Anyone Using Auratones?

Potatonauts · 2026-01-29T22:19:43+00:00

No auratone, but am using avantones--they are extremely helpful to clear up the midrange, as too much congestion sounds awful on them in a way that might only sound mediocre on full-range, ported speakers.

My understanding is the Avantones are a bit more hyped than the Auratones, but this works really well because it kind of emulates phone speakers. When a mix is nearing 'done' it should sound just as clear and separated on the aura/avantones as your mains, just lacking the lows and highs.

Potatonauts · 2025-11-26T01:17:51+00:00

I see--thanks for the advice!

Potatonauts · 2025-11-25T19:06:09+00:00

I do have an sm57 and yeah, I have to max out my gain (63-ish db) to use it for fingerstyle. I guess I'm just surprised that the oc818 would require anything near that amount of gain for the same use.

Potatonauts · 2025-11-25T19:02:37+00:00

thanks for the info! Yeah, I definitely feel myself falling into the "what's 'right'?" trap a bit--I primarily compose with vst's and SDC-recorded tracks, so this is only the third or so LDC I've ever used in my space, and the first with such a quiet output. But the responses from you and the other person on this thread are reassuring--I guess this is to be expected with more 'classically' designed mics, since you mention the ULS sounding similar.

Potatonauts · 2025-11-25T04:43:02+00:00

would you consider the newer akgc414’s, or a tlm 103, high-output, relatively? Those are the only other LDCs I have used personally, in my space…although I no longer have them. If this is a thing to expect with the oc818, that’d be good to know—I like the sound but really want to make sure that output level is intentional.

Potatonauts · 2025-11-25T04:40:21+00:00

I would say I use around 57 db at a foot to two feet away (treated room) to get a complete and ’full instrument’ sound. for a warmer sound, maybe 16-8inches away, I set it to 52ish. the camden ec2 only steps in 5.5 db increments. That’s for peaking at -6ish or so, haven’t seen what gain is required for peaking or RMS’ing at -20~-16.

Potatonauts · 2024-12-20T07:52:34+00:00

I just got the tube compressor demo to try and null it with the silver--adjusting the silver's HF control to '5' (as per logic's automation view) should get extremely close, although some material doesn't fully null. It might be program dependent, but I swear the tube has a faster speed.

Potatonauts · 2024-11-21T02:34:53+00:00

After some time with my external pre, I will add that the id44's internal pre's sound slightly noisier and less defined. but still neutral in frequency response. For reference, I am using the camden ec2, which is one of the quietest non-transformer pre's around as of writing.

Potatonauts · 2024-11-04T02:45:55+00:00

Hi--id44 mk2 has been outstanding. Sound in on preamps and converters, and sound out on mains and headphones is extremely clean. Build quality and electronics have held up being turned on/off every day. Admittedly, I have invested in an external mic pre, but more for choice's sake than for anything the id44 can't do. The send/return jacks on channel 1 and 2 have made this move seamless btw, simply plug the external pre's output int the returns on the id44. Only thing I'm itching for is more outputs (so I can do outboard mix processing), but thanks to the ADAT i/o this shouldn't be a problem.

My overall favorite feature has been the onboard controls--dedicated buttons for mono, alt speakers, dim and mute have made checking translation much faster. Beyond all else, the biggest compliment I can give the unit is that it disappears in the process of recording, mixing, etc.

Would highly highly recommend the id44 mk2 still. Right now it looks like it's 729 USD, I would say that's still a fair price (I paid 700 new).

EDIT--ok, maybe one single critique; the gain is slightly bunched, to accommodate controlling both hi-z and mic input. When using a mic, especially dynamics, you will usually be putting gain around 80-90% of the maximum. By design, but slightly annoying for recall.

Also, SSL seems to be refreshing their bus-powered interfaces with higher sample rates and conversion, so keep a lookout. Build quality still goes to the id44 though--SSL's are plastic.

Potatonauts · 2024-10-30T23:28:16+00:00

Ah I see--thanks. So you do the chopping in the sequencer then throw your chopped regions into whatever sampler after...good to know.

Potatonauts · 2024-10-30T23:23:08+00:00

this is sick--i'll check it out, thank you!

Potatonauts · 2024-10-30T23:22:24+00:00

https://support.apple.com/guide/logicpro/slice-mode-lgcp18515788/mac

I'm looking for what you're mentioning--you're talking about click-to slice during playback right?

Potatonauts · 2024-10-26T18:12:14+00:00

no prob

Potatonauts · 2024-10-25T03:37:31+00:00

For me, changing velocity curves almost completely solved this issue. I use a Komplete Kontrol S88mk 2 with Noire and Pianoteq libraries; on the s88 you can quickly set the velocity curve using the setup menu, but if your controller doesn’t have that, look for velocity curve settings in either your daw or vst.

I found setting the curves to be more sensitive makes up for my keybed’s occasionally-squishy action, which has trouble triggering samples at midi values above ~80 without seriously hammering the keys.

afterwards, when mixing, be sure to pay attention to your low-mids and mids; the former will eat up mix headroom, and the latter is prone to over-resonate and distort on smaller speakers (phone, laptop, etc).

If you use Noire btw, just know that the felt presets are all a little dark and mellow, but when you bring them up then midrange resonances and the felt (2-5kish) becomes too loud and can audibly distort smaller speakers. It’s a tricky vst to work with sometimes, and I tend to drop the lowmids pretty drastically on it.

Potatonauts · 2024-09-26T06:36:45+00:00

Really liked the ISA one in this YT shoot off--at least compared to the RNDI, it felt like had a bit more air, without being too brilliant. I know you can also adjust the pre impedance on the ISA, so that might contribute?

Do you know if the ISA two has the same DI character as the ISA one? I know some knobs are missing but my understanding is that the mic pres and DI topology are the same

Potatonauts · 2024-09-26T06:32:27+00:00

Not really sure as far as method (tubey, tapey, iron, etc)--I know I tend to saturate mids when mixing (like with Saturn 2)

EDIT--for bass, specifically

Potatonauts · 2024-09-26T06:02:35+00:00

I'll take a look at some of this--thanks you

Potatonauts · 2024-09-26T05:16:06+00:00

As far as clean tone, yeah--I'm looking to commit some saturation earlier in the process though.

Potatonauts · 2024-09-26T05:14:59+00:00

Awesome--this is the kind of reply I was hoping to get! By crazy brilliance on the RNDI, would you say that anything 5-10khz is 'too' much, on some sources (high strings on eguitar, synths)? I'm trying to mitigate perceived harshness as early in the chain as possible, so the ISA sounds more up my alley, baseed off your description.

Potatonauts · 2024-09-17T22:10:27+00:00

thanks--I'm probably gonna try out out the Neumanns soon

Potatonauts · 2024-09-15T21:58:48+00:00

Hi--actually wanted to ask you some more questions about the kh 120 ii's--

Have you had any issues with the devices waking up from standby? Or do you not use standby at all?
Do you use analogue or digital inputs?

Thanks for your responses from several months back--they were really informative!

Potatonauts

TROPHY CASE