I’d say the most significant studio innovation is the invention of the DAW because it democratized recording as the printing press democratized reading 450 years prior.
I visited Abbey Road Studio 2 in October and saw lots of this gear and instruments used by The Beatles and others. Also visited the echo chamber. Totally mind blowing!!
Yes, I just worked in that room with Chris Bolster in October so very deja vu seeing that gear in this video! One of the newer technologies that are ground breaking to my process are the plugin controlled hardware products, like compressors and EQ's by Tegeler, WesAudio, and BetterMaker. It's taking the automation of desks like SSL or flying faders for mixing (which DAWs have somewhat replaced) one step further with automated and fully recallable hardware.
Warren, thank you so much for this whole series. I'm just a simple home guy but love experimenting with my simple songs, using only the Waves Abbey Road collection. And while the plugins allow for infinite setting adjustment, it's a fun challenge to use only the bands and settings of the original equipment and, for example, only the RS56 to passively cut, as the original. I might cheat and use a Fairchild, only because I saw one inside Studio Two during a Ryan/Kehew presentation a few years ago. I like the adjustability. Anyway, it's a fun challenge for a simple amateur. Thanks so much, as ever. -G
This was such a treat! Loved it. So interesting & informative. Yes I have many Abbey Road Waves emulations. Fantastic to see & learn about the real hardware. Thank you Warren & Mirek & Abbey Road…what a magical place!
always so interesting to hear how things we take for granted today began as "oddities" and "first ofs" way back thanks, as always, Warren for sharing these amazing moments and thanks to Abbey Road!!!
I think what surprised me most was that the newer gear (mics, mostly) now have the REDD preamps and preset EQ curves in them. I know some other manufactures have been doing that, but to see that EMI/Abby was doing the same thing, made me think about the long-standing arguments about capturing "the most accurate sound possible". That is, if the sound being captured has been tune-shaped by the mic then that is really no different than not tone-shaping it with a true flat mic and applying EQ in the channel strip.. correct? That would support the PLAP mantra that "The gear really doesn't matter; only the final results matter". Cheers and Very Best Regards!
Absolutely! Personally I like to understand my gear so that I can use to shape the sound going in. However, a good neutral mic and pre amp with plug ins only requires the knowledge you need to make create great results! Or frankly, the passion to learn to be better!
Thanks Warren. Takes me back to the era when I was working in studios that were transitioning to a lot of Japanese gear. Akai produced some great gear. As did Teac and so on. Alesis and Yamaha had some really cool digital stuff and we were so imprresed with how clean it all sounded. Then we started noticing the tape noise. I bought 8 ADAT's using an Atari 1040. Unfortunately, Cubase could not record audio. We still had to use the Otari. Then I found a copy of Logic for the PC. The china pen went in the bin. Unfotunately all the outboard gear he is talking about went in the bin or auction. No one wanted the old rubbish. In the end I have a hard time believing that all the work required to insert all this old carp is not worth it. Bands don't pay enough.
I've always heard about the abby roads altec comp being totally different,...but to me,... that would mean the circuit was gutted,.. and nothing of the fundamental altec circuit path remained. Only the power supply,.... which would've been modded for Europe. Attack/release mods would require caps, ( selected for ratios? ), a common mod on old comps with fixed ratios. Preamp valves possibly changed to higher/lower gain? He said the circuit was secret sauce and kept under wraps. I'd still love see the schematic for myself. The myth lives on though and sometimes,..best kept secret I guess. It'll sound different somehow, lol. And it does! Another good one. Cheers. 👍
Where did the other curve-benders go? I suspect they were used for parts to keep the remaining functioning. They are on the shelf with lots of bits and pieces missing. 😎
Interesting video - Bespoke gear and super bespoke hair-dos. One must assume that mirrors have been deemed assault weapons in the UK. Passive EQ messes with the phase just as active does. How else would it work? Like saying that passive EQ does not affect frequency response.
