Category: Gear Review

Neve 33609 Compressor Story

Hello, this is engineer, music producer Jooyoung Kim.

Recently, I saw a Neve 33609 C hardware compressor listed for 7500$ on a second-hand trading site. Since I often use the plugin version, I was tempted to buy it, which led me to share some thoughts about the 33609 on my blog.

The 33609 is widely used as a master or bus compressor. There are five versions: the original 33609, and the C, J, JD, and N versions.

https://vintageking.com/blog/2016/06/neve-33609-compressor

You can find detailed differences between these versions in the link above. Here’s a brief summary:

  1. Original 33609: A rack-mounted version of the Class A/B 2264, 32264, and 33314 (broadcast version) compressor/limiter console modules.
  2. 33609/C: This version replaces the original’s Maranair/St. Ives transformers with Belclere ones, improves the power supply, and swaps the Discrete BA440 circuits with BA640 ICs.
  3. 33609/J: Introduced in response to high demand from Japan after the C version was discontinued. It uses the same BA640 ICs as the C version, though many preferred the original Discrete BA440 circuits.
  4. 33609/JD: Created to satisfy those preferring the Discrete BA440 circuits, denoted by the ‘D’ in JD.
  5. 33609/N: The current version, featuring custom-made transformers from Maranair, closely resembling the original 33609 transformers. It includes a switchable Attack Fast/Slow option not found in other versions and retains the Discrete BA440 circuits like the JD version.

While working at a studio, I measured the 33609/C hardware with a plugin doctor program. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the exact settings used, but:

  1. The Frequency Response (FR) graph was likely tested to see how the input values affect the output.
  2. The Harmonic Distortion (HD) graph probably measured how the harmonic content changes with different threshold settings.
  3. The Attack/Release Oscillator might have been used to observe how the release values change between Auto1 and Auto2 settings.
  4. The Ratio Compression graph was likely used to check for the presence of a knee.

This is the UAD 33609/C plugin. It looks a bit different, partly due to the screen size.

Although I’d love to share more insights, I haven’t had much hands-on experience with the 33609/C hardware, so I can only show you these measurements…😢

There are so many things I want to buy. Even if I can’t afford the 33609, I’d love to get a diode bridge compressor similar to it, and an SSL 4000-style compressor. I’ve already found a potential SSL 4000-style compressor, so I might buy that soon. As for the 33609, maybe when I earn more money…

Both compressors are ones I frequently use in my mixes, and having the hardware would be incredibly useful. The SSL is clean, while the 33609 has a nice coloration.

Lately, I’ve also been eyeing a tube preamp that’s been on my mind constantly…haha. I wish I could just buy all the gear I want.

See you in the next post! 🙂

I Purchased a Boucher Studio Goose OMH Guitar

This post was originally written on June 12, 2022

Hello, I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

After parting with my Taylor 220CE K-dlx model, I decided it was time to add a new guitar to my collection, one that differed from my Taylor and Guild preferences.

I visited my favorite shop to test out some guitars and found that the higher-end models from Headway, a Japanese brand, and Boucher, a small Canadian workshop, produced impressive sounds.

I was particularly interested in the seasonal commemorative models from Headway, but unfortunately, they weren’t available in Korea. Ordering directly from Japan would have added nearly 600,000 KRW(about 450$) in shipping and customs fees. Given the high cost, I thought it would be wiser to look for a used Boucher guitar.

As luck would have it, I found a well-maintained Boucher guitar at a reasonable price and traveled to Siheung this morning to pick it up.

Although it’s an older model, the specifications match the SG51. The label inside simply reads “Studio Goose OMH East Indian Rosewood.”

The binding is made of maple, giving it a distinctly high-end appearance.

While I’m not particularly fond of the D’Addario EXP strings currently on it, the balance of the sound is incredible. Throughout my years of playing guitar, I never gave much thought to the balance of sound. However, playing this guitar made me realize what good balance truly means.

I’m curious to see how the sound will change once I switch out the strings.

It’s been a while since I’ve purchased a piece of equipment that brings me this much joy just by looking at it.

*As I translate this post in 2024, I’m still finding this guitar incredibly useful. I’ve used it extensively for recording, and the high-end harmonic overtones that come from such a premium instrument have greatly enhanced my recordings, adding a touch of sophistication to my music.

I look forward to sharing more with you in my next post. See you then!

Takamine D5D NAT Guitar Review

Hello! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

The D series is Takamine’s entry-level lineup, structured as D-series, G-series, and Pro-series.The D-series is numbered from 1 to 5, with models 1 to 3 featuring laminated tops and models 4 and 5 having solid spruce tops. The D4 comes with a mahogany back and sides, while the D5 features rosewood back and sides.Let’s dive into the details!

  • Appearance

The packaging is slightly different this time, prominently displaying the D-series label.

This model has bridge pins. The nut, saddle, and pins are all plastic.

The guitar comes strung with discontinued D’Addario EXP strings. It seems that while individual packs are sold out, bulk packs are still available.

The neck has a matte finish, and the binding is a slightly yellowish plastic.

As an entry-level model, the wood grain isn’t perfectly uniform, but it’s challenging to find a foreign brand with these specs at this price point.

