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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | Ryan Williams <ryan@headphonetreats.com> |
| Subject | Re: Pro Tools (for dumb fools), my #$@! |
| Date | Wed, 15 Oct 2003 21:15:38 -0400 |
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On Wednesday, October 15, 2003, at 09:46 PM, ronald and karen sanchez
wrote:
> I read a piece, maybe in Tape Op where someone did a mic pre test into
> their Pro
> Tools set up. They found that PT pretty much wiped out the differences
> between
> any of the units. I don't know if this was with the newest hardware or
> what
> sampling rate.
That's ridiculous. I've used several different outboard pres of various
vintage designs... Telefunken V77s, API 550a, Neve 1081 and 1173, John
Hardy M-1, Sphere Eclipse A, Ampex 351s, etc. All have a unique
character. ProTools, like any lossless digital format, has no *sound*.
It is entirely transparent. The quality of the Analog to Digital
converter is the only variable factor, and in this day and age most are
quite good.
The thing you lack with digital formats is tape compression. This is
often KEY for the rock sound we are all used to... particularly those
of us inclined towards 60's and early 70's rock. Tape compression adds
beneficial 2nd and 3rd order harmonic distortion and helps to smooth
(read: limit) transient response. I hit tape pre DAW for just about
everything I record these days. I even have multiple machines set up
using different tape formulations so I can pick and choose based on the
tone color and characteristics of their sound. A lot of people are
starting to use this hybrid method of recording to get the best of both
worlds... the sound of tape with the flexibility of the DAW. At the
risk of coming off as self-promoting... you can check out this link for
more info on the hybrid technique:
http://www.jimmyether.com/rec/tips/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2
Sorry if this annoys anyone.
Ryan
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