VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Donna · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject: Symetrix 528e

The above mentioned item has been recommended for my future income potential with a particular client. Anybody have one for sale? Or opinions on said piece o gear?
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bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

You've got a client telling you what pre-amp to use?

Ugh.
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:

Just OK and overpriced. Just my opinion!
Good luck!!!
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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Have been using them for YEARS, both at home and at work.

At work, it serves as our main pre, and sounds great with the SM7.

At home, I usually only use it for the downward expansion section, while using either my Grace or Gap 73 for the actual pre. HOWEVER, sometimes I'll get bored and do a little test file running straight into to 528 and come away feeling that I could certainly use it as my pre too if I lost the other two "dedicated" pres (I use an NTK and 416 for mics.)

As far is it being overpriced, I'd agree with that if you're talking brand new. I got both mine from private seller for around 250-300, which i think was well worth it.

dwpthe3rd · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:52 am Post subject:

georgethetech · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:51 pm Post subject:

We need to talk, Donna... What radio guy is telling you to buy a 528?
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:33 am Post subject:

My thought exactly!

Having rit that I like to be business savvy so in return for the producer/client telling me his preferred settings and a guarantee of ngigs at an agreed rate over nmonths which would be enhonaced to cover purchase cost (one on an internet for $450) I'd just buy it. Use it for his work and the rest of the time stick it by-pass.

I know business does not usually work like this because you simply invest and hope for a return. In the case someone is making a specific request of your business; you must divert funds for an investment. Usually when you invest you have, or should have, a pretty good idea of how that is going to work out. I this case you make the investment and the person who made the "investment decision" should let you know the expected return or you agree something.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:06 am Post subject:

George does it again. Nailed it.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:14 am Post subject:

No he doesn't, I think you'll find that was a FIRST ...Bound to happen sooner or later,

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:26 am Post subject:

Love you, too, Phil-lip. Wink

Donna, unless said client is also having you install Source Connect or ISDN, you DON'T need to process EQ, compression, or gating on the way in (real-time). You just don't. Software can do this with more precision, repeatability, and flexibility. However, it would be an upgrade from an ART tube preamp. Then again, so would be a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, money better spent IMHO.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:02 am Post subject:

There are lots of Red Herrings in our business which is why people ask George what he knows as genuine knowledge is worth far more than opinion.

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 2:41 pm Post subject:

Philip, "MHO's" are based on the experience of working with 500+ individual home studios in one capacity or another, plus many others I've provided support for through via forums, Facebook, etc off the record. If others deem me to be the authority on the subject, that's their opinion. I am not a guru.

Besides, we tried a Red Herring on the logo and it just didn't pass the focus group test... LOL!
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Donna · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your advice and opinions - I value your input.

Everything in my humble studio is due for upgrade. George, I haven't used the ART pre in a few years - it was a noisy thing. I've just been going from mic to FastTrack Pro to computer thingy with SoundForgery. Thought about the Scarlett, but I'm also thinking it's time to go Mac/Apogee Duet. Oh look! A squirrel!

A client who has engaged my services for several books has requested this piece o' kit, and I am happy to comply. It is easy to bypass for those what don't need or want any processing on my end, right?
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Donna Postel
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georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 11:35 pm Post subject:

Of course you can bypass the processing... If the client is writing you nice checks, then consider it just part of doing business.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
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TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Bish · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:49 am Post subject:

Very interesting thread. There are two separate questions being raised here:

Question one... is the 528e a worthy (and cost-effective) piece of kit that would earn it's keep in Donna's signal chain? Answer one... maybe. I tend to agree with George and Philip in that there is very little need for any "fancy" outboard processing... especially in a long-form narration gig that's being recorded straight into a DAW. If there is a need for something like this, then I get the impression that this may be, if not a stellar, a solid workhorse... and it does have a bypass button.

Question two... Who is this guy to try and cajole you into getting such a specific and unnecessary piece of equipment? Something that should ultimately transparent to him (or anyone). It's not as if it's a magical and unique box of fairy dust that will suddenly transform the recordings from the merely adequate to aural magnificence. Maybe this guy had a positive experience with one of these... good for him, but to try and push talent into making specific purchases based on his own irrational preferences is just wrong.

This would be like me going to my landscaper and telling him he should buy a John Deere lawnmower... or telling my contractor what brand of hammer he should use. Unfortunately, some people think that being the customer gives them the power to demand control over the capital investment and internal processes of the supplier as well as the finished product... as has been reported with the likes of Wal-Mart. I am concerned about the suggestion that Donna should just do it if the guy is writing the checks... that's taking pragmatism a little too far in my opinion.

Don't stick a bow on it... it's bullying.
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