Pensado's Place: #22 - Jack Joseph Puig (Green Day, No Doubt, Fergie)

"JJP talks about his career and philosophy behind mixing and producing records before answering viewer questions in "The Corner Office". This is a very special episode as Pensado's Place has partnered with Vintage King to power the "Batter's Box" segment! Puig dishes on his favorite gear in certain applications, and viewers get insights into how and why Jack uses specific outboard gear and software. This is an epic episode you can't miss!"

Audio Damage Pan-Station - auto-panner/tremolo plug-in ($39)

Audio Damage is a company with a penchant for making unique and sonically pleasing plugins at very reasonable prices. Their latest offering is the PanStatiom which does auto -panning and tremolo as well as stereo widening effects. The PanStation is based on the Drawmer M500 and Audio & Design's PanScan ( which I've used a great deal in the past).

Drawmer M500

PanScan

Audio Damage states that they decided "to create the most sophisticated auto-panner/tremolo plug-in there is. With a feature set borrowing liberally from the M500 and the PanScan, Panstation is a complete professional toolbox of panning and tremolo effects behind an easy-to-understand and simple-to-program user interface."

Panstation Features:

• Four different panning laws, including an exact 1:1 clone of the M500 pan law.

• Ten panning waveforms, including all the waveforms present in the M500.

• Free-run, MIDI tempo sync, MIDI note trigger, MIDI note number, and CC control of panning. 

• Audio trigger counting feature from the A&D PanScan. 

• Easy-to-read user interface. No squinting at tiny pixel fonts. 

• Relative phase control of each side, for tremolo and stereo widening effects.

• MIDI Learn for full MIDI CC control over every parameter.

Visit Audio Damage for more info and audio demos of the Panstation.

At $39 it's a no-brainer. (Audio Units and VST only. No RTAS).

TFPro 110 Recording Channel

Widely acclaimed Electronic Designer and Audio Engineer Ted Fletcher designed "The TFPRO P110 as a specialist single channel preamplifier, phase shifter, compressor and equaliser with advanced analogue features. It is designed to be a perfect tool for voice recording and 'tracking' in the studio."
View a video of him explaining why he likes transformer inputs and the features of the P110 here.


Features

• Mic/Line/DI Inputs
• Mic Phase Control
• 4 Mode VCA & Optical Compressor
• 1.2:1 - 100:1 Compression/Limit Ratio
• 4 Band EQ
• All Balanced I/O's
• Insert send /return
• Switchable Metering

MSRP $1413 usd/ 985 Euro

Read more about the P110 on the TFPro website

Karma Is A Bitch Only If You Are

Working at Platinum Island started to show me what schools were all about. I was getting the real world world situation during the evenings and at nights and the school experience in the mornings. My recording studio teacher in school had a 2 day session at Platinum Island that I was very excited about. To have my teacher see me working at a studio way before graduating was all I kept thinking about. Maybe he would just give me an “A” and let me skip the class. Maybe he would brag about me to the other students and faculty. I was hoping for something. Then the day of the session I helped the assistant engineer align two Studer A-827 24 inch machines, an Ampex ATR-102 1/2 inch machine, two Panasonic SV-3700 DAT machines, two Tascam 112B cassette decks, set up the vocal booth with a Neumann U-47 microphone to a NEVE 1066 mic pre to a Urei LA-2A and AKG 414 for an acoustic guitar. Read more ...... 


http://carlisleyoung.tumblr.com/

NAMM Oral Histories: Rupert Neve

NAMM recently did a four part interview with the the iconic Rupert Neve:


In Part 1 he talks about his early experiences in WWII and the discovery of the tape machine.

In Part 2 he continues his account of early tape machines, noise reduction and his first consoles.

In Part 3 he continues his recollection of the early days of pro audio with his take on EQ and microphone design.             

