If I want a vintage drum sound, this is my go-to plug in. I use the bass lift and then cut low-end EQ to taste. I push the drive knob just before toms begin to distort. Then I go back to the gain knob and push that as much as it'll allow before it clips. This usually results in a nice 50's vintage drum sound.
After ten years I’m back for the fun and we always have different perspectives every time as time passes i learned so much with your videos man thank you very much again for all the beautiful work
That mixing method, simplified, is to simply place a trim plugin on each track at the start of mixing (as well as a BF-Meter plug, or any other VU-equipped metering plugin) and simply pull the gain up or down on each tracks trim until they hit an average (RMS) value of between -16 to -20, or a peak (FS) level of around -10. Whichever comes first. This allows the plugs (especially modelled ones) to operate at their nominal level, much like you would with high-end analogue gear.
I tried this on the mix buss of a couple of my projects and gave some top boost, which was really nice without adding harshness. Before I used this I never realised that I was missing so much definition in the highs, and it particularly added some extra life to the lead vocals.
What I love about this plug, as came across clearly in this walk-through, is it's back to basics appeal. Bought it a while back after it got released. It just does all those nice things to sound in a very no fuss way. Guess that's why the real consuls carry so much history. But to use these plugs allows for that walk into a world that I would in many ways never afford to. A couple of hours studio time on the real equipment looking for that "right sound" would cost a packet after a few sessions (with nothing going to tape). Here we get unlimited access to them for a very small outlay. That has to be the biggest plus. ...well after the sounds you get to tape (metaphorically speaking). Great walk through Graham. Thank you for this share.
I have to admit, I never really paid attention to what these console emulation plug-ins were about until after watching and listening to your review of the REDD. Now after listening to it, I could certainly see myself investing in this in the future. I think this plug-in is only going to benefit someone that has developed their ears, and skills in audio engineering and music production first. A beginner wouldn't really see the purpose in something like this. But even from my headphones, which aren't HD, I could hear the difference when this is enabled or disabled. To me, it makes your mixes sound like it can "breath" instead of fighting to hear everything. That's the beauty of analog that digital has steadily attempted to catch up to over the years. Sounds like it's almost there. A lot of times, it's that subtle "sparkle" or "shimmer" that separates something sounding semi-pro verses pro. I think this certainly works if you really know what you're doing.
An obvious solution which come to mind to the cpu overload is to actually put it on one or two aux tracks and then send different tracks through the aux and then mix the return to taste kind of like a parallel compression technique. So instead of having a whole bunch of them on every track, you save cpu power by having only one or two it on an aux. Am i making sense ?
I got this plugin almost right after it came out at the studio i was at they had the actual EMI and i loved the sound and after the demo of this i loved the old vintage color it had love this plugins i also love the smooth smooth sound of the RS56
Thanks for this review. I've enjoy your videos since I discovered your site and your instructional ones have been of great help. Blessings, from Israel.
It is a subtle effect at best, and isn't very vintage-y to my ears. But then I'm listening on a lossy website. That track is crazy good by the way. Keep on, Graham!
The REDD is a really nice plug in. The EQs are very musical! Love the Bass Lift. It has a subtle way of blending instruments. The Drive button alone is worth having. It can add from mild to overdriven dirt to a track. Loving it on just about everything I have put through it.
Graham I noticed in this mix that your very first plugin on every single track you have the Trim plugin. you should do a video on that. is that what Kevin Ward was talking about in his blogs where he said use a trim plugin first to make sure you hitting the plugin on its sweet spot? thats pretty much was the question I just sent you becouse my mix was sounding great at low volumes but distorts when i crank it up in the car. I didnt know much about RMS or UV meeters I just used the normal meeter
I can hear (with my not so great monitors) a change in the width and clarity its not just more top end and less lows its almost cleaner sounding (which is weird). Listen blind (as in close your eyes) and you can hear the slight change in a better way. Not saying it is drastic or will save your mix but I like the sound of it.
