ProAudio Review - October 2008 - (Page 24) STUDIO | REVIEW by Alex Oana WAVES Jack Joseph Puig Collection A legendary producer and WAVES archive classic sounds for the rest of us. Jack Joseph Puig has considerably influenced the way I hear. I chased his Black Crowes’ Amorica kick drum sound obsessively. Thick guitars that crunch but never hurt, warmth across the entire spectrum, and the ability to make John Mayer’s voice sound amazing through the ceiling speakers 30 feet overhead at Home Depot are elements of JJP’s work I keep with me nearly every time I mix. RSPE Audio Solutions in Los Angeles recently hosted a WAVES-sponsored demonstration of the JJP Collection featuring a delicious buffet and the maestro himself, Jack Joseph Puig. The soft-spoken studio legend captivated an audience of producers, engineers and musicians with insights into his mixing process and the creation of the WAVES JJP Collection. His experience in the LA studio scene had a strong influence on the digi-immortalization of four studio legends: the Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5 equalizers, and the Fairchild 660 and 670 compressors. WAVES’ search for the finest living Fairchilds led to Jack Joseph Puig. I have mixed feelings about splicing one’s name into that of a classic piece of recording equipment. Observe the banter I overheard before his presentation between a couple attendees who resembled the wisecracking stars of Knocked Up; the Paul Rudd character said to the Seth Rogan character, as a fan approaching JJP, “I’m sure you get this all the time, but … will you sign my dongle?” Yet as Mr. Puig spoke, he portrayed a humble confidence that soon had us gushing with respect for more than his amazing productions, his vibe-supreme studio at Ocean Way, or his larger than life mystique. Just like he does with his mixes, when it came to these plug-ins, JJP did whatever it took to make the feeling come out. Their Fairchild project began nearly four Jack Joseph Puig their success in the marketplace has diminished — the advent of perfectly precise digital recording contributing to the downward slide. The WAVES JJP plug-in collection represents the beginning of Jack Joseph Puig’s personal quest to digitally archive the world’s vibiest equipment so that the common man can do with it what was intended: create a feeling. PUIGCHILD Mixing a song can be like going to a playground. There’s as much potential for good times as for meltdowns. The compression APPLICATIONS Studio, project studio, audio post, audio for broadcast, live PuigChild 670 FEATURES plug-ins based on those Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5 equalizers and Fairchild 660 and 670 compressors used by Joseph Jack Puig: PuigChild, PuigTec EQP1-A, and PuigTec MEQ-5; up to 24bit, 192kHz resolution; mono and stereo components; supports TDM, RTAS, VST, AU; PC and Mac compatible PRICE $1,600 and $800 (TDM and Native, respectively) CONTACT WAVES | ¤ 865-546-6115 | · www.waves.com years before the plug-ins saw retail light of day. The gold standard imprinted on his pinnae, JJP hunted for realism throughout his rigorous testing process. WAVES project manager Mike Fradis decided to send Jack the computer lab itself. Jack meticulously tweaked the software model as if he was producing a Jellyfish track — until his PuigChild had “the sound.” Before every major studio had an SSL and identical outboard FX, studios were individually known for their “sound,” generated by a particular set of equipment, some of it custom built. Producers chose a studio based on the sound they wanted. Mr. Puig believes that as the sound of records homogenized, PuigChild 660 character of PuigChild is like a cool parent who encourages a child’s self-expression through play, exploration, or manic exuberance. Via an occasional outstretched arm or firm word, this parent can keep the child within safe boundaries, without stifling or punishing, only fully stepping in before the kid falls off the monkey bars. Lots of compressors do a fine job of holding a track within safe limits, but are oppressive to an otherwise fun track. The PuigChild enhances a track’s excitement while holding it in the just the perfect place in the mix. On a mix, the PuigChild will tuck in the lows and gently compress the rest without dulling harmonics or transients. Don’t go looking for deep needle wagging to tell you the compressor is doing what you paid for. Considering the slower speed of the VU, a WAVES continues on page 26 ® 24 | ProAudio Review | October 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.waves.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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