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Post by schlep on Nov 27, 2022 17:01:06 GMT -6
Happy post-Thanksgiving to everyone.
Regarding current production API 312 and 512, which would serve better as an utility preamp ? Perhaps they are close enough that it makes more sense to buy the less expensive (312) one. Looking to pick up one (or a pair) to use in my 500 rack.
Tracking is mostly vocal and guitar (electric and acoustic).
Musical orientation tends toward lighter to mediumish rock FWIW.
Thanks
Craig
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Post by drbill on Nov 27, 2022 18:20:25 GMT -6
Both work great.
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Post by michaelcleary on Nov 27, 2022 21:01:32 GMT -6
Not my go to for vox, but it certainly works fine and is great on most instruments, drums, amps etc.
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Post by matt@IAA on Nov 28, 2022 0:03:26 GMT -6
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Nov 28, 2022 7:02:53 GMT -6
This when I think of the API sound I think classic old API, the new stuff just doesn’t give the degree of vibe. Thank God for Ironage and CAPI. |
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Post by Ward on Nov 28, 2022 9:00:49 GMT -6
Done. Christmas present to me. Feel free to throw in the EQ I've been dying to try also. P.S. Very well timed post! |
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Post by gwlee7 on Nov 28, 2022 13:44:15 GMT -6
This when I think of the API sound I think classic old API, the new stuff just doesn’t give the degree of vibe. Thank God for Ironage and CAPI. So if I wanted some good classic 70s API channels, IAA would be the way to go then. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Nov 28, 2022 13:48:19 GMT -6
This when I think of the API sound I think classic old API, the new stuff just doesn’t give the degree of vibe. Thank God for Ironage and CAPI. So if I wanted some good classic 70s API channels, IAA would be the way to go then. If I didn’t want DIY Matt would be my first stop, plus if you have any concerns he will take the time to ease your mind and make you happy. |
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Post by gwlee7 on Nov 28, 2022 14:38:02 GMT -6
So if I wanted some good classic 70s API channels, IAA would be the way to go then. If I didn’t want DIY Matt would be my first stop, plus if you have any concerns he will take the time to ease your mind and make you happy. I am WDIM (won’t do it myself) so IAA it will be when the time comes. |
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Post by svart on Nov 28, 2022 14:50:47 GMT -6
You really can't go wrong with either. The 512 isn't that much more tonal than the 312 so I'd just go with the 312. In fact, I have 8 of them...
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Post by ironinthepath on Nov 28, 2022 16:06:46 GMT -6
I think the API 312 and 512 are close enough to not worry too much about the decision. I’ve had an API3124 for ages and over the years sort of stopped using it as regularly as I got into the habit of using other pres. This YouTube channel out of Liverpool always puts out amazing demos of gear (talented writer / musician as well as studio engineer, Alec Britts) and his demo of the 512 just reminded me of how much I like it, even on vocals:
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Post by drbill on Nov 28, 2022 17:43:48 GMT -6
I've got B's - not C's. I've had C's in the past too, but my pair of B's are single digit serial numbers - some of the first ones API ever made - so I've kept them for sentimental reasons. Used em on dozens of records / projects. Great utilitarian pre's. the only thing I don't like is the pads. The pads suck the life out of the pre. And so, on very loud drum sources like say - OH - they can definitely get crunchy / distorted.
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Post by smashlord on Nov 30, 2022 19:01:53 GMT -6
This when I think of the API sound I think classic old API, the new stuff just doesn’t give the degree of vibe. Thank God for Ironage and CAPI. I find the new stuff to be just as good, personally. Different maybe, but having used both 4 racked 312 cards and a 3124+ on many sessions side by side, I never felt the new breed was a step down. |
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Post by drbill on Nov 30, 2022 20:10:44 GMT -6
I have both, but if I could have only one API flavor, I'd probably take the vp-26 sound over the 512B's. Def vp's over 512C's.
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Post by bchurch on Dec 1, 2022 10:09:49 GMT -6
LinkAudioDesign now offers (or soon will) a 512 for just north of $200 (that’s with a TX, less without). There’s not much to the design, even a novice DIY-er should have no issues.
Bonus points for the addition of a COLOUR slot, you could add any one of several dozen flavors.
