We have one of the older models, the one just before the current VSM5U and it is very good. Although we tended not to use it when we had the AMEK 9098 around, but for ultra-portable gigs it is great. I personally do not think it is worth the money though.

We used one in a recording session that was supplied by the recording engineer's company ( I was the A2) Nice unit - terribly overpriced for what it is. If I had to buy one I would think seriously about it before spending the money.

MTCW

Thomas W. Bethel wrote: We used one in a recording session that was supplied by the recording engineer's company ( I was the A2) Nice unit - terribly overpriced for what it is. If I had to buy one I would think seriously about it before spending the money.

MTCW

Yup!

for portability and sound, I STRONGLY recommend the Lunatec V3. I just also got the BG2 (which, the BG1 is its smaller, more portable brother) and I have to say, so far I'm impressed.

I used it on a Fender P-Bass and female vox last night and all I can say is WOW. Smooth, open, clear - no hint of stridence or sterility. I replaced my True Systems Precision 8, which I wound up hating over the past few years based on its (IMHO) ugly, sterile, strident, etched sound.

Once I try it on orchestral or choral sources, I'll report back.

As for the 9098, I can see why you used that David! That's a sweet pre that pains me so much that they stopped making it. Fortunately for E-bay, they will always live on!

j.

It's good to hear another endorsement for DAV mic pres in the USA.

I use my BG1 on just about everything. Of course.... I don't have tons of expensive gear to select from.... just DAV and Hamptone, but feel fortunate to be in at that quality level for the price.

bap wrote: It's good to hear another endorsement for DAV mic pres in the USA.

I use my BG1 on just about everything. Of course.... I don't have tons of expensive gear to select from.... just DAV and Hamptone, but feel fortunate to be in at that quality level for the price.

I can't say I endorse it yet, but I was pleased with what I got.

I fed the P Bass into a Radial J48 DI and then into the DAV - the sound was tight, crisp, clean but very melodic. My usual application for Bass DI is the Summit 2BA-221. I tried it too and got a completely different sound. The sound through the summit was predictably VERY fat and heavy - not in a bad way. If you're looking for funk bass or jazz, the DAV is the bomb. For heavier rock bass or even some R&B, the Summit would be the way to go.

Both tracks sat perfectly in the mix with only a lowpass filter centered around 250 Hz with no additional eq necessary.

Ultimately, we chose the DAV though for its more nimble characteristics.

For Vox, I used the K2 (my new favorite tube mic) through the DAV. I had done the same voice through the same mic but through the True systems and the difference was unbelievable. I will likely be going back and retracking ALL of the previous vocal tracks on this album through the DAV.

My next BIG recording (so far) is a Choral recording with full orchestra in a church in central DC. This will be a two day session focusing on American choral music (mostly Copland I believe).

If I book any bigger type stuff before then, I'll use it and report on my thoughts. My next month and half though is booked solid with school (HS and university) recordings in less than decent spaces.

Sorry - hijacked....back onto the topic at hand...

J.

Cucco wrote:
for portability and sound, I STRONGLY recommend the Lunatec V3. I just also got the BG2 (which, the BG1 is its smaller, more portable brother) and I have to say, so far I'm impressed.

I used it on a Fender P-Bass and female vox last night and all I can say is WOW. Smooth, open, clear - no hint of stridence or sterility. I replaced my True Systems Precision 8, which I wound up hating over the past few years based on its (IMHO) ugly, sterile, strident, etched sound.

Really, Jeremy? I'm surprised by this .... I thought you really liked the P8. Seemed to get lots of positives here and elsewhere, so this caught me off gaurd.

On a completely unrelated note, and not intending to hijack the thread, but I have to say I am LOVIN' the Schoeps CMC621s. Did a piano/violin duo concert yesterday in a nice church acoustic .... soooo lush! (Just had to comment, since several folks here, Cucco included, recommended them. All I can say is 'thanks for the advice'!)

Mike

Yep, they're real sweeties, those MK21's.

hughesmr wrote: Really, Jeremy? I'm surprised by this .... I thought you really liked the P8. Seemed to get lots of positives here and elsewhere, so this caught me off gaurd.

Not really. I've used it a lot and at very first, I did kinda like it, but once I started REALLY listening, I found the mixes to be strident and grainy in the top end and hyped in the mid-range.

I think those that compare the True to the Millennia are smoking a little crack perhaps. The circuit design is TOTALLY different as is the sound. I'm not a HUGE fan of the Millennias either, but give me a couple pair of those and I would be able to record anything. With the Trues, I really was struggling to capture an orchestra with the depth and breadth that I really needed.

(My only complaints with the Millennia are a sense of hyped LF and a slight sterility, which I have no REAL problem with. I can overcome sterility elsewhere.)

The sad thing is, I bought the True without trying it based on suggestions. To date, I've done this only twice. That was the first, the BG2 was the second. I have to say, so far I'm immensly pleased with the BG2 and I don't imagine that will change anytime soon.

J.

Schoeps Pres

I second the Lunatec V3 which I have been using for location work both film and classical recording for about a year. It is a wonderful unit and it also does M/S decoding. One thing, though. If you are plannning to do a lot of M/S you might want to ask Grace Design to put in a special custom switch for it. Otherwise you have to take the top off and reconfigure the jumpers. It would be great to have an external switch for this. But this is a tiny annoying detail in an otherwise wonderful sounding portable preamp.

Rob

I strongly endorse the DAV BG-1...i own a millennia HV-3C and DAV BG-1s(two now)..and I dont think I will ever need anything else in terms of pres..I only do classical recording..but absolute heaven as far as that goes.. I cant say I have ever heard a bad thing about the DAV stuff..other than it being ugly, but who cares about looks??? :roll: I have also used the Lunatec gear (owned a v2 and used a v3 for a while) and while I dont care for them particularly, for portability, I dont think there is a better choice as a pre/adc.

Mick can also customize the BGs to an extent if you call him and give him your needs. 680 bucks for a BG1..with 70 bucks for customs.

Simple Design, World Class sound...low price....stellar pres....

Cucco wrote: That was the first, the BG2 was the second. I have to say, so far I'm immensly pleased with the BG2 and I don't imagine that will change anytime soon.

J.

I figured as much, J..Glad to hear that!.. 8-) 8-) and the praises keep rolling in! :D