What makes neve + cl1b chain so popular?

[corgizzang]

Hi

I know that many pop/hiphop vocals love to record with neve and cl1b

But what makes this chain so special?

Well i tried myself and found that richness of neve and transparency and flexibility of cl1b helps a lot but honestly it can also be achieved with other compressors.

Do you hear any special characteristics or color in that chain?

 

[Marsrock]

The mic is also a key component. Most use the Sony c800. Which mic did you try?

 

[corgizzang]

The mic is also a key component. Most use the Sony c800. Which mic did you try?

I use tlm103 which is also kind of bright

 

[danisalat]

Since you're using a TLM103, I'd assume you're talking about the software versions of these units or, at least, of the CL-1B.

What other compressors can you achieve a similar sound with? I honestly cannot think of other hardware comps that can be as transparent as the CL-1B. Also, most optos (while, to my ears, way more characterful) don't have as much control over settings. Also the tone it imparts, while subtle, makes vocals in particular fit the mix a bit better to my ears.

Regarding Neve, I'd say it's tried and true but particularly useful for the EQ in my experience when tracking vocals. If it were just the preamp, I'd probably go for a different one. I always test 2-3 preamps when tracking a new vocalist and the Neve does not work sometimes. Paired with the EQ is hard to beat though

I don't have one, I usually look for more character pieces because I mainly work in rock/metal, but I'd definitely buy one if given the opportunity.

 

[JamesNorth]

Is it that popular?

Or is it just written about lot (and propagated) over the internet?

 

[danisalat]

Is it that popular?

Or is it just written about lot (and propagated) over the internet?

Isn't that the definition of popular?

 

[JamesNorth]

Isn't that the definition of popular?

Well is it popular amongst people recording people or people writing about people recording people

In 25 years of making records I've probably used that combo on pop and hip hop about 10 times.

The reason? It worked with that artist's voice and the song.

 

[danisalat]

Well is it popular amongst people recording people or people writing about people recording people

In 25 years of making records I've probably used that combo on pop and hip hop about 10 times.

The reason? It worked with that artist's voice and the song.

I guess it depends on what we define as popular. Josh Gudwin uses that chain for Bieber. Teezio uses too. It is responsible for many millions of streams. Pretty popular if you ask me. Popular doesn't mean common either. And I really don't care if those guys have been making music for less than 25 years.

 

[JamesNorth]

I guess it depends on what we define as popular. Josh Gudwin uses that chain for Bieber. Teezio uses too. It is responsible for many millions of streams. Pretty popular if you ask me. Popular doesn't mean common either. And I really don't care if those guys have been making music for less than 25 years.

I would never presume to know more than someone else about 'chains' (especially someone who has had such great success as those guys) ... I'm just curious as to why this exact chain would be considered more popular than anything else ...

We use gear to match the source and there's no way that any one chain works on 'most voices' or 'most times' ... so it's the origin of why this is considered popular that is interesting to me.

It's a fantastic chain with two great pieces of gear ... but there are hundreds of combos with those qualities.

 

[Alexxon]

I thought these are two great gear for frequency and dynamic control respectively, which is needed in vocal tracking. But workflow and functionality are the most important, maybe they just sounds good and they are well-known gear?