News
30 November 2009 - Tom Zartler reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Tom Zartler runs Woodcrest Recording Studio in West Chester Pennsylvania. Tom takes up the story; 'I needed a stereo buss compressor to pick up where my 4 Mindprint DTC tube compressors and the Electrodyne CA-700 couldn't fill. I started looking for a stereo, ultra flexible and tuneable compressor. "What do I need out of a stereo compressor that I can't really achieve now that will let it get a lot of usage and allow me to do things I couldn't do before and/or do things better then I could before?" ... more.
12 November 2009 - Safe Sound announces the winner of the recent competition
And the winner is ... Don Fierro based in Brooklyn, in the US. Don is a sound engineer and has mixed live sound everywhere from a living room to huge festival settings. He’s recorded in smokey jazz clubs and cathedrals and has worked with Japanese hardcore bands and large symphonic orchestras.
Don was the only entrant who estimated exactly the same number of components in the competition page photo of the P501 as the judges. As a result Don is now the proud owner of a Safe Sound P501 Audio Processor and API Lunchbox. Don was (almost) speechless. Upon being told the news he said 'wow, that's great, thank you'. A master of understatement we think!
You can check out Don's work on his website at www.hakanairecording.com.
We are now trying to think up our next competition extravaganza which (we promise) will not involve counting components on PCBs! Stay in touch via our newsletter and you'll get the first word on the next competition.
12 November 2009 - Having fun at Factory Street Studios
It's not every day most of us get the opportunity to have a play with the classic 1176 compressor so we jumped at the chance to compare the 1176 with our very own Dynamics Toolbox at Factory Street studios in the UK, recently opened by none other than Feargal Sharkey, co-founder of the Undertones.
Studio owner Alex Eden has been getting to know the Dynamics Toolbox recently installed at Factory Street where its been put to work in a variety of tracking and mix-down sessions with the bands recorded by Alex and his business partner Richard Ferdinando.
But back to the 1176. It’s kind of daunting, unpacking such a classic compressor for the first time. First impressions are puzzling. Very plain looking, 'dial' knobs but not many of them and a huge VU meter, a lot of real estate for a single channel compressor. Anyway we hooked up the 1176 alongside the Toolbox and started to do some A/B comparisons. The Toolbox is always incredibly smooth and will never distort; by comparison the 1176 with its ultra fast attack and release times can add distortion into just about anything you throw at it. But not quite everything as we will see.
Every time we thought we started to understand the 1176 it just plain got us confused again. We expected the biggest differences with the 1176 and Toolbox to be with bass guitar where the 1176's super fast attack/release times would push bass guitar way into distortion, but it didn't really work out like that and it was actually pretty easy to match up the two units for a similar sound during bass tracking. We were tracking bass with a high 12:1 ratio and running both units with fast times and pretty hot, up into +20dBu territory. By now both units were sounding really great but to our surprise the 1176 stayed much cleaner that we expected.
Next we set up a couple of stems for tracking Factory Street's resident session drummer (that's Richard again!). One stereo stem covered the whole kit and them we mono'd a second stem which uses two mics to cover the snare from above and below. This second stem we fed in parallel to the 1176 and the Toolbox and then remixed the outputs from the compressors on to two spare channels on the studio console. In this way we could fade in contributions from the 1176 and the Toolbox into the 'dry' drum mix.
The Toolbox gave a tight well controlled contribution which highlighted how easy it is to use parallel compression 'in the box'. The 1176 ... well you will have to listen to it! I don’t know how to describe it. Phasey, weird, wonderful, like someone had thrown the drum kit into a swimming pool. Richard loved it!
Overall opinions were pretty consistent. The Toolbox is a very versatile compressor which can turn out professional results day in and day out in tracking, mix down and even mastering. It is very quiet, precise and uncoloured but it can pump with the best of them.
The 1176 is still a jewel in the crown. Alex described it as having a kind of mojo about it, not always easy to predict but it has some kind of magic. It 'brightens' everything you feed through it, voice, guitar, drums and yes it can growl if that's what you want it to do. It is not the quietest compressor on the planet but it is certainly a star.
Many thanks to Alex and Richard for the studio time. You can check out their wonderful new studio at www.factorystreet.co.uk
Here are some samples of audio clips from the session. Remember we were looking for extreme effects from the compressors!
