buymeacoffee.com/paulthird (if you got any benefit from my video, helps a lot to keep the channel away from paid content)

Dope vid! Forget what people think about your gear, focus on what people think of your work. That’s what keeps us working at the end of the day (engineers, producers & artists). Heck my most radio successful mixes were done on passive Alesis monitors with a hifi amp to power them 😂. Whatever gets the job done mate. And sweeeeet looking studio!

It's nice to have an honest talk about all that gear that is bluffing everyone, instead of trusting our ears - good job :-)

You have so many useful vids. Glad I found you (through the @APMastering drama)! This year, it was finally time, as a Mac-based studios, to walk away from my precious RME FireFace. I entertained many really high-end interfaces, but ultimately landed on the SSL 12. It's shockingly affordable, while not skimping on the things that really matter. I do miss the full rack-style setup with so many I/O methods, and the desktop box shape can get physically awkward-with cables needing to dangle over my desk often. But the tone and performance is, in some ways, better than the RME-at almost 1/10th the cost. Plus, I'm now in the SSL ecosystem and seriously looking at getting at least one of their UF controllers. Great vid man!

Very useful for me. Thinking of the same. Not same, not running studio. Just few synths for fun. Too many synth and I don't need Twin X, not using DSP, native work better and unlimited Mac Studio Ultra. I think can flip UAD to EVO 16, connect all my synths .................... and shove it into EMPTY 19" rack LOL ..... I hear you - why rack is empty, real struggle :)

Nice to hear about your experience. The EVO 16 is what I'll be upgrading to if I do so. It's features are there for a good price and it's got Paul's stamp of approval. :)

Thanks for sharing this Paul, I think this is a very important message to get out there. Also, having to use VoiceMeeter on a $1600 interface is nuts!

Love this! ❤️ Thanks for sharing! 👍

The reason people shame others gear is to help themselves internally justify why they spent $5k on a vintage analog LA2A. It's pure copium

Yea, even though I’m a Mac guy, I think that UA really needs to get their stuff together with Windows support. If you ever get time, I’d personally love to hear more details about what you didn’t like about the Apollo DSP and conversion. Congrats on the new facility!

Great video, man. I've been looking at the Audients as my next purchase. I'm currently using two sets of Behringer UMC404s. They're totally fine, but it is a little bit of a hassle setting up and maintaining an aggregate device on my mac each time I want to record. Now, I'm not a professional, I just record me and my friends playing drums/bass/guitar respectively - 6 mics on drums and DI'd Bass and Guitar to be reamped later. It works, but the Audient's workflow just seems so much easier. Then I look at something like the Focusrite Clarett + and on paper, its specs are better. I keep telling myself, this will get you to the next level, but its $1,000 vs $500 for the Audient. I think you talked me out of buying the Focusrite if I do upgrade. I've watched videos on the software for both and focusrites seems more cumbersome to work with which at the end of the day, is going to lead to less music and less fun making it.

I don't mind being a little big headed in saying that I often get better results with my laptop, UMC204HD, Sennheiser HD206's & Cubase 12 Pro than many people with tens of thousands invested in equipment. I've never got the gear shaming thing, the most important product is the end product. If it sounds good, does it matter where it was recorded or what equipment was used 🤘

I left my apollo when my studio closed in 2020. I do not miss it.

This video is brilliant and so true. I'm guilty of gear snobbery too. I have API and Neve preamps and various outboard eq and compressors but I would have no idea in a blind shoot out if I was listening to a Neve or my old Focusrite Scarlett interface preamps.

I've been guilty of gear shaming, yet I've always thought of Audient as a professional grade company. I worked at Westlake Studios in the '90s then opened my own place in 2001. When people ask if I have Neumann microphones, I say yes & ask which one they like. When a client comes in, I might grab the AA C800 clone or the Warm 67. The WA67 is 99% on point w/the vintage U67. The finished product & a pleasant experience are the things people remember. Most new clients notice our acoustic design, lighting & the nice smell (seriously) before they look at the gear. This tactic would never work with Voice Over or Film clients. I always use what they request. That's usually the U87ai. If they insist on something you don't own, just rent it.

