Great advice, CoIt! It has to be worth it to go out of the box. You're adding some level of noise (especially if your power isn't extremely clean) and adding an additional instance of DA to AD conversion to the process. I think a lot of guys forget about this when considering upgrading to outboard gear. I know I did when first starting. Dirty power can get expensive to clean and analog gear really only thrives with clean power in many cases.
Mix bus: SSL SiX -> Ultraviolet EQ -> DIYRE Colour 15IPS tape -> Pentode Tube -> CTX (API2520/Transformer) -> G Bus Comp. Drum Bus comp: modded vintage DBX 166. Kick: SSL SiX CH EQ/Comp -> Symetrix 525 comp -> dbx 510 subharmonic synth. Snare: SSL SiX EQ/Comp -> Symetrix 525 comp. Looking to get a great vocal mix chain going. I already have a great recording chain with a RND 511 -> DIYRE OLA5 comp with the vintage output. Probably will look to pick up a parametric EQ and 76-style compressor. Hybrid is THE BEST for sure
First of all, I’ve LOVED this channel for a minute now. Thank you for doing what you do. Last week I got my first SSL console: the BiG SiX. I’ve spent lots of time on the 4K and Origin, but I never owned an SSL console. I cried in the store when they brought it to me. So my current hybrid set up is a WA-73 and WA-76 for tracking vocals, and the SSL for mixing. I plan on getting a Mastering Comp someday, but I don’t know which one yet, and I need to save my pennies back up. Okay, watching this video again now 🎉
The great thing with putting together a hybrid system is there are so many options out there now for doing so. You don't have to start with the "big names" (expensive items) right away or ever. You can do a lot of things with a decent pre-amp and compressor (stereo/mono if possible for vocals, guitar, etc) and then a good EQ for mastering like a Pultec clone style EQ (which you could track with as well if needed) for cost savings and use the same compressor you already have for tracking to mastering with the EQ's (stereo pair needed). I personally use a Warm Audio WA273 preamp with a Revive modded ART PRO VLA II compressor. I then master using an Audio-Scape EQP-A (stereo pair Pultec clone) with the ART VLA II compressor (many times I just use the EQP's and a plugin bus compressor) and it's worked out excellent without spending a small fortune for the outboard gear. I can always upgrade/add more gear down the road as I see fit but it's been great so far.
I was actually pretty resistant to using plugins but ran out of space. So now I'm hybrid. Plugins have another advantage that I don't think you mentioned: they're fast to set up, tweak, and change. I can't do that with my mix bus compressor, for example. Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
VERY good video - well explained for those who don't understand the concept or the pros & cons, and no gear placement/plugging but rather experience and ideas sharing. The kind of honest audio content YT is already sorely missing. Kudos! 👍
Just picked up the Drawmer 1977 as my first hybrid mixing channel strip… love it. Does it sound better? Yeah maybe. It feels deeper and richer and the saturation is “rounder”. What it is is fun as the dickens.
I use quite a bit of outboard which varies time to time, but mix buss consists of a pair of HRK ST552 Tape Emulation Saturation, pair of HRK CS566 Channel Strips, a Stam 4k Buss Comp, follow by a pair of HRK EQ5169 Bax Eq. While using a Tango24 via ADAT for inserts I/O into my Apollo 8p MK2 and Twin X.
So, I mostly track as cleanly as possible. I've got a woman coming in, after the new year, and I'm actually going to try doing her vocal through outboard gear. This however, is not my normal way of doing things. My usual MO is to use hardware for mixing. I'll send my dry tracks back through my Allen & Heath GL2400 (I can only do 16 tracks at a time, through my Motu 16a but I'm about to buy another one and chain them) and EQ as many of the tracks together as possible. I find this really helps glue the mix together. At the same time, I'll use outboard pre's and compressors on the kit, vocals, guitars, et al. The whole process takes me more time but I find that it's worth it. The main point I wanted to make is that I don't worry much about recall. Any automation I've done can be corrected ex post facto and commiting to the sound is what I try to do. I try to be upfront with the client beforehand.
The benefit of having a hybrid mix is that once you have a hardware signal inbedded in your mix the plugins work alot better when tweaking the hardware signal because you definitely got a bigger headroom after running any signal through any outboard gear specially an SSL console
On a separate note, I'd love to experiment with outboard compressors and even get a lunchbox, but unlike plugins, it's incredibly difficult to try or rent outboard, so you wind up just purchasing it online and then having to return it if you don't like it. That's probably a huge factor for a lot of people. Cheers!
@@ColtCapperrune definitely. I went to production school in '03, and that's probably the last time I touched real SSL or DBX hardware with my own hands for a project. I'd done FOH for a few years after that, but no hardware of that status was used lol That Serpent comp looks killer. I wonder how it compares to a Smart C2 or something.
Planning to go the Hybrid route soon! Just upgraded to a the Steinberg AXR4 interface and got myself a power conditioner! Since I do electronic music, Im thinking the Neve Orbit Summing box and then getting the Wes Audio stuff so that recall stays very easy in the future! Most of my stuff is ITB but I am soooo curious about having an analog stage at the end of a mixing process, I feel thats gonna do something super special :) ALSO LOVE UR STUFF COLT!
