sound to vocals; But it is my opinion you can get a good sound allowing singers to perform as you nicely put it with any software compressor too. It will just sound a little less great but not bad. In my beginning years I recorded vocals with a 15 year old SM58 which we borrowed from a club and which smelled because every drunk DJ had been sptting in it for years. We didn't have money for a pre amp so I used my cheap Mackie VLZ 4 channel console with their "mic pre's" built in. Given that little console cost mayby 100 bucks you can imagine.... And from there, directly into digidesign 882 ADDA converters, probably the worst converters ever. And we sold quite some copies. Honestly, I can't say that all sounded really awesome; It didn't, compared to nowadays in the box quality. Just saying, while I agree anaologue gear is great, imi in 2024 you can perfectly do without and still make great sounding performances.
Soy cantante y para mí cantar en vivo incluso sin compresión en mi in ear es un suplicio, tienes que estar muy pendiente de los cambios de dinámica y te quita poder de la interpretación. Gracias Don