Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Jump to content

Neve tone shaping IRs


jroseberry
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi Folks,

 

Inspired by the work of Glenn DeLaune, I decided to create some "tone shaping" IRs using a hardware Neve EQ.

Note that these are not cab IRs, they're strictly for shaping the tone of your existing amp/cab.

 

The IRs were designed to soften the high-end... and fatten up the bottom and low mids.

I was using my Friedman 2x12 cab IRs (free) when creating them... but they should be applicable to many different circumstances.

 

The name scheme is like this (Bass, Middle, Treble):

Neve EQ   +1   00   +1

 

Bass = +1

Middle = 0

Treble = 1

 

I hope many of you find them useful.

 

http://www.studiocat.com/temp/Neve_tone_IRs.zip

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some Neve EQ's use passive filtering switching from one RC network to another using a rotary switch.

Then adjusting the gain of that band by running the filtered signal thru a Voltage Controlled Amp (VCA).

Gives good gain, and since the filters are passive and not active, the roll-off rate (dB/oct) is smoother,

not a lot of ring points (ripple) or emphasis bump prior to roll-off.

 

Yeah, Neve EQ's are nice. The VCA's are sealed, and they are pricey to replace. IR or emulation is less pricey,

and gets very close to the real thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Off topic a little and sorry for that.

 

I would like to learn more about tone shaping IRs and how to create them.

 

I have searched around for various phrases along the lines of "tone shape IR" "IR tone match" "eq match IR" ect...

 

Do you know of a good source of information on this you could point me to? Or tell me all about it! ;)

 

I have been looking into tone matching and if there where any open source free utilities to do this. I know some think tone matching software is over rated, but personally I think it could serve as an invaluable learning tool. Would love to see Line 6 implement something like this into the Helix, as we see many units on the market today advertising such a feature.

 

Again... Sorry for hijacking the thread. I just read this and it has been something I have been lightly researching on the side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Folks,

 

Inspired by the work of Glenn DeLaune, I decided to create some "tone shaping" IRs using a hardware Neve EQ.

Note that these are not cab IRs, they're strictly for shaping the tone of your existing amp/cab.

 

The IRs were designed to soften the high-end... and fatten up the bottom and low mids.

I was using my Friedman 2x12 cab IRs (free) when creating them... but they should be applicable to many different circumstances.

 

The name scheme is like this (Bass, Middle, Treble):

Neve EQ   +1   00   +1

 

Bass = +1

Middle = 0

Treble = 1

 

I hope many of you find them useful.

 

http://www.studiocat.com/temp/Neve_tone_IRs.zip

 

Thanks for contributing these! If you ever feel so inspired some Neve EQ IRs for tweaking vocals on the Helix would be great as well. Can this be done?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This makes me think that it might be possible to have tape saturation IRs. That would be cool!

Unfortunately that's not possible with IRs alone. Impulse responses only measure linear, time-invariant aspects of something. That includes EQ curves, phase shifts per frequency that don't change over time, and reverberation / ringing.

 

Distortion and saturation are examples of changes that are non-linear... therefore not captured in an IR. Also, chorus, phaser, flanger, and other modulation effects are time-*variant* and not captured in an IR either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unfortunately that's not possible with IRs alone. Impulse responses only measure linear, time-invariant aspects of something. That includes EQ curves, phase shifts per frequency that don't change over time, and reverberation / ringing.

 

Distortion and saturation are examples of changes that are non-linear... therefore not captured in an IR. Also, chorus, phaser, flanger, and other modulation effects are time-*variant* and not captured in an IR either.

Thanks for the clarification... dang it! Lol

 

This makes me think though, about the fact that the actions of a speaker are not static. They are not time invariant. All kinds of changes are happening as a speaker goes through its excursions. Its cone changes shape as it moves and so does its sound. "Cone Cry" and its effects doesn't even begin to enter the picture. Yet, we use impulse responses, a technique that does not take time variations into account. We're only getting part of the picture. As long as this is the case, getting truly realistic sounding cab sims will continue to elude us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the clarification... dang it! Lol

 

This makes me think though, about the fact that the actions of a speaker are not static. They are not time invariant. All kinds of changes are happening as a speaker goes through its excursions. Its cone changes shape as it moves and so does its sound. "Cone Cry" and its effects doesn't even begin to enter the picture. Yet, we use impulse responses, a technique that does not take time variations into account. We're only getting part of the picture. As long as this is the case, getting truly realistic sounding cab sims will continue to elude us.

 

This is absolutely true.  Impulse-Responses capture the "filter" part of the speaker... but not the "ballistics".

Dynamic convolution would capture at least some of the ballistics... but it's under patent by Focusrite.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. So would these be placed in the IR block after the amp, after the speaker...or load them into a DAW when recording?

 

I was placing them post amp/cab in Helix (think they're most effective in this position)... but you can certainly place them pre cab.

You can also load the IRs into a convolution plugin in your DAW.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for contributing these! If you ever feel so inspired some Neve EQ IRs for tweaking vocals on the Helix would be great as well. Can this be done?

 

It can certainly be done.

I don't use Helix in this capacity... but I could certainly make some vocal-centric Neve EQ IRs for vocals.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...