I have 12 pieces of outboard hardware. Most of what I use them for is tracking but I do incorporate them into mixing as well. Hardware sounds glorious but it's hard to argue with the usability of plugins. They still sound very good and the cost and automation aspects are a big advantage. The one thing about hardware is that getting the gain staging correct is vital. It is important with plugins as well but it is less forgiving in that the noise floor is higher with hardware.
I'm doing a similar thing, but rather than compression, I'm focusing on saturation. I got a LTL SilverBullet, a pair of Neve 542s and a BlackBox HG-2 for that purpose. I run most of the single tracks through at least one of those units and the 2bus as well. I also have added a fairly neutral EQ and a wonderfully neutral 2bus comp, so i can dose the saturation and process dynamics and frequency response in one go.
you Sir, have the crazy ability of uploading the right video at the right time. was thinking of getting a Outboard Mixbuss-chain, pretty simular to yours.
Always enjoy your videos . I myself absolutely choose Hybid mixing as my personal choice for exactly the same reasons you do . Hardware for me is as follows; I use the Avalon 737 for my vocals, especially since it has the mic pre , the compression, and EQ . Also, of course for being tube as well . I also use an Apogee Track2 mainly for the mic pres . I then record all tracks into Cubase 10.5 and use plugins to add where necessary. I like plugin reverbs, delays etc for touching up the vocals and the mix where neccessary . I do at times use the UAD plugins through my Apollo Twin and X6 . Actually I use the X6 for the main purpose of running my Avalon and Apogee mic pres directly to the line inputs so I can bypass the mic pres on the X6 . After I finish my mix in the box then I run my mix out of my interface into my Apollo SSL Six mixer . Then I have a pair of Empirical EL8's and a Maaq mastering EQ (Hardware) that I use to run my mix through for final mixdown . Then I run that out to my Manley Slam for limiting . My setup is not real big, but I like it . I have a pair of HEDD Type 30 MKii and a Bass 12 sub and I absolutely LOVE them !!! I use a set of KRK and sub for my basic DAW mix. I use mainly hardware rack mount keyboard modules for my sounds. 15 different ones just in case I need a specific sound. So working on getting the best mixes I can
I am switching from analog tracking to ITB tracking with 500 series gear. Right now, I think this chain is working great for me: Vocal mic > NEVE 511 PREAMP (x2) > SSL UV EQ > SSL SIX CHANNEL 500 SERIES (x2) > UAD APOLLO
The beauty of inside the box is that recall is a non issue. I started out totally analog before digital mixing was invented-- multitrack tape machine and analog console. I first went digital with an Otari Radar 24 track digital recorder because the converters were the best at the time and I still used an analog console. Mixing inside the box became possible, but there were serious issues, the least of which was summing digitally, plug in quality, and latency. The biggest problem for me was the insidious, sometimes hidden problem of tracks being slightly misaligned resulting in phase/comb filtering-- the final result could just be crappy and it was hard to know why. In the beginning, plugins could be okay or even great, but all could go to hell in a hand basket when putting a bunch of tracks together during a mix where there is very slight misalignment. On a single soloed track a plugin could sound great but with a bunch of other tracks-- watch out. Finally Protools came out with HDX/AAX that required less misalignment baby sitting. At this point the hybrid world came together for me. Of course there were always work arounds with every DAW to keep things phase coherent, but starting out with a RADAR and analog console spoiled me so Logic and early versions of PT were just too difficult for me. PT HDX/AAX is a game changer for me and I am still using my ancient MacPro. I have 24 Tonelux channel strips, each with it's own insert. Honestly, I only need 2 Tonelux channel strips because the PT hardware inserts work so well without track misalignment. Summing ITB vs in the analog is an individual preference thing. I tend to use analog summing for simply managing stems where I wish to use outboard gear. I have learned that I don't need so much outboard gear because I can print individual tracks with outboard gear inserted and use these tracks in my final mix; thus, freeing up the outboard gear to season other tracks as necessary. Converters have gotten so good that DA and AD conversions are invisible as long as there is no track misalignment. It all comes down to the creativity of the engineer and the talent of the musician. You put forth a good, no nonsense discussion of hybrid mixing with out calling out the folks to engage in fist fights. No doubt, people are going to learn something and save a bunch of money by studying your discussions of the details of audio pathways.
Yep I have an hybrid set up also but took a break from trying to get it all wired up..I needed to take some DAW courses In a structured environment..so I signed up for a Berklee certificate pro tools production program..I am now learning a lot of the I s and outs of PT which was my weakness..it’s taken some time along with several thousands of dollars but in the end I will be on a much higher skill level.
Hey Colt Thank You for this video perfect timing lol I’m fixing order my first hardware very soon. Probably just get couple pres and maybe we and compressor to start with.
Just starting to put together an analog mix buss/summing chain with 500 series units. 2 Cranborne Camden preamps (with the Mojo color feature), an SSL Ultraviolet stereo EQ,, the SPL Big and a WesAudio RHEA vari mu tube comp. Just waiting on the Cranborne ADAT500 chassis that's on backorder to be shipped!
