CLASP

[Lee]

What are peoples thoughts on this bit of kit?

CLASP
http://www.endlessanalog.com/what-is-clasp

Signal Flow Diagram
http://instantvintage.net/docs/ENDLESS_ ... IAGRAM.pdf

[jkhuri44]

my brain just exploded.....i had to watch the video on the left for the explosion to occur.

[rick]

Academically I have really been exicted
By the idea
I want one in my new room

Finacially and practically it can't happen

[Senad]

As far as I understand it and from many conversations over at GS in the last few months, this thing is for big commercial facilities who have big $$$ to spend on something that just saves a bit of time/improves your workflow.
And for big studios, booked out 24/7, fair enough. For anyone else

[Chris H]

......reminds me of a small home based church video producer in the late 90's who purchased the latest Sony video hard disk recording and editing system worth well over 100 grand even before the major TV stations had upgraded their Sony systems to it. He used it for his private stuff mainly.

[rick]

Oh I want one
It would be perfect for my new setup
But it's 7.5 k that I don't have and won't earn me a cent

Right now those days are over for me

[Senad]

But it's 7.5 k and won't earn me a cent

[wez]

I've always thought it looked like an expensive and complicated way of missing the point.

[mylesgm]

I've always thought it looked like an expensive and complicated way of missing the point.

yes it is.

[Lee]

I've always thought it looked like an expensive and complicated way of missing the point.

What point is that I'm not sure what you mean?

[wez]

the point being... that tone is only one of the benefits of using tape - and not at all the most important one, at least in my opinion.

[jkhuri44]

^ im no expert in tape having never used it, but i think wez is refering to the level commitement required in the entire recording process...with takes, with sounds, with track limits (providing you're not doing extensive overdubbing) premixing elements onto tape, blah blah...

using something like this, it seems ur just going to enjoy analog tone...

i dont understand how you can use playlists in Protools and have them recorded onto tape...does not compute..

[NYMo]

I think Clasp has a 4 and 8 channel one coming out for cheaper.

[Lee]

SOS review for interested parties
http://www.soundonsound.com/news?NewsID=13595

[Lee]

^...but i think wez is refering to...

What is the most important benefit(s) Wez as I'm interested in understanding your opinion.

[Senad]

using something like this, it seems ur just going to enjoy analog tone...

i dont understand how you can use playlists in Protools and have them recorded onto tape...does not compute..

I don't think people have been enjoying anything different, since protools and tape started coexisting, to what they'll be enjoying with something like this.... only it is going to be with a bit better workflow, which IMO doesn't justify the expense apart from the big guys.
I think people who enjoy thoise limitations would be called tape enthusiasts and those who combine the tone of tape and flexibility of DAW would be professionals. At the moment, I am neither

edit P.S. Not reffering to anyone in particular. Thank you.

[wez]

^...but i think wez is refering to...

What is the most important benefit(s) Wez as I'm interested in understanding your opinion.

Hey... well I think this deserves a really good reply, and without exaggeration there i could write a book - and maybe one day I will - about the topic.

But for now, here is the short version... it's all about the process. it's about limiting choices. it's about making decisions. it's about the differences in brain function when working in different ways. it's about alpha versus beta waves (try turning the screen off next time you work, notice what happens?). it's NOT about being 'retro'. it's NOT about awesome vintage tape tone, man. it's about achieving amazing musical results from great musicians. it's about capturing performances, not creating them. it's NOT about analogue versus digital. it's about the regular moments of reflection that you get while rewinding or changing reels. it's the conditioned response of the little rush of adrenalin as you hit record and hear the relay/solenoid/etc click.

and it's about restraint. and - it's not for everyone. so i guess it's also about choice.

so that's the short answer off the top of my head - each of those points above could be expanded into a chapter. and remember, that's just what I think - i'm not on a crusade to convert anyone to my way of thinking. in fact, to be brutally honest, my future business model and dream studio absolutely relies on the assumption that very few people are prepared to take this approach.

working with tape just happens to give me all these things... if i could get it another way - a CHEAPER EASIER WAY! - then that's what I would do.

[Mitch Kenny]

^ I agree re the conditioned response comment. I did a session with it which sounded great but didn't have the same "danger" for want of a better word as cutting straight to tape. As soon as I was in the protools workflow of multiple options/playlist/comp it seemed moot. Also,the transport wasn't quite as transparent as the advertising suggested so we ended up abandoning it once we got into overdub land. This was a little while ago though when they were first pushing it so it might be better now. For me the time it takes to transfer isn't really that big of a deal but I do understand how it does pander to the American ethos of the artist cannot and will not wait for anything to be done. (especially after they have shown up to the session three hours late and wasted another three hours ustreaming themselves "on the grind making paper")

[Lee]

Thanks Wes and everyone else for sharing your thoughts. It's pretty clear who will benefit from this device and the role it plays so If the increased workflow and integration is worth the investment that's a good thing.

Rick: Why would it be perfect in your new room?