hardware Questions - Social Sound Design

problem with 003 factory

2012-01-11T03:53:18Z

hi all am i have Macpro One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor/3GB (three 1GB)memory System lion and 003 Factory Complete The Ultimate Tactile Pro Tools LE the Complete Production Toolkit running Avid Pro Tools 10 i have problem with 003 factory Fader don't move when checking the version on the device X.xx and sometimes the 003 became offline and protool's open

New synth for the new year (drone,industrial, metal, noise)

2011-01-08T16:45:09Z

Gear, gear, gear. Too many options.

I'm looking to pick up my first synth this month (software or hardware). As you can tell, i'm into creating dirt, gritty soundscapes. I have a chain of guitar pedals for manipulating a sound into something lo-fi, but I need to pick up a synth that will match my needs. I've narrowed it down to this:

Hardware:DSI Desktop Evolver, Waldorf Blofeld, Alesis Micron, Doepfer Dark Energy.

Software: Tassman 4, Reaktor, Omnisphere, Reaktor, Metasynth.

I'm having trouble deciding software over hardware. I'd like to get something that I wouldn't have to spend years mastering. This is why I haven't picked up Reaktor, or indeed Komplete before. So many options, but such a learning curve.

Has anyone any advice, or some recommendations for me?

audio card hard setup

2011-09-15T08:15:15Z

hi,

i have the following setup:

Macbook Pro -> connected to WD Harddrive via Firewire -> daisy-chained to a firewire sound card -> connected to studio monitors / final output.

it worked fine for a while, but recently i have experienced weird things while playing back audio such as sudden mutes and distortions. i think it has something to do with the WD going to sleep mode after a certain time. i'm generally wondering if this connection setup / routing is healthy for the equipment?

Best 192k interface

2010-03-30T21:18:13Z

What interface is everyone using for editing 192k audio files? I am using an mBox Pro at home but am limited to 96k, but want to start taking full advantage of the beauty if 192k recordings when I use my Sound Devices recorder.

Thanks, Nick

Pro Tools Hardware in the Home Studio

2010-05-12T01:01:23Z

What do you use in your home studios for Pro Tools hardware? Some people seem to just want to use the hardware as a dongle, others need better D/A converters, yet others need Pro Tools-oriented hardware to work with other software DAWs like Nuendo and Logic. For some, the home studio's ProTools instance is all they have, while others have higher-end systems at work or the mixing rooms/stages where they work.

How do you navigate these waters?

How (do you) use Kyma?

2010-05-18T05:35:16Z

Hey folks!

I'm deeply interesting in purchasing a Pacarana. I use Max/MSP a lot, and while that's super powerful for tool creation, it's also super difficult to get something to sound awesome.

Oh, yeah, and super time consuming.

What can you say about your experience with Kyma? How does it fit into your workflow? Your answers will help me decide where to put this $3k I was otherwise going to spend on things like eating and rent.

A trip down your DAW memory lane

2010-08-26T19:39:27Z

This could lead to some very long posts, but here goes anyways...

I got into a conversation with the guys at work about the old DAWs they used to use, what's changed, what they miss, and what's stayed the same. I thought it would be a good topic to put up for discussion.

So we've covered which DAW you currently use. What did you use before you found the latest and greatest? Do you miss anything about them? Are you happy they're in the rear view mirror of your life? Lets put some perspective on these new-fangled devices...

Here's my history:

I have a relatively long history with Pro Tools, going back to '95 when I was just a little whelp of an student/editor using a Pro Tools III Nubus (thank you, Tim) system with PT3 and Sound Designer II. I loved the concept that it was Mac-based and not a proprietary system costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I had been forced by employers into relationships with other systems, but always have had a PT system in one form or another on the side. I've owned Pro Tools Free, Pro Tools Mix Plus & Pro Tools LE and all have treated me well.

AMS Neve Logic 3 with AudioFile

If I could go back in time, I'd kick my own ass for ever trash-talking this machine. I just didn't know what I had my fingers on. Gear-wise the L3 was great, smooth faders, nice jog wheel. 4-band EQ, compressor, limiter & gate on every channel. I hated that screen, but not as much as the soft keys. DAW-wise the AudioFile felt like a huge leap backward from the Mix system I had at home. Again with the soft keys and that awful blue screen. It was early in my career that I had to sit down to learn it, and it taught me some valuable lessons like, "It's just a tool, what do they call it & where do they put it? You know how to do this." and thanks to its lack of waveform display "Stop mixing with your eyes, dummy."

