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Post by bartacusad on May 8, 2017 13:54:49 GMT -6
I'm sure this subject has been covered exhaustively so you can just give me your quick two cents....I'm looking at getting a tube mic pre under $1500 and preferably under $1000. Current contenders are the UA Solo 610 and Dizengoff D4. Any others that smoke these for close to the same price? Thanks!
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 8, 2017 13:58:47 GMT -6
The one that started the tube pre revival Demeter VTMP2 2ch used less than a $1k.
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Post by EmRR on May 8, 2017 14:43:05 GMT -6
What do you want a tube pre to do? There are all types.
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Post by rowmat on May 8, 2017 14:45:51 GMT -6
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Post by drsax on May 8, 2017 15:10:57 GMT -6
In that price range I'd be looking at the Presonus ADL600. A seriously great mic PRE. I've used mine for well over a decade and it has always delivered beautiful results.
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Post by bartacusad on May 8, 2017 15:11:22 GMT -6
What do you want a tube pre to do? There are all types. My main interest is using it for vocals. I've got 1073's, 1066's, every flavor of CAPI, and Martek but I don't have a tube mic pre and would love to have that flavor. |
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Post by EmRR on May 8, 2017 15:19:01 GMT -6
Fast and clean? Brown and hairy? Extended response? Vintage limited response? Smooth breakup? Hard breakup? Dominant 2nd harmonic or dominant 3rd harmonic distortion? There's almost more choices than with SS.
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Post by Coil Audio on May 8, 2017 15:26:04 GMT -6
2cents (if you diy at all or know a tech)
If EmRR still has his Gates SA-70 pair for sale over in the classifieds (for $700 ?) we'd absolutely sell you one of our fancy 2u rackmount PSU to power it - that leaves you with quite a bit leftover in your budget to rack the pres in a nice chassis with cool knobs n such that would last more than 50 years. Id say we could rack it but theres too much on the work platter currently (i.e. single channel CA-70 and EQ that will be in that 1k budget range <shakes fist to the sky emoji>
Those SA-70s are light years ahead of anything mentioned so far in tone and density - and at that price per channel, its kind of a no brainer - Again, only If you have the means ....
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Post by drbill on May 8, 2017 15:26:21 GMT -6
rowmat - do you have one? What do you liken it to? They mention : "The MP566 is a dual-triode vacuum tube circuit preamplifier based on a design that has been used in several famous devices from the 50's," Thoughts on that?? And/or what it emulates.... THX! |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,936
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Post by ericn on May 8, 2017 15:35:49 GMT -6
2cents (if you diy at all or know a tech) If EmRR still has his Gates SA-70 pair for sale over in the classifieds (for $700 ?) we'd absolutely sell you one of our fancy 2u rackmount PSU to power it - that leaves you with quite a bit leftover in your budget to rack the pres in a nice chassis with cool knobs n such that would last more than 50 years. Id say we could rack it but theres too much on the work platter currently (i.e. single channel CA-70 and EQ that will be in that 1k budget range <shakes fist to the sky emoji> Those SA-70s are light years ahead of anything mentioned so far in tone and density - and at that price per channel, its kind of a no brainer - Again, only If you have the means .... I deserve 50 lashs 25 for forgetting Dougs Sa70's and 25 for forgetting my neighbors at Coil! Both others would be in a Tone at 11 the Demeter is about Tone at 4 on the imaginary 1-10 tone dial! |
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Post by kevinnyc on May 8, 2017 16:02:49 GMT -6
rowmat - do you have one? What do you liken it to? They mention : "The MP566 is a dual-triode vacuum tube circuit preamplifier based on a design that has been used in several famous devices from the 50's," Thoughts on that?? And/or what it emulates.... THX! I'm also interested in hearing about this pre...I have some other sound skulptor Kit and love it....this pre is on my list! |
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Post by Coil Audio on May 8, 2017 16:32:58 GMT -6
2cents (if you diy at all or know a tech) If EmRR still has his Gates SA-70 pair for sale over in the classifieds (for $700 ?) we'd absolutely sell you one of our fancy 2u rackmount PSU to power it - that leaves you with quite a bit leftover in your budget to rack the pres in a nice chassis with cool knobs n such that would last more than 50 years. Id say we could rack it but theres too much on the work platter currently (i.e. single channel CA-70 and EQ that will be in that 1k budget range <shakes fist to the sky emoji> Those SA-70s are light years ahead of anything mentioned so far in tone and density - and at that price per channel, its kind of a no brainer - Again, only If you have the means .... I deserve 50 lashs 25 for forgetting Dougs Sa70's and 25 for forgetting my neighbors at Coil! Both others would be in a Tone at 11 the Demeter is about Tone at 4 on the imaginary 1-10 tone dial! Dont flogg yourself too hard now ericn- you'll need your strength to cut out those panel mount XLR holes!  |
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Post by swurveman on May 8, 2017 16:58:01 GMT -6
I have a 2-610S and I love how it sounds for recording acoustic guitar. On acoustic guitar/vocal songs I also use it for vocals and it sounds great fitting with the guitar sound.