DI a guitar. Put two of these plugins in a row in the channel strip with the drive and input right up, treble also, back off the output and then compress it. That's exactly how The Beatles got the distorted guitar on Revolution. I guess that would be a good way to find out how close this it haha, especially the drive knob. I tried it and it actually sounds pretty close, but gets noisy.
damn, your comment on it taking up a load of CPU when you only had 5 instances of it running on a solid computer may have made the difference between me purchasing this thing or not
It feels like it scoops out some mids, but that could be the EQ. I'm sure it adds a little modeled noise as well, like all the other Waves emulations. For such a vintage console emulation, it sure doesn't make it sound vintage. It's very clean, even when pushing the Drive. It's not bad, but there are more interesting console emus out there.
Man that's subtle. On the drums there is definitely a compression going on and slightly brighter. Whether that is good or not depends on the context of the track. But I must say, not convinced, particularly if there is a big CPU hit.
Maybe I'm just not in the inner circle and this is popular knowledge for subscribers... But I just noticed the similarities in the Recording Revolution logo and Abbey Road's logo. This also leads me to believe that "Revolution" references The Beatles track as well? Very nice!
too subtle to warrant the price... this can be achieved with many other plugins, just because it has a name attached to it, doesn't mean its gold.. ssl and slate will do just fine imo
I own all, SSL,Slate,And Waves, And I find I cant load more than a few . the Abbey roads stuff are CPU hogs, pegs the usage meter, anybody else get this ? Of I just heard him say his did as well, I'm i7 and huge RAM as well. I guess they are CPU Hogs. Ill use it only on Drums and Gtrs at most. Great Video Validates how I use it .
Yeah the newer (decent) waves stuff is a CPU hog, The REDD does sound great to me tbh, crank the drive and it sounds way different to the other console emulations. Talk about CPU hogs the Abbey Road Plates!
I just got it on sale for $30, so that seemed worth it to me lol Waves seems to be wising up on their pricing structures and trying to help out the "everyman" with these "character plugins" when they can~shrug~ That said, so many times, subtlety is the only difference between a good mix and a great one, anyway.
Hey Graham, just found out about your channel and I'm enjoying all the tutorials. I love the track and trying to find out the band has been bugging me. I'm sure your busy but I'd appreciate it if you or anyone here who knows the band could share some info about them. Thanks!
Its nice very subtle but nice. A trained ear can hear it untrained not so much. I have an untrained ear but Im working on it. Still I can hear the difference like I said very Subtle.
on the guitars it sounds like a doubler with delay effect and widener to me.. what gives you the fake effect of rounding things the analog way.. but still nothing can beat the real analog warmth,i tested out all analog emulations,still not the same as the real deal.i heard some mastering songs done that passed thrue expensive analog hardware and must say that its a waste of time investing in those expensive plugins,invest in a good mastering company and you will be amazed what they can do with your song in mastering... if the mix has a perfect ballance and good eq sculpting,and overal good sound then they can make it huge 2 in mastering
I've just closed my eyes and listened, and it is much harder to understand, when the plugin is bypassed. Don't think, that there's something magical in it. Maybe, a bit of eq.
If I want a vintage drum sound, this is my go-to plug in. I use the bass lift and then cut low-end EQ to taste. I push the drive knob just before toms begin to distort. Then I go back to the gain knob and push that as much as it'll allow before it clips. This usually results in a nice 50's vintage drum sound.
After ten years I’m back for the fun and we always have different perspectives every time as time passes i learned so much with your videos man thank you very much again for all the beautiful work
Definitely the best track ive heard used in a demo.
That mixing method, simplified, is to simply place a trim plugin on each track at the start of mixing (as well as a BF-Meter plug, or any other VU-equipped metering plugin) and simply pull the gain up or down on each tracks trim until they hit an average (RMS) value of between -16 to -20, or a peak (FS) level of around -10. Whichever comes first.
This allows the plugs (especially modelled ones) to operate at their nominal level, much like you would with high-end analogue gear.
Great song, awesome review. I love how it sweetens and opens up the mix. Sounds great for Master too!
