What should I get for my birthday???? eeeee!

[ckbarlow]

As it happens, Matto, what should arrive in yesterday's mail but a check for that amount from a local scoring project? LOL...

Here's a useful writeup -- I was Googling for what the panels are made of (e.g. Auralex-type foam, or OC-703-type insulation, or whatever) and found this article:
http://recordinghacks.com/2010/03/21/re ... vb-review/

He loves the PVB, plain and simple.

I did catch a bit of spousal concern last night re: how much I would affect the appearance of the room w/any additional absorption (because it's also the guest bedroom), but a PVB or similar DIY device could be easily tucked away.

That said, I think I can do this with less expensive pieces and parts, and a little creativity (unobtrusive ceiling hooks, grommeted blankets + foam, etc.). If I'm still not satisfied, I'll get a PVB. I've always thought they were a great idea/design.

[matto]

Yeah I think you could definitely do it yourself and come up with something that's similarly effective for less money.
What I like about the PVB is it looks really clean and pro so when you stick it in a singer's face they are not gonna go "eww what is THIS?"
Also setting it up/taking it down is a matter of about a minute if that.

Plus when I consider how long it would've taken me personally to build something similar the PVB seemed quite reasonable...

[Len911]

I was gonna say the auralex lenard bass traps on mic stands are really pretty great and movable, but I saw they were $399, and although I bought them a few years ago, I wouldn't have thought I would have paid that much!!! You can make your own out of different mat'ls like fiberglass or many things, I like the mic stand stuff because it is portable and you can move and position it easily. I do remember back then, doing research about making my own, I was probably busier and didn't have the time, or else I would have spent as much, I don't know. I still think a nice living room is tough to beat and free!!

[ckbarlow]

Yeah I think you could definitely do it yourself and come up with something that's similarly effective for less money.
What I like about the PVB is it looks really clean and pro so when you stick it in a singer's face they are not gonna go "eww what is THIS?"
Also setting it up/taking it down is a matter of about a minute if that.

Plus when I consider how long it would've taken me personally to build something similar the PVB seemed quite reasonable...

I totally hear you on that! I found a very nice DIY plan on HomeRecording.com:

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=279466

Trick would be finding that little OC-703; can only buy big quantities (approaching $1000/order) here in ABQ from home depot. When I was researching low-end/broadband absorption last fall, ended up determining that buying a full DIY kit from ReadyAcoustics was the best value in terms of time and money saved (~$160 for 3 2'x4'x4" panels covered w/great-looking suedey fabric), largely because of the OC-703 issue. But they don't have a DIY kit that would adapt nicely to a PVB-like configuration. Oh well, I'll figure it out -- maybe just double-thick some Auralex wedgie panels but otherwise follow the above recipe.

[eliotpister1]

I got it!

I'd say a good upgrade on the Tube MP is the ART Pro Channel. I have one and love it. Plus it's being cleared out of Sweetwater or Musicians Friend (can't remember which) for $199. I paid $500 for it 5 years ago.

It has a full channel strip - tube pre-amp, tube compressor, and tube EQ (3 separate tubes), and sounds really nice. Plus you can get a great range from super clean and pristine, to really fat and, well, tubey.

Another thing... An excellent add-on to your EWQL samples is the Evolve software by Heavyocity. That thing rocks! Amazing dramatic textures and percussion hits / stings that you won't get in a traditional library, but hear all the time on film scores. I've barely scratched the surface, but I love it so far. It came highly recommended by a couple composers at the Rally last year, and by a successful member we all know. It's about $400, though (don't know what your budget it).

Have Fun!!!!!

Cheers, Eliot.

[ckbarlow]

Thanks, Eliot!

[mazz]

You know, I have three of those Ready Acoustics bags that you mention, and I think they would mount fairly easily on a mic stand, although I haven't tried it. Didn't you say you already have some? Maybe you could try that. If you mounted them on mic stands, one each, you could have a nice movable gobo/vocal booth. And you could put them in the corners for bass traps when you're mixing. They have some straps on the back and I think you could adapt a simple tripod straight mic stand to work with those, I seem to remember someone on one of their forums mentioning doing this.

BTW: Ready Acoustics does sell 703 in boxes just by itself.

Fun stuff!

[anne]

CK - pm me - I have one of the items on your list available.

[ckbarlow]

You know, I have three of those Ready Acoustics bags that you mention, and I think they would mount fairly easily on a mic stand, although I haven't tried it. Didn't you say you already have some? Maybe you could try that. If you mounted them on mic stands, one each, you could have a nice movable gobo/vocal booth. And you could put them in the corners for bass traps when you're mixing. They have some straps on the back and I think you could adapt a simple tripod straight mic stand to work with those, I seem to remember someone on one of their forums mentioning doing this.
...

they do have straps, and I've just got one hung, over head, and have been using the other two in the corners behind me when mixing. That leaves two to sling on some mic stands. I've used theorgor recording before, by leaning against chairs for lack of a better idea, but mic stands would work better. Yay!

I did snag an FMR RNP on eBay (kept coming back to that for value, and way less than a Great River), so I can't wait to try the combination.

[andygabrys]

my 2 cents -

i was thinking of Black Lion Audio when all that discussion of the interface / preamp / convertors was happening.

I would check out one of their mods - for not much $$ you can upgrade all the channels in an 828 or a 002 so that the mic preamps are much bigger, the line inputs better, and the AD/ DA much cleaner.

they also make custom AD convertors and preamps for cheap $$. http://blacklionaudio.com/content.php?p=29

and quote from their site "The Mbox3 Pro is Avid’s redesign of the old consumer-grade Pro Tools interface, the Mbox2, but now with Cirrus Logic CS4272 converters, which feature 24-bit/192kHz conversion and a dynamic range of 114dB (the same converters used in the Apogee Duet and Ensemble). "

also - for the price of the Great River you could get a Vintech 73 model, a BAE 1073 MP, a Neve portico - or an API. Once you are dropping $1k per channel the field is pretty open. I have a UA 610 Solo and its cool, but I don't know whether it makes beans of difference if you are using amp sims.

A relatively new find for more acoustic treatment, now that the DIY bags from REady acoustics are not being sold (only the chameleon it seems) - www.LAsoundpanels.com