The DSP PostStation

aka - The Enterprise

Built off the architecture of two ganged Yamaha 02R's, this DAW had very little going for it in terms of processing. But being that we had a direct line of communication to the developer, any new system feature we were looking for was only an email and a software update away. Which usually was delivered the next day! Two keys that I still miss are the un-top and un-tail. No need to pull out a region's end, just untail, scrub, and re-tail. And speaking of, what a scrub wheel! Nice and heavy, with a resolution that made you forget you were at 16-bit / 48k. With no other form of navigation in the editor other than the wheel and 4 arrow keys, I finally understood the benefit of keyboard shortcuts over mousing around. The "ergonomic" desk was a joke for my 6'1" frame, but the touch screen mix console (left) and video playback (right) worked great, until the screens died. I believe that the owner sold DSP to Fairlight in 2003(?), and went on to form SmartAV

Anyone used the Izotope ANR-B Noise Reduction unit?

2011-04-26T04:30:54Z

Apparently it's very good, and in some studios it's the first choice to go to for ambient noise reduction, and the CEDAR is second...

Has anyone used one? Care to advise as to it's quality?

http://www.rspe.com/iZotope-ANR-B-Adaptive-Realtime-Noise-Reduction-Hardware/vmj_estore.tpl.html

http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/anrb/

Pro Tools 9 and aggregate device use

2011-03-25T05:52:39Z

I have an original MBox that doesn't play well with PT9 HD. Poor thing just sits on the shelf all day, waiting to be put to good use. Can I use it as an aggregate device with the new version of Pro Tools? If so, how? Do I connect thru USB, SPDIF, Line Out, or...?

DSI Mono Evolver Keyboard synth for Sound Design

2011-01-19T17:14:15Z

Hey sound designers!

I'm thinking of buying a Dave Smith Instruments Mono Evolver Keyboard edition both for musical and sound design purposes.

I will also add a Moog CP-251 for CV control.

I'm pretty convinced on the overall sound of the synth, but sometimes I doubt about its expandability and because it's monophonic.

If you have rare and/or experimental sounds from this synth, I will be grateful if you post it here, because it's difficult to find non-traditional uses of the DSI MEK.

Are you using it? Are you happy with the synth? Someone using this combination of hardware? How does it perform live?

Do you have any suggestions about other synths you think are best suited for sound design (and between $1000-$1500 brand new)?

Thanks!

Alan.

Are there any graduate programs similar to Georgia Tech's?

2011-02-17T02:12:39Z

While I remain interested in sound design, I am also interested in audio hardware/software engineering. The only program that really covers what I'm looking at is at Georgia Tech. However, I'm only a college freshman, and programs can change or disappear in three years. Does anyone know of any other similar Master's programs? Thanks.

How will portable recorders improve in the future?

2011-01-24T20:16:17Z

Apart from the obvious stuff like preamp/converter quality & size/weight, what useful new features should be invented in the next few years?

I would like;

Custom rules to stop & start recording - e.g. when an input level above -20dB is detected between 3-4am, start recording until it goes below -20db for 10 minutes.
Ability to take one mic input and route it to more than one preamp (so you can record a high & low gain version of the mic source)
GPS which writes your location & altitude to metadata during recording, with regular updates in case you move. GPS changes the clock when you cross a time zone.
Ability to create custom shortcuts/macros for the most easily accessible buttons
Voice recognition to operate the recorder
Ability to control every function remotely - via a smart phone app, a computer on the internet, a dedicated radio control (with level meters and a display)
Wireless network interface (internet or lan) to transfer recordings to my computer, and to use remote computers as a recording medium.
Ability to store metadata during recording which tracks every change of setting made by the user over time, including gain on the preamps.
Monitoring delay function - e.g. when im recording loud impacts I could add a 2 second delay so i can hear the recorded sound without hearing the actual thing simultaneously. (like confidence monitoring i suppose but more customisable)
Ability to charge mobile telephones & usb devices.
Measure air temperature & humidity, and regularly stamp the info into metadata during recording (and warning messages when temperature is too high/low for the unit to work properly)

Are there any devices that can do this stuff already ?

If someone made a product with all those features I might give up my sound devices recorder.

What do you know about people who design audio equipment?

2011-01-24T00:39:21Z

I'm just a student trying to figure out what to do with my life. While sound design is fascinating, I'm also interested in designing the equipment that makes sound design possible. Does anybody know how one gets into that sort of thing? Are any sound designers building software on the side? Thanks ^_^

Zoom Q3HD - a handheld video recorder for the rest of us

2010-11-22T17:44:27Z

I am getting rid of my pro camera setup and looking for something that will fill that "fun video" void. A little search found the new Zoom Q3HD is coming out soon - HD video, excellent audio. One question - has anybody used the standard def Q3 before?

