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Gem City Mastering
Приєднався 5 лип 2019
Bettermaker Mastering Equalizer - Audio-Only Demo - Vocal Pop
I recently acquired my first piece of analog mastering gear, a Bettermaker Mastering Equalizer. It is a feature-rich, fully-analog, digitally controlled equalizer with a thoughtfully designed plugin for recall and optional control. There are only a couple of audio demos online, so I decided it would be worthwhile to cover the unit pretty extensively. This video is the first in a series of demos in which I cover different genres.
If you need mastering, feel free to reach out: www.gemcitymastering.com/
Bettermaker:
www.bettermaker.com/
On Sweetwater:
www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Bettermaker
On Vintage King:
vintageking.com/bettermaker
00:00 Intro
01:19 Box Tone
02:03 Pultec Bass
03:05 Pultec Treble
04:32 Active High Shelf
06:24 Mid-Side Mode
06:37 Side High Pass
07:07 Mid Low Pass
08:12 Mid Vocal Boost
10:06 Side Boost/Gain
If you need mastering, feel free to reach out: www.gemcitymastering.com/
Bettermaker:
www.bettermaker.com/
On Sweetwater:
www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/Bettermaker
On Vintage King:
vintageking.com/bettermaker
00:00 Intro
01:19 Box Tone
02:03 Pultec Bass
03:05 Pultec Treble
04:32 Active High Shelf
06:24 Mid-Side Mode
06:37 Side High Pass
07:07 Mid Low Pass
08:12 Mid Vocal Boost
10:06 Side Boost/Gain
Переглядів: 1 600
Відео
Carnhill Output Transformers - Stereo Audio Demo and Null Test
Переглядів 3,5 тис.2 роки тому
How much do transformers really color sound when driven nominally? I set out to answer that question. In this video, I ran various stereo material through a pair of Carnhill VTB2281 ungapped output transformers, and compare the audio with the transformers in and out of the signal chain. Then I perform a null test to determine the delta. Keep in mind that the performance of transformers, like an...
Best Value Multimeter? - Brymen BM869S Overview
Переглядів 19 тис.2 роки тому
I believe the Brymen BM869S currently represents the best value available for a full-featured, handheld digital multimeter. At the time of this video, the price is $216 on TME. TME is in Poland but they ship to the United States. This video was not sponsored, I bought the DMM with my own money, and I have no affiliation to Brymen nor TME. The BM869S is available here: www.tme.com/us/en-us/detai...
Siglent SDS1104X-E Oscilloscope - Overview and FFT Function for Audio Use
Переглядів 15 тис.2 роки тому
I've recently acquired a new Siglent SDS1104X-E 4-channel, 100MHz oscilloscope for use in the design of my DIY Mastering Console and future audio project. I primarily chose this scope because of the feature set at this price point. The FFT functions are very nice, as is the Bode plotting facility. This video provides some general information, and goes over the FFT function.
DIY Mastering Console Part 3 - Insert Module Audio Tests
Переглядів 4652 роки тому
This video isn't intended to be a scientifically rigorous demo, but rather just for fun. Have spent a huge number of hours designing this insert module, it's just fun to run some audio through it. The insert module is functionally nothing more than a wire, so any audible differences are likely down to the DA/AD round trip in the Hilo, which sounds amazing. To my ears, the Hilo Insert module are...
DIY Mastering Console Part 2 - Insert Signal Tests
Переглядів 5503 роки тому
In this video, I run through a battery of signal path testing of the balanced, passive, dual stereo insert module that I designed for my DIY Mastering Console.
DIY Mastering Console Part 1 - Passive Balanced Dual Insert Module
Переглядів 1,1 тис.3 роки тому
A couple of months ago, while browsing audio equipment costing thousands of dollars, I had a radical thought... Why can't I just build my own analog audio gear? Is building one's own analog mastering equipment the easiest way to go from ITB to hybrid? Haha, no.