Good morning Sir! First of all, I'm so grateful watching your videos. They truly help my knowledge and skills. Recently, after the songs are fully edited, I find people all over the world tend to cut the frequency from 16k Hz onwards, and it seems to only work with Kick Drum and Snare Drum. What's your opinion, should I go for it? If possible, please make a video on explanation and detailed guide for this issue. Much appreciated!
I got questions: Why using a preamp when you do mixing ? How do you use it ? In your voice ? Also when you/he talk about «MixBus» is when you regroup all the instruments (voice included) ? Thank you in advance
Cost. Recall. Maintenance. The three reasons I’ve gone from hardware to hybrid to in the box. I am tempted by some of the Wes Audio stuff though, the recall problem is solved. But it’s still ALOT of dosh!
Great video Colt! Got a question for you, I’ve recently found your channel and have watched most of your videos at the point. In one of your videos you talked about a mix bus plugin you use that has a mono/stereo EQ crossover. Essentially monoing frequencies under the crossover point and letting the frequencies above that point be stereo. What plugin was that? I’ve tried to look back through and find the video, but I can’t remember which one it was. Thanks!
I just began getting outboard rack gear and I agree that the debate between plugins and hardware is useless. Both are tools and do certain things well. Using both gives you the best of both worlds
I can say without a doubt that using hardware compressors and EQs on acoustic drums just does something that plugins can't for me. It could be that adjusting physical controls just makes me pay more attention idk. Anyway, anyone looking for a first piece of hardware just to understand routing and gain staging, I recommend getting a JHS Colourbox V2. It can run line level and EQ section will get you used to listening to your adjustments instead of watching meters. Plus it sounds amazing.
Check out the WES Audio stuff. I know you‘re not a fan of software driven hardware. But its hardware controlled by software. Without the soft side it still optates as normal hardware. Instant recall on every project and you can automate all parameters. And this stuff sounds amazing! 😉
Colt- you’re my favourite Producer and RUclipsr, I have created a mixbus very similar to yours however I’ve added an IGS Rubber Bands 500 ME that I really think you should have a look at for your mixbus! It is essentially a 500 series stereo Pultec, and just like the SPL Big I can’t live without it now. Have a look you won’t regret it!
This is a topic that disturbs me more and more. The question is, how low can you go in terms of costs, when you are running on a budget, but you feel the need to go hybrid. There are some clones of EQs and compressors out there which appear interesting to me, but the question is: can a (relatively) cheap clone of a classic compressor or EQ be, in any way, better than a software Emulation? Or is it only an expensive noise generator? I soon will know. I'll try an ART tube preamp that I've never been using and see what it can do for me. Nice work, your vids are always an inspiration.
I truly think that a big part of why mixing on analog equipment tends to be quicker and just feels more responsive under the fingertips is that analog gear adds zero latency and zero jitter to parameter changes whereas digital set-ups always add some extra non-zero latency plus usually some time jitter and some value stepping from the moment you turn a knob to the moment your parameter change hits the speaker. Even if the stepped knob values are smoothed by digital interpolation, the smoothing process will add yet even more latency on top, even if the smoothing algorithm is cleverly predictive. It would certainly be possible to work around this problem by ramping up the scanning frequency and step precision of digital knobs and/or encoders by orders of magnitude, but doing so would make digital equipment prohibitively expensive, at least in 2022-2023.
The recall point is always the most intersting for me. At your level though, how much recall are you realistically doing? I have a looming suspicion that your first mix that you feel comfortable sending a client ends up being the final.
I do a lot of film mixing along with music so my only concern is dealing with the extra time with real-time bounces. That’s my only real deterrent, but I’m with you on hardware compressors. The only real outboard I’m interested in picking out are preamps and a handful of compressors. MAYBE the Audioscape reverb when the budget allows but I definitely want to bring my compression for music out of the box.
I’m thinking of getting a 16 channel mixer as a sum just because of the sound of the mixer. I don’t want a bigger mixer because some thing I’ll just keep in the box then at a later date I’ll get into the 500 series .
Just an idea. Maybe one day we'll be able connect to racks of hardware online and mix through it. Sweetwater could set it up and make a fortune renting time. Love your channel!
There is a couple dudes here in Nashville working on this very thing. It’s going to be all automated online with a server room full of racks of hardware you can mix on remotely.
I feel that hybrid just gives me more options. I can do everything ITB or go out of the box. I’ll do the heavy lifting ITB but sometimes I find myself wrestling with something/things not sitting quite perfectly and I’ll shoot that out of a different out on the mixer and then through simple strip EQ and Bus/compressor/preamp/FX whatever and 9 times out of 10 its pretty quick to get it mixed right and sitting how I want. Squeezing that extra 5% out of the mix in hardware, as a final step after my recallable ITB chain. Average joe isnt going to hear a difference but thats not the point. I could. Mixing is about problem-solving and that includes diagnosis. thats why Im mixing and joe isnt. And hybrid just gives me additional tools. Incorporating Outboard took me a while to dial in, my first approaches or logical incorporations wasnt how I ended up applying it. I had four or five big rejigs before settling on a workflow that fit like a glove but thats kind of the beauty of hybrid/outboard. Its a sort of real life laboratory you tailor to your personal requirements in real time. But for sure my heavy lifting mixing-wise happens ITB first, thats how currently enjoying best of both worlds, for want of a better phrase.
