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Post by notneeson on Dec 16, 2017 18:30:20 GMT -6
Matt Ross Spang has a Spectra Sonics console that I’d give my left nut to have. I’ve got 2 channel strips and they are absolutely stunning. IMO Blow away Neve and API. I have a box with four Spectra Sonics 110s racked up, would love to try the EQ some time. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 16, 2017 19:00:30 GMT -6
The standard Helios Modules are pretty rudimentary...10db steps...of course, the rack had attenuation...but I just got the hots for something else. Ended up with the 500 series ones for years...got rid of those not long ago too...didn't realize I'd never be able to get another one... You can! VK has them for a kidney. They’re perpetually back-ordered. No one has really heard from Tony Arnold as far as I know... |
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 16, 2017 19:03:55 GMT -6
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Post by nobtwiddler on Dec 17, 2017 15:46:00 GMT -6
 This is when I finally got my first 2 "dream racks" done. Part of my 2 remote recording rigs which comprise 6 racks (if Radars are required) This is a old photo, all the stuff in bottom racks are no longer required. Since then I now have 4 of these filled... And a rack of 670's almost complete too. All I need to cut basics, anywhere. |
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Post by Guitar on Dec 17, 2017 18:29:58 GMT -6
Cool topic! One that has fascinated me for a long time..
I've got two customized CAPI 312s, a Five Fish NK-72DI, and by January I'll be adding my first AML NEVE 500 series preamp.
That's only 4 channels though. Which is most of what I do in this room.
My drum 'rack' is a bunch of Apollo preamps with the Neve emulation running. Or the 610, or the SSL.
My "dream rack" will be 8 channels of Neve style, and one 4-channel API style. I'm putting that one on the list for later because I believe in long term planning/goals.
I have also bought and sold quite a few over the years. The ones I miss the most are the UA 110 and 610 I once had. Might get them back eventually.
I guess I'm not really concerned much at all with things I can't afford.
I also plan to build a 4 channel "john hardy" clone at some point...I have the PCBs standing by.
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Post by matt@IAA on Dec 17, 2017 21:19:50 GMT -6
I don’t know that I have enough experience to have a good fantasy rack. I have some stam 1073s and a 3124, which suit me fine. When I finish my refurb I’ll have 12 more sound workshop IC based pres.
I think I fantasize more about space and a console than I do about pres.
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Post by drbill on Dec 17, 2017 22:37:53 GMT -6
All I'm really missing now is a pair of killer tube pre's. Curious on J's take on the 286a's. Right now I've got : (12) D&R Vision pre's (4) Chroma's (4) Stereo Silver Bullet pre's (2) AML 1073's (2) API 512B's (2) CAPI VP-28's (4) CAPI VP-26's (2) Purple Biz's (3) ACMP 73's - Drums!! (2) ACMP 84's - Drums!! (48) D&R OrionX pre's (which I don't really use now or need) - but at least I have em until I sell this guy - realgearonline.com/thread/7999/orionx-console-120-inputs-automatedBut I'm jonesing for some TUBE pre's. If anyone wants to trade a pair of something cool towards the console....I'd be all ears. |
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Post by jazznoise on Dec 18, 2017 8:24:22 GMT -6
All I got is my Art MPAii and then the preamps in my 18i20 and my ADA8000. Gonna upgrade to an ADA8200 this year. I'd love a pair of 1073's,but anything else would just be so I could run processing in line. Any pre with a low enough noise floor is fine for me, really.
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Post by matt@IAA on Dec 18, 2017 8:35:57 GMT -6
All I'm really missing now is a pair of killer tube pre's. Curious on J's take on the 286a's. ... But I'm jonesing for some TUBE pre's. If anyone wants to trade a pair of something cool towards the console....I'd be all ears. I really want to try out Barbaric Amplification's tube pre, just haven't had the chance to pull the trigger on one yet. It has separate drive and output knobs to dial in the hair. I saw a video out there once of a female vocal on a C12 style with it that really impressed me, but I can't find it. |
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Post by mikec on Dec 18, 2017 8:41:57 GMT -6
I am pretty happy with the preamps in my Silver Bullet, my two Chandler Redd 47s, and my two Retro Powerstrips. So far for my humble needs I've not needed anything else although I would like to add a good 1073.