I really don't get it. Just because the Beatles had good songs doesn't mean the gear is just as good. Has anyone heard Metallica's "black" album? This type of obsession with the gear the Beatles used is totally delusional.
I understand if you only believe the Beatles were the only people during Abbey Road’s nearly hundreds history that recorded there! Alan Blumlein invented stereo at Abbey Road, countless massive soundtracks for the biggest movies ever made have been recorded there not to mention Pink Floyd and countless other massive artists! You have to look at the studios incredible innovation and not base it around one band! Here’s a video of the studios history in which the Beatles only appear briefly:- th-cam.com/video/1KksjkOl7-w/w-d-xo.htmlsi=r2vzS5HXcmLxzXcF
What do you think are some of the most important studio gear innovations? Share your thoughts below!
Studer J37
Yes, truly amazing!@@damon_aaron
Probably the Axefx. As a studio tool it's pretty incredible.
Most important..multi track recorder.
I’d say the most significant studio innovation is the invention of the DAW because it democratized recording as the printing press democratized reading 450 years prior.
I visited Abbey Road Studio 2 in October and saw lots of this gear and instruments used by The Beatles and others. Also visited the echo chamber. Totally mind blowing!!
Very cool indeed! Truly amazing
Yes, I just worked in that room with Chris Bolster in October so very deja vu seeing that gear in this video! One of the newer technologies that are ground breaking to my process are the plugin controlled hardware products, like compressors and EQ's by Tegeler, WesAudio, and BetterMaker. It's taking the automation of desks like SSL or flying faders for mixing (which DAWs have somewhat replaced) one step further with automated and fully recallable hardware.
Priceless
Thanks ever so much!
Brilliant! Thanks.
Thanks ever so much!
Warren, thank you so much for this whole series. I'm just a simple home guy but love experimenting with my simple songs, using only the Waves Abbey Road collection. And while the plugins allow for infinite setting adjustment, it's a fun challenge to use only the bands and settings of the original equipment and, for example, only the RS56 to passively cut, as the original. I might cheat and use a Fairchild, only because I saw one inside Studio Two during a Ryan/Kehew presentation a few years ago. I like the adjustability. Anyway, it's a fun challenge for a simple amateur. Thanks so much, as ever. -G
Thanks ever so much for your very kind words! I really appreciate it
Absolutely brilliant Warren, keep up these amazing videos!
Thanks ever so much!
This was such a treat! Loved it. So interesting & informative. Yes I have many Abbey Road Waves emulations. Fantastic to see & learn about the real hardware. Thank you Warren & Mirek & Abbey Road…what a magical place!
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Oh, I did enjoy that! Thanks for the deep technical dive!
Thanks ever so much!
How the hell did i miss this episode. What a fantastic doc. Wow. Packed full of goodies. 10 out of 10.
always so interesting to hear how things we take for granted today began as "oddities" and "first ofs" way back
thanks, as always, Warren for sharing these amazing moments and thanks to Abbey Road!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Adrian!
Rick Beato did a similar piece on Abbey Road too but I preferred this to be honest...thanks Warren.
Thanks ever so much! Hoad you enjoyed the video! Please check the others in the series
Overwhelming insights. Thank you so much for these fantastic almost fifty minutes, Warren! ❤ Now I love and appreciate my J37 plug-in even more. 😊
Thanks ever so much! Glad you enjoyed the video
*Beautiful report. Thanks for the great Information* 👍👍👍👍👍
🤠😎
Thanks ever so much
I think what surprised me most was that the newer gear (mics, mostly) now have the REDD preamps and preset EQ curves in them. I know some other manufactures have been doing that, but to see that EMI/Abby was doing the same thing, made me think about the long-standing arguments about capturing "the most accurate sound possible". That is, if the sound being captured has been tune-shaped by the mic then that is really no different than not tone-shaping it with a true flat mic and applying EQ in the channel strip.. correct? That would support the PLAP mantra that "The gear really doesn't matter; only the final results matter". Cheers and Very Best Regards!
