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Post by M57 on Aug 3, 2017 5:17:37 GMT -6
Anyone using this? I'm this close to breaking down, getting a 500 series rack, a Great River MP-500NV and a P1 - shooting out the pre-amps and returning the loser.
On the rack end, The heritage Audio OST-4 has been recommended as a good entry level piece. As far as I can tell, the pros include good design that isolates each unit where drawing power is concerned, and a solid build. Cons are external power cabling and no power button (which is downright weird, but I don't track all that often). Is there any reason a lack of a power switch should be a concern, other than inconvenience?
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Post by jakeharris on Aug 3, 2017 5:51:47 GMT -6
500-series version of the Pacifica. Amazing pre's, can't go wrong with them.
With the OST-4, add an extension chord with a switch.
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Post by BradM on Aug 3, 2017 12:51:16 GMT -6
I love my P1's and Pacificas. I use them on every record I do.
No big deal if there's no power switch.
Brad
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Post by notneeson on Aug 3, 2017 16:20:09 GMT -6
I have real QE Pacifica pres racked up, they're great. Need to try these some day.
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Post by M57 on Aug 3, 2017 17:22:33 GMT -6
I love my P1's and Pacificas. I use them on every record I do. No big deal if there's no power switch. Brad Hah, Thanks BradM How ironic. I just ordered the box, an MP-500NV and a P1. I may end up having enough cash to shoot them out, and return the loser for a second, giving me a pair. I'm only mildly embarrassed to admit that your Silver Bullet was on my short list, and I don't doubt that I would have been thrilled with it. If I kick out the cost of the 500 box it's just a few more hundred dollars, but then there's the calculus of keeping my marriage intact. Damn, I'm excited about getting new gear, but I hate having to make these kinds of decisions. -Mark |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 3, 2017 17:29:01 GMT -6
I love my P1's and Pacificas. I use them on every record I do. No big deal if there's no power switch. Brad Hah, Thanks BradM How ironic. I just ordered the box, an MP-500NV and a P1. I may end up having enough cash to shoot them out, and return the loser for a second, giving me a pair. I'm only mildly embarrassed to admit that your Silver Bullet was on my short list, and I don't doubt that I would have been thrilled with it. If I kick out the cost of the 500 box it's just a few more hundred dollars, but then there's the calculus of keeping my marriage intact. Damn, I'm excited about getting new gear, but I hate having to make these kinds of decisions. -Mark Power switch doesn't matter. I plug my whole rack into a few Furmans and power everything up and down with a couple switches. |
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Post by BradM on Aug 3, 2017 17:57:24 GMT -6
Hah, Thanks BradM How ironic. I just ordered the box, an MP-500NV and a P1. I may end up having enough cash to shoot them out, and return the loser for a second, giving me a pair. I'm only mildly embarrassed to admit that your Silver Bullet was on my short list, and I don't doubt that I would have been thrilled with it. If I kick out the cost of the 500 box it's just a few more hundred dollars, but then there's the calculus of keeping my marriage intact. Damn, I'm excited about getting new gear, but I hate having to make these kinds of decisions. -Mark Hey Mark, Check your PM's. I just sent you a note about Chroma, which is the 500 series version of the Silver Bullet.  Brad |
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Post by mulmany on Aug 4, 2017 19:20:08 GMT -6
How different is the P1? I remember someone always raving that it was perfect for rock vocals.
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Post by nick8801 on Aug 5, 2017 3:38:02 GMT -6
I love my p1! It sounds awesome. To me it kind of covers every aspect you would want in a preamp. It's clean but colored, fast but warm. I love using the pad and cranking up the gain on acoustic guitars.
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Post by M57 on Aug 6, 2017 16:41:26 GMT -6
So I've been doin' some shootin' with my Blackspade UM-4X today. The A Designs P1 Vs Great River MP-500NV. I decided to use my normal real-world chain, which is to go through a WA-2A and shave off 2-3 db off the peaks on the way in. I recorded 2 different tracks with each pre (one clean, and one with a pad/load to invoke some mojo) using my normal routine, which involves comping through 4 takes for every shoot.
The A Designs P1 was simply gorgeous. It has a Hi-Fi sound right out of the box. I don't think I'd have to touch an EQ except for some HP. I can see how it would make anything sound fantastic, though I did think it sounded a bit pinched when loaded. The Great River (with the load engaged) totally brought the mojo, which absolutely flattered my voice, especially in it's thinner registers (falsetto) or when I sang very soft. Both pres ate my D4 for lunch in the depth and girth department. I'm only mildly embarrassed to admit that I've never sung through an all pro high-end chain like this before, and I'm blown away.
This is absolutely a fair fight - they were both huge and they cost exactly the same!
The GR has I/O metering, which I really like - it just gives me confidence to know technically how hard I'm pushing it. On the other hand I can see using the P1 for things other than my voice. Picking them apart is a lot harder than picking one of them apart from my D4's so I wonder if I could get away with using both in stereo pair situations, like an XY pair on the piano?
I'm torn.
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Post by BradM on Aug 6, 2017 16:53:30 GMT -6
I think you'll find that the P1 allows you to push a vocal farther back into the mix and still be heard...as opposed to floating on top of the mix. There's this magical presence thing that it does that most other pres just don't do IMHO. Many years ago I did a similar shootout on vocals with a Pacifica, ME1-NV, Vintech 1272, and an API 3124. The Pacifica was the standout when I judged the vocals in the context of the mix. It just required less EQ to get it to sit correctly for my tastes.
Brad
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 7, 2017 12:03:17 GMT -6
How close is the P1 to the rack?
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