Nice set up Paul , I'm a windiws guy as well...I have SSL BIG SIX (4 recordable channels) with Black lion' s Bluey and a Distressor for outboard gear ..I hope to get the RN Portico before I die lol

If i ever need more ins and outs I will check out the Evo FO SURE

About a year and a half ago I went full on Audient for my tracking. EVO16, SP8 and ASP800. Haven't regretted it one second. Much cheaper than previous setups I've had, but I swear my stuff sounds better these days - and I think a big part of it is I now spend a lot less time troubleshooting and can focus a lot more on doing the things I should be doing.. Always been a big fan of brands that do good quality for sensible money, Audient is definitely one of those. Unsurprisingly I also own plenty of Yamaha instruments. ;)

Yes for the Evo 16 got one hooked up to the SP8 for my mini hybrid mix setup

my wa-251 to Allen and heath 24 track console to La-2a into REAPER.... IS GOING BEAST MODE ON ALL YALLLL UAD PRO TOOL GOOBERZZZZ

Totally Agree I Crown 👑 you the “ Robin Hood” of Outboard Audio 💁🏾‍♂️

Great Video, I too am constantly wrestling with what Gear. will actually make a big difference versus what the Internet tells me I need. Slightly off topic but you seem like the guy to ask. Adat! Is it’s a third-party technology that has the same quality across different brand interfaces, or do different brands implement it differently with varying results. For instance is Behringer Adat different to RME Adat, for example?

Perfect advice! I had an EVO SP8 loan unit for a review and Audient also sent through an EVO 16 to pair it with. Couldn't believe what was possible for the price given that the build and UI were as good as an interface I'd previously tested that cost 10 times more than the EVO 16. And hardware works best on the way in as it won't get killed off in a software update. Did you buy any further 500-series preamps aside from the GAP? (The DAV and Cranborne are also great choices for different colours at a similar price). Oh - when's the U87 arriving..?!

Hi paul, thank you for this video. It helps to put things in perspective and prioritize actual needs...am curious, in your opinion, do the kali IN 5s go down low enough to mix EDM and pop music without a Sub?

This is like hearing audiophiles talk about audio. It's all in your head, you are not hearing differences between DAC's, preamps sure, not the DAC.

The simple, unavoidable fact is that what sounds the best or works the best is what you need. The marketing people and other engineers/musicians with egos to stroke will try to convince you otherwise, but you know what's right for your setup. This happens to me just about every time I buy something or release new material. I bought a 7 string bass and had boomers crying that it was unnecessary, not a real bass, I was going to return it after making one song, etc. I'm nearly two albums deep with it as my primary bass. I use Superior Drummer 3 because I don't have the space, gear, or knowledge to record real drums, and I get people critiquing that frequently. Oh the feel is ruined, it doesn't sound real, blah blah blah, and yet those same people always ask "is this still SD3?" Well...if you have to ask, it must be doing a good job, yeah? The opinions of other people don't matter whatsoever, that's what I've found in my years making music.

I had the Apollo. I liked it for mixing and mastering, I do a lot of mobile recording and it would cost me a lot to get UA stuff for multiple ins so I just went to other gear instead. I want to get the satellite from UAD to keep using my plugins and use other things like MOTU for tracking. I had the Audient before it was good. Everything is about workflow and thanks for breaking things down in this video!!!

I just wanted to say thank you for your recent posts. I come from a more autistic Audio Engineering background. This is one of your best posts yet. I wish you success with your new Scottish Studio. Cheers! 🙂

The SHAME is if you don't have a stable system, rock solid, is what is impressive to me, NOT having to worry about artifacts, or crashes. So I'll agree wholeheartedly with Paul here Audient EVO is something I'll be looking at since I'm Win based as well...thanks Paul, carry on !!

Get yourself a decent cheap acoustic and keep it strung Nashville style and a decent reamping box.