Thinking of getting a SSL Fusion für my Mixbus… using Celestial by Accustica Audio a lot and that brought me to the idea… maybe the SSL Compressor as well
@@ColtCapperrune I bought mine after seeing your video…I’ve got a dual capi and thermionic summing setup with those instruments and efx going through the fat bustard, into the BiG…did WAY more for the mix than just on the mix bus. Amazing piece of gear
When you are using outboard gear like this, do you have to print the audio before you move on to working on another track in the project? Say you have verse vocals that you want to send through your vocal bus, but the chorus vocals you want to tweak the parameters a little differently. Do you print the verse vocals, record the signal path and knob settings, then move to work on the chorus?
What's up Colt!! Love your videos. Out of curiosity, is the Apollo interface your only piece of gear for converting A to D and D to A? If not, what else do you use for conversion? And if it is, how is it? lol
Hey guys, I have a question on processing your mix bus or master bus. Would you rather use hardware inserts or output your bus and run it through all your hardware pieces and then go back into your DAW?
Hey Colt, What is your thoughts on Dangerous 2 Bus Lt summing. Not really hearing much of a difference from ITB. Thinking of going with hardware comp on mix bus instead. I use a Alan Smart C2 with 2 Bus LT but not that happy. Thoughts? Thanks Larry
Colt, Im trying to mix through a pair of preamps, but the API 512-V's wont allow me to use the DB25 connection on the back of my rack. API says the only way to use LINE IN is to use the 1/4' inch connector on the front. Are your CAPI's wired this way?
Bro. I wanna learn mixing to get to a point of being a pro engineer. Can u give me any advice on where to start looking for begginer content and even demonstrations
Great job! Wanted to enter into the hardware world with an ssl ultra violet. but that eq and its housing is £1000 on entry. The only viable way to start at that price range is to print everything you pass through that one unit. Is that viable? Otherwise it seems to be just too expensive. I would love some thoughts on this. Thanks everyone.
Just look at stuff for your mixbus. The Uv eq is a nice eq but a comp you might like more. And a g series Comp you will like! Any replica would be great too.
Thanks, good stuff... but, it would be even better if you suggested budget clone gear as an alternative for those expensive devices you have. Not everyone can afford them.
You don’t speak of the synchronisation of the analog signal. I use hybrid mixing and i love that but every track in hardware get delay / latence and must be resynchronize (>200ms) !
hi i need a help , I have apollo x6 , avalon 737 , and clark teknik , patchy and I wanna record my vocals and listen my vocals into avalon and clark teknik when I play it
So funny how RUclipsrs now have to "apologize" 20 times before expressing their own opinion. Jesus... Bro, just say what you're gonna say and forget about the keyboard snowflakes. 🤷🏻♂
Yeap well said definition...It's really just digital mixing with a few boxes in the recording process and a little bit on the bus. It's an outdated term used by older generation people sitting on Hardware so they feel good about saying they live in both worlds....reality is, you track with outboard gear as good as you can and once you are in Das, you mix. That's how most people do it anyways nobody is 100% in the Box
Great explaination for hybrid mixing. Thanks a lotfor sharing your experience.
Great advice, CoIt! It has to be worth it to go out of the box. You're adding some level of noise (especially if your power isn't extremely clean) and adding an additional instance of DA to AD conversion to the process. I think a lot of guys forget about this when considering upgrading to outboard gear. I know I did when first starting. Dirty power can get expensive to clean and analog gear really only thrives with clean power in many cases.
Mix bus: SSL SiX -> Ultraviolet EQ -> DIYRE Colour 15IPS tape -> Pentode Tube -> CTX (API2520/Transformer) -> G Bus Comp. Drum Bus comp: modded vintage DBX 166. Kick: SSL SiX CH EQ/Comp -> Symetrix 525 comp -> dbx 510 subharmonic synth. Snare: SSL SiX EQ/Comp -> Symetrix 525 comp. Looking to get a great vocal mix chain going. I already have a great recording chain with a RND 511 -> DIYRE OLA5 comp with the vintage output. Probably will look to pick up a parametric EQ and 76-style compressor. Hybrid is THE BEST for sure
First of all, I’ve LOVED this channel for a minute now. Thank you for doing what you do.
Last week I got my first SSL console: the BiG SiX. I’ve spent lots of time on the 4K and Origin, but I never owned an SSL console. I cried in the store when they brought it to me.
So my current hybrid set up is a WA-73 and WA-76 for tracking vocals, and the SSL for mixing. I plan on getting a Mastering Comp someday, but I don’t know which one yet, and I need to save my pennies back up.
