Hello,
I'm new to recording.org and seeking advice about the REDD47 mic preamp. In a previous thread I saw that there are different manufacturers like Hinson and MAL, and I've found a new one from Revolution.
http://www.redd47.com/REDD47Info.html
Does anyone have any experience with the Revolution units? The site says it's just starting to ship, and doesn't provide any specs. Maybe someone has had a chance to preview it or better yet, compare it to the MAL.
Thanks,
Mark
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There's a very cool blurb at the link Mark posted . "Originally
There's a very cool blurb at the link Mark posted .
"Originally designed under the direction of Mr. Len A. Page of the EMI Record Engineering Development Department (REDD), the REDD.47 amplifier was the sole active circuitry in the REDD.51 mixing desk. Having superceded the REDD.37, which utilized Siemens & Halske V72 amplifiers, REDD.51 represented the pinnacle of vacuum-tube mixing desk design."
There's a bit more there and some cool pics / grapphics as well.
I will be getting one in a few weeks for a very short 12 day trial period.
The units are hand built by one person and they claim they can do about 5 per month. Pricey! $3K for a single channel. I am very curious about it and am waiting patiently for the review unit to arrive.
Kurt Foster wrote: The unit retails at $3000 for a single channe
Kurt Foster wrote: The unit retails at $3000 for a single channel unit. I really like the look of this unit, very retro with large massive toggle switches and chickenhead knobs. It the Redd 47 sounds anything like it looks, it should be phenomenal!
so now your doing reviews wth your eyes
edboy7... I've posted a little here in this newgroup about the R
edboy7...
I've posted a little here in this newgroup about the REDD 47 John built for me back in 2000.. Now that the word is out and John's site is up and production has started, I'll post more about my 4 year experience with this amazing mic pre in the next day or so if anyone is interested.
BTW the tubes are one EF806S and one E88CC.
Johnson Cabasa wrote: [quote=Kurt Foster]The unit retails at $30
Johnson Cabasa wrote: [quote=Kurt Foster]The unit retails at $3000 for a single channel unit. I really like the look of this unit, very retro with large massive toggle switches and chickenhead knobs. It the Redd 47 sounds anything like it looks, it should be phenomenal!
so now your doing reviews wth your eyes
Eyes, ears, nose and throat (when I sing) hands, feet (in the case of a foot contoler) and butt (in the case of deep bass). What ever I got!
AudioGaff wrote: If memory serves, The Redd 47 mic pre comes fro
AudioGaff wrote: If memory serves, The Redd 47 mic pre comes from a console used in Abbey Road Studios. The Beatles recorded some of their stuff using them.
Hi AudioGaff,
Yes that's right. For anyone who's interested, the Beatles Albums that were recorded using the desk with REDD47 amps are:
'A Hard Day's Night'
'Beatles For Sale'
'Help!'
'Rubber Soul'
'Revolver'
'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
'The Beatles' (White Album)
'Yellow Submarine'
'Let It Be'
There were also the many recordings that were released as singles that weren't initially on albums, such as 'Ticket To Ride'/ 'Yes It Is', 'We Can Work It Out'/'Day Tripper', 'Paperback Writer'/'Rain', 'Strawberry Fields Forever'/ 'Penny Lane' etc. All in all, quite a catalogue!
Den
WOW, I knew it was used for many songs but I didn't know so many
WOW, I knew it was used for many songs but I didn't know so many Beatles songs were recorded with the REDD47. Thanks for the insight Denny.. I guess I need to hear one, or better yet just add it to my must have gear list...
Hey Dean, I'm interested. What about those comments you promised on your REDD47 experiences?
As one who has heard a few of Dean's simple, off the cuff test r
As one who has heard a few of Dean's simple, off the cuff test recordings with his Neumann M269c and the Redd47 all I can say is, OMG. Air and detail, smooth and warm, 3 dimensional and rich. Not to mention Dean's wife's voice and songs are gorgeous as well.
Dean, long time no see! Miss ya.
Thanks kind words Steve, Most of the compliments can go to John
Thanks kind words Steve,
Most of the compliments can go to John Hinson as well as the REDD/EMI team from the past. Almost all of the tracks Screws mentioned were recorded through an RE20, live 16 bit. Which brings me to my main point about this mic pre, the REDD47 costs may seem high but in light of all high priced vintage/tube mics new and old I would sell all my mics before I would the REDD.
No matter if its my SM57,RE20, M380, KM254, M269...etc the depth and beauty of what it accomplishes is evident in each and all of the mics. I Recently told John that everytime I hear the tracks I've cut through it I just want to call him and thank him over and over.
I will say my quest has always been for a satisfying musical recording..and satisfied I've been.
We can try to discuss "how it sounds compared to brand __" etc...etc...I've tried almost everything at one time or another from discrete class A, tube, to other popular designs,.. I just havent been interested in anything else since it arrived in early 2000. For those curious, sitting next to my REDD is a pair of Daking pre/eqs which I actually use for the eq more than the pre, I might add Geoffrey Daking is another one who recreated the legendary Trident "A" range circuit/channel and has been very successful at it.
