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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 8:09:50 GMT -6
Hey guys , this is kind of a follow up to my VP28 thread. Anyway for the last couple of weeks I've been testing out a ton of preamps for my home studio. Out of all of them I picked the VP28 as a great all arounder, I love it. A couple days ago, I bought another preamp that I'd been interested in for a long time a today decided to compare it thoroughly to the VP28. All the acoustic instruments and percussion were recorded with my schoeps mics with their capsules closely lined up, so it's the same take. The Bass and Electric guitars are different takes but pretty close. NO EQ / COMPRESSION OR REVERB. Everything is raw, going through my Apogee converters. I tried to match the volume of each track as closely as possible, it's not perfect but good enough for me. Both preamps have their distinctive colors and I find them both really nice sounding. The VP28 has this mid forward character, it kind of rounds off the edges in a cool way. It also sounds a little wilder to me compared to the another preamp if that makes any sense. The mystery preamp is more hi-fi, it's brighter, the transients are a bit more defined but it still has a really interesting color, it's not super clean a la forsell, there's a sheen to it. I'd be really interested to know what you guys think. I personally think that they're both awesome in their own way and it really comes down to your esthetics. You can hear the files here: www.dropbox.com/sh/dswhcqpjcyf1pzk/AACRvNFYTn8yUdzjuEoQLFXla?dl=0I'll Pm the results to anybody that's interested. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Oct 5, 2019 9:13:22 GMT -6
Very interesting Brice. Both sound excellent. The VP28 is more mid forward and has a certain finished quality. The other pre is open and more defined. You can't go wrong either way. In this case, I'd take the 28.
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 10:39:03 GMT -6
Very interesting Brice. Both sound excellent. The VP28 is more mid forward and has a certain finished quality. The other pre is open and more defined. You can't go wrong either way. In this case, I'd take the 28. I agree, I'm kind of leaning towards the VP28 as well. But then it depends, sometimes I listen again and I like the mystery pre better... The other preamp is quite a bit more defined, the instrument separation is clearer. With it you can really hear that there are four different instruments strumming at the beginning. With the VP28 it seems like it's all kind of blended together. If I were recording like a solo classical guitar, I definitely would pick the mystery preamp, as it really gives a clearer picture of what you're recording but for what I do, mostly rootsy/american/folky stuff I'm not so sure. I feel like that clarity, that extra high end can end up being a little obnoxious. It's definitely not harsh though. Anyway the VP28 is definitely not going anywhere. |
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Post by bluegrassdan on Oct 5, 2019 10:56:50 GMT -6
I like the mystery pre better for this example. VP28 mushes everything together.
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Post by din on Oct 5, 2019 11:14:39 GMT -6
I liked the VP28 better. Much fuller sounding.
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 11:19:43 GMT -6
I like the mystery pre better for this example. VP28 mushes everything together. Listening on my monitors now ( I was on my headphones before ), I like the mystery one better.... Anyway I don't plan on getting rid of either one, after trying about 15 different pres these are the two that stayed. |
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Post by nudwig on Oct 5, 2019 12:09:34 GMT -6
I've been meaning to get a Platinum VP28, thanks for this test. For this I dig the mystery pre a bit more, can see though where I'd probably mix and match. Sort of reminds me of the differences between a BAE and Teegarden.
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 12:29:03 GMT -6
I've been meaning to get a Platinum VP28, thanks for this test. For this I dig the mystery pre a bit more, can see though where I'd probably mix and match. Sort of reminds me of the differences between a BAE and Teegarden. You're welcome! I can't imagine you'd be disappointed with the VP28. It's awesome pushed on distorted guitars. It compresses and tames the highs in a really cool way. |
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Post by kevinnyc on Oct 5, 2019 12:35:39 GMT -6
As an unabashed worshipper of all things CAPI with a humble but growing collection of VP28s I’d be interested in knowing the other pres you shot out against the CAPIs...
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 12:45:27 GMT -6
As an unabashed worshipper of all things CAPI with a humble but growing collection of VP28s I’d be interested in knowing the other pres you shot out against the CAPIs... Neve 1073lb API 512c AML EZ1073 AML EZ1081 CARTEC PRE EQ5 DAV IGS preamp ( can't remember the name) Don NV73 Manley Core A designs P1 The mystery preamp and a couple others that I'm forgetting... |
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Post by dreamsambas on Oct 5, 2019 13:02:29 GMT -6
Both sound great to me. The CAPI is a little softer up top and has a bit more hair. The mystery preamp is a little sweeter, more polished, and a little less rock and roll.
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Post by kevinnyc on Oct 5, 2019 13:04:17 GMT -6
Very cool! I’ve got some early Manleys, an early focusrite ISA215 and a couple germanium pres to rely on but the 28s remain my favorite...
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 13:22:05 GMT -6
Both sound great to me. The CAPI is a little softer up top and has a bit more hair. The mystery preamp is a little sweeter, more polished, and a little less rock and roll. Yeah I feel the same way! I've really been going back and forth these last few days on which one I liked the most. They just create such a different vibe. Bott can also be pushed in really interesting ways even though for this test I chose to run them clean. |
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 13:24:01 GMT -6
Very cool! I’ve got some early Manleys, an early focusrite ISA215 and a couple germanium pres to rely on but the 28s remain my favorite... Nive! I love those early Manley preamps, super open sounding! The vp28 really is special, particularly for the price you can get them, they're a bargain. The mystery preamp is quite a bit more expensive... |
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Post by ml on Oct 5, 2019 13:51:34 GMT -6
I like the Mystery Pre better in this example. Both are good tho.