People don’t spend enough on monitors.. take that money you saved on the converters and try some HEDD Type 20s now those make a difference! 🎉 EVO 16 sounds like a great deal and converters have come a long way so I think you’ll be happy with it. And most important works for your system.

that's why I use a soundcraft Ui24 as an interface for tracking, bought used, lots of inputs, great pres and enough outputs for about everything I need..For mixing I can use something smaller or not. Everything I mostly do in the box, so it all depends of whow we like to work. Live music gear is sooo advanced that we should at least take a peek. Plus I can be anywhere in the studio with a laptop, smartphone or tablet to control the pres..and then also Reaper. So It's great for me and my band, I can be on my playing spot without the need of anyone by the regie

Thunderbolt worked perfect for me on my x570 ryzen build. I used the Gigabyte add in card on a asrock MB and worked perfect off the bat.

Went with a similar setup, the Evo 16 is great, I use my modded yamaha pm-1000 as the frontend of my chain.

Nothing wrong with Audient converters imo. I don’t like their preamps though, but that’s easily fixed. Man, those Gibson acoustics track so well. They sound huge.

1 space 19" rack blank panel= $8... LOL... I have Kali monitors on an Audient ID14 with Studio One on Windows... You are my man!!! I am so glad to see this video... Looks like the EVO 16 is the next upgrade...

Greetings Paul, thank you for your valuable contributions, could you tell me if I could omit the preamps to connect an external one?

Hey buddy! I see you have an HRK CS566, me too! Do you like it? I love mine, the compressor and saturation are fantastic!

Paul I took your advice on using realphones with my seinheiser hd 600s, some great improvements already! I'm thinking about getting a Topping headphone amp to go along my motu m4 interface. Questions, do I need the interface if I have the headphone amp and what's the purpose / benefit of low impedence headphones?

I hear several KZfaq warning about UA on Windows. I just went more high-grade for similar reasons as you went down. I was using a Focusrite but invested in a set of LCD-X and a Topping amp, so I needed more outputs. I got Motu M4 but there's just no way I can get it to run without cracks and pops. The time I've spent is just silly and I simply can't take any more sh*tty drivers so just upgraded to a Babyface, which is definitely higher grade than I really need. But if it just runs it will be all worth it to me. Time and frustration has a cost too.

Work with what you have....I use for recording bigger projects the X32. 32 channels...works great...the people can mix their monitoring with their phones or tablets...A MOTU Ultralite mk5 for recording 2 channels and mixing on the KALIs LP6. I'm totally happy with everything and the clients are too....and its not a 100 000€ studio. Learnning what you have always help. :)

Hey Paul! I have beeb using a cheap behringer interface now i want to get something better. Im stuck between the Audient iD14 Mk2 and the Ssl 2. Which would you recommend for vocal tracking, mixing and mastering or a different alternative if you suggest 1 in their price range

I keep hearing these horror stories of Apollo with pc. I have been running my TB Apollo for 4 years and never even a hickup, not one. I bought my pc from Sweetwater and they set it up

We need to, in general, be careful with what we say to people. That is especially important if we're talking to people that are beginners or a little past beginners. Why ruin someone's thing? Is someone not very good at guitar? It doesn't matter, just give people some support. If you say "you suck", that could ruin someone's hobby or make it less fun to do the thing they like. It's just not nice. I'm old enough and self-aware enough, so I don't care. Because I know that I can always get better.

what is your hardware spec and windows version? I used TB on windows 10 in a pro studio for about 2 years and it never missed a beat. ALWAYS disable windows updates on your audio PC is the best advice I could give.

Paul.... what do you think summing mixers?

I light pipe out of my Apollo x into a grace m905 and use grace for dac. Best decision ever