Okay, watching this video again now 🎉
The great thing with putting together a hybrid system is there are so many options out there now for doing so. You don't have to start with the "big names" (expensive items) right away or ever. You can do a lot of things with a decent pre-amp and compressor (stereo/mono if possible for vocals, guitar, etc) and then a good EQ for mastering like a Pultec clone style EQ (which you could track with as well if needed) for cost savings and use the same compressor you already have for tracking to mastering with the EQ's (stereo pair needed). I personally use a Warm Audio WA273 preamp with a Revive modded ART PRO VLA II compressor. I then master using an Audio-Scape EQP-A (stereo pair Pultec clone) with the ART VLA II compressor (many times I just use the EQP's and a plugin bus compressor) and it's worked out excellent without spending a small fortune for the outboard gear. I can always upgrade/add more gear down the road as I see fit but it's been great so far.
I was actually pretty resistant to using plugins but ran out of space. So now I'm hybrid. Plugins have another advantage that I don't think you mentioned: they're fast to set up, tweak, and change. I can't do that with my mix bus compressor, for example. Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
VERY good video - well explained for those who don't understand the concept or the pros & cons, and no gear placement/plugging but rather experience and ideas sharing. The kind of honest audio content YT is already sorely missing.
Kudos!
👍
Just picked up the Drawmer 1977 as my first hybrid mixing channel strip… love it. Does it sound better? Yeah maybe. It feels deeper and richer and the saturation is “rounder”. What it is is fun as the dickens.
I use quite a bit of outboard which varies time to time, but mix buss consists of a pair of HRK ST552 Tape Emulation Saturation, pair of HRK CS566 Channel Strips, a Stam 4k Buss Comp, follow by a pair of HRK EQ5169 Bax Eq. While using a Tango24 via ADAT for inserts I/O into my Apollo 8p MK2 and Twin X.
So, I mostly track as cleanly as possible. I've got a woman coming in, after the new year, and I'm actually going to try doing her vocal through outboard gear. This however, is not my normal way of doing things. My usual MO is to use hardware for mixing. I'll send my dry tracks back through my Allen & Heath GL2400 (I can only do 16 tracks at a time, through my Motu 16a but I'm about to buy another one and chain them) and EQ as many of the tracks together as possible. I find this really helps glue the mix together. At the same time, I'll use outboard pre's and compressors on the kit, vocals, guitars, et al. The whole process takes me more time but I find that it's worth it.
The main point I wanted to make is that I don't worry much about recall. Any automation I've done can be corrected ex post facto and commiting to the sound is what I try to do. I try to be upfront with the client beforehand.
The benefit of having a hybrid mix is that once you have a hardware signal inbedded in your mix the plugins work alot better when tweaking the hardware signal because you definitely got a bigger headroom after running any signal through any outboard gear specially an SSL console
Right
On a separate note, I'd love to experiment with outboard compressors and even get a lunchbox, but unlike plugins, it's incredibly difficult to try or rent outboard, so you wind up just purchasing it online and then having to return it if you don't like it. That's probably a huge factor for a lot of people. Cheers!
Definitely a big factor!! It’s a big commitment if you’ve never heard the gear before.
@@ColtCapperrune definitely. I went to production school in '03, and that's probably the last time I touched real SSL or DBX hardware with my own hands for a project. I'd done FOH for a few years after that, but no hardware of that status was used lol That Serpent comp looks killer. I wonder how it compares to a Smart C2 or something.
Id recommend just getting Mastering gear. Better bang for your Buck. More expensive upfront
Try Access Analog. Works great.
@@keybwizardwaste of money in the long run..getting in line to use gear plus paying by the hr..no thanks
Planning to go the Hybrid route soon! Just upgraded to a the Steinberg AXR4 interface and got myself a power conditioner! Since I do electronic music, Im thinking the Neve Orbit Summing box and then getting the Wes Audio stuff so that recall stays very easy in the future! Most of my stuff is ITB but I am soooo curious about having an analog stage at the end of a mixing process, I feel thats gonna do something super special :) ALSO LOVE UR STUFF COLT!
Pumped for you to try it! Let me know how it works out for you once you start working hybrid!
I have 12 pieces of outboard hardware. Most of what I use them for is tracking but I do incorporate them into mixing as well. Hardware sounds glorious but it's hard to argue with the usability of plugins. They still sound very good and the cost and automation aspects are a big advantage. The one thing about hardware is that getting the gain staging correct is vital. It is important with plugins as well but it is less forgiving in that the noise floor is higher with hardware.
No one is arguing anything about plugins or hardware
Love this! First time I’ve seen someone mention power consumption and heat. The balance is strong. Cheers!🙌💥🙌
I'm doing a similar thing, but rather than compression, I'm focusing on saturation. I got a LTL SilverBullet, a pair of Neve 542s and a BlackBox HG-2 for that purpose. I run most of the single tracks through at least one of those units and the 2bus as well. I also have added a fairly neutral EQ and a wonderfully neutral 2bus comp, so i can dose the saturation and process dynamics and frequency response in one go.
you Sir, have the crazy ability of uploading the right video at the right time. was thinking of getting a Outboard Mixbuss-chain, pretty simular to yours.