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Post by guitfiddler on Oct 5, 2019 13:55:49 GMT -6
Very cool! I’ve got some early Manleys, an early focusrite ISA215 and a couple germanium pres to rely on but the 28s remain my favorite... [br I love my isa215 and 110’s! They are top notch! I haven’t had a chance to listen, can’t wait to listen to the comparisons! I’m about to pull the trigger on some CAPI goodness! |
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Post by drbill on Oct 5, 2019 14:02:44 GMT -6
I like the Mystery Pre better in this example. Both are good tho. Agreed. The mystery pre will require less work in the mix. Especially in a busy mix. The mystery pre still has the warmth, but with more definition. Either could work fine though. These vp28 samples sound like the OG models. Or are they the Platinum models? Also, what are the contender mystery pre's? |
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 5, 2019 14:16:45 GMT -6
I like the Mystery Pre better in this example. Both are good tho. Agreed. The mystery pre will require less work in the mix. Especially in a busy mix. The mystery pre still has the warmth, but with more definition. Either could work fine though. These vp28 samples sound like the OG models. Or are they the Platinum models? Also, what are the contender mystery pre's? It's the regular VP28 with 2520s in both positions! I'd love to hear the Platinum, the Capi Heider too, it seems like it might be an interesting option from what I've read! I'm not gonna drag this on forever the mystery preamp is the Tree Audio Branch! |
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Post by nudwig on Oct 5, 2019 15:32:14 GMT -6
I'm not gonna drag this on forever the mystery preamp is the Tree Audio Branch! Ah damn, was kinda hoping it was one of those gotcha threads where the mystery pre is something cheap we all overlooked. |
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Post by stormymondays on Oct 5, 2019 15:56:55 GMT -6
Agreed. The mystery pre will require less work in the mix. Especially in a busy mix. The mystery pre still has the warmth, but with more definition. Either could work fine though. These vp28 samples sound like the OG models. Or are they the Platinum models? Also, what are the contender mystery pre's? It's the regular VP28 with 2520s in both positions! I'd love to hear the Platinum, the Capi Heider too, it seems like it might be an interesting option from what I've read! I'm not gonna drag this on forever the mystery preamp is the Tree Audio Branch! I swear that I knew it was the Tree Audio just by reading your description!!! It’s really incredible. |
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Post by drbill on Oct 5, 2019 16:56:30 GMT -6
Agreed. The mystery pre will require less work in the mix. Especially in a busy mix. The mystery pre still has the warmth, but with more definition. Either could work fine though. These vp28 samples sound like the OG models. Or are they the Platinum models? Also, what are the contender mystery pre's? It's the regular VP28 with 2520s in both positions! Gotcha. That's pretty much exactly what it sounded like to me. I've got hundreds of hours on that combo. <thumbsup> My tastes have changed up lately though. Been realizing that although I really like midrange focused, darker mixes, they are not holding up in the marketplace I work in. The VP28 with GAR 2520's is the essence of "midrange focused & darker" from my perspective. I like them better these days with Rogue5 OpAmps. Really want to try them out with the new Rogue2's, which are fast, articulate and open. Kind of anti-2520.... Might become the best of both worlds.... |
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Post by christopher on Oct 5, 2019 18:26:08 GMT -6
Only thing I’ve found to beat the classic transistor class A transformer pres— tube pres. I don’t know why they do that? But I figured it had to be tubes. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 6, 2019 1:19:30 GMT -6
It's the regular VP28 with 2520s in both positions! Gotcha. That's pretty much exactly what it sounded like to me. I've got hundreds of hours on that combo. <thumbsup> My tastes have changed up lately though. Been realizing that although I really like midrange focused, darker mixes, they are not holding up in the marketplace I work in. The VP28 with GAR 2520's is the essence of "midrange focused & darker" from my perspective. I like them better these days with Rogue5 OpAmps. Really want to try them out with the new Rogue2's, which are fast, articulate and open. Kind of anti-2520.... Might become the best of both worlds.... I can definitely understand that the 2520 in the vp28 might not suit some modern productions. Some of the stuff I do is more on the rootsy/ slightly lofi-ish folk and the Tree might be a bit too revealing and pristine for that sort of production. I haven't experimented with other opamps yet! From what I gather the rogue 5 is a take on the API sound, what is the rogue2 based on if anything? |
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Post by bricejchandler on Oct 6, 2019 1:31:04 GMT -6
Only thing I’ve found to beat the classic transistor class A transformer pres— tube pres. I don’t know why they do that? But I figured it had to be tubes. Thanks for sharing. Well designed tube preamps are pretty stunning. A lot of the best ones I've tried were clean, open but not boring or hard like some millenia/grace stuff can be. The Branch is definitely in this category. The earlybird by Thermionic though not super hyped up is another amazing design. |
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Post by gouge on Oct 6, 2019 10:59:27 GMT -6
wondering if you tried the lola? if so your thoughts?
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