|
|
Post by bluenoise on Mar 6, 2015 20:10:24 GMT -6
Hi guys, since there's no specific thread about them i thought i might as well start one.. I own 4 of them. Dig 'em a lot. gar2520/gar1731 being my favourite config. Haven't tried blue or red dots, though. To my ears, 2520/1731 sound a tad wider and perhaps even half a db louder. When i tried them, i thought the difference would not be that big. Even our drum doctor noticed it.  I use them for tracking as much as i can and on the 2 buss pre compressor. Do you use them? How? Like them? Hate them? Chime in! |
|
|
|
Post by sopwith on Mar 6, 2015 20:19:55 GMT -6
I want a pair - bad! Unfortunately even getting the kits down here is kinda pricey right now. Had a guy offer to build me one - for NZ$1100 (That's about US$810 at the moment). I said I'd probably do it myself.
|
|
|
|
Post by gouge on Mar 6, 2015 21:07:58 GMT -6
on the 2 buss, pre comp has been the place for me as well to date. drums as well. not found anything I like more on snare. oh and bass. yeah it kills on bass. it is also very good on vox. I guess the list keeps growing.
seems to get a lot of love on acoustic by others. I haven't tried it myself there as I've been so happy with sytek for acoustic.
I'm running gar2520/gar1731 as well. it really is a killer preamp. so much flexibility. was never a fan of the 312 pres because they lacked bottom end so would always use daking instead. the vp28 doesn't have that problem.
|
|
|
|
Post by unit7 on Mar 7, 2015 8:05:31 GMT -6
I'm doing a preamp shootout this week and I'm unexperienced with API/CAPI pres, so I'd like to check the range of the input gain (no pad).I checked around but can't find the info. 60dB is max but how much is the lowest setting jsteiger, and also how big are the steps? Btw, I saw that the API 512c is 34-65dB, no pad. Final question: For the average pop/rock kick and snare, if output fader @ unity, where would you start with the input gain? We will record takes with different input gain settings, I just wanted a good starting point  |
|
|
|
Post by NoFilterChuck on Mar 7, 2015 9:51:27 GMT -6
4db steps, I believe.
|
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Mar 7, 2015 11:03:32 GMT -6
I'm doing a preamp shootout this week and I'm unexperienced with API/CAPI pres, so I'd like to check the range of the input gain (no pad).I checked around but can't find the info. 60dB is max but how much is the lowest setting jsteiger, and also how big are the steps? Btw, I saw that the API 512c is 34-65dB, no pad. Final question: For the average pop/rock kick and snare, if output fader @ unity, where would you start with the input gain? We will record takes with different input gain settings, I just wanted a good starting point Wait, "unexperienced" with these pre's? You own a number of them as well as the Heiders? My single stage pre's gain range is from appx 25.5dB to 60.5dB. So a 35dB range. The 2-stage pre's have another 12dB of gain "in hand" at the fader so 72dB in total. The preamp gain steps are all 3dB except the lowest two steps are 4dB. This is across the board with any of my stepped gain pre's. For your kick/snare tests, I would start with pad out or disengaged, preamp gain fully CCW and adjust the fader to not clobber the next device in your chain. It will end up around -16dB. You can also experiment with fader at -20dB and increasing the preamp gain for a proper output level. All of this can be done with no pad. |
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Mar 7, 2015 11:10:10 GMT -6
I've got a bunch of these, personally i've never liked any pre better, they are just so versatile it's silly, they sound better on acoustic guitar than anything i've used, with the right settings they take me back to the 70's, riding in my dads car while he smoked, no seatbelts, going to my Nana and Grandpop's house listening to fm radio. They can be very clean, to very driven, i use the red dot/1731 combo in all my vp28's and lc53a's. The vp28 is also the best light touch "compressor" i've ever used( wiz ), if you want to mojo a mix right up, set your vps to unity and round trip every single track and give it a listen.. You're welcome 8) |
|
|
|
Post by unit7 on Mar 7, 2015 11:46:30 GMT -6
I'm doing a preamp shootout this week and I'm unexperienced with API/CAPI pres, so I'd like to check the range of the input gain (no pad).I checked around but can't find the info. 60dB is max but how much is the lowest setting jsteiger, and also how big are the steps? Btw, I saw that the API 512c is 34-65dB, no pad. Final question: For the average pop/rock kick and snare, if output fader @ unity, where would you start with the input gain? We will record takes with different input gain settings, I just wanted a good starting point Wait, "unexperienced" with these pre's? You own a number of them as well as the Heiders? My single stage pre's gain range is from appx 25.5dB to 60.5dB. So a 35dB range. The 2-stage pre's have another 12dB of gain "in hand" at the fader so 72dB in total. The preamp gain steps are all 3dB except the lowest two steps are 4dB. This is across the board with any of my stepped gain pre's. For your kick/snare tests, I would start with pad out or disengaged, preamp gain fully CCW and adjust the fader to not clobber the next device in your chain. It will end up around -16dB. You can also experiment with fader at -20dB and increasing the preamp gain for a proper output level. All of this can be done with no pad. Thanks a bunch Jeff!! Yes, unexperienced. My current studio is a mix room with a small booth, and most things I record are 1-2 mics at a time, and for this I've been using my AMS/Neves since 15yrs, except for a very few VP/Heider tests lately. When there's an opportunity I'll probably move to a place with a big recording room, so the VP/Heider purchases is part of my investigations for that. I definitely need more experience on the difference between Neve and API, what happens when they're driven etc, especially when recording drums, so I really look forward to the test I'm going to do with my drummer friend in his studio hopefully Wednesday this week. Thanks again for the directions on initial settings. Brilliant. |
|
|
|
Post by zaiata on Mar 8, 2015 19:05:39 GMT -6
So far I have 2 VP28, 2 VP312, 2 VP26. Will get more 28s. and perhaps some Heiders. I have a few good press, Manley, API (Not any more) 8 Millennia, Tridents....