For projects needing that gritty, strident, and thin sounds - its not going to be found in the REDD!
Most challenging thing to describe...
Not tubey first of all...the way people define "the tube sound" but instead extreme clarity throughout, big wide midrange and silky powdery highs that climb up to and are rolled off at 25k. On vocal hard consanants like "K's" and "C's" rounded off slightly and silky as I stated...(one of my favorite things to listen for throughout the vocal track). Vocals come out sounding like....you can hear every word and the sound it gives is one you want hear again and again.
Mixing is much simpler, what a relief to not have to reach for another eq...less tweaking, less compression, everything sits together without fighting for space. For me one of the hardest things to record/produce has been...a song that you want to hear over and over and I'm speaking in terms that the song its parts and arrangements are good. This pre gets me there, now people say after they hear a track, what mic is that? what are you recording to? whos singing!!? what studio did you do that at? all the guesses they can think of then I say its the mic pre, a REDD 47...........tube..mic pre..............umm..........its a recreation of a console that was in Abbey Road.......that usually does it. Noone knows what I'm talking about!
The EMI TG consoles that have been rediscovered and outboard gear (new & old) have put a strange spin on everything too, people think everything the Beatles cut was using all TG stuff...I'm sure they're great in some ways. But its just the opposite, the TG had its glory for about a year or so when it came to the Beatles recordings. Any of you guys read the new Tape Op with Alan Parsons and read the article about certain TG items (in the original console that is)..?
For those who may not know the TG consoles (transistor) replaced the REDD 51 (W/REDD47), and the two REDD 37's (W/V72S) sometime in late '68..John will want to elaborate about this I'm sure. In Geoff Emericks words from a past MIX magazine interview he states almost of everything (90%) the Beatles recorded occured in studio 2 at Abbey Road. Which is where the REDD 51 lived for several years.
At home my studio is just a private project studio I'm currently using Protools, Lucid 9624AD, a pair of EAG passive eq's, an Inovonics 201 limiter, DeltaLab, Roland SRV2000, Dakings, REDD 47, and Dynaudio BM6A's. And my typical channel strip is Mic - REDD - Passive EQ - Lucid AD conv.
I've covered only a little of my experiences, I'll post more as time permits.
mikE@THECAVE wrote: dean where does one buy one of these preamps
mikE@THECAVE wrote: dean where does one buy one of these preamps
Hey Mike,
You can send an email directly to Kurt at Revolution Recording Equipment, he'll be able to take care of you. His address is: kurt@redd47.com You could also call (415) 459-8907.
Cheers,
Den
mikE@THECAVE wrote: Revolution --who makes this unit Revolution
mikE@THECAVE wrote: Revolution --who makes this unit
Revolution Recording Equipment make the REDD47. It is a new company that was started by the engineer who designed quite a few of the Universal Audio products as well as the mic pres for Mercury.
With the exception of the original amps built by EMI, all the REDD47s, including the one that David Marquette sold, were built by this same engineer - John Hinson. As far as I know, the Marquette REDD47 is no longer available but he is a dealer for the updated Revolution unit.
Den
Hi all.. Wanted to post a link for those interested in the Geoff
Hi all..
Wanted to post a link for those interested in the Geoff Emerick interview to those who didnt get chance to read it.
http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_geoff_emerick/
A quick note on John's version of the REDD...
I remember he told me that just in part per each unit itwas roughly $1200 to start with. Of course that was pricing with the first batch of 12. It may be higher or lower but with that is the best conceivable components that can be found.
Custom wound transformers, teflon silver wiring thoughout the audio paths, Elma switches, the best tubes (E88CC and EF806S) and sockets that could be found, parts like wondercaps, paper in oil caps, right down to "XLO" XLR connectors...a brand I never hear much about. Basically its the same circuit as the orginal but with the best and most exotic parts available.
He's even told me he built compressor with REDD amps internally,
I cant imagine how that would sound...
John will hopefully post more details in the upcoming days, I'm looking forward about learing.
Denney wrote: [quote=mikE@THECAVE]Revolution --who makes this un
Denney wrote: [quote=mikE@THECAVE]Revolution --who makes this unit
Revolution Recording Equipment make the REDD47. It is a new company that was started by the engineer who designed quite a few of the Universal Audio products as well as the mic pres for Mercury.
With the exception of the original amps built by EMI, all the REDD47s, including the one that David Marquette sold, were built by this same engineer - John Hinson. As far as I know, the Marquette REDD47 is no longer available but he is a dealer for the updated Revolution unit.
Den
Den,
Thanks! I love the history of all this stuff... can you tell us which UREI pieces John Hinson was responsible for? I love UREI gear and own a few pieces ... and I have sold a couple of things by them I now regret letting go ... is there any similararity between the Mercury, Redd47's and the UREI pres? Last how close is the Redd47 related to the Telefunkin V72? For some reason, I always thought the pres in the old Abby Road "Beatles desk" were Telefunkins ....
Hey all! The phone rang and I looked at the caller id ... hmmmm
Hey all!
The phone rang and I looked at the caller id ... hmmmm, someone from the Bay Area ... Hello?
