Thread: Rack unit preamps instead of 500 series

Hey Bob. I'm right there with you. I'd love to get some APIs and the lunchbox route seems like a no brainer, but I like the rack too.

Something that I ran across recently that seems like a viable option is this (scroll down to the middle of the page and look at the pic:

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Revolver-Rac...QQcmdZViewItem

I appears that your able to get the best of both worlds...to a certain degree.


I was struggling for a while about the DVC (and still do), but I opted, for now, to go a different route (UA LA-610) as I reasoned it would be better suited for what I need at this time.

Best of luck, please keep us informed with what you decide and how it works out.

/Shack

The Revolver has a low initial cost, and it might make sense as a space saving device in certain situations. But its cost per channel is high - $150 vs. $70-$80 for the larger 10 or 11 unit racks. I don't think the revolver makes sense for me in the long run. On the other hand, the 3124+ is probably a good buy even if I end up getting a rack of 500 series units down the road. But with the 3124 in hand (assuming it gets in my hand) I'd consider going with 19" units rather than 500 series.

The only real problem I have with my 3124+ is the settability of the gain trim. If I am recording a multi-set gig with different artists, I have to make VERY careful notes at the soundcheck as to where the gain trims are positioned, and have even resorted to taking digital photos of the knobs. I run mixed racks of API and DAV pre-amps, which I use on a per-instrument basis depending on the sound source and what colour (if any) I want on that channel. The DAVs have stepped gain switches, which makes them a breeze to re-set to previous positions.

You do have to be a little careful about what you run these pre-amps into. I use them ahead of an Alesis HD24XR, and if I want to drive the APIs hard to get the transformers working nicely, I have to put inline attenuators (12dB) on the output, as the 0dBFS on the HD24XR is only +19dBu.

You won't regret getting a 3124+ as it sounds lovely on the right material.

Originally Posted by BobRogers

The Revolver has a low initial cost, and it might make sense as a space saving device in certain situations. But its cost per channel is high - $150 vs. $70-$80 for the larger 10 or 11 unit racks. I don't think the revolver makes sense for me in the long run. On the other hand, the 3124+ is probably a good buy even if I end up getting a rack of 500 series units down the road. But with the 3124 in hand (assuming it gets in my hand) I'd consider going with 19" units rather than 500 series.

Understood.
I'd love a 3124+ too, but realistically I don't have the justification for 4 pres on top of what I already have....not now anyway. I've peeked at the A2D.

Duquesne...nice choice! Several of my horn player colleagues chose that route. They don't suck - must be a good school... ;-)

Anyway -
I think, to be completely honest, that you're in that horrible pickle right now of having a little bit of money, maybe burning a little hole in the pocket and a real (or heavily perceived) need for new/better gear. I'm in that EXACT boat right now myself. It's a wonderful and awful place to be.

The 3124+ is a great tool. My ONLY advice (beyond Boz's advice about the output attenuators), would be to consider the MB version which allows you to run a redundant stereo mix at the same time.

Regarding the Langevin stuff - again, I think it's wonderful. The dual mono pre is the same pre and EQ that's in the DVC. The DVC just adds the ELOP, which rocks. Is it something that's necessary? Nah. I like it a LOT on bass and when used sparingly, it can save a vocal part. The EQ is a thing of magic too - especially for sculpting vocals.

Have you also considered the Focusrite 428? It's starting to take a downturn on popularity, which doesn't make any sense to me. It's a great, very flexible and amazing sounding pre that's quite affordable. I think it's one of those things where some people find it easy to trash on mid-level gear based solely on the fact that they don't own it and are trying to justify reasons why they don't.


Anyway - let us know what you decide. Truly, anything in that range is going to be just fine.

To tag on to Cucco, I just finished up a demo where the engineer used the Focusrite Octopre for our vocals and it sounded surprisingly good. I hear that box getting slammed a lot, so I can imagine the 428 could be a good thing.

/Shack

Yeah...the OctoPre and the ISA series are two different beasts. The Platinum range is "usable." That being said, they generally have a decent amount of headroom prior to clipping and overall a non-offensive sound. However, if you drive them hard, they start to collapse pretty quickly and get gritty and bright with a somewhat artificial sounding low end.

When the platinum range was released several years back, I was excited...I rushed out and bouth one of the units (don't recall which one now...it's been a few years.) I used it on one session and promptly took it back. Some things are too good to be true - the price on the platinum series for sure.

Will they work for a single vocal or maybe a pair of overheads...sure.

The ISA range blows the Platinum out of the water.

The reason I want to upgrade now is that I have some projects scheduled this summer with some friends that may not be repeatable (including a reunion of my daughter's rock band The Snax who are going to try to put together a show before they all go off to college). The equipment I have is nothing I'm ashamed of, but better gear will help - even if the most important limitation is my skill at recording. If the numbers don't work out, I'll be happy with what I have and do the best I can.

I've probably said this elsewhere, but what I am working with now is:
Digi 002Rack
Focusrite Octopre
GT Brick
FMR RNP

The RNP is easily my favorite of these. In response to sshack's comments on the octopre, I've found it to be an OK unit. You don't want to try to milk the last few dB of gain out of it, but it sounds OK if you don't push it. Also I really have not found the compressor/limiters to be very useful. So while it isn't a bad unit, it is a disappointment and in the long run I plan to replace it. Plan A was to build up a collection of 500 series pres starting with 5 or 6 this year. But Alice chose Duquesne over Georgia and the furnace and air conditioner both died last year, so here we are with plan B.

UPDATE: Cross posted with Jeremy. I see we are pretty much on the same page on the Octopre.