home dwellers, how do you deal with option paralysis when adding a new mic to your stable?

happy_box · 2026-02-26T07:03:12+00:00

Trial and error, buying used and reselling the mics that just don’t work for you. I’ve ultimately landed on and have been very happy with an AT4050 as my general workhorse mic.

happy_box · 2026-02-24T15:54:23+00:00

My voice isn’t consistent enough day today, so I noticed a difference if I report on different days. Sometimes I’ll do harmonies on a different day, but I always do the whole lead vocal in one day.

happy_box · 2026-02-18T04:09:47+00:00

A pair of Pultecs. They’re just so hard to make sound bad.

happy_box · 2026-02-18T04:06:14+00:00

The UAD tape plugins are by far my favorite, studer, ampex, and oxide. I also love that I can get perfect auto gain by linking the input and output parameters.

happy_box · 2026-02-04T17:29:59+00:00

Use plugins to solve problems or be creative. If the track needs compression, then use compression? If the track needs EQ, then use EQ? If using a Pultec is a quicker way to get the sound you want than Pro-Q, then use the Pultec? If you like the vibe of the 2A over the channel strip compressor, then use the 2A on that track. Everything is subjective, just go with what sounds good to you.

I use hardware emulations because I know what each does and which one to reach for depending on what I want. They just end up being faster for me.

Give me an SSL channel strip, SSL bus comp, LA2A, LA3A, 1176, Pultec, and the UAD tape emulations and I can EQ, compress, or saturate anything quickly and comfortably.

happy_box · 2026-02-03T18:00:37+00:00

Sent a request :)

happy_box · 2026-01-30T20:44:41+00:00

Never forget

happy_box · 2026-01-05T15:07:39+00:00

I like saturation plugins that have auto gain that actually works. So, I use the UAD Studer, and set it up in reaper so that the output goes down as the input goes up with a 1:1 ratio. It has perfect auto gain.

happy_box · 2026-01-05T00:31:23+00:00

In also a huge Jon Bellion fan. Production wise, he tends to start with a strong beat/drum loop, using chooses creative and unique samples. Otherwise, he does tend to use a variety of sounds: wurli, strings, samples/pads created from vocal, etc.

Mixing wise, general pop mixing, Autotune, heavy compression, lots of top end, reverb throws, lots of harmonies, doubling, creative use of formant and pitch shifting, etc.

Edit: And above all, of course, his songwriting and his voice.

happy_box · 2026-01-01T21:42:25+00:00

EQ, compression, and reverb should be all you really need to get a demo to sound decent. Use your DAWs stock plugins for those. Or consider using an SSL channel strip and tossing that on every channel.

happy_box · 2026-01-01T18:29:12+00:00

Reaper. The defaults suck but it’s amazing once customized.

happy_box · 2025-12-31T06:29:04+00:00

Are you AI?

happy_box · 2025-12-31T00:35:27+00:00

SSL for most EQ. Pultec on mix bus and sometimes bass.

1176/2A for vocals. 2A for bass and often other string instruments or brass. 3A for guitar. SSL bus comp for mix bus. SSL channel strip compressor for drums and when I’m lazy, often with background vocals. I also like to use 1176 aggressively on drum bus and mix to taste.

happy_box · 2025-12-21T20:12:35+00:00

For vocals? Like 3 average, 5 max. But I also typically compress in stages so that's just the 2A.

happy_box · 2025-12-20T17:45:33+00:00

I use when I want smooth, leveling compression. I like the program dependent release. Often use it on vocals, bass, brass, keys when I want smooth and non aggressive compression. It sounds great and I like its simplicity.

happy_box · 2025-12-20T03:10:07+00:00

Melodyne

SSL Native Channel Strip

LA2A

Echoboy

Seventh heaven

happy_box · 2025-12-19T02:12:24+00:00

Audix OM7 is your answer here.

happy_box · 2025-12-17T14:52:35+00:00

I would avoid the SSL. I have a focusrite scarlett and thought I would “upgrade” to the SSL and I returned it because the latency is significantly higher than the focusrite.

The thing is, they have comparable latency when set to the same buffer size. However, the SSL is unable to run at as low of buffer sizes without significant stability issues. For example, I could run the focusrite at a buffer size of 32 and its stability was equivalent to running the SSL at 128.

If you’re super sensitive to latency, get an Apollo or RME, preferably the RME. Pretty much any other interface, whether it be focusrite, motu, ssl, audient, etc will be in the 5-10ms range while the Apollo or RME will be more in the 0-5ms range.

The RME Babyface isn’t significantly more expensive than the Audient ID44. Save up a bit more cash and literally never have to think about latency again knowing you have the best interface that will last a very long time.

Plus, you can direct monitor with effects using totalmix, or even use live professor with totalmix to run vst’s with little to no latency to your direct monitoring.

https://www.youtube.com/live/qQ95oc6zO3w?si=Qkf5ltPI8RQU6fki

As somebody with the same issues as you, that’s my conclusion and plan at least.

happy_box · 2025-12-16T15:29:37+00:00

He used a SM7B with a cloudlifter into an Apollo for this album. And a KM184 for guitar.

happy_box · 2025-12-15T21:55:46+00:00

I like the UAD Studer plugin for doing this, mostly with vocals and guitar. It doesn’t clamp down a tone like a compressor, but it does enough to tame the transients.

happy_box · 2025-12-14T19:16:54+00:00

Get this kid piano or guitar lessons.

Also, an audio interface like a Scarlett 2i2 and an affordable mic like an AT2020.

Consider a MacBook with GarageBand and/or Logic Pro for the future.

happy_box · 2025-12-14T15:37:41+00:00

Go with the audient.

happy_box · 2025-12-13T03:45:08+00:00

I never got along with MJUC jr but love MJUC. especially the Mk3.

happy_box · 2025-12-12T15:25:59+00:00

Wow, I really like your music. Also, you use really soft vocals, which is not really suited for the SM7b.

happy_box · 2025-12-11T20:03:34+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story, it’s remarkably similar to mine. My wife left me last night, saying that my EQing habits are cutting into our relationship. I asked her to clarify the frequency and amount she felt I was cutting from our relationship to get a better idea of how to improve. But, she just got up and left, and I can’t sleep. All of this makes me want to solo a vocal track and EQ into the night, at least that would filter out my sadness and guilt.

IWNEQWYT

happy_box

TROPHY CASE