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Post by sean on Dec 18, 2017 8:42:33 GMT -6
I've tried a lot of things and I've gone back and forth on astectics that I think work best for me, but of everything I've tried I think the ones that make me go "wow, this is fun and creative" are the ones that can be clean when you need them, but also shave of transients/harshness too. The VP28, Chandler Germanium, and a Neve with an output trim seem to do that for me. My Mercury M72 is great for vocals because it's a has nice warmth and some mild tube compression, and my GML's work great when I actually want all that detail (nice acoustic instruments). But I'm always trying and experimenting whenever I come across something that's a good deal.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Dec 18, 2017 8:58:31 GMT -6
I've tried a lot of things and I've gone back and forth on astectics that I think work best for me, but of everything I've tried I think the ones that make me go "wow, this is fun and creative" are the ones that can be clean when you need them, but also shave of transients/harshness too. The VP28, Chandler Germanium, and a Neve with an output trim seem to do that for me. My Mercury M72 is great for vocals because it's a has nice warmth and some mild tube compression, and my GML's work great when I actually want all that detail (nice acoustic instruments). But I'm always trying and experimenting whenever I come across something that's a good deal. Try a pair of RTZ's on acoustic instruments for detail, Sean. Pretty sure you'll like them a lot. There should be some there in town you could borrow for a test. |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Dec 18, 2017 9:07:25 GMT -6
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,892 
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Post by ericn on Dec 18, 2017 9:46:56 GMT -6
I've tried a lot of things and I've gone back and forth on astectics that I think work best for me, but of everything I've tried I think the ones that make me go "wow, this is fun and creative" are the ones that can be clean when you need them, but also shave of transients/harshness too. The VP28, Chandler Germanium, and a Neve with an output trim seem to do that for me. My Mercury M72 is great for vocals because it's a has nice warmth and some mild tube compression, and my GML's work great when I actually want all that detail (nice acoustic instruments). But I'm always trying and experimenting whenever I come across something that's a good deal. Try a pair of RTZ's on acoustic instruments for detail, Sean. Pretty sure you'll like them a lot. There should be some there in town you could borrow for a test. The RTZ is a very cool sounding pre, sort of a Classic Neve reinvented you get the sound of the Transformers but in a cleaner tone. Similar to the Great River but just enough of its own character that you wouldn't mind both in a rack! |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 18, 2017 9:53:41 GMT -6
well.. for a guy on a budget, this should get you there.. Heritage Audio HA73EQ ELITE Attachments:
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Post by matt@IAA on Dec 18, 2017 10:16:20 GMT -6
I also wouldn't mind an Undertone Audio MPDI-4 or a pair of MPEQ-1s. Those kinda seem like desert island pres.
