Focusrite VRM ... anybody used 'em?

I wasn't aware of these until reading dmt's PT thread (it takes daylight a week to get back here) and I didn't want to hijack his thread, but I did a little digging on this gizmo and it looks interesting. I think it could be of use in my primitive little shack where getting a translatable mix through the monitors I've got is a beautiful dream ... therefore, I burn enough comp CDs to sink a battleship. When I'm homing in on a final mix, it may be 3 or more a day. So the principle of an emulated environment with different speakers has huge appeal.

I'm not and never will be a pro outfit, but I am serious about learning the mixer's art, the main challenge being hearing what sucks. The demos I heard and the stuff I read indicated it might be of help in a primitive studio. Are you experienced?

I'm curious about this as well... anyone?

You got my attention. I went to the Sweetwater site and watched the demo vid that they have up. Seems to be a good idea but it is pretty new and I am going to take a a wait and see approach until more reviews come in. The do have a deal, for $150 you get the VRM and a set of KRK headphones: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VRMBoxBun/

The demo video is here http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VRMBox/ but you can easily view it at the Focusrite web site.

Keep in mind that this is meant to be used with headphones, using this through monitors is kind of defeating the purpose.

a wait and see approach

Me too ... was hoping someone around here had tried one, but no dice so far. The demo shows the trash frequencies dramatically in a way I think provide a short-cut for all the trial and error CDs I burn to play hither and yon.

I received the VRM box yesterday and had a few spare minutes to check it out. After booting up the software and getting the correct output monitor set, it was up and running. I bought the BOX from Sweetwater in a bundle with some KRK headphones. I opened Mixcraft and selected a project that had already been partially mixed. I thought this mix sounded good thru my old headphones, but after hearing it in different environments my opinion of the mix changed. This box is really cool. You really can hear your mix in different rooms and different speakers and the difference is very noticeable. I have a few more tracks to record for my CD, but hopefully later this week I can get started editing, mixing etc. AND Woodman, I'll send you a copy of my first mix with the VRM when I get one finished.

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest... and now that we have a tester in place, I'm really keen to hear about it. I love the idea behind this, just not sure it really works as accurately as advertised. It might be something I definitely want to add to my system.

I received the VRM box yesterday and had a few spare minutes to check it out. After booting up the software and getting the correct output monitor set, it was up and running. I bought the BOX from Sweetwater in a bundle with some KRK headphones. I opened Mixcraft and selected a project that had already been partially mixed. I thought this mix sounded good thru my old headphones, but after hearing it in different environments my opinion of the mix changed. This box is really cool. You really can hear your mix in different rooms and different speakers and the difference is very noticeable. I have a few more tracks to record for my CD, but hopefully later this week I can get started editing, mixing etc. AND Woodman, I'll send you a copy of my first mix with the VRM when I get one finished.

Cool! I'm hoping your preliminary results stand up in the long haul. If so, this gizmo could really take a lot of frustration out of the mixing process for me.

I have one and use it through the SPIDF out of (one of) my Digidesign 192 interfaces.

I have modded the .xml file to give the real speaker names so it's easier to use.

It is a great tool to check mixes in different environments once you have a mix close to being done. All I do is if it's a little bass heavy on a setting or two is adjust my final mix until it sounds reasonable through the VRM - and the final mix sounds the way I like.

I wouldn't rely on it completely but for checking for problem mixes it's a time saver.

Woodman...
Sent you an email with one song mixed with the VRM box. Let me know what you think.