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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 12:58:12 GMT -6
What's out there?
Focusrite ISA 428/828
Warm WA412
Vintech 473
Phoenix 8 Channel
I'm looking specifically for value and bang for the buck. Good price per channel.
I just grabbed a MOTU 24ai, so I'm looking at options for a travel rig.
I currently have pairs of Tonelux, BAE, Phoenix DRS, Sound Skulptor, and 4 channels of Nightpro (MAAG).
Realistically, a used Midas Venice 320 (or other used mixer) with case is probably my best bet. The Focusrite Clarett Octopre is a cool idea too since it adds needed DA to the rig too.
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 6, 2017 13:02:51 GMT -6
Sebatron vmp-4000e. You can get them used for around 1200-1300, maybe less. It's a top shelf, quality piece. Really flexible with nice features. They kind of fell under the radar, it seems. It's hard to find a bad review of them.
Two thumbs up from me.
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 6, 2017 13:08:52 GMT -6
Sebatron vmp-4000e. You can get them used for around 1200-1300, maybe less. It's a top shelf, quality piece. Really flexible with nice features. They kind of fell under the radar, it seems. It's hard to find a bad review of them. Two thumbs up from me. Took the words out of my mouth. I love my sebatron vmp 4000. Got it for $1000 on eBay. For comparison I have vp28's, vp26's and aml 1073's but my sebs get a lot of use...like A LOT. |
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 6, 2017 13:15:04 GMT -6
Yep, my Seb hangs with my CAPI's, RTZ's, etc. I think it's Class A.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,961 
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Post by ericn on Apr 6, 2017 13:15:44 GMT -6
Sytek
That $800 Midas 4ch with filters could be cool
DAV BG
Lunchbox with cheap or DIY!
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:23:34 GMT -6
indiehouse and Tbone81, either of you compared these to the Focusrite? The 828 goes for about 1500 used for 8 channels. Seems like good bang for the buck there.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:23:57 GMT -6
Sytek That $800 Midas 4ch with filters could be cool DAV BG Lunchbox with cheap or DIY! Eric, what Midas is that? |
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Post by swurveman on Apr 6, 2017 13:39:15 GMT -6
API 3124+
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Post by indiehouse on Apr 6, 2017 13:45:32 GMT -6
indiehouse and Tbone81 , either of you compared these to the Focusrite? The 828 goes for about 1500 used for 8 channels. Seems like good bang for the buck there. I've not used the 828, but have a Focusrite Isa One at work. I'm going to say that the Sebatron is going to offer you more color options. It can be clean or driven into saturation, depending on how you have your pads set. It's got some EQ shelving options as well. It's a valve piece, so you have the option of tube rolling, too. I've had a Sytek as well. It's a nice utility set of pre's. Fairly clean. They don't have pads, though, which drove me crazy and also limited their use. I ended up moving it. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:47:24 GMT -6
indiehouse and Tbone81 , either of you compared these to the Focusrite? The 828 goes for about 1500 used for 8 channels. Seems like good bang for the buck there. I've not used the 828, but have a Focusrite Isa One at work. I'm going to say that the Sebatron is going to offer you more color options. It can be clean or driven into saturation, depending on how you have your pads set. It's got some EQ shelving options as well. It's a valve piece, so you have the option of tube rolling, too. I've had a Sytek as well. It's a nice utility set of pre's. Fairly clean. They don't have pads, though, which drove me crazy and also limited their use. I ended up moving it. How does the ISA one sound? |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:48:34 GMT -6
Meh, even used, those are going 2k+. I'd go CAPI or Warm first at this point. |
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Post by javamad on Apr 6, 2017 13:53:13 GMT -6
I like my Audient ASP880. 8 clean channels, 3-position impedance, variable HPF, inserts via DB25 and conversion to ADAT, 2 channels have hi-z ... all for less than $1k. You can't go very wrong there :-)
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:55:02 GMT -6
Also, FWIW, I currently have pairs of Tonelux, BAE, Phoenix DRS, Sound Skulptor, and 4 channels of Nightpro (MAAG).
I just grabbed a MOTU 24ai, so I'm looking at options for a travel rig.
Realistically, a used Midas Venice 320 (or other used mixer) with case is probably my best bet though.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 6, 2017 13:56:27 GMT -6
I like my Audient ASP880. 8 clean channels, 3-position impedance, variable HPF, inserts via DB25 and conversion to ADAT, 2 channels have hi-z ... all for less than $1k. You can't go very wrong there :-) This and the new Focusrite Clarett Octopre and cool options. Does the Audient do DA too? |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,961
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Post by ericn on Apr 6, 2017 14:04:35 GMT -6
Sytek That $800 Midas 4ch with filters could be cool DAV BG Lunchbox with cheap or DIY! Eric, what Midas is that? Xl48 it's 899 and 8ch thought it was 4, but the filters would be handy I was looking at 3 to go mobile with the radar. |
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Post by ngallio on Apr 6, 2017 14:24:08 GMT -6
I've been using for years a Sytek unit (4 chan.)
