Retro Reel

[themetallikid]

So, I've recently had some time to explore this effect a bit, and while the majority of what it does I like regarding feel......  It seems that this effect greatly darkens my preset.  I have a hard time regaining that upper mids bit that you'd get from a 2204/Placatar/Plexi style amp.  

 

I'm running parallel cabs (greenback 25 -409 mic and Cali V30 - 161 mic)... I've added the tilt EQ but it doesn't seem to have great effect.  

 

Am I doing something 'too much' or is there something I'm doing 'incorrectly' or is really the intended effect of adding this block.  I know without settings and such its hard to evaluate and fix...but the darker tone seems to be attached to when I added this block.  I feel it adds some lower mid thump (fullness) which I like, but its the high end that Id like to bring back a bit.  

 

Any help info?

[DunedinDragon]

In my experience the Retro Reel is one of those effects you use very delicately...a little bit goes a long way.  I would assume that's even moreso on Plexi style amps that are already fairly dark.  I tend to get the best results for my ear when I place it at the very end of the signal chain when using something like a HiWatt amp that's being boosted a bit with a Teemah with a Fane cabinet using a R121 mic.  Wow/Flutter at 1.5, Saturation at 4.5 and Texture at 4.0.  When I use it more toward the start of the signal chain those parameters are considerably lower.  On some setups I actually prefer the 15 ips over the 30 ips, but that's really dependent on the type of sound I'm going for.

 

[themetallikid]

lll have to check/compare my settings.  I know I have it fairly last in the chain.  I think the only thing after it is either reverb (If I'm even using any) or a delay for my leads.    I remember keeping the wow/flutter lower....it might be the texture.  My memory says that I have that higher, but I'll have to check. 

[Anderton]

Once you know how Retro Reel is reducing the highs, you can apply equal and opposite EQ to compensate for the lack of brightness, while still retaining the other aspects of the Retro Reel's sound.

 

I did a lot of analysis of the Retro Reel for The Big Book of Helix Tips and Tricks. The Tape Speed parameter makes the biggest difference to the frequency response; check out the attached image of the frequency response at different speeds (top to bottom: 7.5 ips, 15 ips, and 30 ips). 7.5 ips has the poorest high-frequency response, 30 ips has the best. Also notice the slight midrange dips around 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and 400 Hz for the 7.5, 15, and 30 ips speeds, respectively. 

 

The fullness you hear comes from the Retro Reel emulating what was called "head bump." This boosted the bass as a result of the physics of tape heads. There's a subtle bass boost in the 15 and 30 ips speeds, at 50 Hz and 100 Hz respectively. 

 

Depending on which speed you're using, the "fix" varies. First off, start with the 30 ips setting, because that reduces highs the least. Then, try using the Parametric EQ to add a broad, mild boost (a few dB) around 5 kHz. If you prefer 15 ips, shift the frequency a little higher, and add more boost. If you use 7.5 ips because you like its particular low-end bump, then a shelf EQ treble boost starting around 4 kHz is probably more appropriate.

 

Finally, at higher Saturation levels, higher Texture values give a “woolier,” less bright timbre. Backing off on Texture of Saturation will restore some of the brightness. (FWIW Texture emulates the influence of the NAB EQ curve on tape.)

 

Hope this helps!

 

[themetallikid]

12 hours ago, Anderton said:

Once you know how Retro Reel is reducing the highs, you can apply equal and opposite EQ to compensate for the lack of brightness, while still retaining the other aspects of the Retro Reel's sound.

 

I did a lot of analysis of the Retro Reel for The Big Book of Helix Tips and Tricks. The Tape Speed parameter makes the biggest difference to the frequency response; check out the attached image of the frequency response at different speeds (top to bottom: 7.5 ips, 15 ips, and 30 ips). 7.5 ips has the poorest high-frequency response, 30 ips has the best. Also notice the slight midrange dips around 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and 400 Hz for the 7.5, 15, and 30 ips speeds, respectively. 

 

The fullness you hear comes from the Retro Reel emulating what was called "head bump." This boosted the bass as a result of the physics of tape heads. There's a subtle bass boost in the 15 and 30 ips speeds, at 50 Hz and 100 Hz respectively. 

 

Depending on which speed you're using, the "fix" varies. First off, start with the 30 ips setting, because that reduces highs the least. Then, try using the Parametric EQ to add a broad, mild boost (a few dB) around 5 kHz. If you prefer 15 ips, shift the frequency a little higher, and add more boost. If you use 7.5 ips because you like its particular low-end bump, then a shelf EQ treble boost starting around 4 kHz is probably more appropriate.

 

Finally, at higher Saturation levels, higher Texture values give a “woolier,” less bright timbre. Backing off on Texture of Saturation will restore some of the brightness. (FWIW Texture emulates the influence of the NAB EQ curve on tape.)

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

This is awesome and visually will help me see what I'm hearing a bit better.  I did lower my saturation/texture settings last night.  I am using the 30ips setting as I didnt like the extra thickness the other two were adding.  I have a shelf eq pre-Retro, but I feel like its not doing much.   With this, I can add a parametric post Retro and correct what I'm hearing.  

 

 

 

[Anderton]

2 hours ago, themetallikid said:

This is awesome and visually will help me see what I'm hearing a bit better.  I did lower my saturation/texture settings last night.  I am using the 30ips setting as I didnt like the extra thickness the other two were adding.  I have a shelf eq pre-Retro, but I feel like its not doing much.   With this, I can add a parametric post Retro and correct what I'm hearing.  

 

Cool, glad it helped! I did a lot of research along these lines while writing the book. I could hear differences when changing parameters in the effects like the  KWB Distortion, Horizon Gate, Retro Reel, various delays, the different reverbs, etc. But it was hard to pinpoint exactly what the differences were (and how to take advantage of them ) until I pulled out spectrum analyzers and scopes. 

[themetallikid]

Yeah that was the one nice thing last year when I recreated my core tone presets that I used to build my song presets off of. I hooked up my helix to the digital mixer (pre-Helix meter era) to help balance presets visually before finally adjusting by ear.....But also use a real time EQ analyzer to help identify the problem frequencies to CUT rather than Boost.  

 

Not that I couldnt have done it by ear....but when crunched for time to create 40+ song presets....any help is help.  

[Anderton]

3 hours ago, themetallikid said:

Not that I couldnt have done it by ear....but when crunched for time to create 40+ song presets....any help is help.  

 

People say "don't listen with your eyes," but I have no problem with "listen with your eyes to tell your ears where to start listening." :)