That said, I haven’t heard these personally - but love the LAD 4K 232 Brown EQ clones
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Post by Ward on Dec 2, 2022 14:00:33 GMT -6
LinkAudioDesign now offers (or soon will) a 512 for just north of $200 (that’s with a TX, less without). There’s not much to the design, even a novice DIY-er should have no issues. Bonus points for the addition of a COLOUR slot, you could add any one of several dozen flavors. That said, I haven’t heard these personally - but love the LAD 4K 232 Brown EQ clones Their site is a little difficult to get into, some website maintenance is probably going on . . . www.linkaudiodesign.de/shop Nice offering, all kits though? Similar to CAPI ? |
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Post by ericn on Dec 2, 2022 14:15:08 GMT -6
LinkAudioDesign now offers (or soon will) a 512 for just north of $200 (that’s with a TX, less without). There’s not much to the design, even a novice DIY-er should have no issues. Bonus points for the addition of a COLOUR slot, you could add any one of several dozen flavors. That said, I haven’t heard these personally - but love the LAD 4K 232 Brown EQ clones Their site is a little difficult to get into, some website maintenance is probably going on . . . www.linkaudiodesign.de/shop Nice offering, all kits though? Similar to CAPI ? They offer everything built as well. |
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Post by bgrotto on Dec 2, 2022 14:27:30 GMT -6
I'm a bit of an 'api guy', I guess you'd say. For whatever that's worth. I'll take an API desk over most Neves (except maybe a 5088), and the 550b is an all-time favorite.
In the world of mic amps, I've always much preferred a 512B to a 512C. Probably mostly has to do with whichever generation of 2520s were being used, though I've not had an opportunity to swap opamps between B and C to see if there are any other differences, and I don't know squat about the circuit designs themselves so I could be way off.
Vintage 312s are my favorite API mic amps. A studio in town has some that I believe came from Wally Heider's room (speaking of, RIP Christine McVie). They are fabulous.
My desk at Mad Oak is 212s, as are the Legacy+ desks I teach on at Berklee. Not sure how those differ from 312 or 512, but they suit me just fine too.
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Post by ericn on Dec 2, 2022 14:48:32 GMT -6
I'm a bit of an 'api guy', I guess you'd say. For whatever that's worth. I'll take an API desk over most Neves (except maybe a 5088), and the 550b is an all-time favorite. In the world of mic amps, I've always much preferred a 512B to a 512C. Probably mostly has to do with whichever generation of 2520s were being used, though I've not had an opportunity to swap opamps between B and C to see if there are any other differences, and I don't know squat about the circuit designs themselves so I could be way off. Vintage 312s are my favorite API mic amps. A studio in town has some that I believe came from Wally Heider's room (speaking of, RIP Christine McVie). They are fabulous. My desk at Mad Oak is 212s, as are the Legacy+ desks I teach on at Berklee. Not sure how those differ from 312 or 512, but they suit me just fine too. Benny I have a huge problem with the Heiders, if I buy 1 I’ll end up with 10! |
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Post by bgrotto on Dec 2, 2022 15:13:14 GMT -6
I'm a bit of an 'api guy', I guess you'd say. For whatever that's worth. I'll take an API desk over most Neves (except maybe a 5088), and the 550b is an all-time favorite. In the world of mic amps, I've always much preferred a 512B to a 512C. Probably mostly has to do with whichever generation of 2520s were being used, though I've not had an opportunity to swap opamps between B and C to see if there are any other differences, and I don't know squat about the circuit designs themselves so I could be way off. Vintage 312s are my favorite API mic amps. A studio in town has some that I believe came from Wally Heider's room (speaking of, RIP Christine McVie). They are fabulous. My desk at Mad Oak is 212s, as are the Legacy+ desks I teach on at Berklee. Not sure how those differ from 312 or 512, but they suit me just fine too. Benny I have a huge problem with the Heiders, if I buy 1 I’ll end up with 10! haha so true |
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Post by roundbadge on Dec 3, 2022 21:46:56 GMT -6
I have 16 312's in a 1608.
least favorite of what I own.I have plenty of racked capis now.the api newer op amps are all smt and sound kinda lame next to vintage huntingtons.
I changed out every op amp on that console.
for that sound Id go Capi anyday over the newer api.
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Post by smashlord on Dec 11, 2022 15:42:50 GMT -6
Vintage 312s are my favorite API mic amps. A studio in town has some that I believe came from Wally Heider's room (speaking of, RIP Christine McVie). They are fabulous. If you are talking about the set @ QD in the Alactronics rack, they were on semi-permanent loan from CP and he took them back after the move  They will be missed! He actually had a bunch more that were never racked and were just sitting around in the old tech room! |
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They will be missed! He actually had a bunch more that were never racked and were just sitting around in the old tech room!