Digital pianos don't sound right. Luckily Pianoteq actually sounds like real piano, if that sound is needed, and midi solves that issue. In many cases a piano'ish sound, is fine, so a digital piano, or one of the myriads of sampled pianos that do not resonate right, works fine. Unfortunately, most digital pianos do not feel right. So depending on who is playing, that can be an issue. Kawai has great action on some of their models, and they even have some with soundboards, so the sound is projected more realistically in the room (thought since they don't have actual strings, the string resonance isn't accurate), but to get that better key-feel you have to pay more. Kawai also have the VPC-1 that feels right, but that is only a controller, so it would not be ideal in a recording room. But many players are used to digital pianos or controllers that don't actually feel lika a real piano, some are even quite used to not having even a weighted feel, as they mostly play on other types of keys. But besides the tuning issues, an acoustic piano can also resonate with sound in the room, and thus impact the recording by generating sounds. So I would not put an acoustic piano in a recording space, unless it can be wheeled out (but that can make the tuning issue worse). I don't think a acoustic piano would ever be right for that studio. Ed Sheeran does not use a full sized guitar, I am quite sure. And the Fender acoustasonic range does not have full bodies, but can produce a very useful tone. Guitars are portable, so if a guitar player needs something particular, they should bring it along. The biggest reason to have some really high quality instruments, is probably not really to impress established musicians, because they will prefer their own instrument, but it can be quite emotional for a young artist, to get access to a class of instrument they have never been able to experience. But that scenario isn't a selling point, as it mostly would not be the deciding factor. We should perhaps also expect singers to be able to bring their own microphones. it is a bit strange, that one. Some have a clear preference, but don't own one... But mostly, microphones are actually just down, to getting one with a good response and no resonance issues, and then apply EQ. There is a video of a guy that builds a mic cabinet, inspired by a specific studio, by mostly finding out how to EQ cheaper mics. My issue with that video is not that it disproves the myth of mics. But that he still feel the need to emulate a sound of another mic. I prefer the idea of EQ for the best result for the source, not copying the response curve of a classic mic. Also, a pitch tracking EQ can help you getting similar coloration all over the frequency spectrum (but both Sound Radix Surfer EQ and Antares Auto-Tune Vocal EQ are meant for monophonic sources). And most modern Interfaces and adat mic preamps, offer a clean sound, so you should have no issues getting a clean signal, although some can have issued driving some microphones, and an in-line preamp might be needed. Saturation can be problematic in software, but with a perfect recording, you can re-amp through a pre-amp with coloration, or any other type of nice saturation unit. But you can get good saturation out of software, as well, and one might not always be looking for that "analog saturation" sound anyway, and you definitely do not always need saturation. I wish others could match the RME latency performance. But the Digiface USB isn't that expensive, but requires external pre-amps and D/A converters (4 adat ins (that can be used in spdif mode) and 4 adapt outs (also with adat support), and only 1 headphone output that is of lesser quality than is expected from RME, also it doesn't have the typical software mixer effects of most other RME interfaces). Presonus Quantum used to have great latency performance, but they were thunderbolt, the new USB series is yet to be tested, they do say custom low latency driver, but I have my doubts that they can match those of RME. (Motu, I have seen inconsistent numbers from, at least their M-series) As long as you can impress your clients in the Atmos room, the speakers are fine. I feel 3 ways are more for critical decision about the mid range, than judging the over all sound. But I get that if you mix in the atmos room, the change in tone could in theory impact some decisions. But on the other hand, your clients will mostly likely never hear their songs again in a really well treated room, and they listeners will not, so going crazy about minute details is not worth the effort or cost of investment. But it is true that in some cases, in the recording industry, before you have made a name for yourself, people will care what you use. And some who have made a name for themselves have lost customers, when they have shifted their focus to software rather than large racks of hardware. So it can be a selling point. But starting out, you are very unlikely to have to money to make such investments, so it is not even wroth thinking about it. An if you have that kind of money, you are unlikely to make it back just by the clients you can get because of it, for whom it was important, so then it has to be seen as strictly a personal interest, and not really an investment in the studio.

I made a habit of looking for the cheap options a while ago and I don't regret it. I love my Squier and HB guitars, I love my Reaper, I love my Behringer pedals and Joyo amps, and I love my M-Audio monitors. I'll upgrade from an Axe I/O to a Behringer UMC1820 soon. xD Thanks for the perspective.

It’s all about good sounds guys which elevates your hearing ability + more effiency creativity which all these u get on gears which are not cheap., but of coz thy got they ups & downs as cheap ones too u must struggle no matter how much money u use to buy any gear & That’s my opinion guys🤙

How do you like these Kalis? I'm also thinking of switching my Apollo 8p because I'm on Windows and it creates some problems as you know well..

Did you consider the new PreSonus Quantum HD 8?

