"Vintage BBC Console" For NebulaPro

 


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Library Creator: Michael Angel, www.CDSoundmaster.com

Manual Index


Installation
The Programs
About The Vintage BBC Recording Console
About The Hardware
Program List

 

Installation

For PC Users:

Use the included installer to select your NebulaTempRepository Folder to install
the collection there. Or, you can simply copy all "n2p" files to your
Nebula "Programs" folder and copy all "n2v" files to your "Vectors" folder.

For Mac Users:

Copy all "n2p" files to your Nebula "Programs" folder and copy all "n2v" files to your "Vectors" folder.

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The Programs


"Vintage BBC Console" For NebulaPro consists of 54 programs:
You will find these in your CDSoundMaster Classic Console Nebula category under
"CCC-TWD".

Programs are sampled at 96kHz and are tested to retain accuracy at 44.1kHz and 48kHz
sample rates with the latest version of Nebula3 Pro.

Programs are fully organized and categorized for easiest use in Nebula3. Click one time on "TWD" and you will see all 54 programs. Click a second time to divide programs into five categories, "C", "ALL", "K7", "HI", and "LO". These represent Clean programs without Harmonic Content, All, including Harmonics and a complete dynamic range from quiet to loud, 5 reduced Harmonic Kernels, the loudest range of dynamic samples, and the quietest range of samples separately.

 

Program Description:

A few words about the Hi, Lo, All, K7, and Clean programs.

A high quality, analog recording studio console has historically been used as a central operating hub where sounds can be sent out to their recording chains, organized for headphone monitoring, and where multiple tracks are routed back together for final mixdown of a stereo master. Since most often this means that every piece of recorded audio traditionally passes through the console's electronics at least one time, the build quality requires a high tolerance for long hours, steady operation, quiet faders, proper gain staging qualities, low distortion, and low noise, while providing a wide bandwidth. Today, we have the luxury of recording in a completely sterile mixing environment where all sound can be passed back and forth through virtual groups, tracks, and master outs without ever having to repeat the signal chain through additional electronics. However, the most subtle effects of the mixing console has become terribly missed in the modern all-digital DAW, as with excellent analog technology also comes a very musical and pleasantly colored, yet subtle, sound that is gently added to the signal throughout the process. this takes the place in slight changes to the frequency range, harmonic content in the form of non-linear, frequency-specific distortion, and subtle variations from quet to loud fluctuations in the signal. We may not notice the full effect that the console has when listening critically to a single track, but when added up to several tracks together, having passed along the channel to and from tape and other signal processing devices, the character from channel to group to mains becomes an important part of the excellent sounding recording. Some say that it makes the job easier, and others say that it is simply a part of the art of recording to intentionally set the sound up in gain-staging techniques.

When translating these qualities intentionally in digital form, there are many approaches that can be used. Although it takes a great deal of care, testing, and proper editing, the Nebula system allows for a very wide dynamic range of the console to be re-created in our DAW. This can come at a cost of processing power, and therefore we choose to offer a few versions of the same concept so that you can choose certain characteristics that stand out the most, and even some scenarios not possible with the original equipment.

The "HI"" programs are the actual sound of the console that has been preserved from a moderate volume to its loudest measurable state. This represents fewer dB's than the "ALL" programs, but uses slightly less processing power. This represents the sound of the console when generating slightly more harmonic content above the unity clean position. You may choose this for the most common and expected sound of gently pushing the level harder, generating a little more aggressive sound. The "LO" programs represent the other aspect of the console. Where signals above unity gain are measured additively with increasing distortion above the cleanest signal, the volume below unity gain becomes different in comparison to the hardware's noise floor, or the lowest volume where it provides very little amplification above the hiss or a lacking signal. The "LO" programs cover the non-linear response of harmonics from the quiet level above noise upwards to moderate levels. These programs also save some processing power, and are an option for those that wish to experiment with a different concept in reproducing non-linear response. The only difference between Nebula's example and the real console, is that you can benefit from the use of these programs without an audible hiss or noise floor, as only the dynamic, spectral, and harmonic aspects are preserved. The "ALL" programs are your best choice for general use when you do not wish to save resources. This is the entire dynamic range of the console, from its quietest signal level to the loudest, all in a single program. The other option provided for reduced resources is the "Clean" program, where the harmonic content has been removed so that non-linear distortion can be eliminated when you just want to get the sound of the console without adding this trait. Dynamics and spectrum are still active, and this is especially useful for less resource use and when you know you wish to get your processing from other things instead of the console. The "K7" program is a nice middle point choice for those that want the most sonically recognizable harmonic content with slightly less resources. These programs provide some harmonic content, but not all.

TWD-B-EQ-ALL-C

"B" represents the "BUSS" group section of the console. "EQ" states that the eq circuitry of the console channels are engaged during sampling, with all gain settings set to zero. "ALL" means that the entire dynamic range of the console is being sampled from its loudest setting to its quietest setting. "C" states that the program does not contain any harmonic distortion kernels.


TWD-B-EQ-HI-C

Same as above with only the highest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-B-EQ-LO-C

Same as above with only the quietest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-B-NEQ-ALL-C

Same as above with the eq circuitry disengaged.


TWD-B-NEQ-HI-C

Same as above with only the highest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-B-NEQ-LO-C

Same as above with only the quietest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-D-EQ-ALL-C

"D" represents The Channel Direct Outs on the console. This is the shortest signal path in the collection.


