McDSP APB-16 Review (Analogue Processing Box)
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- In this video I discuss the McDSP APB-16 analogue processing box. A digitally controlled plugin with analogue out the box processing. The real sound of analogue with the control of plugins.
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I own two APB-16 units. Amazing analog sound with the highest quality converters. Having session recall on analog gear is a huge benefit. No need for physical knobs. Plugin UI’s are top class 💚💚💚
how does it work??? i see two usb c inputs but cant figure it out how it works
@@1973asdf you'll daisy chaining the 2 units (first usb-c goes to your DAW - the second usb-c goes in the first usb-c-slot of the second unit ... and so on and on ... the maximum are a chain of 5 units with APB-8 or APB-16 (in the case of 5x APB-16 you would be controlling 80 mono channels) ...
@@darkstar.runner6669 ahhh i understand now. but like, take this situation for example: vocal>mic>preamp>interface>DAW>monitors. where does the APB fit in? “inside” the DAW right? from DAW to APB and back again right?
@@1973asdf yes 👍... it would be DAW --> APB-8/16 --> DAW ...
@@darkstar.runner6669 amazing. thansk so much sir. if im ever getting some high end equipment im buying this for sure
For me, the problem with all these digitally controlled devices is that you are highly dependent on the company that built the box. If the software support is discontinued, all you have is a box of expensive electronic junk. I once invested in a (quite expensive) Soundtracs DPCII digital console. After support was discontinued, overnight the console's worth fell to zero. With my vintage analogue equipment it's the opposite: it has increased in value, can be maintained and repaired. Don't get me wrong: I like McDSP and I think Colin is a genius, but I would still rather invest in a nice analogue compressor or saturator.
Same happened with me with the Access Virus TI Snow. The whole idea of it was this total integration (TI) and then Catalina was such a huge mess they just never bothered updating the software and you were left with what might as well have been a very limited Virus C. This does make a great point though. I believe in Colin and believe McDSP will around for a long time to come. But I do get your point and this is why I haven't instantly jumped in just yet. My concern is what if mac decide Ok from now on we don't use USBc or Thunderbolt 2 is compatible. We now use this new connection. You are then stuck. Who knows what it'll be like in 20 years. I know my outboard gear in 20 years is going to work as good as it does now.
How do you feel about the wesAudio 500 series analog gear. All of the gear has a plugin and also the physical nob.
I figured if and when the plugin is ever unsupported., I can still use the gear as a physical box in my chain.
Or
Do you think that
If anything goes wrong with the actual unit, only the company will be able to repair,, BECAUSE OF THE PLUGIN ATTACHED TO THE UNIT?
I'm a rookie still
@Tommy Black the Wes Audio gear has a physical knobs so like you say if support was every discontinued you can still use it. I have the Wes Audio NG Bus Comp for this exact reason.
@@tommyblack6117 I think that the concept of having the option to control the unit via plugin is brilliant! I have a Tegeler Schwerkraftmaschine that I'm controlling via plugin, but if - for any reason - the plugin would stop existing, I'd still have a super duper analogue Vari Mu compressor with knobs.
That is exactly what I think. You are dependant on manufacturer"s support.
But also I do not get how they can come up with new plugins for that l. It has a limited number of specific circuitry doing specific thing, and it will absolutely won't change, with any new plugin, which will still only control the same circuitry, it can eventually change the processing order of certain module :) Unless my logic fails, and I do not understand something :)
please don't forget - compressor circuit is analogue but the EQ is in fact digital in the APB, since it's only designed to do compression. . just saying! love your channel!
Yes the EQ would melt the box if it was all analogue from what I heard.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio lol
@@AudioAnimalsStudio great review by the way! it seams like the compressor might be slightly more forgiving sounding than a digital one, but i'm still not sure if it's worth the price tag.
Sounds great. This just went to the top of my wishlist for when i eventually venture into analog.... hopefully by the time i can afford it they'll be available for Windows
I heard through the grapevine windows is in the pipeline
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Great news!
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Who knows maybe they'll make an EQ box too
@@Barncore not that I know of
It's a nice idea and I will admit the saturation is lovely, It's still a bit gimmicky IMHO. No Tubes, no transformers, vca's acting as fet's and opto's. I think I'd go Wes Audio gear over this unit if I wanted the digital control and recall ability albeit more expensive at least I know its real guts.
Seems to be super versatile and sounds really good to me. It is pricey...but I guess if you think about how many pieces of gear it can replace, it isn't insane.
Yes this is true. You could technically have a full analogue mastering chain in one box. And that EQ sounded fantastic to me. Why I did 3 audio sources in a row for it. I thought it can't sound that good over everything.
Would love one of these. Thanks for doing this review!
phew... I think I like that a LOT. Such a smooth classy sound. The engineering on these boxes must be insane to get them so versatile... I still can't picture how they are getting it right to make transformers do so many different things on the fly. The only downside is not benefiting from having hardware knobs and switches which must enhance the experience of using hardware. I am also a little confused as to how there can be a tube compressor without any tubes being included in the box. I read below about your concern if the original company goes out of business and box becomes unsupported and perhaps useless. Makes sense
How do you class the quality of saturation on this box?
