Who is using only their interface preamps?

Actually, yes, for quite a few years now.

I have a very old BLA modified Apollo Twin. I like the Neve 1073 strip and for acoustic stuff, the Avalon 737. I have also had decent luck with the SSL, Vox Box and the 610A for funkier stuff.

Is it the best set up I've ever had? Sonically, that would have to go to the period I had a Sliver Bullet which ran through a Zulu and a 2192 on the way in. Second to that was when I had some vintage 1066's and Retro 176's. For a while I was recording a real version and a UAD version in parallel - I think this was when I was using the vintage Neve strips or a pair of API Channel Strips (I forget exactly how - I had some different balanced splitter products at the time) and it was about 50/50 which I liked more.

When I retired and my wife and I moved to Tulum MX, the simplest thing was to sell everything and buy duplicates of my tiny footprint workflow, which ended up being a BLA UAD Twin > Zulu.

I will occasionally pull up some old files and admittedly there are some single tracks that are lovely, but on the other hand, I am finishing my third album in two years which, compared to my previous output of zero albums, is a marked improvement.


So the short answers are yes, and because it was way easier and sounded better about half the time.

The Apogee preamps are ok at medium gain. Push the gain and they're not so hot.

Chris -- somehow, you managed to not answer either question.

I sense there's a distinct possibility that he may have eluded being committal on any point and carefully sidestepped the entire issue with dexterity and precision normally reserved for those for which a successful career in politics would seem natural.

Wait there was a question?

Weeeellll....
#1 on the eventual list now is the LTL Silver Bullet Plug (Thanks Dr. Bill/Brad!)
As the logical upgrade.
(Useful Arts Hornet now a farther back 2nd)

Plus I have other Plugs to screw around-ahem-experiment with.

If I were playing in the RGO Big Leagues... Stuff like Coil/Locomotive etc. I know are super cool.

The reality now is for anything "important", after I lay down a RAW vocal, to be pummeled accordingly by a real Pro.

Let alone trusting me with the right amount (like in less) of REVERB.

Plus honestly, my hospital stay in 2022, depleted a lot of savings.
But hey it was a less-WAY less than 1% survival situation.

So I must be meant to spin a few more Puns, before AI makes me obsolete.
Chris
P.S. IMHO with proper gain staging the Interfaces I have can record Pro level sounds.

But not as Euphonically, as the best stuff.

No, but I keep a limited selection of "the good stuff" in my home rig where I do overdubs/pre-production/mixing and use pres from a lowly Saffire Pro 40 when I need extra for a drum kit. I have the box set to have the pres in standalone mode (bypassing the converters in the box) and running into my Lynx, they actually aren't that bad at all! Perfectly OK for sn bottom, hat, room, etc...

I would be happy to send you some preamps in your OBVIOUS time of need...

Yes but I use the Grace M108 or Merging's HAPI/Horus. None of those are slouches in the mic pre or AD/DA department.

No doubt!

I did some recording recently with my Carbon preamps. They are really nice. They have a really good low end reach and neutral top end, and worked really well on Emily’s voice.

On the Lam in the Bayou!
Chris