Favorite Analog Gear: Top 5 Pieces of Gear I Can’t Live Without

As an online sound mixer who also offers music mastering services, I’m no stranger to websites and forums reviewing and discussing analog gear from old to new. Ever since buying my first DBX 160X compressor in 2014, I’ve been on an endless journey to find the pieces that inch me closer to sonic glory. Buying and selling, sometimes trying something out for a day, sometimes a few months. In the last 10 years I’ve found a number of keepers, and a smaller number of pieces I will never say goodbye to. Here is my top 5 pieces of gear I can’t live without:

1. Louder Than Liftoff Silver Bullet MKII: The Silver Bullet is a “tone amp” with an internal routing matrix that allows processing for mixing and tracking without touching your patchbay. It also includes two high quality preamps, a three-band Baxandall EQ, a “vintage” low pass filter and a feature called Aspect Ratio that enhances the stereo width, height and clarity of your mix. The two tone circuits are modeled after the circuit topologies of API and Neve consoles and can be used individually or in sequence. My Silver Bullet lives on my mix bus for every song I work on. LTL also just released a plugin version, so if you can’t spring for the physical unit go check out the plugin!

2. Telefunken TF-51: I’ve owned mics by Neumann, Mojave, Lewitt, Rode, Shure and Blue, and worked extensively with others from AKG, Pearlman, and Manley. none of the mics I’ve owned or worked with have given me more bang for my buck than the TF-51. I almost exclusively use it on vocals, with the occasional acoustic guitar recording thrown in, so this is a vocal-focused opinion, but the combination it brings of warmth, smooth brightness and detail is incredible.

3. WesAudio _Rhea: The Rhea is a stereo vari-mu compressor with digital recall in a 500 series unit. Bringing its tubes and Carnhill transformers to anything that passes through it, there is a warmth and fatness it effortlessly imparts. On top of that, it has a mix knob for parallel compression and THD (total harmonic distortion) function that brings extra sizzle and excitement if desired. I love this unit on everything from guitars to synths to vocals, and the digital recall makes it incredibly user friendly. No more writing down your setting to get that analog juice!

4. Audioscape Golden58 Stereo Tube Preamplifier: I’ll keep it simple, the Golden58 blew all other preamps I have owned out of the water. Everything you could want out of that “tube sound” come through in spades with this piece. The six tubes make anything put through it sound massive, smooth and gooey warm. It also has line inputs to run anything from you DAW through it, adding to its value. And just look at this thing… It’s just gorgeous.

5. Antelope Audio Orion 32+: Rounding out my top 5 is my audio interface. While not the sexiest pick, I couldn’t use all of my gear so seemlessly and transpatently without the Orion 32+. With 32 channels of I/O, this is what allows me to use all of the analog gear I have in my workflow without having to touch my patchbay. I’ve owned interfaces from Avid, Universal Audio and Apogee, but none of them touch the crystal clean conversion I get from the folks at Antelope.

So there you have it. Whether it’s getting the perfect vocal, adding vibe and weight or the centerpiece that lets everything talk to each other, all of these tools helps me produce and mix songs at the highest possible level. I highly suggest budding producers, mixing engineers and mastering engineers check out these incredible pieces of analog equipment.

In the Headphones We Trust: Mastering Songs with Precision

Mastering songs in headphones has emerged as a game-changer in the world of audio mastering, offering a unique perspective that traditional studio monitors may not provide. Renowned mastering engineers Dave McNair and Glenn Schick shed light on the benefits of this approach, emphasizing the precision and intimacy it brings to the mastering process. These audio alchemists swear by the magic of headphones, where the clarity is so crisp, it's like eavesdropping on a whispering unicorn.

Dave McNair (Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen) attests to the effectiveness of headphone mastering: "Headphones are much less affected by room anomalies. It's a more focused and personal experience." This focused environment allows mastering engineers to delve into the intricacies of audio mastering without the interference of room acoustics.

Glenn Schick (Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, J. Cole) echoes this sentiment: "In a perfect world, I would like to have both monitors and headphones. However, I find that when I master a track on headphones, I get a sense of the mix's balance and detail that can be more challenging to perceive in a room."

For song mastering services, the use of headphones provides mastering engineers with an intimate listening experience, enabling them to fine-tune the sonic details with surgical precision. The isolation offered by headphones allows for an intense focus on nuances like transient details and spatial aspects that may be challenging to discern in a traditional studio setup.

The benefits of mastering songs in headphones, as championed by veterans like McNair and Schick, lie in the focused and personal perspective it offers. This approach enhances the precision and attention to detail in audio mastering, making it an invaluable tool for mastering engineers striving for sonic excellence in the evolving landscape of music production.

Masterful Transitions: The Art and Science of Album Mastering

In the labyrinth of music production, album mastering emerges as the final alchemical touch, transforming a collection of tracks into a cohesive sonic journey. The nuances of this art form, performed by mastering engineers, are as intricate as weaving a tapestry of melodies and harmonies that seamlessly flow from one track to the next.

In the realm of online audio mastering services, the intricacies of album mastering become a dance between technology and artistic intuition. A music mastering service must not only wield cutting-edge tools for precise adjustments, but also possess the finesse to curate a sonic journey that resonates with the listener.

The album mastering process involves more than just ensuring consistent levels and frequencies; it delves into the emotional resonance of the entire collection. Each track is a puzzle piece, and mastering engineers meticulously piece together the sonic mosaic, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience.