- snare_clean.mp3
- snare_toobox.mp3
- snare_1176.mp3
- kit_overhead_clean.mp3
- kit_mix_toolbox.mp3
- kit_mix_1176.mp3
12 November 2009 - MusicTech reviews the P501
The first published review of the new P501 has been published in the latest edition of MusicTech magazine. The reviewer is Mark Cousins, a successful composer, programmer, engineer and writer. Mark writes about the P501, 'The quality of the compression itself is remarkably effective, both in its ability to provide a more even set of dynamics while recording to a DAW and its ability to lock a part into the mix without it sounding overly squashed...' more
19 June 2009 - Tre Sheppard reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Tre Sheppard is front man of the band Onehundredhours and is signed to Survivor Records and EMI Publishing. 'The DT has the ability to just make things suddenly sound better... that's a very subjective thing of course, but I really love what happens when I put stuff though it. The wonderful amount of knobs proved to be quite easy to get around as I worked with it, but I'm still finding new possibilities on each mix as I work with the unit...' more
24 May 2009 - 500 Series Audio Processor - available June 09
First in a new range of modules compatible with the API* 500 Series format is the Safe Sound Audio P501 Audio Processor. Featuring mic/line/DI pre, hi pass filter, peakride compressor and limiter in a single width module.
The P1 derived peakride compressor strengths are in providing tightly controlled vocal compression with perfect transparency, and with the great range of features in this new design it sets a new standard as the tracking toolbox for voice, guitar and drums in this popular format... more
06 Apr 2009 - Texas based singer-songwriter Craig Clifford reviews the P1
First of all, the glowing reviews were dead on. It compresses vocals flawlessly and with perfect transparency. I'm no Caruso, but the P1 works perfectly to record the NATURAL sound of my voice. Because a lot of my songs involve a storytelling style that moves between singing and talking, I want the vocals to sound as natural as possible, like you're sitting in the same room listening to me tell you the story...' more
08 Feb 2009 - Sowter Output Transformer Card added to Toolbox range
Adding yet more versatility to the Dynamic Toolbox sound pallet Safe Sound have announced the availability of the second output transformer card option for the Dynamics Toolbox. The Sowter card follows on from the existing Lundahl plug-in transformer card both of which can be specified at time of order or retrofitted to any Toolbox at a later date. The British made Sowter ST5069C output transformer has a very wide bandwidth, typically 0.5dB down at 100kHz and extended low frequency performance. When using the Toolbox as a stereo mix effect the Sowter is particularly effective with drum mixes needing a more defined low end without resorting to EQ shaping, and for mixes with mid range 'blues' they'll help to provide increased mid-range clarity when used in conjunction with the Toolbox compressor.
The extended high end (up from 70kHz to 100kHz) provides a sonic quality which simply cannot be obtained from all digital mixing systems, so bringing the Toolbox with Sowters into play as the final element in a typical DAW setup can provide the sheen that only analogue processing can provide.
Further output transformer card options for the Toolbox are being designed and evaluated so keep popping back to the website for further news.
06 Feb 2009 - Two new Safe Sound distributors joining the growing family
Many of you in the US will need no introduction to Warren Dent who we are pleased to announce has taken over the distribution of Safe Sound in the US as part of his new venture 'ZenPro AUDIO'. Warren has an extensive knowledge of Safe Sound both as a former partner in previous distributor Front End Audio and as a performer and recording engineer where he's used the P1 and Toolbox extensively. You can contact Warren at www.ZenProAudio.com.
Moving across the water to Eastern Europe we are pleased to have partnered up with Audiopro who are going to be promoting Safe Sound in the Czech Republic. You can find them at www.audiopro.cz.
01 Feb 2009 - TV and Film composer Alasdair Reid on the Dynamics Toolbox
'Transparent equals 'sterile' in some folks minds, but that's one thing this box could never be accused of - if anything, it's the master of 'invisible' compression, perfectly capable of knocking up to (in some cases) 6dB off a full mix without any audible side effects at all. However, I've found it's more than capable of nuking a drum mix for larger than life results ...' more
27 Dec 2008 - Christopher B. Thomas reviews the Toolbox
Christopher B. Thomas is a recording engineer and producer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and mixes everything from Rock to Hip-Hop, Dance to Orchestral, but mainly produces indie/hard rock and singer/songwriter material. Chris kindly agreed to share his thoughts about the Dynamics Toolbox. 'The Dynamic Toolbox is one of the most versatile boxes in my arsenal, and my go-to compressor for mixbuss duties due to its transparency and versatility...' more
05 Oct 2008 - Safe Sound adds another two partners to its growing worldwide dealer base
The Dynamics Toolbox and P1 Audio Processor are now available from UK dealer KMR Audio and MJ Audio Lab in Poland.
