Become a Site Supporter and Never see Ads again!

Author Topic: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?  (Read 3063 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline heathen

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3528
Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« on: January 24, 2020, 01:08:26 PM »
As I've been slowly working on processing transfers of my old cassette recordings, I've found myself enjoying them more than I expected.  It's like there is a certain magic to them, and I don't know if it's simply because they were made on cassette tape or something else.  I was using a D6 so there's certainly no mojo to the recorder, and generally I'd either patch or use an Audio-Technica AT822.  Again I'm not certain I'd chalk the "magic" up to the mic(s).

Now let's be clear up front: terms like "coloration" and "warmth" are almost 100% subjective and I can't even articulate entirely what I mean.  Some of you may have a gut feeling for where I'm coming from, though.

So what I'm wondering is if there's any sort of post-processing that might be able to take a purely digital recording and get it somewhere in the ballpark of that analog magic.  Obviously it won't be exactly the same (particularly when I can't even explain entirely what I'm going for), but getting part of the way there would be a nice start.  I'd appreciate any ideas...this is pretty open-ended so any input is appreciated.
Mics: AT4050ST | AT4031 | AT853 (C/SC) | Line Audio CM3 | Sennheiser e614 | Sennheiser MKE2 | DPA 4061 Pre: CA9200 Decks: Zoom F8 | Roland R-05

Offline noahbickart

  • phishrabbi
  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 2554
  • Gender: Male
  • So now I wander over grounds of light...
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2020, 01:53:52 PM »
Yes!! There are lots of plugins which saturate the signal to emulate the kinds of distortion caused by analog tubes, transistors and tape.

Here are three I've purchased and use with some frequency on the 16bit versions of the tapes I release.

https://www.soundtoys.com/product/radiator/ A "Tube" amp modeled on classic Altec preamps used in Motown

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/SDRR/SDRR.php A very versatile plugin which covers tube, transformer and other kinds of distortion

https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/vpre-73 a plugin modeled to give the sound of a Neve preamp.
Recording:
Capsules: Schoeps mk41v (x2), mk22 (x2), mk3 (x2), mk21 & mk8
Cables: 2x nbob KCY, 1 pair nbob actives, GAKables 10' & 20' 6-channel snakes, Darktrain 2 & 4 channel KCY and mini xlr extensions:
Preamps:    Schoeps VMS 02iub, Naiant IPA, Sound Devices Mixpre6 I
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre6 I, Sony PCM m10

Home Playback: Mac Mini> Mytek Brooklyn+> McIntosh MC162> Eminent Tech LFT-16; Musical Fidelity xCan v2> Hifiman HE-4XX / Beyerdynamic DT880

Office Playback: iMac> Grace m903> AKG k701 / Hifiman HE-400

Offline if_then_else

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Taperssection Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 428
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2020, 02:31:25 PM »
Fabfilter Saturn (incl. various tape saturation presets)
https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in

Offline heathen

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3528
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2020, 03:54:14 PM »
Yes!! There are lots of plugins which saturate the signal to emulate the kinds of distortion caused by analog tubes, transistors and tape.

Here are three I've purchased and use with some frequency on the 16bit versions of the tapes I release.

https://www.soundtoys.com/product/radiator/ A "Tube" amp modeled on classic Altec preamps used in Motown

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/SDRR/SDRR.php A very versatile plugin which covers tube, transformer and other kinds of distortion

https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/vpre-73 a plugin modeled to give the sound of a Neve preamp.

Thanks!  Is there one of those in particular you like best?
Mics: AT4050ST | AT4031 | AT853 (C/SC) | Line Audio CM3 | Sennheiser e614 | Sennheiser MKE2 | DPA 4061 Pre: CA9200 Decks: Zoom F8 | Roland R-05

Offline heathen

  • Trade Count: (23)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 3528
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2020, 03:54:53 PM »
Fabfilter Saturn (incl. various tape saturation presets)
https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in

I'll try to test this and the ones Noah suggested.  Thanks.
Mics: AT4050ST | AT4031 | AT853 (C/SC) | Line Audio CM3 | Sennheiser e614 | Sennheiser MKE2 | DPA 4061 Pre: CA9200 Decks: Zoom F8 | Roland R-05