Always enjoy your videos . I myself absolutely choose Hybid mixing as my personal choice for exactly the same reasons you do . Hardware for me is as follows; I use the Avalon 737 for my vocals, especially since it has the mic pre , the compression, and EQ . Also, of course for being tube as well . I also use an Apogee Track2 mainly for the mic pres . I then record all tracks into Cubase 10.5 and use plugins to add where necessary. I like plugin reverbs, delays etc for touching up the vocals and the mix where neccessary . I do at times use the UAD plugins through my Apollo Twin and X6 . Actually I use the X6 for the main purpose of running my Avalon and Apogee mic pres directly to the line inputs so I can bypass the mic pres on the X6 . After I finish my mix in the box then I run my mix out of my interface into my Apollo SSL Six mixer . Then I have a pair of Empirical EL8's and a Maaq mastering EQ (Hardware) that I use to run my mix through for final mixdown . Then I run that out to my Manley Slam for limiting . My setup is not real big, but I like it . I have a pair of HEDD Type 30 MKii and a Bass 12 sub and I absolutely LOVE them !!! I use a set of KRK and sub for my basic DAW mix. I use mainly hardware rack mount keyboard modules for my sounds. 15 different ones just in case I need a specific sound. So working on getting the best mixes I can
I am switching from analog tracking to ITB tracking with 500 series gear. Right now, I think this chain is working great for me:
Vocal mic > NEVE 511 PREAMP (x2) > SSL UV EQ > SSL SIX CHANNEL 500 SERIES (x2)
> UAD APOLLO
The beauty of inside the box is that recall is a non issue. I started out totally analog before digital mixing was invented-- multitrack tape machine and analog console. I first went digital with an Otari Radar 24 track digital recorder because the converters were the best at the time and I still used an analog console. Mixing inside the box became possible, but there were serious issues, the least of which was summing digitally, plug in quality, and latency. The biggest problem for me was the insidious, sometimes hidden problem of tracks being slightly misaligned resulting in phase/comb filtering-- the final result could just be crappy and it was hard to know why. In the beginning, plugins could be okay or even great, but all could go to hell in a hand basket when putting a bunch of tracks together during a mix where there is very slight misalignment. On a single soloed track a plugin could sound great but with a bunch of other tracks-- watch out. Finally Protools came out with HDX/AAX that required less misalignment baby sitting. At this point the hybrid world came together for me. Of course there were always work arounds with every DAW to keep things phase coherent, but starting out with a RADAR and analog console spoiled me so Logic and early versions of PT were just too difficult for me. PT HDX/AAX is a game changer for me and I am still using my ancient MacPro. I have 24 Tonelux channel strips, each with it's own insert. Honestly, I only need 2 Tonelux channel strips because the PT hardware inserts work so well without track misalignment. Summing ITB vs in the analog is an individual preference thing. I tend to use analog summing for simply managing stems where I wish to use outboard gear. I have learned that I don't need so much outboard gear because I can print individual tracks with outboard gear inserted and use these tracks in my final mix; thus, freeing up the outboard gear to season other tracks as necessary. Converters have gotten so good that DA and AD conversions are invisible as long as there is no track misalignment. It all comes down to the creativity of the engineer and the talent of the musician. You put forth a good, no nonsense discussion of hybrid mixing with out calling out the folks to engage in fist fights. No doubt, people are going to learn something and save a bunch of money by studying your discussions of the details of audio pathways.
Yep I have an hybrid set up also but took a break from trying to get it all wired up..I needed to take some DAW courses In a structured environment..so I signed up for a Berklee certificate pro tools production program..I am now learning a lot of the I s and outs of PT which was my weakness..it’s taken some time along with several thousands of dollars but in the end I will be on a much higher skill level.
Hey Colt Thank You for this video perfect timing lol I’m fixing order my first hardware very soon. Probably just get couple pres and maybe we and compressor to start with.
Just starting to put together an analog mix buss/summing chain with 500 series units. 2 Cranborne Camden preamps (with the Mojo color feature), an SSL Ultraviolet stereo EQ,, the SPL Big and a WesAudio RHEA vari mu tube comp. Just waiting on the Cranborne ADAT500 chassis that's on backorder to be shipped!
Track thru outboard, mix ITB, analog sum, be happy 🤘😁🤘
Can’t be mad at it!
Good morning Sir! First of all, I'm so grateful watching your videos. They truly help my knowledge and skills. Recently, after the songs are fully edited, I find people all over the world tend to cut the frequency from 16k Hz onwards, and it seems to only work with Kick Drum and Snare Drum. What's your opinion, should I go for it? If possible, please make a video on explanation and detailed guide for this issue. Much appreciated!
I got questions: Why using a preamp when you do mixing ? How do you use it ? In your voice ? Also when you/he talk about «MixBus» is when you regroup all the instruments (voice included) ?
Thank you in advance
never thought of summing mixer? it avoids adda loops although it makes routing more limited
Cost. Recall. Maintenance. The three reasons I’ve gone from hardware to hybrid to in the box. I am tempted by some of the Wes Audio stuff though, the recall problem is solved. But it’s still ALOT of dosh!
