Analogeezer
Member
Just kidding of course, I haven't even downloaded the demo version yet or updated to 4.3.
As luck would have it, I bought another card (Flexi-Pak), used the voucher to get the Roland bundle, and have $$$ leftover for the Neve....but...
My A/C on Monday started leaking on the basement floor out of the condensation line, A/C tech got it fixed that day but I had to tear down four keyboards, a large keyboard/audio rack and disconnect all my midi and audio lines to that rig in order for him to get access.
So I've got my hardware crap spread all around the studio at the moment, I need to put it back in place before I DL 4.3 and try out the Neve.
I am serious about the API and Calrec's though, always loved the API 550 and most people are not hip to them but the Calrec EQ is extremely cool as well, kinda buttery like the NEVE stuff is but with some bite and aggression like the API.
I've got a couple of Averill Calrec mic pre/EQ modules and I'll run stuff into them just to use the EQ sometimes....you get (my modules are 1181's) selectable frequencies on all three bands, plus selectable high AND low shelving.
API licensing of course would probably be stupidly expensive but Calrec might not be so bad....so how about it UA?
I think EQ is were UA could really apply their stuff, the Cambridge is great but sometimes a bit too much fiddling to get where you need to go, so the concept of the Neve is great.....with something like a Neve or API or Calrec there are no bad settings, just turn it until you get a sound that you like and fits the mix, it's all good, pretty hard to **** up.
Frankly I'd rather see them come out with more EQ plugs than more compressors but I suppose the Neve Bus compressor is already scheduled and licensed. Then again that one could be kinda cool in something like Soundforge on mixed files I suppose.
One of my points is that cheap hardware compressors can sound pretty good (e.g. RNC, Pro VLA, Symetrix 501 with the Valley People VCA, Drawmers) but cheap EQ NEVER sounds good.
Since I mix with an analog console and outboard I can use good EQ in software a lot more than more compressors or time Domain effects but I get the feeling I'm in the minority here on doing that.
Enjoy the Neve guys and gals, I'll check back in once I've given it a taste.
Analogeezer