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Post by rowmat on May 8, 2017 17:28:22 GMT -6
rowmat - do you have one? What do you liken it to? They mention : "The MP566 is a dual-triode vacuum tube circuit preamplifier based on a design that has been used in several famous devices from the 50's," Thoughts on that?? And/or what it emulates.... THX! We have two fitted with NOS Mullard 12AT7's. The low/medium gain settings are quite clean but there's some richness the tone which I really like. Using the high gain setting the tone gets richer and more harmonically saturated as you crank the gain not unlike driving a good tube compressor. It sounds nothing like our UA610 MKII which I don't think sounds particularly good anyway as it doesn't get woolly like the 610 when cranked. It's not as clean as our Sebatron Axis 200 (very clean tube preamp) although I would say it's somewhat closer if the Sebatron's input drive is maxed out. It has more presence than the Mercury V72s and has more attitude (more character) than a Mercury V76m. I could quite happily use these pre's on everything from vocals, acoustics, electrics, drums etc. as I really like what they add to the tone. A KM84 on acoustic guitar through these sounds fantastic. Although it uses a relatively inexpensive OEP input transformer and Edcor output transformer it's the sum of the parts that make up the whole package. |
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Post by wiz on May 8, 2017 17:34:20 GMT -6
Save more coin, buy a V72 module and get it racked.... It will nearly certainly appreciate in value and sounds gorgeous
cheers
Wiz
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Post by drbill on May 8, 2017 17:47:43 GMT -6
rowmat - do you have one? What do you liken it to? They mention : "The MP566 is a dual-triode vacuum tube circuit preamplifier based on a design that has been used in several famous devices from the 50's," Thoughts on that?? And/or what it emulates.... THX! We have two fitted with NOS Mullard 12AT7's. The low/medium gain settings are quite clean but there's some richness the tone which I really like. Using the high gain setting the tone gets richer and more harmonically saturated as you crank the gain not unlike driving a good tube compressor. It sounds nothing like our UA610 MKII which I don't think sounds particularly good anyway as it doesn't get woolly like the 610 when cranked. It's not as clean as our Sebatron Axis 200 (very clean tube preamp) although I would say it's somewhat closer if the Sebatron's input drive is maxed out. It has more presence than the Mercury V72s and has more attitude (more character) than a Mercury V76m. I could quite happily use these pre's on everything from vocals, acoustics, electrics, drums etc. as I really like what they add to the tone. A KM84 on acoustic guitar through these sounds fantastic. Although it uses a relatively inexpensive OEP input transformer and Edcor output transformer it's the sum of the parts that make up the whole package. Thanks for the info man!!! Sounds intriguing. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on May 8, 2017 17:50:01 GMT -6
These were all done with the Dizengoff D4. Don't know if this helps, but there it is.. ("All Again") hasn't been mastered yet, so it's not as loud as the other tracks, turn it up a bit. The third track is from my friend Dusty Wright's new album, it's a song we co-wrote.