I hear it. It totally puts this song in the right era. Sounds amazing
I tried this on the mix buss of a couple of my projects and gave some top boost, which was really nice without adding harshness. Before I used this I never realised that I was missing so much definition in the highs, and it particularly added some extra life to the lead vocals.
What I love about this plug, as came across clearly in this walk-through, is it's back to basics appeal. Bought it a while back after it got released. It just does all those nice things to sound in a very no fuss way. Guess that's why the real consuls carry so much history. But to use these plugs allows for that walk into a world that I would in many ways never afford to. A couple of hours studio time on the real equipment looking for that "right sound" would cost a packet after a few sessions (with nothing going to tape). Here we get unlimited access to them for a very small outlay. That has to be the biggest plus. ...well after the sounds you get to tape (metaphorically speaking). Great walk through Graham. Thank you for this share.
best review i`ve ever seen . honest and inspirering .
I have to admit, I never really paid attention to what these console emulation plug-ins were about until after watching and listening to your review of the REDD. Now after listening to it, I could certainly see myself investing in this in the future. I think this plug-in is only going to benefit someone that has developed their ears, and skills in audio engineering and music production first. A beginner wouldn't really see the purpose in something like this. But even from my headphones, which aren't HD, I could hear the difference when this is enabled or disabled. To me, it makes your mixes sound like it can "breath" instead of fighting to hear everything. That's the beauty of analog that digital has steadily attempted to catch up to over the years. Sounds like it's almost there. A lot of times, it's that subtle "sparkle" or "shimmer" that separates something sounding semi-pro verses pro. I think this certainly works if you really know what you're doing.
for me all console plugins sound better when they're on each channel _and_ on master.
Sounds great on the drums (It's very subtle but it breathes a little life to them).
An obvious solution which come to mind to the cpu overload is to actually put it on one or two aux tracks and then send different tracks through the aux and then mix the return to taste kind of like a parallel compression technique. So instead of having a whole bunch of them on every track, you save cpu power by having only one or two it on an aux. Am i making sense ?
Yes, very helpful tip for those who didn't know. Huge help
Nice tip...I will try out. Thanks.
Freeze
Very useful if you're just using it for the dynamics and saturation. Not that useful when you also want to use the eq part
It gives a extra magic sound to the mix !!!
I actually used to own a couple REDD 47 tube pres with the Sowter transformers.
Damn I wish I never sold em.
Damn. The REDD really seemed to glue the delay effect on the vocals.
Great video Graham 👍 How is called track or demo with guitars on 7:12 ?
I really enjoy your videos. They are clean, very nice VO quality (we all hate bad VO). Thank you for doing this! Great plug!
I got this plugin almost right after it came out at the studio i was at they had the actual EMI and i loved the sound and after the demo of this i loved the old vintage color it had love this plugins i also love the smooth smooth sound of the RS56
Nice. It adds some subtle harmonic distortion and space around the instruments. What's the Vocoder plugin you are using Graham? Sounds cool.
Thanks for this review. I've enjoy your videos since I discovered your site and your instructional ones have been of great help. Blessings, from Israel.
Little late, but I bought this plugin today, Waves sale 2017, its fantastic and very useful, especially for me on my drumrecordings..;)
It is a subtle effect at best, and isn't very vintage-y to my ears. But then I'm listening on a lossy website. That track is crazy good by the way. Keep on, Graham!
these kind of "little things" makes the song sound bright and professional
Definitely a good plugin emulation. I helps to get that vintage sound you hear on the older records and helps to create realism for build-ups.
I have it its great
The REDD is a really nice plug in. The EQs are very musical! Love the Bass Lift. It has a subtle way of blending instruments. The Drive button alone is worth having. It can add from mild to overdriven dirt to a track. Loving it on just about everything I have put through it.
Guys, the track is "Trinity Electric Lady - Oh Heavenly Father".