Awesome video man! Love carnhill transformer sound, i'm about to try my hand at a diy project installing a pair of these VTB2281 in a pro vla ii compressor. Quick question though, what pins or side of the transformer is the input/primary?
I enjoy my EEVblog BM235, which I purchased on Amazon. The EEVblog also has a nicer version called the Brymen BM786, which looks great! Another source for Brymen DMMs is Greenlee, which rebrands and sells them in the USA.
I also have the BM869s and agree that this is hands down the best value. I bought mine from Poland also about 2-3 yrs ago and they shipped it to Canada for me. I own a couple yellow branded ones to but dollar for dollar the Brymen comes out on top. Great vid.
Yes, you can definitely hear the narrowing of the stereo field (transfromer ON), bass becomes small, everything is squeezed in a small mushy ball; no thanks. :))
Hello, next time use real music
Why does the x axis of the spectrum ranges from -630 Hz to 19.37 kHz instead of 0-20kHz. Negative frequencies - is this some sort of bug? If these values were selected automatically, is it possible to override manually? Greetings
Can I purchase one of those boards? Or maybe the file to order the PCB boards?? If so, how much? I can do Paypal and pay for shipping. I'm trying to build a vocal preamp with inserts for tube and transformer coloring. I have the modules, but now I need a switcher like yours which will not degrade signal path.
Thanks for the great video. Are you using these transformers now? And where can you buy these transformers? And for how much?
Yes, I use them occasionally. There are certain tracks that really benefit from the subtle warming and saturation. I purchased them from here: www.audiomaintenance.com/acatalog/Output_Transformers-p1.html Model VTB-2281. About $36 / each
Its wierd, the Carnhills perfectly capture how music sounds when you're microdosing mushrooms.
thanks for this
My BM869S stopped measuring AC within a year. Sent to service under warranty. They couldn't figure out what's wrong and said the meter needs to be shipped to Taiwan for further analysis and I will have to bear the shipping cost as its not covered in warranty. From my country(India), shipping two ways would easily cost more than what this meter is worth. Decided I will just use the rest of the functionality. Within a month after that, the meter started showing 'InERR' in all the modes and its basically a brick now.
Nice1 .Gem & thank u
Every song seems to have different resuts, for the most part I hear stereo solidification in some tracks and differences in drum transients in the snappy songs. Overall very small changes and some songs no noticeable differences. (lynx hilo driving unity audio the rocks mk2 over here) how are you driving them?
What an experience between the overview and the recording. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
The coolest feature for audio people is that it lets you read dBu directly on the display (switch it to dBm and hit range to select 600 Ohm), and the AC accuracy is great.
The unit surely sounds good but I don't get the ergonomics. I think their 232P is a masterpiece because you have a controler for every parameter at hand and can bypass individual bands a/b very easily.
The ergonomics are really not a problem. Both the touch screen/3-knob combo and the plugin become second-nature pretty quickly. You can also a/b bands here, it's just on the touch screen.
It looks like the reaction time on this 869 is kinda slow.
Any other transformer shootout?
Thanks A Lot! You help me solve my problem, May God Bless you!
No difference.
We need a new video with driving them harder :)
I had no idea what FFT even stood for. I had to look it up.
I have the 2 channel model (1202). I found the zero offset does not work. All it does is shift the vertical. When I scale the vertical it still scales relative to 0-V and not to my offset-V. Does it work on the 4 channel?
Sadly my BM869S stopped working after light use of 2 years. It hunts for input and reads lower voltage and wrong resistance (fuzes and leads are okay). Manufacturer wouldn't even bother getting back to me nor did the sales person I bought it from Europ. I'd recommend sticking to Fluke if you're in North America like I am.
That's a bummer man. I'm sorry to hear that. Initial quality and longevity are not necessarily the same thing.
My IGS Tubecore has carnhill transfos on the inputs (and sowter on the outputs)...and this video capture how good they sound. Nice work.
Thanks for watching. Cheers!
How would war in Ukraine affect multimeter shipped out of Poland? How are these things connected?
