Ken Scott talk

[philc]

I'm going to a Ken Scott talk tonight at Cranes Music Shop Cardiff, it should be very interesting, I have a few questions for him regarding the Fairchild etc

Phil

[philc]

I had a good talk with Ken last night about different aspects of early recording etc. I asked him if he was there at the Shadows sessions, he was but not until the late 60's, I really wanted to know about the very early days, but what he said about his recording of them is that there was nothing special done, just the standard recording job.

I also asked him about the Fairchild RS124...his eyes lit up! He mentioned that he was doing some recording at AR recenrly and he requested (and got) three Fairchilds and two Altecs! They are wonderful he said, difficult to explain in words the sounds produced.

I mentioned the AR etc plugins...they are not the same he said and don't come near to the real thing.

Here's a link to a new EMI compressor sxpro.co.uk/chandler-limited-rs124?gclid=COm5iYzNi8kCFQvhGwod5rsABw

Phil

[fenderplucker]

Hi Phil,

Glad to hear that Ken Scott doesn't rate the RS124 plug-in very highly, I have it and found it very underwhelming!! The Nomad Factory Fairchild (LM662) seems to work very well though.

So, do you have space for one in your rack???

Regards,

Paul.

[philc]

Paul.....I can make space The question is, would I have fair use with it and how good is it for the price? I haven't seen a review yet, probably because it's just out. I can't see anywhere if it's valve, for the price I would think it is , you would know better than me if there are valves today that could match the originals which I assume are no longer available?

By the way, Ken did mention that the REDD desk plugin was good.

Phil

[Charlie Hall]

I would be very sceptical of anything that claims to have a variable mu function, unless it actually contains a variable mu valve!
Regards,
Charlie

[philc]

Not a lot of info on it's innards, also no reviews on what it's capable of.

Phil

[philc]

I've had an email comfirming that it is a valve unit, I am waiting for some more info regarding the variable mu aspect.

Phil

[philc]

Just received this:-

Hi Phil,


I’ve spoken to my contacts here and they’ve confirmed it all- the variable gain (mu) aspect of the compressor is in the way that two of the valves are in a push, pull circuit with the third rebiassing the input gain, providing the compression. The larger the input signal, the more the compressor acts on the signal, with the knee softening the more you drive it- which helps with the smooth, rich character of their original Fairchilds.


I will imagine that the RS124 will have much more of the character you’re after- the rest of their gear is very faithful to the spirit of their forerunners and what you’re not really able to get from the software versions.


Let me know if you’ve any further questions or comments on that- we’ll hopefully have some more details soon when they land into the UK.


Best regards,


Nick

[shadfan4]

the variable gain (mu) aspect of the compressor is in the way that two of the valves are in a push, pull circuit with the third rebiassing the input gain, providing the compression. The larger the input signal, the more the compressor acts on the signal, with the knee softening the more you drive it- which helps with the smooth, rich character of their original Fairchilds.

Yeh, that's what I told the wife last night when she asked about the variable mu. glad I was right... as I didn't wanna look stoopid.


PS: You gonna buy one then Phil? should work nice with the TVS.....

Mike.

[philc]

It guess would work good with anything Mike if it does what it says on the box.

I have five makes of compressors, one rack mounted, they all make a difference to the early Hank stuff...but they don't sound like a Fairchild...they won't sound like a Fairchild because of what they are, I have just been offered a demo when they're in the country but I'm someway away for this, the other offer is an audio demo.

Phil

[shadfan4]

All my compressors are plug-ins, even though I have a rackmounted DBX266xl comp/expander/limiter it is rarely used as the plugs are far more practical.

Afraid at the price quoted it will really only appeal to commercial studios or deep pocketed independent producers/mixers (like yourself) rather than us "bedroom players" Anyway, it looks only mono, for that money I'd want stereo

Mike.

[philc]

The object would be to use it on Hanks early sound and also individual instruments, I don't know of any early 60's stereo compressors, it would be good though if it was stereo for a master mix etc.

Phil

[shadfan4]

The object would be to use it on Hanks early sound and also individual instruments,

yes, it would probably give that "X Factor polish" maybe, but would a £2500 compressor be that much better in terms of value for money & performance and more importantly, would most listeners hear a difference over say the best VST plug in compressors from someone like "Waves" or "URS"?

Mike.

[philc]

Most listeners wouldn't hear a difference, I would, but whether it's worth spending £2329 on it is another matter...or put that towards another early 60's Strat etc.

Phil