Unsung HERO
wow, this made it sound much better. Nice review nd thanks
Graham I noticed in this mix that your very first plugin on every single track you have the Trim plugin. you should do a video on that. is that what Kevin Ward was talking about in his blogs where he said use a trim plugin first to make sure you hitting the plugin on its sweet spot? thats pretty much was the question I just sent you becouse my mix was sounding great at low volumes but distorts when i crank it up in the car. I didnt know much about RMS or UV meeters I just used the normal meeter
I can hear (with my not so great monitors) a change in the width and clarity its not just more top end and less lows its almost cleaner sounding (which is weird). Listen blind (as in close your eyes) and you can hear the slight change in a better way. Not saying it is drastic or will save your mix but I like the sound of it.
This is stuff your average listener will never notice and makes no difference if you have a great song
Thanks for sharing Graham, Great song indeed, catchy tune ;) Guitars all alone by themselves : wow!! Will we hear the final mix soon?
sounds reaal good. nice plugin. good advice... if you cant tell the difference then you either need practice or better headphones.
Agree on the drums..really opens up the drums and they pop on the percussive stuff
Great video and the REDD Console sounds amazing on this mix!! BTW where can I get the song your playing I love the rhythm?
WOW!!!!!!!!...... You said everything I heard and was thinking...You said it best.
great mix
I agree with you 100% on using it on a Mastering session. Put in at the beginning of the effects chain as a console emulator - sweet!
Interesting...it enhances the drum-percussion a lot better than all the other stuff IMHO.
The high end reminded me of a good Pultec EQ.
Cool review!
my go to Plugin for lots of stuff. close as your gonna get. a must have.
the thing sounds good, definitely. I wonder how this can compare, for example, with what you can achieve with the trident a-range plugin
Do you have any videos on any of the kramer tubes, tapes and transistors pack? id love to see how you use the Master Tape. love these videos! :D
actually how your plugin chain..is this the 1st plugin u insert in aux track?
Sounds nice on the subtle settings. As many say -the drive thing is insane -but might have a use very occasionally on a solo instrument.
DI a guitar. Put two of these plugins in a row in the channel strip with the drive and input right up, treble also, back off the output and then compress it. That's exactly how The Beatles got the distorted guitar on Revolution. I guess that would be a good way to find out how close this it haha, especially the drive knob. I tried it and it actually sounds pretty close, but gets noisy.
Name of the track and the band?
Beautiful. I'll probably go with the shadow hills mastering compressor though. That thing is...just incredible.
I love to Drive'' the bass with this Plugin !!
What mic's were you using for the kick drum on that short drum track?
wow really adds some crazy mojo to the mix definitely gonna try this out
Yeah I couldn't get my rtas for my tracks to run without freezing my crappy PC but the abby road 37 is BOSS for my drum tracks to be bussed to
wow. very cool. Have you tried this at the end of the mix line so everything comes out of it
damn, your comment on it taking up a load of CPU when you only had 5 instances of it running on a solid computer may have made the difference between me purchasing this thing or not
It feels like it scoops out some mids, but that could be the EQ. I'm sure it adds a little modeled noise as well, like all the other Waves emulations. For such a vintage console emulation, it sure doesn't make it sound vintage. It's very clean, even when pushing the Drive. It's not bad, but there are more interesting console emus out there.
Great song... Really digging it! And as always great video.
I agree with Tim. I didn't hear any difference and I think I have a decent ear for that kind of stuff. Must be a youtube thing.
Man that's subtle. On the drums there is definitely a compression going on and slightly brighter. Whether that is good or not depends on the context of the track. But I must say, not convinced, particularly if there is a big CPU hit.
I loved that track, could you please telllme the track name and the band? maybe a website?
Thx
I think it makes the higher frequencies sound more open. Idk about about it being something to rave about.
I don't know if this has been asked but why don't you use the "Analog" knob?
Epic track!
What a great song!!! Wheere can we get it? Thanks!
Maybe I'm just not in the inner circle and this is popular knowledge for subscribers...
