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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 13:42:59 GMT -6
So as my adventures in DIY continue, has anyone here had any experience with the Sound Skulptor stuff? I've been looking at their TS500 Tape Simulator for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit and it seems like a cool thing to build and have. www.soundskulptor.com/uk/proddetail.php?prod=TS500KITI'm also thinking about their EQ573 ( www.soundskulptor.com/uk/eq573.html). I'm just not sure of it as a stand-alone device (to go with my SCAN72) because of the lack of a transformer. I think it was mostly designed to be used as an insert with their MP573, utilizing the transformer output of the pre. Any Sound Skulptor comments or opinions would be great. Thanks! |
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Post by EmRR on Apr 10, 2017 14:06:28 GMT -6
Solid designer with a good long track record. Can't speak to the particular items.
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 10, 2017 15:14:17 GMT -6
Like Doug said, he's a solid designer and has really good kits.
I've heard of some folks using those tape sims and really loving them, I was really close at building some but just never got around to it. They'd probably kick ass on a guitar buss.
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Post by rowmat on Apr 10, 2017 17:05:29 GMT -6
So as my adventures in DIY continue, has anyone here had any experience with the Sound Skulptor stuff? I've been looking at their TS500 Tape Simulator for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit and it seems like a cool thing to build and have. www.soundskulptor.com/uk/proddetail.php?prod=TS500KITI'm also thinking about their EQ573 ( www.soundskulptor.com/uk/eq573.html). I'm just not sure of it as a stand-alone device (to go with my SCAN72) because of the lack of a transformer. I think it was mostly designed to be used as an insert with their MP573, utilizing the transformer output of the pre. Any Sound Skulptor comments or opinions would be great. Thanks! We have a pair of Sound Skulptor EQ573's and a pair of MP566 tube pre's along with four N72's. As a standalone EQ I'm not so taken by the EQ573. Although the high shelving has both 20khz and 25khz points which are typically 'air' frequencies I find the high end a bit hard unless used sparingly. Also the low end seems to lack the fatness of our Neve and Heritage Audio micpre/EQ's. To be fair this should likely improve if the EQ is connected to the insert point of the SS MP573 (as you mentioned) prior to the output transformer and that may smooth things out somewhat. In fact I'm going to modify a N72 to do the exact same thing so I can insert the EQ573 as per the MP573. I've checked out the schematic and I can effectively just mimic this part of the MP573's circuit. I think the Neve style LO 1166 output transformer plays a critical role in conjunction with the EQ with relation to the thickening of the lows and smoothing of the highs and even more so when the EQ is pushed. This EQ will respond quite differently operating stand-alone using its transformerless output. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 17:58:10 GMT -6
So as my adventures in DIY continue, has anyone here had any experience with the Sound Skulptor stuff? I've been looking at their TS500 Tape Simulator for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit and it seems like a cool thing to build and have. www.soundskulptor.com/uk/proddetail.php?prod=TS500KITI'm also thinking about their EQ573 ( www.soundskulptor.com/uk/eq573.html). I'm just not sure of it as a stand-alone device (to go with my SCAN72) because of the lack of a transformer. I think it was mostly designed to be used as an insert with their MP573, utilizing the transformer output of the pre. Any Sound Skulptor comments or opinions would be great. Thanks! We have a pair of Sound Skulptor EQ573's and a pair of MP566 tube pre's along with four N72's. As a standalone EQ I'm not so taken by the EQ573. Although the high shelving has both 20khz and 25khz points which are typically 'air' frequencies I find the high end a bit hard unless used sparingly. Also the low end seems to lack the fatness of our Neve and Heritage Audio micpre/EQ's. To be fair this should likely improve if the EQ is connected to the insert point of the SS MP573 (as you mentioned) prior to the output transformer and that may smooth things out somewhat. In fact I'm going to modify a N72 to do the exact same thing so I can insert the EQ573 as per the MP573. I've checked out the schematic and I can effectively just mimic this part of the MP573's circuit. I think the Neve style LO 1166 output transformer plays a critical role in conjunction with the EQ with relation to the thickening of the lows and smoothing of the highs and even more so when the EQ is pushed. This EQ will respond quite differently operating stand-alone using its transformerless output. Thanks for confirming my concern with it as a standalone EQ. I'd love to hear your opinions after you've done your N72 insert mod. I don't know if that's something I'd try myself with my limited skills but if it vastly improves the performance of the EQ, maybe I'll consider building the MP573 and the EQ573 together. |
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Post by EmRR on Apr 10, 2017 18:09:31 GMT -6
Yes, some of the circuits are modern transformerless adaptations of vintage gear that used transformers. That may be good or bad, depending on what you are mating them with. It seems somewhat atttractive if you're already over-transformered as I am, much less so if you're not.
