Hitsville vs. Capitol Chambers?

[Suntower]

Asking for general thoughts. Demoing both and also Softube Atlantis. Main 'concern' is control. Both the UA products have so much -character- they seem to sort of 'take over'. Wondering if others have that sense. Also which is more generally versatile for different music styles.

 

[Mengelking]

Totally subjective but I can’t seem to set Hittsville in a way that sounds pleasing to me. I always end up swapping it out with something I’m more familiar with. Capitol sounds good, to me, on just about everything. What are your thoughts after trying out both?

 

[bill james]

Capitol is pure class. Hitsville is a bit brash and vibe but still cool. Cap mayb works for more variety? Good luk

 

[Suntower]

Full disclosure: I've worked at Hitsville. And anyone who has been there, all nostalgia aside, knows that the place was no 'palace'. There were no parquet wood floors that reak of 'world class studio'. In fact, it smelled like, well, like an old building. So that's my -psychology-. I know all the great music that was made there but it has no 'awe' factor for me.

It never occurred to me that anyone would sample the building or the desk or pres or -whatever- because they seem so archaic. The walls sound too bright. The old Fender Bassman sounded too wooly. Or -whatever-.

The Capitol thing -does- have that psychology for me. Even before listening, I -want- it to conjure Nelson Riddle brass and Sinatra and strings that decay into next week.

I'm just gassing on because it's taking me a while to get past that 'vintage' jazz and just hear them objectively because they aren't what I expected.

Frankly, I expected the Capitol to be tougher to control. It's not. I know they're very different, but a 15% mix of Hitsville is -way- more intense than 15% of Capitol. I almost have to dial Hitsville back to like 7% to have it blend. And I could wish UA could have done better in that regard--it would make them easier to A/B.

One thing I just realised about Hitsville. "Tears Of A Clown". It just nails that sound. But I have to dial it back to almost zero. The basic Mix settings seem to decay far more than that.

But if you really listen to that track, the piccolo and bassoon are not exactly what you (well -I-) would want for most things. The room and the verb sound like a 60's 'pop' record, not at all "hi fidelity". IOW, the chamber sounds a bit tinny and artificial and that is all to the good for that time and that record. Or maybe it would be great if you were Amy Winehouse. But I'm not sure it's what one would want for more general purposes.

Just rambling. But one thing for sure: if you want long, very bright decays.. Hitsville sure can sure do it! And I honestly did not expect that--because none of the records I played on there had that.

 

[hotspot]

In fact, it smelled like, well, like an old building

I can well imagine that.
When I open the plugin, I can smell that imaginary smell
Kind of cool.
What did you do in Hitsville, were you there as a musician or an engineer?
I assume you use the plugin as an insert. I never do that. It has far too much character for that and I think it's too sensitive to adjust.
I use it exclusively as a send effect, sometimes with a smaller stereo width or even mono.
I've used it in about 30 mixes, none of which have anything to do with Motown. If you listen to the songs, it's hard to identify Hitsville, but it gives them an unique character.
Yes, it is very bright and also brassy.
That's why I can only use it very subtly, mostly on vocals and back vocals, occasionally various instruments.
But then it works well and makes the tracks pleasantly airy.

Capitol is definitely more universal for me, there's no doubt about that.

 

[Suntower]

I can well imagine that.
When I open the plugin, I can smell that imaginary smell
Kind of cool.
What did you do in Hitsville, were you there as a musician or an engineer?
I assume you use the plugin as an insert. I never do that. It has far too much character for that and I think it's too sensitive to adjust.
I use it exclusively as a send effect, sometimes with a smaller stereo width or even mono.
I've used it in about 30 mixes, none of which have anything to do with Motown. If you listen to the songs, it's hard to identify Hitsville, but it gives them an unique character.
Yes, it is very bright and also brassy.
That's why I can only use it very subtly, mostly on vocals and back vocals, occasionally various instruments.
But then it works well and makes the tracks pleasantly airy.

Capitol is definitely more universal for me, there's no doubt about that.

Musician. If moldy carpet is yer thing, the place oozed class.

Yes, I've been using them as Inserts. I'll take your advice.

I have to admit, as the hours have gone by, I'm finding the brightness preferable--especially for brass stabs where you want that James Bond pizzazz.

Can the Capitol Reverb get to the same place? If so, how?

Thanks

 

[Beechwood]

Capitol chamber sounds beautiful. Kind of perfect. Almost like an algo verb. You can see why Al loved it so much.

Hitsville doesn't sound as beautiful. But in context, on a lead vocal, in a busy mix - it sounds perfect.

Probably a little bit like the difference between Ocean Way and Sound City.

 

[hotspot]

I have to admit, as the hours have gone by, I'm finding the brightness preferable--especially for brass stabs where you want that James Bond pizzazz.

Can the Capitol Reverb get to the same place? If so, how?

Hard to say without hearing it. If you want, you can share it and we'll see how we get there. But I can imagine that the raw brassy quality can't be reproduced 1:1 with the Capitol.

 

[Suntower]

Capitol chamber sounds beautiful. Kind of perfect. Almost like an algo verb. You can see why Al loved it so much.

Hitsville doesn't sound as beautiful. But in context, on a lead vocal, in a busy mix - it sounds perfect.

Probably a little bit like the difference between Ocean Way and Sound City.

This was a useful comment. It made me consider what I was looking for... and when I A/Bd what I wanted with a couple of algo reverbs I have, they actually did the trick better for the app I was considering.

OTOH, I just happened to try the Waterfall speaker and holy schnike, -that- thing is a -total- keeper. NOTHING else close I've ever tried.

 

[Morten - KBH]

Atlantis is on CM sale for 69€ ~ 75$

 

[jnorman]

Capitol chambers is the bomb, and I have sound city, ocean way, altiverb, inspirata, seventh Heaven, breeze, lex pcm, quantum, and many others.

 

[BeingHumans]

I say they’re both fantastic but have different uses as other members have spoken to.

Want a luscious reverb on your piano or vocals in a sparse track? I’d try Capitol first.

A busy mix that needs some verbs that will be present? I’d go for the Hitsville. I’ve used it on drums and got a nice added depth and smack to the snare especially.

 

[Gitaarwerk]

it gives me a warm feeling; capitols that is. And that’s a good thing. It’s one perfect reverb. It doesn’t need much to dial in and sound great. Not on all, but much.