D.W. Fearn has manufactured professional recording equipment since 1993. These videos describe the products, show what they can do, and offer some suggestions to get you started with your new D.W. Fearn product. But they go beyond that. Doug Fearn also explains the theory behind the products. With his 50 years of audio experience, these videos will help you to make better recordings with any equipment.
Fascinating presentation! I, too, am a ham. I am not sure if Bill Whitley is still around, but he exhibited incredible patience with me years ago when I discussed audio isolation. I see there is a lot of videos on your channel and I will be taking a "tour" of them shortly. Best 73!
Great Interview....Really liked all the info from Mike Miller. Shout-outs really appreciated all the info....Curious What super expensive PMC speakers Mike was talking about BB5 XBD...they look pretty pricey? Was the other PMC's like the TwoTwo 8 type speakers....Loved that both are using Fearn and Hazelrigg equipment for the interview... Best Wishes to both of you.
If I understand correctly, the VT-2 has a built-in line pad -20 dB that allows me to run signal from my DAW into the preamp inputs? There is no need to use LP-1 anymore and the preamp will not be damaged?
The 20dB pad is for microphones and/or mic'ing situations where the level might be high enough to overload the VT-2 input transformer. It is not designed to the a "line" input. However, all the VT-2s built in the last couple of years have an additional position on the input switch that inserts a 43dB pad that properly matches a line input level and impedance to the VT-2 input. We used to make an external "LP-1 Line Pad" to provide that function, but decided to incorporate it into the VT-2. If someone wants to build their own Line Pad for an older VT-2, we can supply you with a schematic. It only requires 4 resistors, connectors, and a box. You will need some soldering and construction skills, but it is a very simple project.
Dough, thank you so much for your videos and podcast. Real jewels!!. Thanks too for your Lyme book. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much .Chronic here...but alive and kicking(some days...) ;-)
I considered expanding the building to allow a larger control room, but that would have meant large steel beams to support the three floors above. That would further reduce the ceiling height. The cost could not be justified for the benefit. The vented rack panels came about because our customers asked for them. A $30 perforated panel would work just as well. Creating a panel that matched our products required the same machining of quarter-inch thick aluminum as our front panels. There is also the cost of finishing the panels, which requires many different coatings and hand work.
Im curious, would it make a difference to record analog masters to DSD then converting to PCM (for distribution and streaming) vs. recording the analog master straight to PCM? Even though they end in the same format, I imagine that higher quality source material would have an impact on sound.
It's worth a try to hear if it makes a difference. We find that the DSD capture improves the quality when the music is converted to PCM, even in reduced-data formats like mp3. The difference isn't dramatic, but if you are striving for the best possible quality, it's worth it. Whether the same would apply to a transfer from an analog master (presumably tape). It makes sense to preserve the recording in the highest resolution (DSD), but also in a more common format, for the future.
I am not aware of any tests done that way. There is a video on this YT channel that compares the same session in DSD (1 stereo mic), with a PCM multi-mic version. Two variables changed, so not a valid comparison. Some day I may make a recording as you suggest.
Regarding your 1/2" glass layer being made of two 1/4" layers, did you just lay them side by side and install, or did you have put a small layer of something between them to prevent vibration? I have access to affordable 1/4" laminate glass and wish to do the same (single 1/4" on one side of window opening, dual-1/4" on the other), but I'd like to get it right.
I specified 1/2" glass but the contractor could not obtain it in time. He proposed two 1/4" pieces. I was skeptical, but it worked. Nothing in between. Just very carefully cleaned. When the two pieces contact, they sort of weld together. I don't think you could get them apart. After more than 10 years in service, the window continues to work well. I'm not sure about laminate glass, but it's worth a try.
Oh god, the part of "I'm about to ruin your life... once you hear digital artefacts, you can never unhear them" hit home! I've been noticing this more and more with microphones, once you notice what's wrong with one, you notice it in all of them (at least the ones available to you) - which is great from an engineer's perspective but absolutely horrible from a budget & enjoyment perspective. Having to stop myself looking up DSD recording because I'm not ready to hate all recorded sound just yet! 😄
Thanks! I have replaced the little Neve board with a different mixer with more inputs. I don't want to part with the Neve, which I bought new in the 1980s, but it should go to someone who will use it. So perhaps I will sell it at some point.
Intelligent and your matter-of-fact delivery is a pleasure to listen to, and doubly so compared to the yellers and sellers pushing gear so they can get more freebies or sponsorship work.
Nobody is a bigger fan of Wes Dooley than me since I am a ribbon mic freak. But have you tried the British Extinct Audio stereo ribbon? I have one and live in Chalfont so that could be arranged. I also have one of Doug's mic pres as Doug is another hero of mine!
Single mic is so damned INTIMATE! and yes, DSD is a magical format. Ive literally listened to 32-bit flac files and DSD back to back and dsd just has so much more EARTH, silk and a velvet blacknes in its sound. Ive been a fan of DSD since 2015.
at first he was trying to get his name out there for sales but now he's just unnecessarily sticking to this awful awful gawdy color like what the heck people so bad color
like I cant even watch the video because its too bright just sitting on that bench ugh its So Bad its SO ugly. Red panel and yellow lettering wtf bro what a garbage idea "Oh iLok At Me My Gear Is Red !!" what does it pair with a nord stage?? about all this compressor is good for probably
Is low frequency noise coming from preamps wide open? I find it unlikely with VT2, can't say for sure without knowing the mic. The rest like details is simply amazing.
"Digital artifacts and what they might do to you" ... thats what I'm often thinking when listening to shitty RU-vid Audio that this might be harmful on a deeper level we do tolerate to much.
Thank you for this wealth of information Mr. Fern. This helped me conceptualize reasons to prefer tube or solid state preamps. As a means to help me recorded music with more intention.
