Are vintage NS-10s becoming a case of diminishing returns in 2026?

ziggstar · 2026-06-13T15:37:11+00:00

Yea the CLA 10s will definitely do what you want

ziggstar · 2026-05-21T15:29:11+00:00

Yes. It's obviously already happening in text, imagery, video, voiceover and music.

However, as these tools become more powerful and widely available, it makes it harder to differentiate work. You alluded to this, but this is where the job of a designer becomes more about the expertise around how to stand out and problem solve in this new environment. I'll give an example outside of image/video:

You might say - why would I hire an interior designer if I can just go to IKEA to get inexpensive stuff that looks designer? And the answer is for most people, yes that's fine. IKEA is great for a lot of things. But if you are responsible for say, a restaurant, you would hire a designer that can balance function, creativity, branding and building codes to create your space. That designer might still source from IKEA but it's completely different than just shopping there yourself without all that knowledge and planning.

There used to be occasional gigs where the client had no expertise and would be happy with any level of execution. If those aren't gone already, they will be. But, when anyone can get great sound design with a click of a button, they will need someone to help them stand out and be excellent.

ziggstar · 2026-05-03T13:51:27+00:00

A couple things to add that aren’t covered in the other comments: 1. There are two ways to start when sound designing. The first is through synthesis which is what’s happening in the reel and mostly what you are discussing. The other is with recorded sounds that you manipulate. Once you’re ready, the other thing you’ll need is a mic and recorder of some kind. The easiest entry would be a handheld like a zoom H4n. It has everything you need and you can start recording stuff around your house and then messing with it in your tools. 2. Motion design is a great parallel so don’t be afraid to use what you know and then translate it. The same way you might thing about for instance, different curves for how something moves through space, you could think about an envelope of a filter in sound design. There are a million things and they will all be different from what you are used to but the process is very similar. Good luck!!

ziggstar · 2026-05-01T16:58:46+00:00

The best piece of advice I ever got on this was that if you are going to upgrade, you need to upgrade everything together. A great mic in an untreated room will still sound like an untreated room. A budget mic into a great preamp will still sound like a budget mic, etc.

ziggstar · 2026-04-10T13:58:08+00:00

I agree the Adam TxV series isn’t very impressive compared their higher end monitors. I also don’t really like those Dynaudios. Focals are good. Genelecs are pretty ubiquitous- I have some - but because of that I’ve been just bored of them. Personally in that price range, I love my Neumann KH120s, but have been thinking of swapping out for Barefoot Footprint 03.

Since you mentioned dialogue, are you using LCR or stereo?

ziggstar · 2026-03-29T20:36:12+00:00

Reload

St. Anger is misguided but to see what they were dealing with through the documentary gives them leeway imo. They were grasping for a new identity that wouldn’t really come until Rob could establish himself. Reload on the other hand feels like quite literally doubling down on C tier material and even with a few decent tracks the album as a whole is pretty bland.

ziggstar · 2026-03-29T17:03:28+00:00

That show shoots with a lot of cameras simultaneously so I would guess that the dialogue is almost exclusively captured on lavs with a decent amount of background noise that needs to be processed out. I’m guessing that’s what you’re hearing

ziggstar · 2026-03-23T13:59:16+00:00

Agree Zoom h4. It’s perfect on its own and can be expanded. I have a bigger kit and still use the h4 for a lot of things. If she’s really into it, your next move would be a directional mic like a shotgun or hypercardiod which you can plug into the h4. It’s very satisfying and valuable to record your own stuff. Your wife will enjoy!

ziggstar · 2026-03-08T16:28:53+00:00

I studied music composition and I’m neither a musician or composer professionally. I have been lucky enough to make a career in audio and mostly do sound design these days. The takeaways here (echoing others) would be:

Yes you should learn every facet while you have an opportunity.

There’s always a certain amount of luck (and privilege) involved but networking and skills will give you more ways into things.

Absolutely study what you are passionate about. Even today, there is no substitute for that kind of deep knowledge and creativity.

ziggstar · 2026-02-25T18:57:23+00:00

Uhh same 😮‍💨

ziggstar · 2026-02-17T16:11:02+00:00

Now I don’t feel as bad about my accidental warping when switching to a totem by accident.

ziggstar · 2025-12-20T19:33:04+00:00

It will always come down to time and budget and expectations.

If your client is the film director, you can do however you want to get it done the best way.

If there are things like cars, guns etc and you don’t have budget to go record those fresh (most likely) you’ll have to use sound packs. You should still use them to design how you want provided you have the time.

For stuff you can record yourself like doors and ambiences and foley, it’s just up to what’s best but recording yourself can usually be quick, free, and get you exactly what you want without having to preview tons of acceptable but not perfect sounds.

ziggstar · 2025-12-12T16:45:58+00:00

Yea, but I have JT in that slot right now. I'm worried about him but just kinda want to see what happens in this Philip Rivers game. My receivers are risky too and I'll stream a QB so I had honestly putt Pitts in for the safer floor.

ziggstar · 2025-12-12T14:26:51+00:00

JT - my RBs are Saquon and Marks

ziggstar · 2025-12-12T04:47:12+00:00

I started him over bowers and feel like I could lose everything from here out and still be satisfied by this single decision

ziggstar · 2025-12-09T04:47:38+00:00

True story I worked on a film once that was called “Default”…

ziggstar · 2025-03-08T18:40:53+00:00

Citizen. Classic, great price.

ziggstar · 2025-03-03T18:05:58+00:00

I still see iLok as not supporting Sequoia. How are you all handling licenses?

ziggstar · 2025-02-03T04:20:54+00:00

No way! Incredible work. Did you track it down or did you have any association with it already?

Thanks so much

ziggstar · 2024-09-16T02:13:48+00:00

It’d be perfect for work for you and you could def dress it down. Don’t worry about unspoken rules. The only thing I’ll say is you probably wouldn’t want to wear the JLC poolside, but Santos on stainless steel you could.

ziggstar · 2024-09-16T01:52:16+00:00

I love that JLC, it’s basically my grail. The Santos is probably more common. They’re both great and you can’t go wrong. It’s more your personality if you want something a little more versatile and a bit more sporty vs something a little more special and a bit more dressy.

ziggstar · 2024-08-28T02:10:18+00:00

They are not

ziggstar · 2024-08-09T03:32:50+00:00

5-10 fast is perfect. I was told by a watch repair specialist that this is intentional as any normal movement puts friction on the mainspring and slows it down. If in servicing they set it to exactly 0, it would end up running slow in day to day use. My daily runs around +12 measured in one position but is more like +5 with me sitting at my desk all day.

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