2021: A Year in Gear (What You've Bought or Want to Buy in 2021)

[elxsound]

Got this from Perfect Circuit today.

I didn't think it'd come until next week, but I'm not complaining.

This is more fun than I expected!

How do you like the sound quality? I have one ordered too... should be here today or tomorrow.

The sound is clean. I honestly don't know what the bitrate/sample rate is but the audio is clean. It seems to handle line level and instrument level without issue.

I was worried because I have the 1010music black/blue boxes which record clean but due to ground issues can sound noisy on monitoring/output (depending on how they're plugged in for power). I thankfully don't have the same issue at all here.

I'm mostly playing around with the synth modules right now and (in the picture) added the VCA at the end before passing into another pedal to bring it back to instrument level. I think there's a mixer module, but I'm still exploring.

The included reverb IRs sound great. It was not the reason I bought it, but after going through them, I know I'll be using them.

I don't know about the cabs yet, but they're IRs too so even they suck (which I doubt) they're replaceable.

[Shabdahbriah]

Technical question. I'm finally getting a little 2-channel oscilloscope (can't afford the awesome Mordax eurorack version), and having never had one, I am wondering if these will work to hook up my audio output (from various sources) to the BNC connectors on it. If not, can someone give me a clue to what will work, please.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VUG00FI/?c ... _lig_dp_it

this is the scope:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3FRKYF/?c ... _lig_dp_it

[justin3am]

I've used those, they will work. If I need to use a real probe, I tend to connect them to the solder tabs on a dummy plug, without the sheath.

[toonertik]

Technical question. I'm finally getting a little 2-channel oscilloscope, can't afford the Mordax eurorack one, and having never had one. I am wondering if these will work to hook up my audio output (from various sources) to the BNC connectors on it. If not, can someone give me a clue to what will work, please.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VUG00FI/?c ... _lig_dp_it

this is the scope:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L3FRKYF/?c ... _lig_dp_it

Hi..
I don't know that model but soon after I got into Euro I got one of these..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-DSO1 ... SwRSpgCrS7
to begin with I just used the clips but then soldered a mini jack input... works fine with both audio and CV.

I'm looking to maybe get one of these.. I know others who use it with Euro.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373475504381 ... 0eh3J1eb1s

Like you.. I just can't justify the Mordax, as good as it is.. and the fact it does other things would frustrate me if I'm using the other things and want to measure/see something.

Hope that helps somewhat.

[toonertik]

Got this from Perfect Circuit today.

I didn't think it'd come until next week, but I'm not complaining.

This is more fun than I expected!

Very very very nice...

[toonertik]

I acquired a 24 channel console over the weekend. A Soundcraft Spirit Studio LC from 1994. It's in nearly perfect condition but the owner said that the main outs didn't work. As soon as I powered it on, I noticed that thePFL light was on. I went through the board turning off PFL on all of the channels and once the the light turned off, the main outs came to life.
It's not as sturdy as my old Amek/TAC Scorpion but it sounds really good and every channel has balanced Tape Send/Returns. I still have a working Alesis HD24, so I'm thinking I could turn this into a badass DAWless setup. It may also become part of a mobile tracking studio, if my plans for later in the year come together.

I also ordered a Make Noise Strega. Should arrive midweek.

Can't have been a pro then...

that is funny...was this "error/ mistake" reflected in the price?

Yeah.. the Ameks are cool... some even designed by Rupert Neve

[pekbro]

The Mordax guys have alluded to re-writing the firmware for the DATA to make it more useful. They have
been busy getting the manufacturing chain in reliable order, which they have done. Now they can look
at the software. Just sayin, honestly I don't use it all the time, but it's definitely handy when you
need it, the other functionality as well. Certainly, one could get by without it easily though.

[toonertik]

How's things Peky Bro?
I'd rather pay less and have just the oscilloscope functionality .. not very keen on multifunction modules.. I find them frustrating, what mode does one use.. then it's like.. I want to use another mode in the middle of a patch..

exception for Disting (I have 2) and usually know exactly what I want in any patch ..

[justin3am]

I acquired a 24 channel console over the weekend....

Can't have been a pro then...

that is funny...was this "error/ mistake" reflected in the price?

Yeah.. the Ameks are cool... some even designed by Rupert Neve

I had a feeling this might be the case. It was offered for free as a "help me get rid of this thing" kind of listing. I gave them $300 after discovering it was fully functional. I plan to replace all the opamps with OPA4134s and the line drivers with DRV134s or SSM2142s, then it'll sound more like the Scorpion. I may also do a recap and replace the PSU. Depends on how adventurous I feel.