Offline noahbickart

  • phishrabbi
  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 2554
  • Gender: Male
  • So now I wander over grounds of light...
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2020, 06:54:03 PM »
Try the klanghelm first. It has 4 modes (I use tube and desk), and it’s very inexpensive
Recording:
Capsules: Schoeps mk41v (x2), mk22 (x2), mk3 (x2), mk21 & mk8
Cables: 2x nbob KCY, 1 pair nbob actives, GAKables 10' & 20' 6-channel snakes, Darktrain 2 & 4 channel KCY and mini xlr extensions:
Preamps:    Schoeps VMS 02iub, Naiant IPA, Sound Devices Mixpre6 I
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre6 I, Sony PCM m10

Home Playback: Mac Mini> Mytek Brooklyn+> McIntosh MC162> Eminent Tech LFT-16; Musical Fidelity xCan v2> Hifiman HE-4XX / Beyerdynamic DT880

Office Playback: iMac> Grace m903> AKG k701 / Hifiman HE-400

Offline goodcooker

  • Trade Count: (43)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 4631
  • Gender: Male
  • goes to 11
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2020, 07:24:29 AM »

I use a touch of Waves L3 Ultramaximizer (older version VST plugin) on the mix buss on a lot of my recordings to provide light compression and a little more oomph. The presets are combinations of multiband limiters that provide gentle but effective coloration. Most of them are called things like "Loud and Proud", "Extreme Analog", "Lean and Mean"  and so on. Takes a little experimentation but I get a combination of a little more volume and some "color" although I'm definitely light on the touch with it. I generally prefer the "Extreme Analog" setting that emulates a high end optical compressor in line after any EQ I may slap on there.

https://www.waves.com/plugins/l3-multimaximizer#introduction-to-the-l3-and-l3-ll-multimaximizers



Line Audio CM3/OM1 || MBHO KA500 hyper>PFA|| ADK A51 type IV || AKG C522XY
Oade Warm Mod and Presence+ Mod UA5s || Aerco MP2(needs help) || Neve Portico 5012 || Apogee MMP
SD Mixpre6 || Oade Concert Mod DR100mkii

pocket sized - CA11 cards > SP SB10 > Sony PCM A10

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/goodcooker

"Are you the Zman?" - fan at Panic 10-08-10 Kansas City
"I don't know who left this perfectly good inflatable wook doll here, but if I'm blowing her up, I'm keeping her." -  hoppedup

Offline wforwumbo

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Taperssection Regular
  • **
  • Posts: 186
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2020, 10:41:38 AM »
Just to chime in here...

My personal favorite (and part of my production signature now) is Soundtoys Decapitator. Radiator is great, it models a specific tube preamp while Decapitator models 3 tape machines, a triode tube, and a pentode tube.

Different flavors, but there’s room for both in a plug-in collection. Both are best IMO when used lightly rather than gratuitously.
North Jersey native, Upstate veteran, proud Texan

2x Schoeps mk2; 2x Schoeps mk21; 2x Schoeps mk4

4x Schoeps cmc5; 4x Schoeps KC5; Nbob KCY; Naiant PFA

EAA PSP-2

Sound Devices Mixpre-6

Offline noahbickart

  • phishrabbi
  • Site Supporter
  • Trade Count: (33)
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *
  • Posts: 2554
  • Gender: Male
  • So now I wander over grounds of light...
Re: Post-processing for analog coloration/warmth/whatever?
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2020, 01:05:55 PM »
Just to chime in here...

My personal favorite (and part of my production signature now) is Soundtoys Decapitator. Radiator is great, it models a specific tube preamp while Decapitator models 3 tape machines, a triode tube, and a pentode tube.

Different flavors, but there’s room for both in a plug-in collection. Both are best IMO when used lightly rather than gratuitously.

Isn't the "N" setting on decapitator a model of a Neve mic preamp circuit as opposed to a tape deck?
Recording:
Capsules: Schoeps mk41v (x2), mk22 (x2), mk3 (x2), mk21 & mk8
Cables: 2x nbob KCY, 1 pair nbob actives, GAKables 10' & 20' 6-channel snakes, Darktrain 2 & 4 channel KCY and mini xlr extensions:
Preamps:    Schoeps VMS 02iub, Naiant IPA, Sound Devices Mixpre6 I
Recorders: Sound Devices Mixpre6 I, Sony PCM m10

Home Playback: Mac Mini> Mytek Brooklyn+> McIntosh MC162> Eminent Tech LFT-16; Musical Fidelity xCan v2> Hifiman HE-4XX / Beyerdynamic DT880

Office Playback: iMac> Grace m903> AKG k701 / Hifiman HE-400

 

RSS | Mobile
Page created in 0.073 seconds with 33 queries.
© 2002-2024 Taperssection.com
Powered by SMF