I just bought an apollo twin and got the avalon UAD with it so looking around at videos on set up and best configurations. Found your video helpful buddy. Thanks
A big mistake in this video and one that most people make is assuming that the meter is measuring input levels when in fact the meter on the 737 reflects OUTPUT levels and of course compressor gain reduction when selected. This is clearly stated in the user manual and can also be proven in practice by turning the input gain to unity (0dB) and the output gain off (-40dB) you will see that the meter will not move despite input gain at unity.
this was a perfect video. on a few minutes i learned how and why. the sidechain mids was not touched but the compression, input and output explanations, was straight to the point.
For those who missed it, he had the vocals low cut / high pass at 55 on the bottom left knob. But was not engaged as the Filter “In” button was inactive.
You can do compressor before the eq. Or eq before the compressor. It's up to you. Or you can do EQ then compressor then back to EQ again. Whatever you want.
How do yall feel about haveing an all in one piece a gear like this Avalon 737? Vs having separate pieces of gear? I'm starting to buy more rack gear and before I go too crazy I want to get some outside opinions. Right now I'm running a TB12 pre amp and a Pro vla II (cheaper compressor) and was looking into getting an out board eq like the Warm eq. In the next couple weeks. Is it better to buy separate? Or save for a more expensive unit like this one?
What interface are you using? I've heard of some people having issues with trying to use the Avalon 737 along with the Apollo. I was using Saffire pro-40 until I had to upgrade my Mac and found out that focusrite no longer supports the pro40 and I have a tlm Neumann 102 and I'm looking to get a Scarlet interface or a Apollo interface
I find that my vocals sound nice if have the output gain knob all the way to the right, high gain engaged, and very little pre amp gain. I don't like to track wit the compressor so I'll bypass that. Maybe a couple db boost for some air around 20k. It sounds very clean this way, but is this a fundamentally wrong way of tracking? I need advice. Thanks
Hi, Im using a avalon pre AD2022 and the avalon compr AD2044 - I do mainly voice recording. I will try out your settings tomorrow for recording - my question is that after the recording suppose I want to compress the voice track a little more should I change the attack and release settings? and for the treshold and compr what is best for the vocal to increase or both? I notice the compr is very delicate but when I use it a little too over you will hear the voice loses quality and I want to keep the quality --- Last when I want to use it after as mastering what setting of attack and release is best and setting compr and treshold you recommend working with a MP3 karaoke music track and the live vocal track - hope you can give me a start with the experience you have with this product and in recording vocals --- Leo
I have the Avalon on my record line in my daw. Do I use line or mic? When I use mic I get a stronger signal but when I use line I have to use the high gain. Which is ideal? I see people use line and mic on the hardware but I just have the digital and want to be sure I’m using it correctly
Why is it that when I connect my microphone directly into this the meter reaches no where near zero even when I crank up the preamp gain, but in my DAW the input level is super loud.
I've been looking for this question like... forever... I have a Neumann u87ai and I've always had this issue. After 200 years of usage I saw a pad button on the interface and did the job. But still not sure if that's the right way to do it.
Maybe try turning down the output level on the Avalon (the knob on the upper right side)? Check the input level on your sound card to make sure you don’t have that turned up. Also make sure the input level (on the line in for that channel) in the DAW is set to either zero or below.
not sure how the output level of your channel strip will affect the interfaces gain. shouldnt the interface input be bypassed (line connection) or set to unity since you are using the 737 preamp?
I might’ve been a little more conservative than he was setting the very first input gain. if there’s distortion, especially on the hot transients from the condenser mic, at the very first input stage you can never really get rid of it. If that’s the signal chain where the gain to the preamp is first and then he’s compressing that signal after he would just be compressing distortion along with the signal. If the signal path has the compressor before the preamp game if that’s even possible then maybe he could avoid the very first stage distortion however subtle it might be pinning the meter like he was.
This is a good example of what I am concerned with. The noise floor seems so high. I hear a noise gate cut in and out on this track. Is that from the mike or the electronics in the Avalon? It seems there should be dead silence for the noise floor using this high end (and expensive) of gear. I have a similar set up, and the noise floor is troublesome. Vocals sound great in the track though. But recording soft violin (for example) - I probably would have to pass on using this set up.
Only one output on that thing...I want to split the signal for zero latency monitoring. Would a Y-cable suffice or do I have to drop $100 on a mic splitter? Would I be losing anything from the signal with Y-cable?
Maybe someone can explain why I have to have my preamp gain knob almost all the way to the left or it distorts. I have a Neumann U87 mic. I followed every step. Its like its too much power. I just have an Presonus Audiobox USB 96 interface. I have a Mackie HMX 56 headphone amp connected also running into a Mackie 32.8 Mixing Console. I can barely get the meters to move. Super loud and distorted. Its like I cant hardly use the 737.. Thanks in advance.
I heard the compressor sucks on the Avalon. I wouldn't spend all that money to get a channel strip that has a mediocre compressor, I'd rather build my own channel strip with separate processors, but everybody is different I guess.
Your meter needs to be recalibrated. This is good information but I would think that someone who invests the $3k to buy this wound know how to operate it. At least I would hope so or else they really shouldn't get it. Also, I notice that in most of this video you talk about how things look vs using your ears to determine proper compression and levels. I've done projects on 737s where I've slammed the comp because it SOUNDED good. I didn't give a shit what the meters said.
Wow !! Sounds like he recorded that video in a small cell with playwood walls as the sound is soo boxy and bad I just cringe when hearing this. Great tut but the sound man ... Maybe spend your cash on treatment in your room and if you cant afford to do a pro treatment you will get MUCH better results selling that 737 and getting a midlevel preamp and a well treated room. A great example how expensive gear will sound like shit if the room is badly done and I feel bad for this video downplaying the awesomeness of the 737 ... another high end piece of gear wasted