TWD-D-EQ-HI-C
TWD-D-EQ-LO-C
TWD-D-NEQ-ALL-C
TWD-D-NEQ-HI-C
TWD-D-NEQ-LO-C


TWD-M-EQ-ALL-C

"M" stands for Master Outs. This is the longest signal path in the collection. The channels are sent to the Buss group and then to the Mains, giving a small but measurable increase in non-linearity.


TWD-M-EQ-HI-C
TWD-M-EQ-LO-C
TWD-M-NEQ-ALL-C
TWD-M-NEQ-HI-C
TWD-M-NEQ-LO-C


TWD-B-EQ-ALL-K7

The K7 category of programs have a reduced 7 Kernels to provide a balance of Harmonics and lighter use of resources. These programs are a good choice when you wish to use multiple channels in a session.

TWD-B-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-B-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-LO-K7
TWD-D-EQ-ALL-K7
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-D-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-LO-K7
TWD-M-EQ-ALL-K7
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-M-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-LO-K7


TWD-B-EQ-ALL-K11

The K11 programs contain the highest Harmonic content and are the best choice for use with unlimited resources where the most non-linearity is desired.


TWD-B-NEQ-ALLK11
TWD-D-EQ-ALL-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-ALLK11
TWD-M-EQ-ALL-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-ALLK11

TWD-B-EQ-HI-K11

The HI programs contain the highest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-B-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-HIK11

TWD-B-EQ-LO-K11

The LO programs contain the quietest volume range of dynamics sampled.


TWD-B-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-HIK11


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About The "Vintage BBC Console" For NebulaPro


The "Vintage BBC Console" For NebulaPro has been created to provide you with extensive use of the original hardware console inside your DAW. For best results, we recommend setting up operation in the same manner as you would use the physical console. If you wish to use this in the form of a digital recording pathway controlled by analog inputs to each digital input, then use a single instance of the "D" program that you wish to use on each channel in your mix. If you wish to color the sound of your group buss selections as well, use the "B" program. You can place an "M" instance in your two track master out section if you wish to include the sound of the console in your final output summing stage.

 

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About The Hardware

The original console that has inspired this collection is a completely one-of-a-kind, custom built console. we are very pleased to present this one-of-a-kind mixing desk, built from the ground up completely customized for the BBC in the late 1970's. This classic desk features Class A discrete, transformer-balanced channels with original operational amplifiers on channels, buss, and mains. This mixing board does contain a wonderful combination of precision and analog character, but one of its prominent features is its amazing frequency response. When using the direct channel outputs with the eq circuit turned off, or bypassed, this console provides an almost perfectly flat response from 20Hz to 20kHz. From 20kHz-30kHz the signal increases in amount of energy and waveform response, until becomming more offest in the highest register. The result is a tight, clean, punchy sound without shift or loss in any audible frequency range. The direct out with eq engaged is almost as perfectly flat from around 500Hz to 10kHz, and bows down slightly from 500Hz to 20Hz at a steady reduction just under a dB. The high end reduction in this signal reduces by only about 1/6th of a dB and remains even and clean well above 22kHz. This makes the eq-engaged option an excellent choice to provide multiple channels or a selection of a mix with a very subtle mid range color without any obvious shift in frequencies. The buss group and main outputs exhibit essentially the same spectral behavior as the directs, with a slightly higher amount of harmonic non-linearity and overtones, with an additional 1/5th dB or so of fast fluctuation in the high frequencies above 12kHz from the mains, resulting in more character in the highs without loss of frequency. These qualities make this an excellent board with classic vintage personality where the user wishes to rely on consistency and precise, accurate detail, with pleasant subtle rounding and definition added to the dimension of each track.


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Program List

TWD-B-EQ-ALL-C
TWD-B-EQ-HI-C
TWD-B-EQ-LO-C
TWD-B-NEQ-ALL-C
TWD-B-NEQ-HI-C
TWD-B-NEQ-LO-C
TWD-D-EQ-ALL-C
TWD-D-EQ-HI-C
TWD-D-EQ-LO-C
TWD-D-NEQ-ALL-C
TWD-D-NEQ-HI-C
TWD-D-NEQ-LO-C
TWD-M-EQ-ALL-C
TWD-M-EQ-HI-C
TWD-M-EQ-LO-C
TWD-M-NEQ-ALL-C
TWD-M-NEQ-HI-C
TWD-M-NEQ-LO-C
TWD-B-EQ-ALL-K7
TWD-B-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-B-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-B-NEQ-LO-K7
TWD-D-EQ-ALL-K7
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-D-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-D-NEQ-LO-K7
TWD-M-EQ-ALL-K7
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K7
TWD-M-EQ-LO-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-ALL-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-HI-K7
TWD-M-NEQ-LO-K7
TWD-B-EQ-ALL-K11
TWD-B-NEQ-ALLK11
TWD-D-EQ-ALL-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-ALLK11
TWD-M-EQ-ALL-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-ALLK11
TWD-B-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-B-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-B-EQ-LO-K11
TWD-B-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-D-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-D-NEQ-HIK11
TWD-M-EQ-HI-K11
TWD-M-NEQ-HIK11

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I truly hope that this collection adds to your enjoyment of Nebula.


Thanks and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Michael Angel
CDSoundMaster.com