It turns out to be John Henson, the person who builds the Redd47..!!! I am not sure how he got my phone number but what a great guy. He knows his stuff and has had a hand in a lot of gear that us diehards use , like most of the UA line ... What a gas to speak with him for a half hour!
d he answered the questions I posed here earlier ..
No, the Redd47 is not the offspring of the Telefunkins...
No similararity between the Mercury, Redd47's and the UREI pres. All different.
"For some reason, I always thought the pres in the old Abbey Road "Beatles desk" were Telefunkins ....?" , they were on the first 3 albums through "Beatles For Sale", ... then they were upgraded.
John says I can borrow a prototype / blem unit perhaps and this may allow me to use the unit for a bit longer than 12 days ....
I have a feeling Revolution Recording and RO are going to become great friends. I know what I like and I am pretty sure that I am going to like what John Henson is doing. I am looking forward to this mic pres arrival ...
I found out from Revolution's Kurt that the MAL is no longer in
I found out from Revolution's Kurt that the MAL is no longer in production, and that the Revolution is the next generation of REDD47 mic pre. I look forward to reading your review. I know it's a little pricey for a single channel pre. If it sounds anything like the people have described, then it will certainly be worth it. I might not be able to wait for a review :-)
Kurt: what kind of mics do you have that you plan to use when you test the REDD47?
faderider wrote: I found out from Revolution's Kurt that the MAL
faderider wrote: I found out from Revolution's Kurt that the MAL is no longer in production, and that the Revolution is the next generation of REDD47 mic pre. I look forward to reading your review. I know it's a little pricey for a single channel pre. If it sounds anything like the people have described, then it will certainly be worth it. I might not be able to wait for a review :-)
Kurt: what kind of mics do you have that you plan to use when you test the REDD47?
John Henson and I have already spoke about this .... a Neumann U87ai will be the primary one. I also have some good dynamics to try, 421, D112, D6 sm57 ... as well as some budget condensers like the c3 and c4 ...
I am also excited to use it on bass to see if I can dial up that signature "Paul" tone.
Kurt Foster wrote: ..."For some reason, I always thought the pre
Kurt Foster wrote: ..."For some reason, I always thought the pres in the old Abbey Road "Beatles desk" were Telefunkins ....?" , they were on the first 3 albums through "Beatles For Sale", ... then they were upgraded...
Actually, John forgot about the UK album before 'Beatles For Sale'
which was 'A Hard Day's Night'. This was also recorded on the REDD51/REDD47 desk
Den
SANITY INN wrote: can someone post info to the unit in question,
SANITY INN wrote: can someone post info to the unit in question,, kinda confused as to which one to bookmark for future consideration.
http://www.redd47.com/REDD47Info.html
mikE@THECAVE wrote: they kinda describe the pad switch like Sebatron does. It can change the tone of the signal. Kurt have you used the pads much on the Sebatron--and noticed much difference?
Mike,
Yes I have ... I have done all the tricks, daisy chain channels, all the pads and air, deep switches ... etc. but as you point out, these tricks are nothing new ... it's cool that the Sebs are reviving these techniques though.
It should be interesting to see how these techniques/methods work on the Redd47. I haven't been this excited about a new pre amp for a while. I repeat, I want to dial up that "Paultone" on the bass .... That has been a holy grail for me for a long time.
An added interest point. I mentioned to John while we talked, that I wanted to look around and see if I could find an old Altec compressor (as used at Abbey Road) in this search for the "Paultone". John told me not to do this because all the Altecs EMI had were rebuilt by the Redd team. Revolution plans to release a version of this compressor in the future ... now I'm really pumped up!
Here's a link that you might get a kick out of...I dont honestly
Here's a link that you might get a kick out of...I dont honestly know how they did this but from each vantage point you can see all the mics and PSU's on the floor which would tell you how many mics are there to a degree. I cant say if this is authentic or what but man whoever built this site did a great job.
http://www.panormania.com/clients/beatles/pop_index.html
Be patient and wait for this to load you'll be glad you did.
About the mic pad settings on the REDD47, you may notice a tone difference with pad in or out depending on source. I try both pad on and off using the REDD looking for that perfect tone for what Im recording its a nice kind of difference to have and its very subtle. Reminds me of the DW Fearn tube mic pre we always had to have the -20 pad on and it seemed the input was too sensitve everytime it was used, also slightly cloudy sounding pre to me...anyways...enjoy....
I'd hate to compare, and deeply respect anyone who put their bes
I'd hate to compare, and deeply respect anyone who put their best into a product. I obviously lean more towards the REDD and not because of its history, the Beatles, Abbey Road, or anything else than the simple fact that it just sounds amazing.
Kurt's upcoming review might put things into better perspective, my best advise to all interested is to demo one in your personal studio. Trusting our ears is best decision....more than any recommendation I could give.
Mark, Thanks for bringing this to my attention .. I have sent a
Mark,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention .. I have sent a request for a review unit and I should be receiving one to test in the next few weeks, according to the company rep. The unit retails at $3000 for a single channel unit. I really like the look of this unit, very retro with large massive toggle switches and chickenhead knobs. It the Redd 47 sounds anything like it looks, it should be phenomenal!