  • Specifications
  1. Solid spruce top
  2. Rosewood back and sides
  3. Rosewood fingerboard
  4. Plastic saddle and nut
  5. Plastic pins
  6. 42.5mm nut width
  • Sounds

I received this guitar on the same day as my last review, so the setup is identical. The recording was done using an Audient id14 mk2 and an Austrian Audio oc818 in stereo. No reverb or delay was added; only the volume was adjusted.

A quick disclaimer: I haven’t played guitar in a while, so my playing might not be the best. Please focus on the sound quality.

For the best experience, increase the video quality on YouTube to avoid losing high frequencies.

1) Strumming

2) Fingerpicking (There’s some noise, so please turn up the volume.)

  • Overall Impression

The sound is loud and robust, but the price does reflect in the quality. Compared to the G30 series, the D5D’s sound feels a bit more scattered, possibly due to the plastic nut and saddle. Changing the strings might help achieve a more mellow tone.

This guitar might be ideal for country music where a more open, airy sound is preferred. While the D5D has solid specs, the sound quality doesn’t quite match the G30CE models, which are exceptionally well-made for their category.

Like the other models, the neck tends to lift slightly. Some adjustments to the truss rod, saddle, and nut might be necessary upon receiving the guitar.

Priced at 495,000 KRW(about 360$), it is approximately 170,000 KRW cheaper than the 30 series, which is a noticeable difference.

The neck is slightly thicker than the G series, which I personally prefer. My main guitar has a neck width of 45mm, so I like a bit of heft. However, everyone has their preferences, so it’s best to try a guitar in person and use that as a reference.

Generally, Taylor guitars are known for their slim necks. The G series has a neck similar to Taylor’s 100 and 200 series, while the D series is slightly thicker.

Takamine GN30CE NAT Guitar Review

Hello, this is Jooyoung Kim, a music producer and mixing engineer.

Today, I’m going to review the Takamine GN30CE NAT guitar. Let’s get started!

  • Appearance

The packaging is the same as the GD30CE NAT model I reviewed before. It includes a truss rod and a QC card.

Like the GD30CE NAT, this model passed QC in 2019. Additionally, it has a pinless bridge.

The overall look is clean.

The outer binding is black, so there’s no worry about discoloration over time. Personally, I prefer black plastic binding.

Though it’s hard to tell, the body has a glossy finish, while the neck has a matte finish. This makes it easier to play.

  • Specifications

The GN30CE NAT is a top-solid model with a NEX-style body. The NEX body is Takamine’s version of a little jumbo, and it looks similar to a slightly larger GA (Grand Auditorium) body.

As you can see, it has a cutaway and is equipped with Takamine’s TP-4TD preamp.

Other specifications include:

  1. Solid spruce top
  2. Mahogany back and sides
  3. Synthetic bone nut and saddle
  4. 42.8mm nut width
  5. Ovangkol fingerboard
  • Sound

The sound was recorded together with previous recordings, using the same setup: a 2015 MacBook Pro with Audient id14 mk2 and oc818 for stereo recording.

As I mentioned before, I haven’t played the guitar in a long time, so please focus on the sound rather than my playing skills. Also, please listen in the highest quality possible, as YouTube lowers the high frequencies if not set to the maximum quality.

Let’s listen!

1) Strumming

    2) Fingerpicking (please increase the volume as it’s low. When I increased it myself, there was too much noise.)

    As with the previous review, I also recorded the sound from a Roland AC33 amp in mono.

    3) Amped strumming

    4) Amped strumming + adjusting the guitar preamp (I accidentally forgot to take a picture, but I set the lows to neutral, mids down, and highs up.)

    • Personal Overall Assessment

    Before playing, I expected it to be similar to a scaled-down jumbo body as described by Takamine. However, it felt more like a Taylor 14 or 16 in terms of body size and feel.

    The sound is neither completely thin like a parlor body nor fully resonant like a dreadnought, making it suitable for both strumming and picking.

    For those who find it difficult to handle guitars with large bodies like dreadnoughts, the NEX body is a good alternative as it’s smaller. Choosing a guitar that matches your body type can be an important criterion.

    Personally, I have a small stature and hands but prefer dreadnought bodies for their encompassing sound over the sharp clarity of smaller bodies.

    To diverge slightly, larger guitar bodies tend to have better resonance, making them ideal for strumming, while smaller bodies produce clearer single notes, which are better for melody. Typically, dreadnought bodies are used for strumming, OM or parlor bodies for melody, and NEX bodies can be used for both.

    Though I’m not particularly fond of GA or NEX bodies, they are stylish and well-designed. Taylor guitars, for example, have better sound in their 12 and 16 or 10 models, but the GA body (14) is the most popular in the second-hand market, likely due to its attractive appearance.

    This guitar has specs and looks comparable to Yamaha’s LS16. If you don’t prefer Yamaha’s characteristic high tones, the GN30CE NAT is worth considering.

    While it’s not my personal favorite compared to the GD30CE NAT, which I highly recommend, the GN30CE NAT has decent finish and sound quality.

    When purchasing, consider the following:

    1. It might be an older model like the QC date suggests.
    2. The neck might need adjustment with the truss rod.

    If these two points are acceptable, it’s a good choice.