In Part 4 he talks about hearing and perception.

via Guitar.com

LIPINSKI L-629 COMPRESSOR

The Lipinski Sound L-629 500 series compressor is based on the famous Fairchild Compressor and is designed around it's patented “Lipinski Square” circuitry. This unique circuitry completely eliminates distortion on low frequencies and on low-release time. A much desired (but not easily attained) quality in any compressor. There is no IC's or capacitors in the signal path and it can be linked for stereo use. Last but not least it has a Tape Simulation feature where it compresses the high end 3db more than the lows. The combination of great sonics and versatility make the L-629 compressor  a "must have" addition to anyone's rack.

Lipinski Sound L-629 Features

• Basic principle of operation and ballistics based on the famous Fairchild compressor
• Patented circuit completely eliminating distortion on low frequencies and on low-release time.
• All other compressors on short release time and on low frequencies changes amplification within single sine wave, commonly a major source of distortion.
• Extremely fundamental design based on patented "Lipinski Square" circuitry
• No capacitors in the signal path
• No Integrated Circuits (IC's) in the signal path
• Only 0.04% maximum distortion with the highest (18dB) compression
• Extremely fast attack time - 0.01ms (1/5th 20kHz sine wave)
• Tape Simulation doesn't generate gimmicky even-harmonic distortions. This feature senses and triggers compression on high frequencies (correction within control network)
• Auto gain: additional 5 sec. attack time, and 5 min. release time
• Auto control has ballistics similar to VU meter, it is based on photo resistor, completely eliminates distortion with zero adjustment error - quality on output signal totally independent of input level
• Peak meter: switchable before and post compression
• Hard wiring option for stereo operation

Specifications

Operating voltages: ± 16 V

Power supply current : 50 mA

Audio input symmetrical

Input impedance: 10 kΩ

Input level range (FIXED IN mode): 1.55 V or 3.1 V

Input level range (AUTO IN mode): 200 mV to 10 V

Audio output symmetrical

Output impedance: 75 kΩ

Output level (when COMP. OFF):  3.1 V

Output level (when COMP. ON: ) 1.1 V to 8.7 V

Dynamic range: 100 dB

Maximum distortion:  0.04 %

Attack Time range:  0.02 ms to 160 ms

Release Time range: 40 ms to 2.5 sec

Level meter range:  -18 dB to +12 dB

$1195 at VintageKing.

Elysia xpressor 500 Stereo Compressor (500 series)

"The xpressor 500 is an extremely versatile stereo compressor available in API's 500 series format. With its many unique features taken from our flagship products, you not only get great compression, but an amount of control on processing which is hardly ever experienced elsewhere."

FEATURES:

• Discrete Class-A Topology

  Pristine audio quality.

• Auto Fast Attack

  Perfect attack in any situation.

• Switchable Release Characteristic

  Smooth or crisp – the choice is yours.

• Warm Mode

  Transparency? Saturation? Both!

• Parallel Compression
  Mixing direct and compressed signals.

• Sidechain Filter
  Frequency selective compression.

• Gain Reduction Limiter
  Ultimate control on the compression process.

• Made in Germany
  High grade components, solid aluminum knobs.

Get more info at Elysia.com.
$975 at ZenPro Audio.

UAD Satellite Auction to help Craig Schumacher battle Cancer

"Universal Audio is currently auctioning off a UAD-2 Satellite QUAD to help Tape Op contributor Craig Schumacher fight his battle with cancer. Get a card, help a friend? What could be better?"
Make your bid at Craig Schumacher vs. Cancer

Universal Audio Half Yearly Sale up to 50% off!

Half-Yearly Sale. Save Up To 50% Off. 
It's our biggest UAD Plug-In Sale this year! Save between 10 - 50% Storewide* on over 40 individual UAD plug-ins and bundles.

If you've been craving that special UAD Plug-In or Plug-In Bundle, you won't want to miss this half-yearly event.