Great video Colt! Got a question for you, I’ve recently found your channel and have watched most of your videos at the point. In one of your videos you talked about a mix bus plugin you use that has a mono/stereo EQ crossover. Essentially monoing frequencies under the crossover point and letting the frequencies above that point be stereo. What plugin was that? I’ve tried to look back through and find the video, but I can’t remember which one it was. Thanks!
I just began getting outboard rack gear and I agree that the debate between plugins and hardware is useless. Both are tools and do certain things well. Using both gives you the best of both worlds
I can say without a doubt that using hardware compressors and EQs on acoustic drums just does something that plugins can't for me. It could be that adjusting physical controls just makes me pay more attention idk. Anyway, anyone looking for a first piece of hardware just to understand routing and gain staging, I recommend getting a JHS Colourbox V2. It can run line level and EQ section will get you used to listening to your adjustments instead of watching meters. Plus it sounds amazing.
Check out the WES Audio stuff.
I know you‘re not a fan of software driven hardware. But its hardware controlled by software. Without the soft side it still optates as normal hardware.
Instant recall on every project and you can automate all parameters.
And this stuff sounds amazing! 😉
Colt- you’re my favourite Producer and RUclipsr, I have created a mixbus very similar to yours however I’ve added an IGS Rubber Bands 500 ME that I really think you should have a look at for your mixbus! It is essentially a 500 series stereo Pultec, and just like the SPL Big I can’t live without it now. Have a look you won’t regret it!
This is a topic that disturbs me more and more. The question is, how low can you go in terms of costs, when you are running on a budget, but you feel the need to go hybrid. There are some clones of EQs and compressors out there which appear interesting to me, but the question is: can a (relatively) cheap clone of a classic compressor or EQ be, in any way, better than a software Emulation? Or is it only an expensive noise generator? I soon will know. I'll try an ART tube preamp that I've never been using and see what it can do for me.
Nice work, your vids are always an inspiration.
I truly think that a big part of why mixing on analog equipment tends to be quicker and just feels more responsive under the fingertips is that analog gear adds zero latency and zero jitter to parameter changes whereas digital set-ups always add some extra non-zero latency plus usually some time jitter and some value stepping from the moment you turn a knob to the moment your parameter change hits the speaker. Even if the stepped knob values are smoothed by digital interpolation, the smoothing process will add yet even more latency on top, even if the smoothing algorithm is cleverly predictive. It would certainly be possible to work around this problem by ramping up the scanning frequency and step precision of digital knobs and/or encoders by orders of magnitude, but doing so would make digital equipment prohibitively expensive, at least in 2022-2023.
The recall point is always the most intersting for me. At your level though, how much recall are you realistically doing? I have a looming suspicion that your first mix that you feel comfortable sending a client ends up being the final.
Do you Print your hardware inserts Into the PT session? Or just to the Mix Down 2-Track?
I do a lot of film mixing along with music so my only concern is dealing with the extra time with real-time bounces. That’s my only real deterrent, but I’m with you on hardware compressors. The only real outboard I’m interested in picking out are preamps and a handful of compressors. MAYBE the Audioscape reverb when the budget allows but I definitely want to bring my compression for music out of the box.
I’m thinking of getting a 16 channel mixer as a sum just because of the sound of the mixer. I don’t want a bigger mixer because some thing I’ll just keep in the box then at a later date I’ll get into the 500 series .
Just an idea. Maybe one day we'll be able connect to racks of hardware online and mix through it. Sweetwater could set it up and make a fortune renting time. Love your channel!
There is a couple dudes here in Nashville working on this very thing. It’s going to be all automated online with a server room full of racks of hardware you can mix on remotely.
@@ColtCapperrune that's awesome! Thanks again for all the videos. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks for watching! Same to you my friend
Yeah this is already available! Check out Access Analog: accessanalog.com/
@@Charlie_Echo thanks for the link
Loving the content Colt
Do you calibrate your hardware to feed at a specific level and if so, could you make a video about that?
G'day Colt, any thoughts on order of things?
EQ into Compression
Vs
Compression into EQ ?
I feel that hybrid just gives me more options. I can do everything ITB or go out of the box. I’ll do the heavy lifting ITB but sometimes I find myself wrestling with something/things not sitting quite perfectly and I’ll shoot that out of a different out on the mixer and then through simple strip EQ and Bus/compressor/preamp/FX whatever and 9 times out of 10 its pretty quick to get it mixed right and sitting how I want. Squeezing that extra 5% out of the mix in hardware, as a final step after my recallable ITB chain.
Average joe isnt going to hear a difference but thats not the point. I could. Mixing is about problem-solving and that includes diagnosis. thats why Im mixing and joe isnt. And hybrid just gives me additional tools.
Incorporating Outboard took me a while to dial in, my first approaches or logical incorporations wasnt how I ended up applying it. I had four or five big rejigs before settling on a workflow that fit like a glove but thats kind of the beauty of hybrid/outboard. Its a sort of real life laboratory you tailor to your personal requirements in real time.