I'd like to know more about how the circuitry works... how can they design new bits of gear in it?
Would be a interesting thing to be developed into a console one day.
If they made a even more pack unit of easily manipulated analog circuitry.
If they can make such a amount of different compressors then surely they could take this further... maybe even have in a later model switch able tubes and transformers on each track... allowing so many other things to be created.
The idea could be the future of analog
It has an ever growing list of plugins. The possibilities are endless. You have the ability to create a full summing mixer. So no need to build it into a console. Combine it with an Avid S4 you have analogue summing and analogue channel strips.
Sounds awesome
7.5k is insane! If it was 750.. it would be epic
right? i came thinking it would be $500 for 7k i could buy like 5 1073 clones and any other hardware gear i want instead
How can 5 " Different Character " Comressors be different if they are going through the same circuits ?
circuit configuration
it is an interesting box, and contradictory as well, as for many people they love the tactile/physical experience of analog and this analog box does the opposite, yes the total recall is a big strength .....maybe with a controller would be way better for some??? ...... now , this box do not have the amount of iron of 16 analog pieces or even 16 500 series units . and there is a reason for it ..and that make me believe that they can not sound as good as 16 very good to great analog compressors, physically there is not space...and there is a reason that a 16 classic 1176's takes way more space that 1 rack space! and an 1176 is not a compressor that requires so many components ......and now there are like 4 top notch plugin compressors that I think totally compete with this...
Gee, I thought it sounded really good! None of the compressors gave me a particular vibey feel, but apart from that the clean ones sound really good and the EQ I thought was superb.
Would be really cool into a Dangerous summing box or similar for a 100% analog system with instant recallability, why not a couple bettermakers on the master :). Pricey but comparable to 8 EQ/Compressor units. I would still have knobs at the end of the day, but I guess it's horses for courses.
I wonder if you could create a 100% digital recallable chain that is of a top quality standard. You have Wes, McDSP, Bettermaker, FreqPort.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Yes, there's a few of these popping up. I've always fantasized about something like this, I remember reading about the big Euphonix consoles that were a similar concept back in the day.
Anyways, perhaps with today's electronics they're stable enough to be consistent on recalls, might still take some fiddling but defenately easier than recalling an analog desk :P
@Ed Savage in theory if I had an endless supply of APBs I could turn my Avid s4 into a fully analogue console. Summing mixer and channel strips. That would be quite something. Would cost about £200,000 though.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Would defenately be really neat, so many things you can get for that money though! Probably cheaper to get an SSL and an assistaint for recalls XD
@Ed Savage haha yeah you can pick up am Origin for similar money.
Am I the only one here who isn't blown away?
What I dont understand is how they can bring out more plugins. If the plugs are only controlling the physical hardware, then how are they getting, for the sake of argument, an la2a out of an 1176 circuit?
Colin is a genius and somehow done this. I have no idea how but he explains it in detail this this video. ruclips.net/video/vT1OfyYDt34/видео.htmlsi=rUkS4_8I9GzoR4OB
I’m very mixed and conflicted here. The business model of this screams being stuck in an eco-system like Universal Audio and also screams keeping your analog gear in a perpetual monthly subscription locking you in. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the vibe I get.
There is no monthly subscription for the plugins. You get all the plugins and future plugins free to use. I 100% get what you mean. The concerns you have are the same for me. I love the sound, I love the instant recall of hardware but what if the connection becomes obsolete on newer macs in 10 years time.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio is the routing adaptable? Like a matrix that can have different snapshots for stereo or atmos? 16x16 configurable?
@Dougley Dorite you add the plugins like you add a plugin in your DAW anything you can do in your DAW with a plugin is possible to do with this.
Hi, love the review! Could you tell me what the track with sax is at 15:00? Cheers 👍
I’m interested but 7k I find that to be a bit much. Two of these vs having an Elysia alpha and you’d save money.
I like the EQ on this but did not have any particular emotional reaction to the compressors. The analog compressors I own (CL1B, Distressor X, FJ Solid, 737) have a unique vibe that is suck in my head as "if I want this sound for this purpose, I go here." I have bought and sold other units that didn't make such an impression. A nice AD takes it to the next level. The single-purpose digitally controlled units by Tegeler and WesAudio sound great, but this one-box-fits-all software-enhanced approach feels off to me, especially at this price. It sort of reminds me of a modeling microphone. I would rather own my single vintage Neumann M269c and build my mix around that than have a giant virtual closet of mic models confusing me because none of them have "that sound."
I swaying in your direction too. The funny thing is that the EQ is the only digital plugin in the list. It still processes through analogue but the EQ is digital. Which I felt the same about. I loved the EQ. I 100% get your opinion.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio By the way I have been absolutely floored by the Freqtube, which I discovered on your channel. I believe the filters in it are digital, but that unit with its features, sound and price are a total no-brainer.