19 Sept 2008 - Sound On Sound reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Paul White reviews the Dynamics Toolbox in the October 2008 edition of Sound On Sound. 'As an audio processor, the Dynamics Toolbox turns out to be extremely versatile and can certainly be used to lay on a considerable amount of gain reduction without obtrusive side-effects. In Dynamic mode, the unit takes on the role of bus compressor very effectively...' more
18 May 2008 - Audio Media reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Simon Tillbrook reviews the Dynamics Toolbox in the May 2008 Audio Media magazine. 'Easy to use, but so powerful when you learn what the Dynamics Toolbox is really about. Capable of producing results that are smooth and musical, to hard, aggressive, and in-your-face, you are never disappointed and will continue to find reasons to widen that smile...' more
18 May 2008 - Safe Sound adds two more dealers to its growing worldwide distribution base
Safe Sound Audio has added two more dealers to its growing worldwide distribution. Funky Junk based in London will now sell Safe Sound products in the UK whilst ATT Audio Controls in Australia will exclusively distribute Safe Sound in Australasia.
6 Apr 2008 - Tape Op Magazine reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Andy Hong reviews the Dynamics Toolbox in the latest edition of the highly respected Tape Op Magazine. 'As with the P1, the Dynamics Toolbox's Peakride compression is unbelievably smooth on vocals. Even with slower attack times and high compression ratios, sibilance was never a problem as it is with lesser compressors - a tribute to Peakride's ability to track and compress a signal without distorting the waveform, and this contributes greatly to the unit's transparency...' more
9 Mar 2008 - Top Mastering Engineer Bob Katz reviews the Dynamics Toolbox
Bob Katz is a world renowned recording and mastering engineer located in Florida USA, and founder of Digital Domain which provides mixing & mastering services for records produced around the globe. His patented processes are in use around the world in better mastering rooms. Even though the Dynamics Toolbox wasn't designed primarily as a mastering compressor we were very interested in Bob's opinions about how the unit matched up to his very exacting standards... more
12 Nov 2007 - Technical White Paper for the Dynamics Toolbox is published
The White Paper includes the full design brief on the two switchable compression modes available in the Dynamics Toolbox including the brand new Dynamic Tracking compressor, especially suited for stereo submix and final mix applications.
Dynamic tracking compression was developed primarily for use during stereo submix and final mix duties. It allows the attack and release times set by the user to be dynamically modified by analogue processing which tracks the dynamic content of the audio material being processed. It's capable of working in two very distinct ways; with moderate settings of ratio and attack time, and set to auto release, it helps quickly glue elements of the mix together, but push into fast attack and short release time territory and you have access to a real in your face compressor which can pump and fizz drum tracks and anything else which needs some added character.
The full low down on the Dynamics Toolbox 'New York' style parallel compression is included in the White Paper. New York Compression became a trademark sound of many New York based mixing engineers and uses a form of parallel compression which mixes in a small amount of very heavily compressed stereo submix, usually drums or rhythm guitars, back into the main uncompressed submix. The beauty of this technique is that since you have full control of the blend between compressed and uncompressed submix strands, you retain the timbre and dynamics of the original submix whilst adding gritty texture via the heavily compressed element.
The White Paper also details the new limiter design which combines dynamic threshold and dynamic attack into a tool with a real dual personality; very fast clipping protection when tracking but also very useful as a creative tool in its own right when pushed into heavy levels of limiting.
Download the whitepaper directly as a pdf here, or view this and other downloads on our downloads page.
12 Nov 2007 - Safe Sound announces new dual channel compressor-limiter
We've had so many requests for a stereo version of the P1 that we decided to launch the Dynamics Toolbox which takes the core design of the P1 'peakride' compressor into a two channel stereo linkable format and adds a whole new set of enhanced features based on feedback from our P1 users.
Check out the details on the dynamics toolbox page
13 July 2007 : Safe Sound Audio gets two new distributors in Europe
To help bring the P1 Audio Processor closer to our customers, Digital Audio Service now handle sales for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and Audio Finland handle sales for Finland.
20 June 2007 : P1 gets another album credit
Robert Wiersma is a talented recording artist based in the Netherlands and is another long time P1 user. Check out Robert's latest album at http://members.home.nl/robertwiersma/music.htm which was recorded exclusively using P1 preamps. This album has gotten rave reviews and uses the P1's on vocals, DI'd Fender Telecaster and of course for a variety of great sounding compression effects.
You'll find the P1 credits at http://members.home.nl/robertwiersma/studio.htm
19 Nov 2006 : P1 gets it's first album credit!
Long time P1 user Matthew Sigmon has granted the P1 the ultimate accolade by giving it a credit on his new album entitled 'One Opens Up'. Matthew comments that 'The P1 was a tremendous asset in getting the kinds of sounds I wanted for this work'. You can preview and purchase the album at www.matthewsigmon.com.