Retrospectively, it didn't, but this video was made very shortly after the Russian invasion, and there was uncertainty around the scope of said invasion. Given that Poland is next door to Ukraine, I didn't know if there would be ancillary supply chain effects.
What's the Maximum MHz the FFT can measure?
That is an excellent question. I'm not entirely sure, but this is a 100MHz scope, so I would doubt the FFT performance above about 90MHz, although I'm not currently doing anything near this range, so I'm not certain.
On my iPhone I hear no difference. So … what’s that say ?
It's says two things. First, it's says that the differences are subtle (which is a desirable quality in mastering), and second, it says that iPhones, like all other consumer goods, are built to a cost, and resolution isn't a priority.
I can tell just with iPhone speakers. Perhaps it tells you’re a bit old, grandpa.
@@cd-rom. sure you can Buco ! Sure You Can
“Wisdom”, would be a better description… Thank you for posting this video. It helped me a lot as to making a decision a buying some. Every percent in audio counts, not to mention “creativity”.
I can hear the differences on Iphone 12
this is fantastic bro!!
This thing came up when I was looking to silence my neighbors god awful music. What exactly does this mysterious device do?
This device, and for that matter all oscilloscopes, very simply, display voltage as a function of time.
First, Thank You! I watched (and liked & subscribed) a while ago and now I’m doubling back. I’m intending to build a mastering console with insert switching to my mixing studio. A couple of quick questions/thoughts: A) Your insert switcher looks a lot like other designs, any reasons or benefits beyond wanting to learn, which is Absolutely reason enough, that you didn’t go with Wayne Kirkwood etc? Any updates or insights to your journey there? Maybe another video? B) I also intend on experimenting with transformers, so we seem to be in sync. I have a pair of Marinairs sitting in a box just-a-waiting. But I have more questions than time. In this video, looks like you wired em up straight through, as if they were Output transformers in a piece of gear. Sweet. So the only “Drive” per se is coming from the Hilo line out and directly back in. My guess is that this level is nowhere near the saturation point of these transformers, any specs or measurements there? Any plans to add a drive circuit that gains into then trims out of these guys, or was the plan to stay pure? And at nominal levels, would most similar trannies from various manufacturers perform about the same, not showing their unique character until driven? I haven’t done any of this, but that’s been my understanding. C) While watching the video I could make out a difference all along, but couldn’t tell if it was a slight maybe .5dB level difference. Then when you did the Null test, the frequency response difference is pretty full range, increasing my suspicion that maybe it’s possibly still level differences we’re hearing. So, 1) how did you go about the Null, or level match in general? And 2) is it still possible for you to level match/null again manually while adjusting for the Maximum cancelation in say SPAN or any spectrum analyzer that lets you / us “see” down below -100dB? In the DAW adjusting by 0.1dB you should be able to find the “most” null, both on the meters but also to our ears. D) Have you measured the outs to ins of the Hilo itself? I’m also wondering how much of what we’re hearing is just going D to A and A back to D, how much is the sound of the Hilo vs any other interface, and then how much is the Carnhills run at that nominal level. I hope all of these questions come off in good faith not criticism. I am absolutely grateful to what you’ve done, and inspired to get back on it myself. Right now you’re my hero. I imagine that the reason you put these videos out and shared your journey and findings is to engage with the community, and you had me at hello. Looking for any insights, best practices, and dead ends you can offer. But more than that, I think I share your insatiable appetite for understanding.
ua-cam.com/video/RRMwsO-po6I/v-deo.html Just found this Dave Rat video that may interest you, or anyone else interested in transformers.