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/long-road-back-master
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/all-again-mix-10
https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/life-is-hard
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Post by ChaseUTB on May 8, 2017 18:22:30 GMT -6
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Post by rowmat on May 9, 2017 0:50:52 GMT -6
Sound Skulptor MP566's...  |
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Post by ChaseUTB on May 9, 2017 12:34:17 GMT -6
Have you tried the SS 73 vs your heritage preamps? Have you shout out Don classics 73 with Vintage Neve or Heritae or Bae? |
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Post by Vincent R. on May 9, 2017 12:43:30 GMT -6
The one that started the tube pre revival Demeter VTMP2 2ch used less than a $1k. The Demeter is awesome. Worked on quite a few mics when I tried it. Sounded ridiculous with my old Peluso 2247SE as well as a blue Kiwi. It's on my list of pres to pick up at some point. These days enjoying the Tabfunkenwerk V78M. It has a better high end than my UA 610 and it's not quite as beefy, but still very warm. I use the V78M with my Mk U67 and the 610 with my AA CM49. I also liked my U87ai with the V78M for more operatic stuff. I've also used the Summit MPC-100. You can find them used in your budget. I used that with a U87ai on my album. It's a nice warm sound. |
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Post by michaelcleary on May 9, 2017 14:45:55 GMT -6
In that price range I'd be looking at the Presonus ADL600. A seriously great mic PRE. I've used mine for well over a decade and it has always delivered beautiful results. This. Big and beautiful sound. Great deals on these now if you shop around. |
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Post by rowmat on May 9, 2017 16:01:39 GMT -6
Sound Skulptor MP566's... Have you tried the SS 73 vs your heritage preamps? Have you shout out Don classics 73 with Vintage Neve or Heritae or Bae? No. Although I have four Seventh Circle Audio N72's Class A Neve style pres which are great but they don't have EQ. The main reason for getting the Heritage Audio 80 Series modules was for their EQ's. They are our go to EQ's for kick and toms but get used on most things. We have a pair of Heritage 8173's and a pair of 6673's and also two 50 Series Neve 33114's (Class AB) and a Neve 3115 (fitted with Phoenix Audio Class A output stage) I'm currently making up some modified connectors to fit the 50 Series Neve's into the Heritage rack. If you just want a Neve style pre without EQ then there are plenty of options out there all using similar circuit topology and components. I would think the SS 573 or Don Classic 73 would cover that in a 500 series pre. The SCA N72's are excellent but are not 500 series and require SCA's proprietary rack so that may put some off. |
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Post by keymod on May 9, 2017 18:29:54 GMT -6
A few of my non-500 series Sound Skulptor pres.  |
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Post by aamicrophones on May 9, 2017 23:52:20 GMT -6
These were all done with the Dizengoff D4. Don't know if this helps, but there it is.. ("All Again") hasn't been mastered yet, so it's not as loud as the other tracks, turn it up a bit. The third track is from my friend Dusty Wright's new album, it's a song we co-wrote. https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/long-road-back-masterhttps%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/all-again-mix-10https%3A//soundcloud.com/martin-john-butler/life-is-hardThat's the Redd 47 type sound. The Disengoff D4 is their take on the REDD47. That's an amazing price if they all sound that close to the original as the once I have heard. That's my favourite tube preamp circuit and what I have heard from tracks cut on the D4 is pretty convincing. That's negative feedback at its finest. I have re-built V72 preamps and they don't sound anywhere as good as the EMI Redd 47 to my ears. Rubber Soul seems to mark for me a noticeable improvement to the sound in Beatle recordings to those previously recorded with V72's. Below is the console that the preamp was designed for and it recorded Rubber Soul, early Pink Floyd and probably Sargent Pepper. This one was saved from the dump by David Stewart the manager of British Grove and completely restored for Mark Knofler. Dave told me Mark loves it on guitars. Dave let me peak inside and twiddle knobs. The lower console is the one Mark bought from the EMI Studios in Lagos that recorded Band on the Run. These consoles are both working on opposite sides of a 72 channel Neve V88 in British Grove Control room A.   The big brother of the console below was at Abbey Road and recorded The Wall and it just sold for several million dollars!!!!!!! So, if you can get the same sound for under $1K its a no brainer. This console still had the same Redd 47 preamp circuit but the module had a different model number and the EQ was a bit more sophisticated.  Anyway you can't go wrong with the D4 as it is literally a new version of a "classic" sounding tube preamp. Here is a prototype of my homage to the Redd47. This has been on the back burner for a while as we have been putting the MT8016 into production. The 2047 can go back up on the workbench next week as I have some input transformers I really want to try with the circuit and finally got the 2db per step gain switches.  Cheers, Dave |
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