Since I got those VPs... I found my sound... the warm and robustness of those press are out of this world. I have currently the 28s with Red dots.
Waiting for the FC526, I have really high expectation for the combination with the CAPI press.
I confess, I am a CAPI fan and admirer. i like the sound, and the empowerment it provides. And definitely big respect for what Jeff is doing.
|
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Mar 7, 2016 14:34:53 GMT -6
Can someone tell me the preferred position for the GAR 1731/2520 op amps? I can't remember. I've got the 1731 positioned closest to the output tranny's right now.
|
|
|
|
Post by tasteliketape on Mar 7, 2016 15:13:44 GMT -6
You should try Scott's 2520 and his new 1731its a very very nice combination his 1731 is smoooooth
|
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Mar 7, 2016 15:22:23 GMT -6
You should try Scott's 2520 and his new 1731its a very very nice combination his 1731 is smoooooth I bet. |
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Mar 7, 2016 16:36:30 GMT -6
I've got the 1731 positioned closest to the output tranny's right now. Yes this is correct for the most common placement. |
|
|
|
Post by indiehouse on Mar 7, 2016 18:51:03 GMT -6
I've got the 1731 positioned closest to the output tranny's right now. Yes this is correct for the most common placement. Cool, thanks Jeff! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 19:08:55 GMT -6
I'm going to buy a pair this week..
Also is anyone using the 312 DI version for the DI input ?
|
|
|
|
Post by keymod on Mar 8, 2016 6:35:20 GMT -6
One day I will get five of these to finish off my sidecar that has been in a build-state for several years now.
|
|
|
|
Post by forgotteng on Mar 15, 2016 19:49:54 GMT -6
Just picked up 2 VP28's to add to my 4 VP26's. Looking forward to putting them through their paces.
|
|
|
|
Post by NoFilterChuck on Mar 15, 2016 20:23:32 GMT -6
I've got the 1731 positioned closest to the output tranny's right now. Yes this is correct for the most common placement. Jeff, have you ever considered rearranging the faceplate on the VP28 such that a DI jack could be added? even a TT jack, cuz we can get TT-Male-to-TRS-Female cables easy enough (just make 'em!) It's really the only thing the VP28 needs to be the perfect preamp |
|
|
|
Post by jsteiger on Mar 16, 2016 8:35:19 GMT -6
Yes this is correct for the most common placement. Jeff, have you ever considered rearranging the faceplate on the VP28 such that a DI jack could be added? even a TT jack, cuz we can get TT-Male-to-TRS-Female cables easy enough (just make 'em!) It's really the only thing the VP28 needs to be the perfect preamp I don't think it would fit well. There are so many killer standalone DI's that can be used with the VP28. Also, Dan's ZOD DI is really hard to beat. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on Mar 16, 2016 10:21:13 GMT -6
Just a random thought. I really appreciated the XLR/DI jack on the front of the Neve LB. Always thought it was corny looking, but man, I used it constantly.
|
|
|
|
Post by NoFilterChuck on Mar 16, 2016 11:45:54 GMT -6
Jeff, have you ever considered rearranging the faceplate on the VP28 such that a DI jack could be added? even a TT jack, cuz we can get TT-Male-to-TRS-Female cables easy enough (just make 'em!) It's really the only thing the VP28 needs to be the perfect preamp I don't think it would fit well. There are so many killer standalone DI's that can be used with the VP28. Also, Dan's ZOD DI is really hard to beat. If you switched to using those mini toggle switches that Mike used on the Splice-500, you'd totally have room. There's a big mental block between buying one piece of gear that covers all of our amplification needs and buying two pieces of gear to fulfill a need created by the lack of a feature on the first device. Even tho the VP28 is a kit, the fact that it has a DI would make it sooooo much more appealing to potential builders because they wouldn't need to get a separate DI. You totally have room underneath the Signal Present LED for a TT DI jack |
|
|
|
Post by sean on Mar 16, 2016 15:18:48 GMT -6
I like DI's on the front for things like someone setting up a keyboard or bass in the control room.
|
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Mar 16, 2016 15:27:20 GMT -6
I like DI's on the front for things like someone setting up a keyboard or bass in the control room. Yep! |
|
|
|
Post by rowmat on Mar 16, 2016 19:02:31 GMT -6
Currently tracking electric guitar... Strat > Peavey Classic > Beyer M160 Ribbon > VP28 > 1176... Have built a pair and have another pair to build when I manage to find a day spare. Can't be beat on snare, kick, guitar amps etc. A KM84 through a VP28 on a snare is punch and presence personified! |
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Mar 16, 2016 19:30:57 GMT -6
I have a Zod, and it is just ridiculously great sounding!
|
|