A) Correct. I took cues from both Kirkwood's and Dutch Audio's designs, but the other portions of the console are entirely of my own design. The insert switching boards are the easiest implementation and the most forgiving (for example, there are no power filter caps near components that are extremely sensitive, etc.), so this seemed like a good place to start for learning PCB design. B) Trannies are black magic, so far as I am concerned. You are correct in that they are configured essentially as output transformers, and that is the use case as well. The Hilo is capable of getting pretty damn close to the saturation point of these transformers, but I am not looking for extreme color... I'm interested in subtle flavor, and transformer performance isn't binary in terms of coloration, it's more of a gradient. I'm driving them below the saturation point, but that doesn't mean saturation is absent. C) For level matching the comparison, I did this in the video editor. I believe I used maximum Short-term LUFS (EBU R128) to ensure both files were within about 0.1 LUFS. For level matching in the null test, I adjusted levels in 0.1dB increments minimizing the signal amplitude of the null as measured in maximum short-term LUFS. Any perceived level differences are likely due to additional harmonic content generated by the trannies. D) In all cases, the Hilo D/A and A/D is IN. The only difference is whether the Carnhills are in circuit or out of circuit. In other words, I played the prepared wave file twice through the circuit. Once to capture only the Hilo D/A -> A/D and then a second time to capture Hilo D/A -> Carnhills -> A/D. I then time-aligned these two recordings in my video editor and A/B'd them in the video edit, as opposed to real-time. This strategy was also used for the null test. Hope this is helpful!
@@gemcitymastering Everything you are doing is more helpful than you know! I can’t thank you enough. Just rewatched and first let me say that I missed the text on the first couple of slides, and apologize for having you re-type the same answer here as in the video. But I’m still shocked at how broadband that delta is. If that really is only the added harmonics coming from the Carnills, then damn! You could almost gain match that Delta signal with the Master and A/B as another Version of the song. The “Magnetic Flux Mix”. I suppose that this grade of output transformer is Supposed to be totally neutral, which could explain it being So balanced across the spectrum. I use Nulls and Deltas all the time, and there’s usually more tonal difference. If this really is just “filling in the gaps” with magnetic thickening, in such a neutral non-tonal-shifting manner, then this may be far more useful than I already thought. I still wonder if the levels they’re being it at is so close to their nominal operating range that if they were swapped for a pair of say Cinemag or Jensen output trannies, similarly specked and at the same levels, if they’d be more or less indistinguishable. And if they’d deviate from each other driven at higher levels. However, even if this theory is true, the Delta here, as clean as it is to my ears, is still pretty impressive, especially in a Mastering session. Is there anywhere else to check out your build, other than these UA-cam videos?
@@G_handle Thanks for your thoughtful response, and I would say that you're definitely on the right track. These trannies, along with Jensen and Cinemag are legendary for a reason. That being said, 0.1dB is still relatively course adjustment, it just happens to be as granular as my DAW lets me get. So, I would say it's 50% inability to fully null, and 50% neutral coloration, if I were to guess. My gut on these Carnhills is that they make the low end a tad more woody and bloomy, and they enhance mids around the upper vocal range. That is where I find myself using them, when those qualities are desirable. Regarding where to follow me, here is a good place, as is my instagram (search for GemCityMastering), and I will say that I'm dealing with some health issues, so unfortunately, updates aren't as frequent as I would like. Right now, I'm just trying to keep up with demand for my mastering services and look out for my health and well-being. Fun things like making videos have taken a back seat for the moment, but I hope to be able to do more sooner rather than later, but time will tell. Cheers!
Dude, stay healthy. I hope and pray health gets better. Peace and blessings friend.
in model 789 they worsened the continuity test, I wonder why?
wow
Bro why did you make a video about exactly what I needed on the exact equipment I needed it on? Your making browsing for obscure information too easy. (Thanks though I really appreciate the time you put into this!)
I have an answer for that! If I'm trying to learn something, and there isn't a video about that specific thing, I learn it the hard way and then make a video to fill the gap. 🙂
Did you ever finish this build? Curious to see how it turned out!
I haven't yet... ya know, life and all that, but I have made progress toward finishing the project. I hope to make a video summarizing what progress I've made as time allows.
Any chance you can provide more information or schematics of how to do this? I would love to create one for my studio. It sounds awesome.