Some specs for you:

Built-in stereo condenser microphones with 120° X/Y configuration for true stereo imaging
Video resolution of 720p at 30 or 60 fps or 1080p at 30 fps
WVGA (standard definition) at 30 or 60 fps is also available for smaller file sizes
Get up to 45 minutes of 720p at 30fps video with 2GB SD card
Accepts up to a 32GB SDHC cards for 7 hours of 720p at 30fps (Audio at AAC192 kbps)
Large 2.4-inch 320 x 240 color LCD display
Built-in NTSC/PAL TV and HDMI output
4x digital zoom
Video format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV)
Audio formats: 44.1/48/96kHz 16/24-bit WAV (PCM) or AAC up to 320kbps
Auto Record Level automatically sets audio levels during recordings
Uses two standard AA batteries or NiMH rechargeable batteries
USB 2.0 with built-in cable
Windows and Mac OS compatible
Built-in speaker and tripod mount
Includes HandyShare editing and, YouTube uploader software, Apple Quicktime, 2GB SD card, two AA batteries
Optional accessory package (APQ-3HD) includes soft shell case, windscreen, AC adapter, HDMI cable, AV cable and tripod

The CONS that I have found from reviews:

Video quality could be better - Flip probably has a bit better look.
Battery life isn't very good, but it does have a 5V DC jack.

For my needs, this is excellent - no need to pull out the full audio bag to get some SFX, just use this in audio only mode.

Zoom Q3HD on Samson Website. MSRP $299, accessory kit $49. This also means a price drop for the Q3 standard def to around $200 from what I've seen.

Some concert footage - very nice audio for what it's doing. [youtube]CVbcbJqFdMQ[/youtube]

Recommendations for a beginner setup

2010-06-27T20:14:49Z

I am just learning more about the sound design field and plan on going to school for it (1 year away from earning bachelors in English) but want to teach myself before I start hacking out money for school. I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a beginning field recording setup and maybe some recommendations for post as well such as software and mixers or what not. Nothing too fancy just the basics so I can learn the basics.

Can anyone recomend a place to hire high quality shotgun mics in the UK?

2010-07-29T09:56:55Z

I'm trying to find a place where I can hire some better quality shotgun mics from for a short project in the UK.

Curently the best I can find is a 416. Does anyone know or recomend a place where I could hire a Sanken css-5 or Senhiser MKH 70 or equivalent?

Cheers

Andrew

Outboard Processing/Pedals?

2010-03-19T01:25:21Z

As the march of virtualization continues, I've ditched most of my effects boxes and pedals in favor of plug-ins. Who hasn't, right?

But some mad scientists' creations just can't (or simply aren't) be replicated in software, and I get the impression that they're not a common tool for many sound designers. (Terminator: Salvation is one notable exception.)

For example, I'm still partial to the Sherman Filterbank, the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress, and the weirder pedals by Z-Vex. I've used all of them in signal chains for sound design (as well as music, of course), or sometimes just for "sketching" ideas (as you can tell, ideas where signal to noise ratio isn't as important). I'm just dying to get an Ekdahl Moisturizer.

Does anyone have any favorite outboard processors or effects pedals that actually get used for sound design or any wacky techniques?

this is probably a dumb question

2010-07-03T12:15:42Z

Does nuendo4 work on the icore7 macbook pro properly? I have been having a few problems with it. For instance when I import an omf, the sounds are all squashed together and out of sync, when I import i select the timecode position option and it still goes out of sync?

Is nuendo 4 compatable with my mac book pro or not and if it isnt I will sort it out thanks

Do you trust Firewire Audio Interfaces for live performance?

2010-03-24T19:36:43Z

I wonder if anyone would like to weigh in on their experience using firewire interfaces.

I have a MOTU Ultralite mk1. I would be EXTREMELY happy with it, if it didn't flake out and lose contact with my laptop every now and then. I could be tracking in Logic, and all of a sudden Cuemix disappears because the device has dropped its connection.

I'm going to start performing with my laptop soon, and I feel pretty nervous about taking the Ultralite onstage. I'm wondering if I would be better off getting a simple little USB interface. (I'll be using max 4 channels out. Nothing too taxing.)

I understand that fw is better suited than USB for multiple channel tracking. But what have people's experiences been with stability? Do I just have a dud unit? Can others attest that Firewire might not be the most reliable thing to bring on stage?

-=-

EDIT:

Thanks for all the help, friends. I can clarify the power situation. I am using the power supply that came with the device, plugged into a power strip, plugged into a Furman PL-8 Series II.

The Ultarlite does have two ports, and I should judiciously keep track of whether it is just one of them that cacks out. I've had the device for a couple of years, so I'm way beyond warranty.