mic's need pre amp

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 6:05 am

Thanks for all the great replies!
This will really help me, & make sure I get a killer pre!

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 6:32 pm

therecordingart wrote:

Kurt, why do you dislike Sytek so much?

Because they run out of headroom and lack dimension ... all attributable to the smallish power supplies ... The Neotek consoles implement this same basic pre much better due to the heftier power supply of the console ... Still, even in a console these pres don't have the warmth or character I like of the transformer discreet based pres I usually favor.

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 1:00 pm

I take it from this and other threads that most people in this forum primarily record rock and similar genres? Anybody out there have experience in (or the desire to) recording R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and/or rap? I know Guy doesn't want to do the rap thing Wink

but what preamps are best geared towards getting these types of sounds?

I have to say that as I've been looking through these threads (and there is a lot of great advice here), I'm surprised not to see Avalon Vt-737 and 747 mentioned more. I'm fairly new to the recording engineering side of things, but my experience and research all said that these pres were very good. Are the ones recommend in this thread better overall, or better for rock?

Like Guy, I'm looking for the best pre I can get for my particular situation, which is R&B, etc.

-Chris

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:35 am

Randyman,
Have you ever a/b with the real API 312 or perhaps the BAE 312? I really want a few channels of the 312 for drums but just don't have that kind of cash right now. If the SAeventh CIrcle is a good clone I'm all over that price.

Thanks,
G

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:41 am

Sorry. No A/B comparisons between the A12 and an actual API 312. I'm surely diggin the Seventh Circle A12 Very Happy

.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 11:48 am

Did you buy the kit or preassembled unit?

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:36 pm

Amen to all the API suggestions. My next door neighbor just got 3 channels in a lunchbox. Needless to say, I happily loaned him my Neumann and some headphones for a session he was working on.

Oh, and "its-that-guy-again," I hear that Shure and Neumann mics are used in country and heavy metal. Also, lots of country starts play Gibsons and Fenders. Oh yeah, and stay away from Marshall amps. I heard that Joe Perry played one on "Walk this Way" with Run DMC.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:45 pm

I've replaced my Tubes in my Marshall with Groove Tubes 6550, the sound is significantly better to record with, its an old JCM800 head -original from the 80's, with an sm57 mic and small beringer tube mic pre, I'm sure with change of mic pre, the sound will improve - althought what I'm currently getting is great.

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:49 pm

Quote:

Oh, and "its-that-guy-again," I hear that Shure and Neumann mics are used in country and heavy metal. Also, lots of country starts play Gibsons and Fenders. Oh yeah, and stay away from Marshall amps. I heard that Joe Perry played one on "Walk this Way" with Run DMC.

Well that should help narrow down the choices some more for him. Very Happy

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:58 pm

O.K. guys
I really, really appreciate all the great replies. I have over half the money already for a new pre amp. Anyday now I will be ordering one. But I have one more question?!
If you could only pick one pre amp to buy first...which would it be?
Please keep in mind it doesn't matter the amount of channels available (per unit)1, 2, or 4.
And I will be getting a couple more pre amps soon, but "which one first"?
I want a pre amp thats sound is good for recording rock and metal. And I'm hoping for the best pre amp I can get from the start.

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:44 pm

API512

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:02 am

O.k.
One vote for the API512.
Anyone else? In an prior post Little Dog Audio suggested the API 3124+.
I will take that as two post for the API stuff.
I also would like to thank Kurt for suggesting several great pre amps. However I hope he will let me know which one is his absolute favorite. (cant do without it pre amp)
And of course all other post are welcome as well.
How about you Audiogaff? What you think?
Also thanks to Davedog and Heyman!

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:50 am

If you are strictly recording just Hard rock/Metal type bands to begin with with. --- API. You can use it on drums, guitar- even vox.

Then go out and get yourself a great river or chandler.

Just call a place and see if you can try one out!!!

Good luck bro..
Keep us in the loop.

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:18 am

You can't go wrong with the API approach.

Plus, if for some reason you hate it, you can eBay it for 90% of your cost.

Look at the lunchbox approach...

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2005 3:41 pm

Sorry if this is a hijack, and I know this has probably been covered, but does anyone know what the differences are between the API 3124 in the rackmount and the lunchbox style 512's? I mean sonically for the most part. I will probably look into at least starting a lunchbox sometime.

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