Here are just a few examples of the extra-special savings:

• Trident® A Range Classic Console EQ – 32% OFF 
  Normally $249.00 / Now Only $169.29
• Fairchild® 670 Compressor– 33% OFF
  Normally $149.00 / Now Only $99.99
• Harrison® 32C Channel EQ - 32% OFF 
  Normally $249.00 / Now Only $169.29
• EMT® 250 Classic Electronic Reverberator - 20% OFF 
  Normally $249 / Now Only $199.29
• EP-34 Tape Echo – 25% OFF 
  Normally $199.00 / Now Only $149.29
• Studer® A800 MultiChannel Tape Recorder – 14% OFF 
  Normally $349.00 / Now Only $299.49
• Manley® Massive Passive EQ – 20% OFF
  Normally $299.00 / Now Only $239.49

No coupon codes are necessary. Simply cart the UAD Powered Plug-Ins and Bundles you want and save between 10 - 50%, all month long.

But hurry, the Half-Yearly Sale ends at 12:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time) on July 1st, 2011. Visit the UA Online Store today.

Audiofile Engineering's Quiztones - frequency identification/training app

Audiofile Engineering's "Quiztones is a frequency identification ear training app for amateur and professional audio engineers and musicians. Quiztones uses frequency-altered tones, noise and musical loops to train your ears and help develop more acute listening and frequency recognition skills."


Quiztones is compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch with iOS 4 or later.
Visit the website here. $2.99 at the app store.

ZenPro Audio's Clip-A-Lator

Zen Pro Audio has a great feature on their website called the Clip-A-Lator. It allows you to virtually audition the gear they sell. The gear is categorised and various clips of each being applied to different sounds are supplied. Some folders also contain a video clips of the units being used. Check it out.

Nintendo’s New Console Wii U and Its Crazy Touchscreen Controller

Nintendo's new console is called the Wii U and "the controller's got a 6.2-inch touchscreen, a d-pad, twin analog sticks, a front-facing camera, four shoulder buttons, accelerometers, vibration motors, and a mic. It's backward compatible with the original Wii and Wii accessories, like Wii Fit."

Read the full article here.

Want To Be A Producer ? Read This

This is an insert to Carlisle' newest post on his blog
"He was the best musician I’ve ever met at piano, drums, guitars and bass. Every now and then I would hear him playing classical music on the piano and for me that was unheard of for a urban producer. He watched pornography consistently when he was producing and mixing the music. And when he was writing and recording the vocals, he always had a female porn star helping him bring out his true self. I could see why he was so successful. His connection to the spiritual side was aligned with what was on radio and TV. For 9 months I would see this guy creating music for some of the biggest names and to watch the process from the gifts that God gave him to them translating to mega hits"


http://carlisleyoung.tumblr.com/post/6314387508/the-creative-process

Mellowmuse CP3V Compressor & CS1V Saturator

"The CP3V vintage compressor plug-in builds upon the analogue characteristics of our CP2V compressor, adding further flexibility with variable attack, release and ratio controls, and new compression and envelope detector algorithms...."


CP3V Features

• • Multi stage analogue modeled compression
• • Output driven saturation
• • VU style compression metering
• • Variable attack: 0.01 - 100 ms
• • Variable release: 10 - 500 ms
• • Ratios: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1 and 20:1
• • 4x Oversampling
• • 64 bit internal processing

"The CS1V is a saturation plug-in that enables you to add the subtle depth and colouration of an analogue console to your mix." I especially like the grouping feature on the CS1V that allows you to change the parameters of multiple CS1Vs by adjusting just one plugin.

CS1V Features

•  Variable input drive and tone
• • Grouping mode for global control
• • Phase switch and bypass
• • VU metering
• • 4x oversampling for low aliasing
• • 64 bit internal processing

Dynaudio Acoustics PLM3A Monitor Bundle

The Dynaudio Acoustics PLM3A is a combination of their M3A speakers and a Lab.gruppen PLM 10000Q amplifier with Lake processing for the ultimate solution in speaker management. The PLM3A will provide you with an exceptionally accurate and  loud monitoring system that works well on many genres of music. It would make a great choice for a medium to large studio that caters to a variety of clientele.
MSRP $18,000.