As the guy from 6 figure said (in episode 19), a trip to IKEA will make you more money than a trip to guitar center.. .. talking about making your studio inviting for clients vs just spending on gear and never thinking about the vibe you have there.

1600 quid! i paid 1200 for mine and felt ripped off

I've had Audient gear in the past on Windows and had issues with drivers and crackling despite having a high end system. I moved on Motu devices and had a lovely Ultralite FireWire device but it stop working on Mac Os Sonoma. Other than doing some kind of iffy security hack I could not get it to work at all. I essentially downgraded to a Motu M2 which is great but limited connectivity wise. I look at the Evo 16 and am tempted but have read that some have had volume difference issues between left and right channels because the components are a little cheaper.

People would be surprised just how many big hits were recorded with “cheap gear” it’s all about the song and the engineers ear and technique

Gear shaming PERIOD is stupid. You do YOU. Remember, a skinny teenager from California changed an ENTIRE INDUSTRY using a guitar made from spare parts he bought from a box and that he cannibalized from other guitars. This entire industry is built on creativity, and people getting the most out of the tools they have available. Do what works, and change what doesn't work for you. Rock on.

My take on buying expensive gear .. is it's about the thrill, about the imagined sound, the imagined feeling you'll get from using it, imagined .. day dreaming and feeling like you're the geezer for actually following through on those days dreams ( and not a looser for only ever dreaming, never doing, achieving them). But it's ultimately all surface level stuff and the thrill goes once it's arrived and on the rack .. Real satisfaction comes from personal progress in the actual work or creativity itself .. just can be hard to focus on it as it seems like a longer slog than a quick dopamine fix (i say that as someone with unmedicated ADHD and who's day dreaming is a dopamine fix in itself, buying the next fix. Fortunately i only buy second hand and can claw money back).

Kristian from Kohle Keller Studios also uses the Evo

Paul , how would you recover if your pc failed , or more importantly how long would it take you to recover

Kawai E-Piano (Hybrid model for 3-4 k Price) sounds close to a grand piano without maintaining costs (you hear a gap to cheaper E-Pianos at the high keys - it's way richer). I thought about Atmos with Dangerous, but decided not to do it due to electricity - too much current is drawn. Presonus Electronic parts are not that great, but mostly better than Behringer. Universal Audio is really annoying (like SSL too) - these guys are thinking only about money and not what should be made. When you buy Fender, you need a luthier for the frets - every guitar from Malaysia has a better setup and finish, but the people continuing to buy unfinished guitars - bad habits…

Totally unrelated to your video: but I noticed a screenshot of your 500 series gear and that most of it is mono. I remember you saying you printed your mixes through the diode bridge comp- did you sell the other one?

I totally feel you on this as both a windows and pro tools user. I have to close pro tools and restart, as well as fuck around even to change sample rates on a simple focusrite. I think the underlying thing here is that windows DESPERATELY needs a new audio driver system. ASIO is really, really, really, really bad. Having used Macs with Coreaudio it just works so much better, there's no contest. Windows should license Coreaudio if possible, or try to replicate that best as possible for hardware to integrate more smoothly.

If your business is people working with YOU then the gear you have doesn't matter, if your business is renting a studio to people who don't care about you then the gear is MUCH more important. In either case if stuff doesn't work or is unreliable - it's gotta go.

I once blocked a Midas fan boy who was bashing me for my Presonus studio live in my studio. It got on my nerves. He got a fender public event gig and was telling me he was going run Midas under the hood and make it look like he was using Presonus. Scared to learn another platform even when paid too. I lost all respect for him. Like who cares dude. They both can do the job and he needed to get over himself and his bias.

Use what you have with the talent and skills you have available right now and make what you can. Learn from what you make to develop your skills/talent to maximise WHAT you have now. Anything thinking that revolves around 'but only if I had this 'thing' ' , or 'this 'thing' is the only way I can do 'x' ' is nothing but insecurity and avoidance. The craft is not the 'gear', the craft is the process, the journey. Not the destination.

@paulthird love your channel 👍 quick question are you running your 500series via adat.

How come you’ve managed to get a suntan?

Hey, I use a Behringer audio interface. Don't really care what anyone thinks about that.

