Yeah but do you know how many tracks are in Reggaton production?

Try over 100 sometimes.

And they like to split out as many sounds as possible on the console. Sometimes a 64 channel 9K isn't enough. You still have to submix ITB which drives some producers crazy because they want to be able to control every little sound on the console.

Lets just say right now the major studios have found a new client to book out their large SSL mix rooms.

Also Luney Tunes have something like 7 different producers in their camps so a couple of the consoles are for the different guys.

I know all about it... My buddy is down with them and does reggaeton exclusively.... They also had WSDG design the rooms.

thrillfactor, & Tony Belmont,

88RS is 'it' if you're talking modern day Neve. Plus with Encore Plus you can control Pro Tools, or Nuendo. About the old school Neve's. Yeah 'Puff', & his camp did do alot of work on Neve's at the old 'Hit Factory'. Funny thing was that when he opened 'Daddy's House' the first desk to go in was the 4064G series(I was embarking entering that circle when they were opening the room along with his two technicians that he hired from the original 'Hit Factory'). The Neve did'nt go into 'Daddy's House' until later. I think 'Felicia' was managing 'Puff's' studio back then.


Regarding Timbaland. He'll work on a Neve(thanks for the VR/VR Legend confirmation Tony Belmont) when ever he can especially mixing. Probably got the bug when working with Jimmy Douglass,& Devante Swing with Jodeci, & Sista. I was chit chatting with Timbaland at the old 'Master Sound' Virginia Beach, VA(was working on music for 'Missy Elliott'), a while back and he was saying something about not liking working at the old 'Hit Factory' because of all of the 'traffic' hence the move to Manhattan Center Studios(became his 'fishbowl' for a little while).

Rob G..

All,

I have reason for aversion of old Neve VR series desks. Heat, maintenance, dated level of functionality, & an old automation system that lacks the power of Neve's 88RS Encore Plus, or SSL's XL9000K Ultimation.

The other reason is the noise of the old Neve VR consoles which had a single channel noise specification of -79 below zero referenced to +4 with max signal running at about +26. 26 + 79 = 105 decibels from noise floor to signal peak. Not impressive at all by todays standards. And, this especially when you've got AMS-Neve 88RS's, & SSL XL9000K's with single channel noise specifications running at -91 below zero referenced to +4 with max signal running at about +28. 91 + 28 =119. 14 decibels of noise is alot.

If we all were still running the old Sony 3324, 3348, Blackface ADAT's or Mitsubishi X880 machines then I would'nt feel like this. But, these days we're not. So we all should expect more from a large format console. The SSL AWS 900 spec's out better on a single channel basis than a Neve VR even with dynamics inserted. Ponder that.

Rob G..

My main concerns when mxing on a large format console are 3 fold:

1) Sound

2) Functions

3) Stability

Most of the modern large format consoles out rank the older stuff in the 2nd and 3rd department. I think its the sound that's lacking. Because so much focus is put on the specs and not enough on the sound you have what i term "future boat anchors".

Personally i can't see an 88RS or a 9000J years from now becoming a "classic" must have console. Where they excel in functions(especially in the automation department) they are just too vanilla sounding to my ears. Now if i was mixing sound for film or a soundtrack for video game they would be ideal. Because of their noise specs they will do well for DVD. But for music you need a little character IMO. If its character you like or not you need something to run todays DAW productions to bring the sounds together. Its where the whole "clean slate"sound of DAW's fall short. Even the older 4/6K's and VR's have a sound that you are ears are familiar with because its been the sound of the radio for almost 20 years now.

And lastly comparing the AWS 900 to a VR is a little unfair because you are talking about 24 channels to 48-64 channels.

thrillfactor,

The spec. comparison I gave is fair. I quoted single channel stats which were roughly channel line in to stereo out with only one channel assigned. The SSL AWS900 according to this particular specification criteria beats the Neve VR. Same goes if the AWS900 has 'all' 24 channels assigned with dynamics out of circuit compared to the VR console with 24 channels assigned, & all other channels unassigned with all dynamics out of circuit. Get me?

Rob G..

I have never tried, but saw the SSL AWS900. Have done the ICON. I believe they are both a little over priced, I did not care much for the ICON. I think I would prefer the SSL, although, a bit smaller than I imagined.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

The carrier of AWS 900 is ending.
The future: SSL Duality vs ICON

Try posting over here:


https://gearspace.com/board/showthread.php?t=88624


Rob G..

mtstudi@pacbell,

What makes you think you would prefer the AWS 900?

Rob G..

Excluding outboard gear?

Well the fact that I would expect SSL to live up to the EQ and Compressors that they have been making for decades vs. the Plug-In Eq's and Compressors I have used in Protools beit Waves, UA or Digi. The Icon is just a controller, I really don't even think they compare. The fact that I did not fancy that controller (Icon), the fact that I do fancy SSL consoles.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

mtstudi@pacbell,

Some good reasoning there. I concur in several areas.

Rob G..

Add 'Dr. Dre', & 'Will Smith' to the list of 'notable' SSL AWS900 owners.

Rob G..

http://www.solid-state-logic.com/new...nd_AWS900.html

And Timbaland too...

Yep, they upgraded from the DM2000 in the B room. thumbsup

Hmmmm, Did'nt I post about the 'Timbaland' AWS900 back in December(not new news but, I can understand working for SSL some things you can't post about until it's 'official' to say so according to company policy)? Anyhow I like the AWS900+, & the Duality. And, so do a slew of other people/camps.



Rob G..

Yes, we had talked about it before. But, I guess they have a press release now.