Apart from the mentioned lack of a pad they are very nice and complement well my SCA and CAPIs
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Post by javamad on Apr 6, 2017 15:14:38 GMT -6
I like my Audient ASP880. 8 clean channels, 3-position impedance, variable HPF, inserts via DB25 and conversion to ADAT, 2 channels have hi-z ... all for less than $1k. You can't go very wrong there :-) This and the new Focusrite Clarett Octopre and cool options. Does the Audient do DA too? The Audient only does AD ... and very nicely I might add. Clean, plenty of detail. I use it to extend the channels of my Apollo 8. I personally don't notice any difference in conversion quality between the two. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 6, 2017 18:11:54 GMT -6
indiehouse and Tbone81, either of you compared these to the Focusrite? The 828 goes for about 1500 used for 8 channels. Seems like good bang for the buck there. I used to have a focusrite ISA 220, the eq was great but pre isn't as fun/exciting/colorful as the seb. The ISA pre kept everything sounding nice, never got in the way, but the sebatron puts a big grin on my face every time I use it. A better deal would the 8-channel audient units. I have an ASP800 for my mobile rig. I really like it. You get two channels with variable drive circuits for color. And it's 1u which is nice for a mobile rig. |
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Post by topshelfmg on Apr 6, 2017 22:25:49 GMT -6
The ISA is great, in a very clean kind of way that has subtle "warmth" from the transformer. As said above, the Audient ASP800 would be your best deal. The first two channels have "Retro" preamps, which have 2 saturation options. IRON puts a real transformer in the signal path, HMX is a MOSFET circuit that emulates a tube. Turned off, or the other 6 preamps are very fast and clean. Think Precision 8 or even Grace Designs. The conversion is all very solid. Fantastic value, and I use it all of the time next to preamps costing much more.
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Post by drsax on Apr 6, 2017 22:28:59 GMT -6
The Daking Mic Pre IV gets lots of use here. And sounds excellent on most anything
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Post by WKG on Apr 6, 2017 23:16:16 GMT -6
I've got a Daking IV here along with an ISA 428 and a Sytek.
I wouldn't have a problem if I had to use just any one of them but the Daking is my favorite and their pricing is really pretty good right now. I don't understand why the ISA units get so much flak, I like their sound, smooth and detailed, great flexibility and 80db gain to boot. I've got the A/D card in mine also. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 7, 2017 10:49:22 GMT -6
I think Billy Pratt will build and sell VP28s for around $500 (or less) apiece...Those and a four channel rack would be the same as most of these (and I would venture to say better)...
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Post by Tbone81 on Apr 7, 2017 10:58:31 GMT -6
I've got a Daking IV here along with an ISA 428 and a Sytek.
I wouldn't have a problem if I had to use just any one of them but the Daking is my favorite and their pricing is really pretty good right now. I don't understand why the ISA units get so much flak, I like their sound, smooth and detailed, great flexibility and 80db gain to boot. I've got the A/D card in mine also. Hey WKG, Just to add to your point, and clarify my post, the ISA is not a bad option by any means. They're high quality prices for sure. For me, my tastes changed over time and I found myself wanting Pres with more color. I was fortunate enough to record a few sessions on an actual Focusrite console, back when Paramount Studios, here in LA, had one. Holy shit, that console sounded good. I think that console went to Ocean Way, but I could be wrong. I'd love to have 2-channel, rack eq from the ISA line. That would be killer. |
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Post by audibilityrecording on Apr 7, 2017 11:29:45 GMT -6
I think Billy Pratt will build and sell VP28s for around $500 (or less) apiece...Those and a four channel rack would be the same as most of these (and I would venture to say better)... CAPI's preamps are some of my favorites. The VP28s (his dual stage preamps) are particularly versatile in my opinion. I can build them with DIY op amps for $500 each and if you want scott liebers' red dot op amps i can include them in a unit for $525 each. Prices do not include shipping, fyi. CAPI has a wonderful selection of single stage preamps, too at a more than reasonable price. I sell them all for $375 each and that includes a Red Dot op amp. |
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Post by Ward on Apr 7, 2017 12:29:10 GMT -6
The Focusrite 428 Mark 1 is the best bang for the buck out there. But make sure it's a Mark 1
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