Gear I Should Have Bought Sooner.....

Summary

In this video, Co Capron discusses music production gear he regrets not investing in sooner and highlights tools that have transformed his workflow. He emphasizes the importance of items like the Ortofon 5C monitors, real acoustic treatment, analog synthesizers, and hardware compressors, which have all elevated his sound quality. Capron also shares the game-changing impact of using hardware preamps for mixing and the Tube Tech LCA2B compressor. Though some gear is expensive, he believes these investments are essential for achieving professional results in music production. The video offers valuable insights for producers looking to refine their setups.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on various pieces of gear they wish they'd purchased earlier in their career, which helped improve their music production process.
• 😀 They emphasize the importance of getting mid-range right in mixing and how using Ortoons speakers significantly improved their mixes.
• 😀 The speaker stresses the effectiveness of ISO Acoustics pucks for decoupling speakers from surfaces, enhancing stereo image and low-end accuracy.
• 😀 The importance of broadband acoustic treatment is highlighted, with the speaker noting they initially overlooked it, which led to poor room acoustics.
• 😀 The speaker discusses their initial struggles with hardware synthesizers and the lack of resources on how to lock arpeggiators to a grid in Pro Tools, which they later discovered was easily achievable with Moog Subsequent 37.
• 😀 They wish they had invested in the legendary 1176 compressor earlier, noting the immense difference between the hardware version and software plugins.
• 😀 The Fender Deluxe Reverb amp is praised as a 'Holy Grail' amp, and the speaker regrets not purchasing it earlier despite knowing its reputation.
• 😀 The speaker encourages getting a hollow body guitar, such as the PRS SE Hollow Body, to add variety to a guitar collection for unique sounds.
• 😀 The Lon Audio Atlantis microphone is highlighted as an affordable, versatile, and high-quality option for both vocals and instruments.
• 😀 They suggest investing in high-quality mic stands, like the Ultimate Support mic stand, for better stability and ease of use in professional settings.
• 😀 The speaker mentions the Flock Patch Bay as a game-changer for their hardware setup, though it’s an expensive investment that they would recommend only when ready to commit to serious hardware integration.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to discuss music gear that the speaker wishes they had purchased earlier in their career, as well as highlighting equipment they are glad to have invested in early.

Why does the speaker recommend the Ortofon 5C monitors?

The speaker recommends the Ortofon 5C monitors because they significantly improved their ability to mix mid-range frequencies, helping their mixes translate better across different audio systems. They wish they had invested in them sooner.

What is the advantage of using ISO Acoustics pucks in a studio?

The ISO Acoustics pucks help decouple speakers from their desk or stands, improving the clarity of stereo imaging and the accuracy of low-end frequencies. This results in a cleaner and more accurate listening experience.

What did the speaker realize about acoustic treatment during their career?

The speaker realized that early on in their career, they were using cheap foam that only addressed some acoustic issues. They later discovered that proper broadband acoustic treatment is essential for achieving a natural-sounding, balanced room.

Why did the speaker regret not purchasing an analog synthesizer earlier?

The speaker regretted not buying an analog synthesizer sooner because they were impressed by the unique sound and character of analog synths, particularly the Moog Subsequent 37, which they found to be much more inspiring and musical compared to virtual instruments.

What did the speaker learn about using hardware versus software for compressors, specifically the 1176?

The speaker learned that the hardware version of the 1176 compressor provided a much better sound than its software counterpart. They recommend investing in the hardware version for the unique sonic character it provides.

What is the significance of the Fender Deluxe Reverb amp for the speaker?

The Fender Deluxe Reverb amp is a 'Holy Grail' amp for the speaker, being one of the most recorded amps in history. They were surprised by how much they loved it once they finally bought one and now use it on nearly every song.

Why does the speaker recommend adding a hollow body guitar to your collection?

The speaker recommends adding a hollow body guitar because it offers a unique sound that complements solid body and acoustic guitars. They found it to be a valuable tool in the studio, especially for adding diversity to their guitar sounds.

What makes the Lauten Audio Atlantis microphone stand out?

The Lauten Audio Atlantis is praised by the speaker for its versatility, affordability (under $2,000), and excellent sound quality. It's a great all-around microphone that works well for both vocals and instruments.

What is the benefit of using a high-quality mic stand, according to the speaker?

The speaker highlights the importance of using a sturdy, reliable mic stand like the Ultimate Support mic stand, which provides a solid base and prevents issues with unstable stands, especially when using heavier microphones or for overheads in drum recordings.

What was the speaker's experience with the Flock Patch Bay, and why is it an honorable mention?

The speaker mentions the Flock Patch Bay as a game-changer in their setup due to its functionality and efficiency. However, it is an honorable mention because it is quite expensive, and they wouldn't have initially been willing to invest in it early in their career.

What is the speaker's opinion on mixing through hardware mic preamps?

The speaker is glad they started mixing through hardware mic preamps early in their career because it provided warmth and analog color to their mixes. They believe this process improved the overall sound, especially in terms of eliminating digital harshness.

Why does the speaker recommend the Tube-Tech LCA2B compressor?

The speaker highly recommends the Tube-Tech LCA2B compressor for its transparency and versatility, especially for vocals and drums. They consider it one of the best compressors ever made and stress its ability to provide clean, natural compression.