Looking for some solutions.
It’s not like I found the Elektron OT MKII particularly “cold”, I just usually like to use some transformer emulation plug-ins on it when I record it. I like that sound.
Is anyone using actual transformers between their OT and audio interface?
If so, which? Radial Pro AV2 looks capable and not too expensive.
But what about a passive DI like a Telefunken TDP, or Radial JDI Stereo?
ART TransX ?
BAE PDIS ?
Always🤠
I usually have a compressor with transformers in it when I track. I really really love the DIYRe color modules loaded with Cinemags. Really a great sound.
I use passive DI’s made by EMO, a U.K. company, and like them a lot.
Not sure what brand of trainsformers are in there, but they sound lovely, especially when given enough level, then into mic inputs on an old BBC radio outside broadcast mixer.
DI boxes are really very simple, very easy to DIY in an hour or 2.
Radial JDI stereo here, nice trannies 
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Its not a tone box but the lowend changes running through, gains a bit of bloom.
I also got a regular (non JDI version) and that doesn’t really seem to add color as such… so that gets used whenever I want more transparency.
Heh I was just looking at the big block of 5 transformers next to our building at work.
Tone monster!
I’m mostly leaning toward the BAE PDIS, with Carnhills.
But seriously, I wonder if I should just stick with the Kush Omega plug-ins I have?
Well keep us updated plese. I’m interested in this…
Not exactly the same, but I would try the Strymon Deco.
Adam don’t you have a clarett sound interface? You ever use the air mic pre effects? Ruper Neve designed the ISA mic pre which is what the air effect emulates. I’m just trying to save you some money bro.
phoenix NICE DI is c channels w/tons of gain for a good price. can find them used as well.
for super clear lows down tot he bottom and a nice clean presence the Avalon U5 DI is mono and a bit spendy… seems to have gone up in price in recent years but they used to be around used for $375 and they’re amazing sounding imo. especially for bass since they present a super clean and tight low end down to like 0hz or something. i never had bass out of the MD like when i had the U5 DI.
for plug ins look at soundtoys bundle. the decapitator, devil loc and radiator are great for adding color.
plug in alliance vertigo VSM3 s nice as is the BX saturator.
goodhertz vulf copressor 3 is pretty damn funky and fat and colorful too. those peoplehave some mojo in their stuff. worth a look for sure.
In the back of mind I’ve been wanting to try a Heat on the OT’s main outputs and use it subtlety for some “warmth”…
I’ll move it closer to the front of my mind when I can afford one… 
Anyone doing this care to report?
Anyone doing this and also have an AR? Does it get closer to that AR analog sample mojo?
(Bye the way @Cosmic you beat me too pictures of transformers… 
That’s my style… Haha…)
!
I do not. Got very close to going with the Clarett 4pre TB but opted for a MOTU Ultralite MK4 in the end. zzounds had a great deal on a refurbished unit.
I am all too familiar with the Phoenix UK sound, and sadly it is one I can no longer afford.
I owned the Phoenix DRS-Q4 stereo pre/di/EQ, serial #002 for about a decade.
At one point Shaun from Phoenix sent me some resistors to bring the pad to -30dB to run line level through the preamp input stages. I used this in mastering of electronic music for quite some time.
I had a real bad high end habit for a while. Big, 11 slot, 500 series rack, 2x MH2882 2D +DSP, an Aurora 16, a large AugioArts 8X 32ch inline console, and (somewhat embarrassingly) much more.
Resolved to do it on the cheap this time. (hence the Kush transformer plug-ins).
Granted, the NICE DI is great for the price. I’m just looking more for what I can get below $300 for 2 channels. Software might end up being best.
Maybe not but I understand your feelings, Robert Palmer told me over and over again on the radio in the 80’s… 
oh… been there too… when the economy took a dump in 2007/8 had to sell lot’s of stuff… i really only miss the 12 channel AMS Calrec minimixer MKII… and maybe the API2500. otherwise it was all interference for me. the calrec was just a little mixer though… did all i asked and more. perfect amount of color for me. lundhal transformers. so not overwhelming and the EQ was endlessly musical and simple.
anyway… for $300 ish the FMR RNLA compressor can really smack. it’s the one to get out of that range of stuff imo.
or perhaps the joe meek VC3V2 for basslines. it does nice things to acidy stuff. can be had for peanuts these days and easily put out of site.
there’s a lot of “magic” plug ins out there these days. worth demoing some stuff to see what suits your needs.