Dynaudio Acoustics M3A main features and specifications 

• Unique linear phase frequency response
• Every monitor is matched to any other monitor within ± 1.5dB
• 28mm ESOTAR soft dome tweeter with aluminum voice coil
• Dual 150mm magnesium silicate impregnated polypropylene (MSP) midrange drivers with 75mm voice coils
• Dual 300mm polypropylene bass drivers with exceptionally large 100mm aluminum voice coils, offering dramatic improvements in power handling, bass response and distortion figures over conventional systems
• Gold plated professional binding posts accepting heavy-gauge speaker cable
• Heavy internal damping for minimum cabinet resonance
• Thermal protection of the tweeter
• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
• 129 dB SPL @ 1 meter
• Dimensions: 770 mm (H) x 550 mm (W) x 500 mm (D)
• Weight: 55 kg.

Lab.gruppen PLM 10000Q main features and specifications 

• 2350 W per channel @ 2 ohms, 2300 W per channel @ 4 ohms, 1300 W per channel @ 8 ohms**
• 2 unit 19” chassis weighing only 13.5 kg
• Input connection: Analog, Digital, Dante
• Class TD® output stage
• Regulated Switch Mode Power Supply (R.SMPS™)
• Copper-finned Intercooler® with transverse-mounted output devices
• Full suite of protection and fault monitoring features
• Primary and secondary network connections (for daisy chaining or system redundancy)
• Digitally controlled ‘amplifier gain’ adjustable in 0.1 dB steps from 22 to 44 dB
• Digital output attenuation in 0. 25 dB steps from –inf to 0 dB
• Binding post or Neutrik® Speakon® (1 x NLT8, 2 x NLT4) power output connectors
• Digitally implemented, zero-overshoot Inter-Sample Voltage Peak Limiting (ISVPL™) adjustable in 0.1 V steps from 17.8 to 153 V
• Power Average Limiter (PAL)

Lake processing main features and specifications 

• Raised Cosine Equalization™
• Linear phase and classical crossovers
• LimiterMax™ – peak and RMS limiters
• Iso-Float™ ground isolation
• Super Module capability
• Integration of third-party frequency measurement and analysis via Lake Analyzer Bridge

Get more info here.

How's your listening skills?

Spectrafoo

An Engineer/Producer's ears are his best tools. You could have the best gear in the world it won't make a difference without great listening skills. Test them here.
The above pic is a screenshot from Metric Halo's Spectrafoo which is used worldwide for analysis in mixing, mastering, acoustic analysis, live audio and electronics.

Apple's iOS 5 available this fall with tons of new features.

Apple announced iOS 5 yesterday at the WWDC2011. Here's an article on Engadget giving you all the details about it.
Here's a video with the iOS Software Senior VP Scott Forstall showcasing the new features of iOS 5.

Want to be an Engineer? Read this

Check out this excerpt from the latest post on Carlisle's blog:
"...... As I’m transitioning from an intern to general assistant to assistant engineer I started to see that what I thought was an engineer, was completely the opposite of what it really is. Richie and Suzanne always stressed that the clients were always right and over time, I saw for myself that they were right. But there were a few clients and people I saw that no matter what kind of monies they offered when my time came, I would never work with them even though they had the big budgets. You can’t work with unrealistic people that wants everything for nothing. Around this time is when I learnt that “not all money is good money” and that stayed with me forever. And I will never sacrifice my self respect for a check because 80% of them are small. Engineering is 90% problem solving and technique and 10% actually turning the knobs. But over time I realized that life in itself is the same approach and everything works the same. Only a few ever takes the time to learn things the correct way and even fewer gets to use their full potential because at the end of the day it’s all about timing."
View the blog here