Lets talk Classic API 500 series...

I have a pair. They are great.

A pair of those are on my list. I need to start building something but can't decide between a pultec from scratch or the LC53A. I really like how the original 553 sounds.
I wonder if phase shift is better or worse with the LC53 due to the splitting of the frequency bands. And any word as too when the classic 553 will be ready?
good luck with the new forum.

Anybody want to hear the Love Child on any particular instruments?

When is the Heider going to be available to purchase? I keep checking RackNRoll website but I don't see any information on it.

Our goal was for a Sept 1st release with the production units. Like all new products, it is taking a tad longer to get all the balls rolling. I should have PCB's at the assembly house in about 2 weeks. Hopefully it will be downhill from there. We are now shooting for a Oct 1st release on the RnR site.

Well, that is a tricky one. The module is 100% done and I have had 100% of the parts here since Feb 2012 or so. I have not had (or made?) a spare week to get all of the build docs together as well as sort all of the initial parts kits. At the rate of current store orders, I can hardly even guess when I will get them to market. Kinda sad but a good problem to have I suppose. Or, maybe I am just letting these killer inductors age a little.......

I run mine in a first edition 51X rack, although I only run mine at API standard voltages, not the +/-24.

Jeff, how about doing a (semi)passive switchable high/low pass filter 500 module? Doesn't need the bells and whistles of a full blown EQ module, just something with a couple choices for each and maybe a little makeup gain, or not if the input level can null the insertion loss. I'd like to be able to filter the outputs of my existing modules before going to the A/D.

Yes!!

I have 2 51x chassis, i'm running a lot of capi stuff, but also a pair of G9 tube pre 500's that utilize the 24v rails, I think 51x is like a 747 rumbling and bumbling down the runway before it goes skyward! My prediction is it will be THEE chassis before long?

I installed my 1st patchbay last night which prompted me to pull the snake box into my control room. That, in turn, prompted me to do a little preamp testing which I had not done on my own. I basically ran a slightly over-driven guitar into 4 preamps - VP28(all reddot), VP26(gar2520), Focusrite ISA428 and GAP573. I didn't bounce down the test to post because of how much ridicule you'd get on slutz for being an unscientific idiot, but maybe everyone here will be more appreciative of such efforts. In any case, my unscientific conclusions following that comparison are that the VP28 is definitely impacted by the additional electronics in the path. The VP 26 sounded a little cleaner, with less distortion in the signal. I think that should be expected. While the 26 sounded cleaner, the 28 sounded closer to what my final tracks sound like when solo'd. I guess I would say that there is more "glue" built into the 28 by virtue of the added distortion. In comparing these pres to the ISA, the mid-forwardness of the VPs was evident. When comparing the VPs to the ISA on solo instruments, I think some would tend to like the ISA because of the clarity in the mids, but I have been down the path of tracking songs with only ISAs and only VPs and once it's all done, the ISAs don't have the aggressiveness I want in song. The songs don't demand your attention. Songs tracked with VPs do to a greater extent. While I was impressed with the sound of the ISAs in comparison to the VPs, I simply know better than to rely fully on them for tracking in order to get the sound I want. Mids are where most of the music resides and reduced mids with greater clarity just don't beat enhanced mids with "pleasant" distortion - for me anyway. Finally, the GAP573 is just another animal. Very thin compared to the others. I was testing with a guitar and I would never start off with the 573 for guitar. There is just no bottom end. The deal with this pre, for me, is that if you are tracking something that needs good bottom and top, this is not it, but it can do either/or well. Snare bottom sizzle - great. Bass or Kick - great. Guitar and Vocals - no go. While I may end up rolling off everything that the 573 naturally rolls off, I'd rather track it with the low end and find the sweet spot myself. So there it is. These are conclusions drawn from a guy testing out his gear in a somewhat unscientific method, but they are nevertheless my experience. I hope they help a fellow rock music engineer in some way. They are probably not terribly relevant to someone focused on a different genre. Cheers.

Also, edits are around 11, 21 and 33. This is the highest quality pro tools bounce to mp3.