Neumann USM69i
Neumann U89i
Neumann U87AiSource Distribution NEWS
From HHB.co.uk
Britpop band The Longpigs enjoyed a taste of Music success in the 90s with songs such as She Said and On and On. Gear Junkie Crispin Hunt, (famed for his trademark howl) has since gone on to enjoy a career in writing, producing and performing working with top artists like Florence and the Machine, Gabrielle Cilmi, Newton Faulkner, and alongside DJ Howie B on the Mayonnaise project.
We spoke to Crispin (who is a customer of pro audio supplier Studio Creations in Hertfordshire) after he had used his new UAD-2 Quad card on a track for singer-songwriter Liam Bailey, whose new album is being produced by Salaam Remi. The album is classic soul, but there's a side of Liam which is very Richie Havens, says Crispin. Island Records want to get more of that feel on the album, so they sent me one of the tracks to have a play with. For this track, Crispin intends putting the UAD-2 to full use.
All Im working with are two acoustic guitars and a vocal, and I've got to build the rest of the track around that, he explains. But to be honest, just by putting them through the UAD card it sounds fantastic already you could release it as an acoustic track straight away!
It's still early days for the mix, but Crispin has already found a few of his favourite plug-ins. I've got the whole Neve set, plus the LA-2A, the 1176LN, and the Fairchild. The Neve plug-ins are absolutely wonderful just flicking through the presets of the Neve bundle is amazing. They're so close to the real thing.
The Neve Classic Console bundle features the Neve 1073 and 1081 EQs and 33609 compressor alongside the Neve 88RS channel strip. These plug-ins model some of the most popular EQs and compressors in use today, and can be used on as many channels as there is available DSP power. Additionally, low-DSP versions are included for sessions with exceptionally high track counts.
For Crispin, the new UAD-2 plug-ins have already become a central part of his working method. I knew I had to find one decent set of plug-ins to base my sound around, he says. And compared to other plug-ins, the UAD-2 stuff is fabulous.
As well as dynamics and EQ processors, Crispin has taken a shine to the RealVerb algorithmic reverb plug-in. I've been using a convolution reverb, and that's good for when you want a particular space. Working from Logic though, I find its difficult to position things it tends to shove things at the front of the mix, but the RealVerb seems able to handle that nicely.
The UAD-2 isn't Crispins first encounter with Universal Audio equipment his studio also has a UA 6176 Vintage Channel Strip. The UA 6176 combines the warm valve sounds of Bill Putnam's 610 preamp design, with the signature Class A FET compression of the 1176LN, which can be used independently or as a chain to achieve lush warm recordings.
The 6176 is a staple, for vocals and loads of other stuff, says Crispin. I've got a nice old valve Neumann valve mic and if you put that through the 6176 it sounds just like the Beach Boys it's a pleasure to listen to. The 6176 isnt the only preamp in Crispins arsenal but it is a favourite for tracks that need that little something extra. I've got a couple of Neve preamps, too, if I need hi-fi sound, but if I want colour I always turn to the 6176.
The 6176 saw action recently when Crispin was working with UK-based folky singer-songwriter Lisa Mitchell. For her new single we recorded everything using just one mic going through the 6176. We had her banging the side of the piano and squashing it to hell through the compressor, he remembers. She was also stroking the strings of the piano with me on guitar, and it all ended up sounding great! Shes got a really beautiful, haunting voice but shes a quiet singer, so the 6176 made her vocal sit right at the front of the speakers.
In his well-stocked studio, its the new UAD-2 card and accompanying plug-ins that are inspiring Crispin at the moment. I feel confident that the UAD-2 is going to transform my life, he reveals. Before, getting mixes good enough to release took a tremendous amount of effort, but this should make the entire process a pleasure rather than a pain! "
For more information contact Production Room on 0845 539 3000 or email info@production-room.com