Luxman LV105u tube hybrid integrated Amplifier (150 bucks) Is a recent cheap buy which has been amazing for listening to music and running my monomachine through.
Classic amp.
I currently have a longstanding fascination regarding the Tegeler Creme mastering buss-compressor with eq, and so therefore am mentioning this.
Universal Audio 2-610 also could be pretty awesome for warming up a stereo mix.
Elektron Heat would potentially be amazing either as a Cue Send or simply in-between the OT and the recording source or PA system.
I run Heat and RNLA on my master. If I had to choose one it’d be the Heat.
I dial the Heat on clean boost all the way up to where I can hear the saturation kicking in, then dial it back. Full wet. EQ boost both low and hi to taste. 3 o’clock or less for both seems to be where I’m at most of the time.
I’ve tried on my own mixes at home via all MK2 AR/A4/OT on some tiny Genelec 8030s and sounds great. Took it to a friend’s studio with all the vintage 303/606/808/909 pro one etc etc into BAE 1073, API 3124, summed into Toft ATB with Heat on the master and blew my friend’s mind. Sounded nuts on this Twin 6’s and sub.
Can’t get that sound with plugins…maybe close, but for sure not as quick and fat sounding. It’s just an amazing piece. Listen to stuff through it and bypass it, and everything sounds flat and boring. Heat is a keeper. Then there’s this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkw4yHJDk14
It’s working out lovely.
The 2018 manufactured Ultralite MK4s have the newer ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC that is shared in their higher end devices. Giving it a DAC dynamic range bump from 117dB (2017) to 123dB (2018), which puts it inline with my Duet 2, at least in terms of dynamic range. DAC Rel. THD+N is also identical to the Duet 2. Of course there is much more to the sound than just that chip, but it is a nice bonus.
I was fortunate that the “manufacturer repackaged” unit I found at a 10% discount happened to be a 2018 unit. 
Before it arrived, I was first a bit bummed that I couldn’t find a similar deal on the Ultralite AVB, since it sacrifices the stereo SPDIF coax digital channels from the MK4 for a more usable set of additional analog inputs (inputs 9 and 10, albeit via Hi-Z guitar jack inputs, still usable), plus AVB ethernet expandability. However this DAC update of the MK4 had since come to my attention, and combined with my real need for no more than 8 analog inputs for the time being, I’m pretty happy with the purchase. Just know that the AVB has 10 analog inputs if you need them!
I think the MK4 actually is as good as the Duet 2, to my 37 year old ears, in my mildly treated room, coming out of my pair of Genelec 8030A. The soundstage is clear, with similar dimension. The differences are minute enough with great monitors. With average monitors, one could not even tell.
Latency is great. I run a 64 sample buffer at 44.1khz in Live and get 3.99ms round trip latency, and it is rock solid. Amazing what they can do with USB 2.0 these days.
Flavor/warmth wise, the MOTU FX are mainly just “British console style” EQ (read SSL eq curve emulation), and an LA-2A style compressor/leveler on busses. I already have these FX in the form of Waves zero latency VSTs (though frankly, it’s not a sound I gravitate too much with my style of music), and those are easier to manage within the context of a DAW project than in the MOTU browser based mix software.
It’s nothing like Metric Halo’s version of the same functionality that adds the “character” transformer emulations, that I previously used. Really not much warmth to impart.
I hope the discussion about transformers and warmth continue, even though I think I will ultimately just stick with the VST plug-in options that I have via some transformer emulation (Kush A & N), some tube emulation (WaveArts TS2, Kush 458a) , some FET emulation (MH Character), and some tape emulation (ColorTonePro, Waves J37).
For more Heat style distortion and oomf, I’ve been loving Audio Damage Grind.