As the final gatekeepers of sonic quality, mastering engineers in the realm of album mastering play a pivotal role in shaping the overall impact of an artist's body of work. Their expertise allows for a seamless blend of art and technology, ensuring that each note, each pause, and each crescendo contributes to the symphony of the entire album. The accessibility of online audio mastering has opened the door for independent artists everywhere, if they choose mastering engineers wisely, to experience their collection of songs coming together as a cohesive emotional journey.

In conclusion, album mastering is a delicate dance where technical precision meets artistic vision. Mastering engineers, especially in the realm of online audio mastering services, act as the custodians of sonic integrity, elevating albums from a collection of songs to a captivating journey for the ears.

Mastering Excellence: Top 5 Mastering Plugins

In the realm of audio mastering services, the quest for the perfect plugins is like a master chef looking for the perfect in. Mastering engineers, both seasoned and budding, are always on the lookout for tools that elevate their sonic ceiling. Here are my top 5 mastering plugins:

1. Soothe 2 by oeksound: Soothe 2 is a dynamic resonance suppressor that has become a go-to for mastering engineers dealing with problematic frequencies. Its advanced algorithm intelligently tames harshness and resonances, ensuring a smoother and more controlled final mix.

2. FabFilter Pro-L 2: Renowned for its transparent and versatile limiting capabilities, Pro-L 2 is a powerhouse in the mastering world. Its intelligent algorithms adapt to the audio content, providing precise control over peak levels while maintaining the integrity of the mix.

3. FabFilter Pro-Q 3: A true gem in the mastering realm, Pro-Q 3 is a dynamic equalizer that boasts unparalleled precision and versatility. Its intuitive interface allows mastering engineers to sculpt the frequency spectrum with surgical precision, making it an indispensable tool for shaping the tonal landscape of any track.

4. Sonnox Oxford Inflator: The Inflator, often described as a secret weapon, adds a touch of magic to the mastering process. Offering harmonic enhancement without compromising dynamic range, it breathes life into mixes, making it a favored tool among mastering engineers seeking that elusive sonic sparkle.

5. Kush Audio Q.632: Q.632 is a modestly updated repackage of Magpha EQ, an obscure and defunct plugin whose unusual phase-modeled filters earned it a reputation for smoothness and fidelity that rival what comes out of $9,000 analog mastering EQ’s. If you want a dead simple, minimalist EQ that does zero damage to any part of your sound no matter what you do with it, Q.632 is the one to get.

Post-pandemic, online song mastering has become the norm for artists, producer, and mixing engineers looking to have their songs polished. These top-tier plugins are the secret ingredients that allow quality mastering engineers to make the songs they touch shine brightly.

Striking a Balance: The Pitfalls of In-The-Box Audio Mastering

In the age of technology, the accessibility of online song mastering services has revolutionized the music industry, offering convenience but often at the cost of sonic individuality. Digital audio mastering, while efficient, has been criticized for its potential to produce results that are perceived as sterile and homogenous.

Many mastering engineers, vital architects in the final stages of music production, argue that the precision of digital processes can inadvertently strip away the unique characteristics that make each track special. The clinical nature of digital mastering tools, often reliant on algorithms and presets, may result in a standardized sound that lacks the organic warmth and nuance inherent in analog processes. It's like asking a robot to paint a masterpiece; precision, sure, but where's the soul?

Similar to the mixing landscape, engineers at the top and bottom of the food chain are the ones gravitating towards digital-only mastering. The bottom for affordability; the top for efficiency. Quality mastering engineers who are not attempting to break any speed records, often emphasize the need for more optionality in their approach. At times, barely touching the material with some precise in-the-box tools are all that is called for. However, more often than not a song can be brought to its highest form by using some analog tools that impart their own character.

While digital audio mastering undeniably offers efficiency, the artistry of the mastering process can be compromised for the sake of efficiency. It's essential to strike a balance between the convenience and precision of plugins and the warmth and character of outboard gear. By doing so, artists can ensure that their music retains its unique identity, steering clear of the pitfalls of a potentially sterile and homogenous in-the-box mastering landscape.

The Human Touch in Audio Mastering: Why Mastering Engineers Still Beat AI

In the ever-evolving landscape of music production, the role of mastering engineers remains indispensable. While AI has made remarkable strides in various fields, the nuances of audio mastering require the human touch to understand how to bring each song to its sonic ideal. These audio maestros don't just play with buttons; they dance with frequencies, spin in the realms of emotional nuances, and jive with the artist's vision. Unlike AI, who's probably still figuring out what "vibes" mean, mastering engineers have an innate sixth sense for bringing songs to their platonic ideal.

Mastering engineers bring a unique set of skills to the table, blending technical expertise with a finely tuned ear for detail. Unlike AI algorithms, these professionals possess an innate ability to interpret the artist's vision and intention, ensuring the final product aligns seamlessly with their creative vision. The art of mastering involves more than just adjusting levels and frequencies; it requires an understanding of the emotional nuances within the music.

And speaking of adaptability, these wizards of sound are the shape-shifters of the music realm. Each track is like a quirky character, and a human mastering engineer molds their approach accordingly. They're the chameleons of compression and EQ, reading between the musical lines with an intuition that AI can only dream of.

Additionally, the collaborative nature of working with a mastering engineer fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas. Musicians can communicate their preferences, allowing the engineer to implement changes in real-time. This dialogue between artist and engineer often results in a final product that not only meets technical standards but also captures the essence of the music in its purest form.

So while AI has undoubtedly revolutionized various industries, the intricate art of audio mastering remains a domain where the human touch reigns supreme. Mastering engineers bring a blend of technical skill, artistic intuition, and adaptability that elevates the music to new heights, making the collaboration between artist and engineer an indispensable element in the pursuit of sonic perfection.