But I just noticed the similarities in the Recording Revolution logo and Abbey Road's logo. This also leads me to believe that "Revolution" references The Beatles track as well? Very nice!
Once again - a great review. Thanks Graham. :0)
It's very noticeable on the drums, it adds more like low-end tight but fat punch...
I think it really cleans up the track....
too subtle to warrant the price... this can be achieved with many other plugins, just because it has a name attached to it, doesn't mean its gold.. ssl and slate will do just fine imo
real shit
What do you find subtle?
I own all, SSL,Slate,And Waves, And I find I cant load more than a few . the Abbey roads stuff are CPU hogs, pegs the usage meter, anybody else get this ? Of I just heard him say his did as well, I'm i7 and huge RAM as well. I guess they are CPU Hogs. Ill use it only on Drums and Gtrs at most. Great Video Validates how I use it .
Yeah the newer (decent) waves stuff is a CPU hog, The REDD does sound great to me tbh, crank the drive and it sounds way different to the other console emulations. Talk about CPU hogs the Abbey Road Plates!
I just got it on sale for $30, so that seemed worth it to me lol Waves seems to be wising up on their pricing structures and trying to help out the "everyman" with these "character plugins" when they can~shrug~ That said, so many times, subtlety is the only difference between a good mix and a great one, anyway.
Well, I would never use this amount of top end on any plate reverb but it's just personal taste.
It kills all transients by distorting them, thus making the sound softer.
I've given up on many of these product reviews for that reason. I can't tell the difference. Just download the free trial and try it at home.
Awesome Track!! Good Review, but AWESOME track!! Really love that music!!
What are all those things on each channel . Look ill you have alot going. Looks like files on files on files
Damn, it did POP on that vocal track...and I do hear a livening of the upper mids, but still not very impressed compared to others on the market
Awesome Review.
what is the song?!
Hey Graham, just found out about your channel and I'm enjoying all the tutorials. I love the track and trying to find out the band has been bugging me. I'm sure your busy but I'd appreciate it if you or anyone here who knows the band could share some info about them. Thanks!
I have now REDD, Schepps Omni and Tg Mastering I´m ready for Old schoolish Analog world :D
I'm more impressed by the great track :D
excellent review!
Thanks really enjoy your tutorials......
screw the plugin ... whats the song your mixing !
+Q ilinati FOUND IT! : Oh Heavenly Father - Trinity Electric Lady
+Alex Oldroyd thanks buddy !
cool guitar tracks
Thank you to EMI's brilliant
I notice the difference, without the Red the songs sounds like a demo
Its nice very subtle but nice. A trained ear can hear it untrained not so much. I have an untrained ear but Im working on it. Still I can hear the difference like I said very Subtle.
VERY COOL PLUG IN... THANKS...
I like that song u know where I can find it at?
why? r u gonna buy it?
Yeah
Whats funny about most plug-ins is everything gets crushed by brickwalled mastering.
You also don't hear it unless you're monitoring on a really quality set up, which I bet 90% of people aren't.
Right now its on SALE @ $79!!!
on the guitars it sounds like a doubler with delay effect and widener to me.. what gives you the fake effect of rounding things the analog way.. but still nothing can beat the real analog warmth,i tested out all analog emulations,still not the same as the real deal.i heard some mastering songs done that passed thrue expensive analog hardware and must say that its a waste of time investing in those expensive plugins,invest in a good mastering company and you will be amazed what they can do with your song in mastering... if the mix has a perfect ballance and good eq sculpting,and overal good sound then they can make it huge 2 in mastering
Grabbed it today for 29 dollar....that´s a no brainer!
me too :)
Cool track
Thank you excellent video :)
@05:59 I love getting byassed
i think he may have written it!
Awesome !!!
skip to 03:25 for the actual review to begin. AWBL (Anti-Waffle-Bullshit League Member)
exactly!
deeeep! very nice indeed...
I've just closed my eyes and listened, and it is much harder to understand, when the plugin is bypassed. Don't think, that there's something magical in it. Maybe, a bit of eq.
byassed @ 5:59