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Post by kevinnyc on Apr 14, 2017 5:09:47 GMT -6
I built the CP5176 compressor. It's a beast, I love it. Very well designed kits and they were super helpful when I ran into some rookie build issues....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 9:02:33 GMT -6
I built the CP5176 compressor. It's a beast, I love it. Very well designed kits and they were super helpful when I ran into some rookie build issues.... Hey Kevin, Nice! I've been looking at that, too. As a successful "rookie builder" how difficult was the calibration process? I watched one of the videos about how to do it and, after my head stopped spinning, realized the first thing I'd have to do to build the 5176 or the Tape Sim would be to upgrade my cheap-ass DMM so I can read 1v AC on that 1Khz tone. I think my calibration-phobia is holding me back and I can't live in a world of fear. I'd love to hear more thoughts on the build if possible. |
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Post by kevinnyc on Apr 14, 2017 9:08:51 GMT -6
I'm rather embarrassed to admit that the calibration process eludes me...I had someone do the calibration for me...
I'm embarrassed as I have two CAPI FC526s and a JLM LA500 in need of calibration.....which hasn't stopped me from using them uncalibrated as they still sound great....
My apologies for being less than helpful...
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Post by kevinnyc on Apr 14, 2017 9:15:33 GMT -6
Otherwise the build was well documented and I don't remember any panic or befuddlement at the time...
I think at that point my other build experience included probably 3 VP28's, and a VP312 or two...
I'm REAL happy with the cp5176 though....The 2:1 is SUPER useful for a style of compression that can get "grabby."
I use it all the time before a Manley elop on vocals as my version of the 1176/LA2A combo...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 9:30:56 GMT -6
Don't be embarrassed, man. I watched one of the calibration videos mnats had done and I could have sworn he was speaking a language I did not understand. I believe the appropriate social media expression for me would have been: #Befuddled.
Your build experience clearly surpasses mine so I appreciate your feedback on this. I'm jonesing to build some more 500 series stuff and a 1176 style comp that can do 2:1 ranks pretty high on my list of tools I'd like to have around.
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Post by kevinnyc on Apr 14, 2017 10:17:41 GMT -6
Well, Apparently we share the same affliction...
For my money, anything by CAPI, Sound Skulptor and JLM audio make me extraordinarily happy....Haven't gotten into hairball yet but they're on my list...
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Post by bram on Dec 23, 2018 19:08:15 GMT -6
So as my adventures in DIY continue, has anyone here had any experience with the Sound Skulptor stuff? I've been looking at their TS500 Tape Simulator for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit and it seems like a cool thing to build and have. www.soundskulptor.com/uk/proddetail.php?prod=TS500KITI'm also thinking about their EQ573 ( www.soundskulptor.com/uk/eq573.html). I'm just not sure of it as a stand-alone device (to go with my SCAN72) because of the lack of a transformer. I think it was mostly designed to be used as an insert with their MP573, utilizing the transformer output of the pre. Any Sound Skulptor comments or opinions would be great. Thanks! We have a pair of Sound Skulptor EQ573's and a pair of MP566 tube pre's along with four N72's. As a standalone EQ I'm not so taken by the EQ573. Although the high shelving has both 20khz and 25khz points which are typically 'air' frequencies I find the high end a bit hard unless used sparingly. Also the low end seems to lack the fatness of our Neve and Heritage Audio micpre/EQ's. To be fair this should likely improve if the EQ is connected to the insert point of the SS MP573 (as you mentioned) prior to the output transformer and that may smooth things out somewhat. In fact I'm going to modify a N72 to do the exact same thing so I can insert the EQ573 as per the MP573. I've checked out the schematic and I can effectively just mimic this part of the MP573's circuit. I think the Neve style LO 1166 output transformer plays a critical role in conjunction with the EQ with relation to the thickening of the lows and smoothing of the highs and even more so when the EQ is pushed. This EQ will respond quite differently operating stand-alone using its transformerless output. Old thread - curious if you ever got around to inserting the EQ573 on your N72? If so, did it improve the shortcomings of running it standalone? |
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Post by peterhess on Dec 27, 2018 20:00:29 GMT -6
I really like my 573s standalone. Wouldn’t mind a little more heft. But I find the top end really smooth and the mid Q just right for shining dark ribbons.
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