This is using the Carnhill VTB2281 transformers, see here for a winding schematic: www.audiomaintenance.com/downloads/carnhill_design_guide.pdf It's pretty self explanatory. I'm using the 600 Ohm primary to the 600 Ohm secondary. Wire the dual windings in series on both the primary and secondary, then follow this schematic: www.sunrom.com/media/content/820/xlr_isolator.gif
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
Had a Fluke portable scope but just got this scope today! The Fluke was good for basic stuff but this is just way more useful! Nice video!
Hi, And chance you can show us how wired everything? I really am interested in doing one like yi. Thank you
This is using the Carnhill VTB2281 transformers, see here for a winding schematic: www.audiomaintenance.com/downloads/carnhill_design_guide.pdf It's pretty self explanatory. I'm using the 600 Ohm primary to the 600 Ohm secondary. Wire the dual windings in series on both the primary and secondary, then follow this schematic: www.sunrom.com/media/content/820/xlr_isolator.gif
I just can't imagine why and when I might need more than 3 digits after the decimal point. but i wouldn't want to do without a bargraph display anymore.
Wow they have quite an impact.
I am from Vietnam and I want to order this Brymen 869s to Vietnam, is there any way to buy and send to Vietnam for me?
I have a question, is the Brymen TBM 869 the same as the unit, sold in North America under the group Greenlee model DM860A
I'm really not sure.
@@gemcitymastering tôi là người Việt Nam và tôi muốn mua 1 chiếc Brymen 869 này , có cách nào để mua và vận chuyển được không
Excelente amigo una preg cual multimetro recomienda p microelectrónica RAPIDO muy preciso p chekar continuidad resistencias muy pequeñas bajas todos los tipos d diodos transistores semiconductores frecuencias d onda cuadrada y pulsos electrónicos automotrices y consumos en miliamperes gracias amigo excelente tu video y profesional
So I'm a bit torn and hoping to get some thoughts. I have an old Greenlee DM-20 that I've had for about 8-9 years and had been just fine for the basics uses I would use it for (checking some electrical items around the house, some continuity test/voltage readings on various electronics I would mess with). But I'm at the point where I'm ready for a substantial upgrade with nice features, and am willing to put up a decent amount to get something that will last me for many, many years. My hobbiest interest in electronics has only increased as I attempt various repairs on gaming devices, TV's, and audio equipment. Also wouldn't mind having a good meter to check various items at some Cellular sites when I visit for work on occasion (Not installing anything, more Field Engineering). I have always known Fluke as top-of-the-line and started looking into them, but my recent research has led me to Brymen/EEVblog/Greenlee for getting about the same level of features for much cheaper (though there are some sacrifices with quality/ergonomics). I'm trying to find the right balance of getting more than I would need, but also finding a good balance of features. Every time I dig into Fluke meters, I really want to get one but always find that they're specific in their design for certain applications while dropping some features not needed for that specific use. So it's hard to pick one. All that being said, my initial thoughts are that the Brymen BM869s/Greenlee DM-860A for $250 seems more than enough, but also could be a bit overboard and bulky. There's the EEVblog BM 786, which apparently only has different probes than the non-EEVblog one? Though, I can't even find the non-EEVblog one for sale, and the EEVblog website won't ship to US. So that one may be out of the question. There's also the BM789 that looks nice. Anyway, just going down a rabbit hole of options and was looking for anyone else's thoughts/recommendations.
Bm859s better. Optimal size.
Ohh, you have to get the Siglent arbitrary waveform generator SDG1032X with this. The scope and the AWG can communicate over ethernet to create bode-plots of phase and amplitude. Absolutely insane and game-changing for audio circuit design and analysis.
Thanks for the video. One question pls: I got one recently. I noticed, during my first session with it, that it adds noise to the signal when the Bettermaker equalizer is engaged. I also noticed that the input and output meters are not active, even when signal is going through it. Is this normal or is there something I could be missing?