Absolutely! Personally I like to understand my gear so that I can use to shape the sound going in. However, a good neutral mic and pre amp with plug ins only requires the knowledge you need to make create great results! Or frankly, the passion to learn to be better!
Very inspiring. Thanx.
Thanks ever so much
Oh yes... Gear porn!!! I just hope nobody comes rushing into my office.
😂
Haha no comment!!
Thanks Warren. Takes me back to the era when I was working in studios that were transitioning to a lot of Japanese gear. Akai produced some great gear. As did Teac and so on. Alesis and Yamaha had some really cool digital stuff and we were so imprresed with how clean it all sounded. Then we started noticing the tape noise. I bought 8 ADAT's using an Atari 1040. Unfortunately, Cubase could not record audio. We still had to use the Otari. Then I found a copy of Logic for the PC. The china pen went in the bin. Unfotunately all the outboard gear he is talking about went in the bin or auction. No one wanted the old rubbish. In the end I have a hard time believing that all the work required to insert all this old carp is not worth it. Bands don't pay enough.
If I had one, I would put the DYMO tape labels on it, like the predecessor! Nice video!
Thanks ever so much Kevin
Great historical content! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've always heard about the abby roads altec comp being totally different,...but to me,... that would mean the circuit was gutted,.. and nothing of the fundamental altec circuit path remained. Only the power supply,.... which would've been modded for Europe. Attack/release mods would require caps, ( selected for ratios? ), a common mod on old comps with fixed ratios. Preamp valves possibly changed to higher/lower gain? He said the circuit was secret sauce and kept under wraps. I'd still love see the schematic for myself. The myth lives on though and sometimes,..best kept secret I guess. It'll sound different somehow, lol. And it does! Another good one. Cheers. 👍
Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion! Yes, would love to see those schematics too!
Gain control on REDD47 is not an input gain control. It controls the gain of the amp by adjusting the negative feedback
Really great, Warren! Thanks!!
Thanks ever so much
Warren What tube is in the Redd. 47? If I get one is it easy to get those tubes. Love the Abbey Road videos....
Thanks ever so much! So glad you enjoy them
incredible...
Thanks ever so much!
Where did the other curve-benders go? I suspect they were used for parts to keep the remaining functioning. They are on the shelf with lots of bits and pieces missing. 😎
Good question! I don’t there was that many!
This is awesome content :)
Thanks ever so much!
Amazing gear!
It sure is!
Amazing, what a history there also with the technical know how to build such iconic gear in-house. Thanks very much this series is da bomb
Thanks ever so much Joey! I really appreciate your amazing support!
...a combination of these things and a, Fairchild... 20:57 😊
Thanks ever so much
Great choices
I love this gear content
Thanks ever so much
What a scoop!
Thanks ever so much!
Amazing
Marvellous
Abbey Road was recorded at Abbey Road on Abbey Rd
💕💕💕💕💕
Thanks ever so much!
Didn’t they sell off most/all of the outboard gear in the early eighties?
Apparently not! They also repurchased classic pieces
Interesting video - Bespoke gear and super bespoke hair-dos. One must assume that mirrors have been deemed assault weapons in the UK. Passive EQ messes with the phase just as active does. How else would it work? Like saying that passive EQ does not affect frequency response.
🥰😍🔥
Thanks ever so much
I really don't get it.
Just because the Beatles had good songs doesn't mean the gear is just as good. Has anyone heard Metallica's "black" album?
This type of obsession with the gear the Beatles used is totally delusional.
I understand if you only believe the Beatles were the only people during Abbey Road’s nearly hundreds history that recorded there! Alan Blumlein invented stereo at Abbey Road, countless massive soundtracks for the biggest movies ever made have been recorded there not to mention Pink Floyd and countless other massive artists! You have to look at the studios incredible innovation and not base it around one band! Here’s a video of the studios history in which the Beatles only appear briefly:- th-cam.com/video/1KksjkOl7-w/w-d-xo.htmlsi=r2vzS5HXcmLxzXcF