@Jon James if the Freqtube was £6k I'd not be so keen on it. At under £1k for 4 channels it is really appealing and affordable for many people. Sounds awesome too.
Is posible conect this to my UAD Apollo? How?
You would connect directly to your computer. No need to connect to ins and outs of your apollo. The mcdsp transfers audio over thunderbolt.
Amazing but crazy expensive .. Maybe in the future
thats genius
The product is a good product, the price positioning is a little high, otherwise it must sell well
Waste of money...
64 channels of these for ATMOS !
I'm going down the route of doing 80 channels. Which will be 5 APB 16's
So you need to add 100 USD for a Thunderbolt cable…
I believe a thunderbolt cable was in the box
i have the apb 8 i feel like everyone should have an apb 16 and forget about the 8
The 8 is good for mastering, although the multiband is 6 stereo channels. You need 16+ for mixing.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio i agree when you put it that way
How much?
About £6500 for 16 channel one.
@AudioAnimalsStudio I guess about half for the 8 channel, huh?
@@arnoldwatkins805 about £4000 for 8 channels
Non windows compatible…
ARE THE PLUGINS WORTH $7000?🤔🤔🤔🤔DFINITELY NOT!!!! MY UADS DO THE SAME!!! NO THANKS!!!😂😂😂😂
They aren't plugins though are they. That's like saying the bettermaker plugins or wes audio plugins aren't worth £10,000.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio APB are plugins
@ENVISAGE FILMS HOUSTON no they aren't. The AP in APB stands for analogue processing. They are not plugins, the analogue circuits are controlled by plugins. The plugin is not processing anything. Uad plugins are plugins that use DSP. APB is analogue hardware that uses plugins to control the analogue hardware. As you can see the opposite to UAD plugins.
Hopefully this helps get your head around the differences.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio they still plugins 😑😑😑 and is not real analog 😑😑😑
@ENVISAGE FILMS HOUSTON think you're really missing something here. They are not plugins. I understand it's hard to get your head round. Remove the plugin from your thoughts. The signal chain passes through real analogue circuits. Before replying go and have a look at what the APB is on their website. You'll then hopefully get a better understanding of what it is you are talking about.
And if this doesn't help with your understanding. Ask yourself if you think the bettermaker EQ, compressor or limiter is a plugin.
No windows no buy
Am I the only person who thinks this sounds like crap. Super grabby and flat sounding. I see why you confuse it for a plugin, because it doesn't sound 3D like hardware does. For the same price as an MEA2 or a Curve Bender, or you could buy a VSC3 and a VSM2. Is it even close to that level, I don't think so.
I do get what you mean and whilst I don't share your thoughts on it sounding like crap. I do agree with the you could buy this or this for the same price. Which is why I don't own one yet. Because its like why do I buy an APB when I could buy a VSM-2 instead.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio I just think it lives in the wrong price range as it doesn't sound like the top level gear. Also I am never convinced with software controlled hardware, as soon as it is no longer supported or the company folds or after an OS update it just becomes an expensive paperweight. I just see it as a waste of money in the short term and the long run. I think companies are going backwards with the plugin controlled hardware thing, as it is good in theory with recall and everything. But in reality it is the speed of hands on control and the muscle memory of where the knobs are and the fact it is a long term investment that makes hardware superior, as well as the sound of course. This lacks all of those things.
@NoQualmsTheArtist I actually do agree with you and are all the reasons I don't own one of the APBs yet. Regarding hands on feel a DAW controller can give you this. So me using the Avid S4 this isn't an issue. Yes I 100% agree in regards to the software no longer being in development. The unit does become a brick. Where as a piece of hardware only becomes unusable when it breaks and nobody can fix it. I have a Wes Audio NG Bus Comp and that is additionally controlled by plugin. But if you didn't have compatability, you still have full control over the hardware.
@@NoQualmsTheArtist With regards to the price range and yes, maybe they're not mastering grade, but don't forget this is 8 stereo analog processors, which equates to rough £8-900.00 per EQ/compressor. I think they at least sound that good for mixing requirements? I do take your points on long term supportability from the software perspective, that can always be risky. But the reason mix engineers are interested in plugin controlled analog isn't so much for the plugin control itself, it's for the instant recall, and the flexibility to easily switch from one mix to another, and the time saving (with manual recall processes that it negates), and the possibility to increase the number of mixes you could complete over time and earn more money.
@@Truth565 then why not just use a plugin? Acustica Audio plugins sound better than this and are a tiny fraction of the price and are perfect for every point you mentioned.
Can I help you get more views on your videos?
I know some would disagree lol some of these designers make the worst looking GUI for plugins sometimes. Plugins only do so much even tho this is for recall and probably the only sell point but cmon let’s at least make the plugins look pleasing. Better off getting a neve mbc or the fusion or he’ll both. Simplicity at a price is so much more
Far to expensive to succeed.
Sorry that is 100 % digital plugs with procesor in box extern ✌️🍀💙 analog 0%
No it isn't look inside the box. You will find 16 analogue circuits. There's a lot of info online on this.
exactly the opposite