I'm still using ASIO Link Pro. Oh, the shame 🤣

God bless you

To this day, the best sounding recordings I've ever made made as far as fidelity and clarity, were done with a presonus iTwo interface, a Samson CO1, some cheap laptop speakers (that were actually pretty good!), a copy of BFD 2/3, Reaper and a really shitty windows laptop with like 8 gigs of RAM. I go back to some of the stuff I made on that setup and it astonishes me how I managed to squeeze out so much from it. It all taught me one thing--it aint the gear, it's YOU. As long as you have a guitar/bass that stays in tune and a laptop with a little hardrive space, you can make it happen. There's gonna be some work involved with optimizing Windows to allocate it's resources better for audio, but you absolutely do not need a bunch of expensive gear to get great recordings

As always, no bullshit whatsoever!

Aren't the Apollo X converters a lot better than the Audient ones? Audient's always sounded flat to me, Apollo seems to have more dimension.

I've no idea if this will resonate with you or not? This is in no way supposed to be about me other than to illustrate how I relate to your videos (well, your approach to videos). And I'll preface by saying I am NOT a "KZfaqr". I have some videos but it's nothing consistent and there's no aim of making anything consistent. What I'm about to say is almost exclusively based on in person interactions, but some from my videos to do with the loss of my wife (not appropriate for this channel or music in general obviously). I've been told by many people I am interesting to listen to. The way I articulate things. Certain phrases. Sometimes outlooks/perspectives on things. Believe me, I think I'm boring and thick as two short planks. But that's not how many others say they perceive me. And while I get the distinct impression (and I may be wrong) you're a little uncomfortable with how you'll be perceived in videos like this, I can tell you, you are incredibly interesting to listen to. There's sincerety in what/how you say and phrase things. There's a vulnerability coupled with an obvious higher than average intellect and massive knowledge base that may seem like it's nothing to you, but it's magic for me (and I'd hazard many others). All this to say I massively appreciate your approach. Your openness. Your hard earned knowledge (some of which you thankfully share with us). And for what it's worth from a complete stranger on the internet (and a bit of an idiot, let's be honest), I hope you continue to just do what it is you do. And I shall be along for the ride as long it's available. And I guess, thank you for the content. And good luck with the opening of the studio!! (I'm behind in videos, and watching them mostly out of order, so it may have already opened 🤷‍♂️. Sorry 🤣).

Being able to set aside the "more expensive is better" shows a persons maturity, wisdom and talent. Jack Pearson is one of the greatest guitar players on the planet and play's through 300 dollar Squires which many have marveled at for years.

The nuances of audio engineering are complex, just like people's preferences for gear. You're better at sharing knowledge and fostering open discussions, rather than trying to prove people wrong ;-)

Dude is that only the s2 mic? Bro you at least need a s5.

Did you piss off the algo? I'm not getting alerts, 3 of the last the bastards.

I'm pretty sure... after listening to you that the choices you made fits to U and from this ... anybody can discuss and tell you U made bad choices, and BTW we actually don't give a F°°°° to that... If it woks and you undersantd what you do... the Job will be great!!!! Clap Clap clap, hats off!!! you've done great ;-) and pretty sure that qill work .... especially in scotland... (pretty small and you give a personnal service in this country) ;-)

I don’t think it’s stupid if it’s true, if someone brags about having the best studio and they have shit broken gear why wouldn’t I shame them?

3:17: What is "speaker conversion" ? You mean the Monitor L+R outputs? What's wrong with that? Not like "muddiness" what's actually off with it? Remember, you are a technical guy, who sticks to the hard facts supported by measurement. FYI even cheap audio interfaces don't have such issues and you did not seem to care clarifying it?

So much snobbery in the audio world and the live audio world. If you're one of those who believes expensive = great I have three words - Lee. Scratch. Perry.

Audient Evo? Haha - you amateur. Electric Piano?? Honestly I can't watch any more for laughing. But seriously, modern audio equipment is so good that it's mostly about usability and workflow now and the skills of the artists/engineers. I've mixed AT 2020 vocals sung in a basement studio that sounded better than a U87 in a recording booth in a professional studio. Of course, it would have helped if the engineers in the "pro" studio had shut the door to the control room :)