The Scorpion was nice. Discrete pres and all that. But it wasn't a split console, so I would have to repatch when I wanted to feed the tape outs into the mixer channels. I think I'll get a Trident 78 or something like that once I've done the garage conversion but using the Soundcraft with the HD24 will help me get used to that workflow again. Of course I'd love an API 1608 or 2448 or like an AMS Genesys but I don't think I'll ever be ready to spend more than $100k on a mixer.

[pekbro]

@Tooner

Hey Man! Glad to see that you're doing alright! I am as well, it's all good here on Maui, we have it pretty easy as compared to most. My rig continues to grow or course, have you slowed at all? heh

[Shabdahbriah]

I've used those, they will work. If I need to use a real probe, I tend to connect them to the solder tabs on a dummy plug, without the sheath.

Awesome! Thanks man.

Hi..
I don't know that model but soon after I got into Euro I got one of these..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-DSO1 ... SwRSpgCrS7
to begin with I just used the clips but then soldered a mini jack input... works fine with both audio and CV.

I'm looking to maybe get one of these.. I know others who use it with Euro.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373475504381 ... 0eh3J1eb1s

Like you.. I just can't justify the Mordax, as good as it is.. and the fact it does other things would frustrate me if I'm using the other things and want to measure/see something.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Cool, thanks. The second link you posted is the older version of the one I am getting. The major difference is that the newer one has recessed connectors and button. It's sold as various 'brands', but they are all the same.

The Mordax guys have alluded to re-writing the firmware for the DATA to make it more useful. They have been busy getting the manufacturing chain in reliable order, which they have done. Now they can look at the software. Just sayin, honestly I don't use it all the time, but it's definitely handy when you need it, the other functionality as well. Certainly, one could get by without it easily though.

Yeah, though I really like the way the jacks function, and that there are 4-channels, there is little else it offers that I need or would use. But I do love watching waveforms! Thanks for your input.

[toonertik]

I had a feeling this might be the case. It was offered for free as a "help me get rid of this thing" kind of listing. I gave them $300 after discovering it was fully functional. I plan to replace all the opamps with OPA4134s and the line drivers with DRV134s or SSM2142s, then it'll sound more like the Scorpion. I may also do a recap and replace the PSU. Depends on how adventurous I feel.

The Scorpion was nice. Discrete pres and all that. But it wasn't a split console, so I would have to repatch when I wanted to feed the tape outs into the mixer channels. I think I'll get a Trident 78 or something like that once I've done the garage conversion but using the Soundcraft with the HD24 will help me get used to that workflow again. Of course I'd love an API 1608 or 2448 or like an AMS Genesys but I don't think I'll ever be ready to spend more than $100k on a mixer.

Wonderful.. a true honest gentleman.. I've done similar in the past.. good to know we're not yet a dying breed

Trident.. I started my pro career working for them in the mid 70's.. specifically wiring the A and B range mixers..
some trivia..
The mixers started by us wiremen getting the blue print.. going to the yard and grabbing some timber and nails then laying the blue print on top and banging the nails in... which held the edge connectors in place while we wired them.. no PCB motherboards.. and other wiring was all hand loomed with that waxed cotton... they were impeccable inside.. one of the desks I worked on went to Cherokee Studios, they had 3 iirc.

I never got to use the range series but later used either the T..something or 80.. so long ago I forget... into a Studer 800 16/24 track 9we had both 16 and 24 head blocks.. I preferred the 16 and drive it with Grand Master 456.. loved that machine.

[toonertik]

Cool, thanks. The second link you posted is the older version of the one I am getting. The major difference is that the newer one has recessed connectors and button. It's sold as various 'brands', but they are all the same.

Cool thanks..

[toonertik]

@Tooner

Hey Man! Glad to see that you're doing alright! I am as well, it's all good here on Maui, we have it pretty easy as compared to most. My rig continues to grow or course, have you slowed at all? heh

Yes.. on Maui you're along way from the madding crowd, half your luck.. I lived in Fiji for a few years. Probably not as sophisticated but surrounded by that beautiful Pacific.

Yes, I've slowed a bit as I try and get the most from what I have... recently added Tukra a 8 track trig_seq with sampled drums and drum synth engines on each track plus extras...

Looking to maybe get the Hexinverter Mindphaser when they finally ship..

and that will be IT... finished...


until the next piece of candy ...

[Shabdahbriah]

Looking to maybe get the Hexinverter Mindphaser when they finally ship..

Far-be-it from me to encourage others to dive headlong into the euro-pit of 'just-one-more-thing', but:

Seriously cool module!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nyc28-Uy8I