I'd check to make sure you're putting enough level through it. If you're not, and then you're gaining up a lot, it could increase the noise floor. If that's not it, I'd contact Bettermaker. I've not had issues with noise, and the meters work fine on my unit.
@@gemcitymastering Thanks for your reply. My levels are sufficient. At least the signal from the Bettermaker gets to other processors in my mastering chain at normal levels. The Bettermaker equalizer gets signal from my mixer, about -6dB. When I turn the knobs, there is also a rattling noise in the signal. The confusing thing for me is that the eq controls respond when I tweak them. Just thought I should ask from a current user before deciding whether to return the unit.
@@MrPelastus Yeah, I suspect you have a unit that has one or more bad components.... perhaps an op amp or something like that. Mine is dead quiet.
I was wondering sir, what was your previews scope? Just wanna know to what we are comparing to...
Siglent SDS1102CML.
@@gemcitymastering Ah i see, the new 4 channel Siglent model must be amongst the top budget scopes overall and definitely a very good upgrade choice. Enjoy!
Great video. Sorry if I missed it, but will this allow say ch1 and ch3 to overlay and allow you to compare linearity between the two? For instance, measure input signal on a device and output of same device. Thanks
So far as I know, it is not capable of simultaneously displaying the FFT for two channels. You'd probably have to spend quite a bit more for this functionality; this is an entry-level device, after all. However, it would be quite easy to simply characterize the input to the device under test first, and then characterize its output second. You could then compare harmonic peak amplitudes for relative distortion, for example. You could also use other math functions to help with the observation of differences.... for example, you could subtract the channel observing the input from the channel observing the output, which would show the time domain waveform of the difference.
@Gem City Mastering thanks for the reply👍👍 Seems like a lot of fiddling, but doable, I suppose. I guess a screen shot of both would do it, but non the less, not in real time. Shucks
hello I find this very interesting I would like to use this technique what do I need to buy to use this coloring technique with its transformers I see that there are cables with a circuit on the right side Thank you in advance for your answer Sorry for my English I am French I used google translate
Putting balanced output transformers inline is relatively simple. The circuit board you see is a balanced stereo insert switcher of my own design; handy for A/B testing, but it isn't necessary. Simply wire up some XLR cables to the transformers and send a signal through them. These are the Carnhill VTB 2281 transformers. Here is the datasheet that shows internal winding diagram: www.audiomaintenance.com/downloads/carnhill_design_guide.pdf And here is a very simple diagram showing how to connect the windings for audio isolation (make sure you tap 600 Ohm to 600 Ohm, otherwise you'll get some likely undesirable gain): www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/xlr_isolator.gif
@@gemcitymastering Thank you for your reply
Greetings from Poland. I bought myself one BM896S 3 years ago, after a looong extensive research and specs comparisons, as IMO the best value on the market right now. After these 3 years of use, i have only 2 complaints: beacuse it is so big, heavy and bulky, it takes a lot of space on the table, and is also unstable while standing. I found out that in fact i don`t need this much precision for a day to day use, and i would be perhaps happier with a smaller some model from brymen. For an all round the house use i cannot recommend enough the brymen BM037 clamp, i find the clamp an amazin feature to just clip it to anything nearby and VFD + precision DC/AC current clamp is another extremety useful tool for field electrician as me, you can hang it anywhere around you and it fits in the pocket, and finds broken cables and cables in walls. For bit more exact readings for precise electronics i recommend a separate DER EE 5000 for LCR (and miliohmmeter), beacuse precise voltage measurements and in fact rarely needed and something like BM231 is plenty enough. But hey, it`s you money and place in toolbox at the end of the day. I reccomend Brymen for value though, no matter what model you choose.
I have a bm037 and a amprobe acd14-pro, which I believe is brymen aswell, I just wish they would add more than 6k ohms range. Idk why fluke loves to skimp on the resistance ranges aswell. Anyway wholeheartedly agree it is one of the most full featured clamp meters in such a light weight package and my current favorite field clamp meter