Is it cold in hear or is it just me?

Forgive me for posting this here, but this is the only forum that I try to stay active in. I feel that my drum sound is weak. I've heard of people running their drumtrackss out of the copmuter, thru some gear, and recording them back in. I used to dump sounds created in the computer into a sampler, sequence, then record back into the computer. There was a noticeable difference in sound between the two. I hate to use the word "Warmth" but it's all I can think of right now. I sold most my hardware a while back. Am I insane and just imagining the difference because my subconcious has been convinced that computers are cold sounding? Should I run thru external gear to acheive this "warmer" sound? If so what should I run thru? A plug-in perhaps? I used Metric Halos' Channel Strip years ago at a friends studio, it sounded great. Should I build some tube pre/compressor type thing? Think affordable people. Is there an ensemble in R4?
Enough out of me!
Brad

 

It's not just you, I often get the same impression; it's infinitely more difficult to get the computer to sound as natural - warm - with depth (whatever), even compared to digital hardware; I'm sure it can be done though; try running the soundcard's output through an MS20 without any processing (which is what I do sometimes).

- ah I forgot the 'affordable' bit at the end ;-)

 

MS20! I wish! Good thought though. What would you say has the most effect on the sound, the filters? Could I just build an analog filter to run things thru.
Brad

 

Is it cold?...

Hi
I experienced the same frustration for a while; but things are getting better, I have a UAD-1 card installed in my computer and using a limiter preamp maybe some compression,the Oxford eq can help too. All this instruments and more are available in this card, certainly all this is cheaper than a hardware preamp ( certainly it would be a great addition to your studio). Good Luck!

 

You're right.

If you have a nice, noise-free 2-track tape deck you can try that. Record it hot - that is, almost distorting it. I do this at times, but most often can't be bothered really - it's not THAT important for me.

I do however quite often run my softsynths through a guitar amp and record 'em with a mic. I like my music to sound like it's in a room, not a plastic casing!

-Paws

 

Keep in mind that your sound is dependent on your soundcard. When I went from a MOTU 2408 to a 1224, I couldn't believe the difference. While I wouldn't call the sound "warmer", it was much smoother, less harsh and less brittle.

Other than that: Get your hands on PSP Vintage warmer. It's only $149US. (In case you aren't familiar, it's a compressor that does some lovely analog saturation/compression/warming-type stuff.) There's a version for every plug format on both platforms. Find info and demos here:

http://www.pspaudioware.com/

It's a wonder bandaid for the "too digital" thing. It really is as good as the site says. Makes things sound much richer, warmer, punchier. Run your drums through it and smack up the drive! You really won't believe how much better it sounds. It's an amazing plug.

HTH,

Andrew

 

Sherman FB 2

Sherman Filterbank 2.

An analog filter that works wonders! Use it on anything and everything!

A tad pricey, but worth every penny, and won't become obselete when the PowerMac G8 25 THz machine comes out. You might be though

http://www.sherman.be/

 

A quick (and brave) way is to record your drums on cassette with the level way up. It does work, but for many there is a psychological problem, ie, I've bought all this stuff for a nice clean sound - then I'm going to put tape hiss all over it and distort it.

 

I've had wonderful results with the digitalfishphones plugins and the camelphatfree.

Just type either of those into google and you'll find them.

mark
www.darklogik.org

 

Tape hiss makes me all nostalgic. Like record static.

I'll get me coat...

-Paws

 

That reminds me, I was going to make a grungelizer-style vinyl effect. Better get started.

mark
www.darklogik.org

 

yes to Sherman! always, i don't think i could even go to the bathroom without my qmf : )

 

Must... stop... gearlust...

..

Whew, that was rough. Back to typing in numbers to make things go beep.

 

Q.M.F.!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!



lucky @!$*ard ! hehe

 

return to reason...

no not propellerheads.

follows johns example, though probably less keyboard and more mouse...

 

sorry for multiple posts

hey you've got me excited mr darklogik! i hope that vinyl grungeliser effect will make it to the library one day

in case you weren't aware already(and if you use a windows machine) there is a wicked FREE vinyl grungeliser plug in here:

http://www.izotope.com/

 

I've knocked up a little beta version. It uses geiger modules to simulate dirt, a noise module for hiss and an eq module to simulate the the "horn" of an old grammarphone.

It's not the most sophisticated simulation in the world, but it does the job for a bit of background filth.

I'm going to add a bit of saturation to it and then I should have uploaded it by tomorrow. (GMT time).

mark
www.darklogik.org

 

there's also a vinyl effect in the
Pre Skool II v0.1 ensemble.
It uses a few looped samples.

lx

 

Cheers for that tip off!

This pre skool thingy is excellent!

How could i have missed this