Isolator vs. Eliminator (Vestax GFE-1...FDG-1)

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Ishmaael

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Hello all...
Greetings from Tokyo....I am interested in purchasing an isolator (Vestax FDG-1) and recently came across the Vestax GFE-1. The GFE-1 is an Eliminator while the FDG-1 is an Isolator. Could anyone please explain some of the differences in functions between these two units? I am planning on making one of these an addition to my home studio setup, and could use them with production work (sampling). I know that the FDG 3-band Isolator can cut or individually boost a frequency (i.e...bass, melody, hihats, drums). What does the GFE-1 6-band Eliminator do differently? What is its function? Thank you for any help that you can give me....
 
The topic sounds like a title of an SF movie with Arnie and plenty of guns. :)
 
No big difference...

The only real difference is that the vestax eliminator doesnt let you boost frequencies via the faders, only cut. (like kill switches, except with faders) Whereas the vestax isolator lets you boost and cut using knobs.

But if you want to boost frequencies on the GFE1...turn down the frequencies you don't want boosted then turn up the gain on the actual unit or aux-send. You will be adding EQ by subracting what you dont want...better know as subtractive EQ

Some live sound guys preffer this method over boosting EQs because "causes" less distortion and supposidly sounds more natural. Thats highly debated, i think the process of subtractive EQ is what makes it so good, not for any technical reason. However, boosting is still used in djing cause it takes only one knob to boost, but subtractive eq takes a few knobs plus you have to turn everything back the way you had it...not the sort of quick boosting djs do in a pinch. But if you can plan for using subtractive EQ...its well worth it.

You might find the GFE1 being a better buy because you can use it to cut frequencies djing live...but also use subtractive eq in the studio.
 
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For your home studio, I'd advice you to forget about the Vestax isolators, and look at something like a Furman PQ-4 instead. Not only is it parametric, it also sounds a lot better than the Vestax units.
It cuts 40dB and boost 20dB if I'm not mistaken, which should be enough for your purposes. The Vestax 6-band cuts 35dB, so the Furman could be just what you're looking for.
 
What about the DCR-1200 Pro?

Do any of you know anything about the Vestax DCR-1200 or 1200 Pro? I have heard a little bit about it, but not so much. How is its isolator abilities....and do any of you think that it would work better than the GFE-1?
 
I own a DCR-1200 and it the same thing there... it isolates well, but it doesn't sound very good.
I'd much rather have a Dope Real isolator.
 
Any info?

Does anybody know where I can find any information on the Dope Real Isolator? I have been looking for it on the web....no dice. Also, Mattu, you said that the DCR 1200 Pro isolates well, but does not sound good. I make hip hop, and I am not looking for anything that will isolate and produce an "ultra-clean" sound. Actually, a dirty, crunchy, or grimy sound would not be so bad, considering the fact that I work and record strictly analog. As well, I work strictly with the MPC-60, 3000, and the SP-1200....do you think that that 1200 PRO would go well with that dirty sound? Thanks for your help, also!
 
Also....

How far down does the DCR-1200 Pro isolate and how much does it boost? As well, searches on the FUrman PQ-4 Isolator came up negative.....Thanks for any help that you might be able to give.....Peace.
 
:bigeyes: Dope Real !!

Thats the isolator ive been looking for. (btw, im always looking for some new gear :D ) Ive been trying to find the ones they install in all those New York Clubs. Until now i thought it was like an old crossover with the output summed. That thing is the ****...

Hmmm..but maybe i should get the Furman. Since i would be using it, i would like to customize it.

Mattu, bro. You know your ****. Thanks alot.



Ishmaael...its the PQ-3B. And you have to email the people at Dope Real to get info.
 
What the DCR1200 basically does is degrades the sound quality, introduces hiss and adds a dull element to the sound. Nothing you'd want, as far as I can see.
It cuts frequencies by ~ 60dB, and boosts only 4dB. It's made for live DJ use, hence the little boost.

Links for you:
www.dopereal.com
www.furmansound

Right, the PQ-4 has been replaced by the PQ-3B, I'm just a couple years behind hahahaha...
 
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I run it in the loop when I use it, so it's either engaged or not engaged for me, which solves the problem of sound degradation when not in use. There's no true bypass mode on the DCR1200 (don't know if the DCR-1200 Pro has true bypass) so to my ears, it degrades the sound.

I mean, I am picky and I admit it, and to a lot of people the audio degradation wouldn't be very audible at all, but to me it's very fatigueing on a big sound system. At home it's not too shabby, but I wouldnt use it in a studio environment.
 
I was asking because I do actaully own one but don't notice anything bad about it. I have a good Hi-Fi setup but obviosuly need a big sound system to really hear it. I may have sometimes thought there was something not quite right sounding about my setup though, especially coming out of my Sub. Whether thats related or not I don't know.

Oh and I have it between my amp (NAD C340) and my mixer (Rane MP24).

I find it a very fun unit to use much more so than a normal EQ on a mixer or even an Electrix EQ-Killer (which I'm surprised no ones mentioned yet :) ). I think it's just the big knobs want to be turned, it is hoever not that well built and the bass knob is coming loose thanks to my constant abuse.
 
man i should really finish that 5 band eq uniti was working on.

what i really want is a stereo 3 band paramteric eq unit with selectable phono/line input. even the furman and presonus units are still mono :(
 
EQ killers aren't parametric but they are close to what you want.
 
yeah theyre fine but if im gonna spring for external eq, its gonna be parametric
 
The dope real isolator is a cool $1k... For that much money you can get some insane computer units. Anyway, I am a personal diehard fan of EQ killers. They are so fun...
-Peasant Nikon
 
huh... i dug up a Furman PQ-4 Parametric EQ a few months ago at a pawn shop. i got it super cheap ($25) and figured it was just some old guitar thing. it sold for a cool $150 on Ebay, but now i kind of wish i hadn't been so lazy and had hooked it up to my DJ equipment before selling it. :( not that i really need an isolator or another EQ, but i dunno, sounds like it was a cooler peice than i had thought.

-sim*n
 
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