Well, glad to say my DVDs have arrived here in Switzerland. For those who are still waiting, I ordered in January. Never received any tracking info but the important thing is they're here :-)
I don't mind the packaging I think it's rather neat - different. I can understand however that some might like to repackage them in a more standard DVD case just remember though, if the set ever becomes a collectors item, those with the original packaging will be worth more ;-)
Haven't gone through the whole set yet but from what I've seen, they do seem to be touched up a bit (mastered if you will) specifically the audio tracks, compared with the downloaded versions. Too early really to say for sure.
I noticed a little humorous clip at the end of the credits roll - Looking forward to seeing what other little snippets (perhaps even an "Easter Egg"?) will be found.
Unfortunately the interviews i.e. Studio Stories are not in the Extras section as I'd thought they would be.
Now just waiting for the Soundcheck CD to arrive !
And the Soundcheck CD has arrived - 1 day later.
Excellent!
Walk softly and carry a big USB stick
I would be interested in your experience with Soundcheck. I have been considering purchasing it myself. Presently I am using IK's ARC for room correction.
Lou
Having just received it I can't really offer much in the way of experience. I've also had to pack up my studio (relocation) and the new one won't be ready until next June. In the meantime I will be testing a couple of other studios soon.
I also use a software based analysis and correction system, RoomEQWizard, in conjunction with an FBQ2496, SPL Meter, and calibrated microphone to help control Room Modes. I also profile the listening position(s) manually using tone ramps or sweeps and a program such as Wavelab primarily to discover critical cancellation nodes prior to using the program as these nodes usually require some reorientation of desk, monitors, reflectors-diffractors, traps etc. The final EQing with the FBQ is usually quite minimal.
For calibration I use two reference signals 1kHz and 440Hz at +4, -10dBV and -50dBV (mic). The Soundcheck CD should give me an additional battery of reference tones in the spectrum analyser section all recorded at a known -14dBFS. (Also one reference at 0dBFS)
There's also a digital Black track which I'm going to have to check out.
I think however the Soundcheck CD really comes into it's own for it's reference recordings of instruments, dry vocals and studio master recordings of music tracks.
Walk softly and carry a big USB stick
Interesting..... I had not considered potential feedback problems in my room (Behringer FBQ2496 Feedback Destroyer Pro). I don't know much about RoomEQWizard but it seems to use the same principles as Ik's ACR (Advance Room Correction), software as it also uses a calibrated mic for program setup. You can save patches for different mix positions (mix chair; client couch), as well as for different monitor setups as your program most likely does.
There are so many programs/systems for everything recording these days it's hard to keep up.
I guess in the long run nothing substitutes for an acoustically tuned room. Not in my budget through for what I do right now.
Thank you for your reply. I think I'll just order a copy of Soundcheck. I had my eyes on it previously when I visited AP's web site. It can only help.
luken
The Behringer FBQ2496 is being used in it's capacity as fully programmable parametric equalizer in this case.
It's use as a feedback squelching device, particularly in it's automatic mode - although a boon perhaps for onstage monitoring of theater or speech functions (in one-shot mode can also be used for live music), is to be avoided in the studio.
You see, the device cannot differentiate between a sustained note (synth or even a test-tone) and a feedback. Therefore, it cannot be used in the studio in this way (I speak from experience here).
Instead, all 40 channels (20 per side L/R) should be setup for use as parametric EQ's (although this many filters will probably not be required - I was using 5 per side in my last setup).
The software interfaces to the FBQ and programs the frequency, bandwidth and gain of the required channels with near surgical precision. The idea being primarily to tame (tone down if you will) the modal frequencies (and other problem frequencies like harmonics) at which the room itself tends to resonate.
It's definitely no substitute for proper acoustical treatment, but used minimally in conjunction with the aforesaid treatment, can act as a fine tuning.
It's adequate, effective and also a lot cheaper than IK's ARC package and most other DRC packages.
Walk softly and carry a big USB stick
Are you talking Soundcheck 1 or Soundcheck 2?
I bought Soundcheck 2 with the analyser integrated in the case.
Walk softly and carry a big USB stick