But for sure my heavy lifting mixing-wise happens ITB first, thats how currently enjoying best of both worlds, for want of a better phrase.
Hi Colt ! What's your main signal chain for electric guitars ? Love your vids !!
Thinking of getting a SSL Fusion für my Mixbus… using Celestial by Accustica Audio a lot and that brought me to the idea… maybe the SSL Compressor as well
I needed this video! Thanks man. 🙏
You should try the BiG on a guitar/synth/string bus instead of the whole mix…super nice
I would love a second one for just that very thing!
@@ColtCapperrune I bought mine after seeing your video…I’ve got a dual capi and thermionic summing setup with those instruments and efx going through the fat bustard, into the BiG…did WAY more for the mix than just on the mix bus. Amazing piece of gear
When you are using outboard gear like this, do you have to print the audio before you move on to working on another track in the project? Say you have verse vocals that you want to send through your vocal bus, but the chorus vocals you want to tweak the parameters a little differently. Do you print the verse vocals, record the signal path and knob settings, then move to work on the chorus?
What's up Colt!! Love your videos. Out of curiosity, is the Apollo interface your only piece of gear for converting A to D and D to A? If not, what else do you use for conversion? And if it is, how is it? lol
Hey guys, I have a question on processing your mix bus or master bus. Would you rather use hardware inserts or output your bus and run it through all your hardware pieces and then go back into your DAW?
Hey Colt,
What is your thoughts on Dangerous 2 Bus Lt summing. Not really hearing much of a difference from ITB. Thinking of going with hardware comp on mix bus instead. I use a Alan Smart C2 with 2 Bus LT but not that happy. Thoughts?
Thanks
Larry
Do you use the preamps (mix bus) as line or mic level (and reduce the input level)?
thanks colt!
@ColtCapperrune001 sounds good!
Why the still photo gear do you take a lot of stills with flash ? Or is that a lamp and a solar umbrella?
Colt, Im trying to mix through a pair of preamps, but the API 512-V's wont allow me to use the DB25 connection on the back of my rack. API says the only way to use LINE IN is to use the 1/4' inch connector on the front. Are your CAPI's wired this way?
Bro. I wanna learn mixing to get to a point of being a pro engineer. Can u give me any advice on where to start looking for begginer content and even demonstrations
I want an all analog stereo uber channel for mastering. Mixing ITB with oversampling is just fine for me.
Colt how do feel about using ADAT I/O vs. analog sends and returns when mixing thru outboard gear?
Great job! Wanted to enter into the hardware world with an ssl ultra violet. but that eq and its housing is £1000 on entry.
The only viable way to start at that price range is to print everything you pass through that one unit. Is that viable? Otherwise it seems to be just too expensive. I would love some thoughts on this. Thanks everyone.
Just look at stuff for your mixbus. The Uv eq is a nice eq but a comp you might like more. And a g series Comp you will like! Any replica would be great too.
Thanks, good stuff... but, it would be even better if you suggested budget clone gear as an alternative for those expensive devices you have. Not everyone can afford them.
ELX-8’s are one of my outboard non-negotiables for vocals.
Hey how are u colt' question, what is your take on the ssl sigma summing box
Are you still using the SPL? I know the reviews of it are a bit blah
I am! You should check out my video on it 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
You don’t speak of the synchronisation of the analog signal.
I use hybrid mixing and i love that but every track in hardware get delay / latence and must be resynchronize (>200ms) !
How many AD/DA roundtrips do you usually have per mix?
hi i need a help , I have apollo x6 , avalon 737 , and clark teknik , patchy and I wanna record my vocals and listen my vocals into avalon and clark teknik when I play it
WE NEED TO GET YOU SOME API UNITS FOR YOU TO ENJOY!
Colt what studio deskdo you have?
My question and maybe others’ question: can a client or listener tell the difference?
Where can we get that mix table?
I swear I cannot find any information anywhere on how to get started on connecting a mixing board to my computer setup.
What’s the Cafi-B-fi-fi-fi-50? 🤷♂️
Haha first in! 🤓
Close! You were 20 seconds behind the first comment lol. Appreciate you though!
@@ColtCapperrune at 55 years old I'm surprised it wasn't longer! 😃🎅 Keep the videos coming please...
So funny how RUclipsrs now have to "apologize" 20 times before expressing their own opinion. Jesus... Bro, just say what you're gonna say and forget about the keyboard snowflakes. 🤷🏻♂
Acustica Audio is between the analog and plugin world.
Nashville industry boy.
Intro music stolen from Reaper Manias Intro
We all get our music from the same place… This track came from a sound library that we all pay for called epidemic sounds. Nothing was stolen.
@@ColtCapperrune good to know!
Yeap well said definition...It's really just digital mixing with a few boxes in the recording process and a little bit on the bus. It's an outdated term used by older generation people sitting on Hardware so they feel good about saying they live in both worlds....reality is, you track with outboard gear as good as you can and once you are in Das, you mix. That's how most people do it anyways nobody is 100% in the Box