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Post by c0rtland on Dec 18, 2017 10:37:43 GMT -6
It would be a toss-up between undertone audio and overstayer for desert island pres here. Not that I've tried either of them. But they both seem super functional.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 18, 2017 11:00:01 GMT -6
jcoutu1 - like you, I love the locomotive stuff, but I'm curious what made you get the 286a's as opposed to the other options like coil, DWFearn, Mercury, etc.? Care to elaborate? ...just typed out a long winded post, posted, then poof. Gone. I went for the Locomotive because I like what Eric is doing with his company and dig his brand. I'm happy with my 14B and Weight Tanks and wanted to round out the collection. I haven't used the 286 yet, so I'm just basing it on experience with the other products. It's also a little less pricey than the Mercury/Fearn/Coil options. I'm also hoping to put together a little collaboration project with Locomotive too, but nothing is solidified yet, but I'll post more if/when that time comes. I really wish I had the scratch for a pair of Mercury preamps, but it's not in the cards now. The Coil looks pretty rad and could be a future purchase though. I've had a number of guys make trade offers to me offering their Fearn products, and it's kind of turned me off from the brand. Never used the stuff, but it seems like a lot of guys are looking to get out, just from my experience anyway. Previously, I've owned a Thermionic Culture Rooster and Peavey VMP-2, which were both outstanding tube preamps. The Rooster is really flexible with the eq section, attitude, and switchable triode/pentode selection. It also has seperate line and mic inputs, so you can be set up for both tracking and mixing and switch between the inputs with the flick of a switch. Nice workflow feature. The Peavey has a really great (I can't believe I'm calling something from Peavey great) vintagey tone. Much less flexible than the Rooster, but it's got a great tone and can sometimes be found for a great price. I wouldn't hesitate to grab either the Rooster or Peavey again. |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Dec 18, 2017 11:04:16 GMT -6
well.. for a guy on a budget, this should get you there.. Heritage Audio HA73EQ ELITE Watch this video and try to listen on good speakers. I know Youtube sucks sonically but one can still hear a big difference. And the contenders are no slouches themselves. I'm telling you, there's magic in this box.
And personally, I'd rather have one of the AMS reissues instead of the originals. Great pains where taken to insure hand wired excellence in these reissues.
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Post by Vincent R. on Dec 18, 2017 12:06:47 GMT -6
well.. for a guy on a budget, this should get you there.. Heritage Audio HA73EQ ELITE Watch this video and try to listen on good speakers. I know Youtube sucks sonically but one can still hear a big difference. And the contenders are no slouches themselves. I'm telling you, there's magic in this box.
And personally, I'd rather have one of the AMS reissues instead of the originals. Great pains where taken to insure hand wired excellence in these reissues. There is incorrect information in this video. The first being the 1081 having the same preamp as the 1073. The 1073 is class A and the 1081 is class AB. They are not the same, though both have the "Neve" signature. She says the Vintech sounds brighter than the AMS, but it sounds darker to me. So, if you just listen to the shoot out you can make your own judgements, but be careful about listening to the information she provides. Some of it is wrong. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 18, 2017 12:17:32 GMT -6
I see what you mean Herbie, thanks for posting that.
The woman in the video didn't inspire confidence. I've seen her videos before, and had the same response.
I liked the Neve first, the Neve 517 next, the others were good, but sounded a little boring.
It's so interesting how playing through certain pieces of gear has a sound that activates your imagination, and you begin to create ideas about the song, the meaning, the story behind it and the artist themselves. It really is a bit magical.
Of course you can only tell so much from videos, but my little Stam SA73 single channel sounds a lot like the real Neve's. Maybe Stam will make a matching EQ one day. I don't know that I need an EQ for tracking vocals or acoustic guitars, but it would be nice to have it.
I hope some videos show up with the new Heritage Audio pre.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Dec 18, 2017 12:27:12 GMT -6
I have a question about this whole idea of separate preamps. I've seen some reconditioned Neve consoles for $10,,000- $12,000. That 1081 costs $6,500. Would it be smarter to get a console, and have even more Never pres and EQ's? Or is it that specific 1081 you'd need?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 18, 2017 13:07:56 GMT -6
I have a question about this whole idea of separate preamps. I've seen some reconditioned Neve consoles for $10,,000- $12,000. That 1081 costs $6,500. Would it be smarter to get a console, and have even more Never pres and EQ's? Or is it that specific 1081 you'd need? Not the same thing. You're not seeing a Neve console with 1081's for 10k. |
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Post by EmRR on Dec 18, 2017 14:12:18 GMT -6
The V series consoles that are available under $20k also need a full recap every 4 years or so. They double as hot plates.
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Post by john on Dec 18, 2017 14:32:25 GMT -6
fantasy chain acquired. well worth the savings and years upon years of trading up. however, my new fantasy is an op-6 with a 44. maybe follow that chain with a 1176 and a lang... ?
this shit never stops, does it?
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