Punchy Subs $7,000 Analog vs $250 Digital Mastering Chain

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[psybursonic]

Great video, The Kush Hammer into Kush AR-1 is a killer combo for this sorta thing too

[bluewavesmastering]

I did found u last year thanks to COVID, but you remind me, when I speak SOUND with my new hires!!!!

Passion in what we do is a KEY!, and as I do talk to my assistant, we are not here to be rich, we are here because we love what we do!!! - Thanks!

[gwgw]

Two different chains both useful in different situations when you need "A or B character" ... but the "perceived depth" difference is there in favour of the analog one . Despite the fact that in a "sparse" production it may not be the " better way to go" ... it's still amazing to experience it . Detail or not - worth the money or not ... it's there . Amazing job of yours though to spend the time and give people ( and yourself ! ) the alternatives . Great !!

[jorgedejesustejedavaldez]

The digital sounds more aggressive, but the analog sound more natural, more smooth. This concept is really interesting. My mentor always Said to me that one "problem" (For some analog enthusiasts) from some digital emulation is that they "color" the signal too much. Here is an example of this (is not something bad, is a matter of taste!) the digital one feel more aggressive, more like "Bro, I'm here!" but the analog one doesn't feel that way, but is good to have another set of tools to so something very similar!

[moodscapes]

Thanks for the vid and also for providing the audio. I was able to pick them apart in two separate blind tests. First 15/20 second 10/10. Focusing my listening on the "space" around the vocal gave consistent results. There's a touch of dullness/flatness in the digital. I couldn't hear differences in transients or bass thickness. I did this on a pair of Sennheiser HD650, not the best for bass.

[ShawnThuris]

Ended up very similar. I prefer both over the original. The digital has more impact but I would choose the analog, it has some personality.

[Cydelixization]

file has significant more energy on subs and is brighter on top end. Much more preferable the Analog example for this excerpt. There is also almost a 0.5 of a dB difference between L/R channels on your analog chain.

[Mike_Benz_]

For Hip Hop do you prefer to EQ (like in this video) before or after compression?

Also take a look at Analog Obsession - Kolin, YALA and Vari-Moon as free alternatives for the Manley, not sure which one is most similar to the Manley Vari-Mu. I have heard the AO Vari-Moon is based on a Fairchild but I'm not certain.

[paulmolive]

This is a tough one because, personally, I think that EQ move sounds too tubby no matter if it’s analog or digital mastering. I’d pick the hardware Vari-Mu because it does seem to control the low end more effectively, and maybe it sounds a touch more “compressed.”

[davidasher]

Hey Nicholas! Question for you. When you see those moving (sometimes fast flickering) areas of the frequency response in Plugin Doctor, what exactly are we seeing? I usually see it when measuring hardware but will see it sometimes in certain plugins. I used to think it was “non linearities” but that it usually associated with volume change. It’s it just noise? Any thoughts? Also, version 2 of Plugin Doctor is out! 😀.

[gulagwarlord]

Often, I will saturate or bitcrush my sub to pull up a few of the harmonics, and then roll the highs off. Then, I'll compress them to even them out... seems a bit like what you're doing. It definitely sounds more direct and in your face, and comes through better on smaller speakers. Also, the Pulsar Vari-Mu is EPIC! Cheers again bro!

[NoQualmsTheArtist]

Glad I could be of service to you, in return for all you give the community.
The MJUC is a beast. Mk1 is a Fairchild. MK2 is a 176. Mk3 is a Manley Vari Mu. With variable saturation that actually breaks up in a pleasing way when pushed like hardware, it's a bargain.

[truesearch]

how do people in the united states manage to buy 7, 000 dollar equipment bro... wtf... in latin america you literally spend your life working to survive.
Besides, not even selling drugs could you buy that equipment...here in Latin America.