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Post by chessparov on Jan 8, 2023 23:38:24 GMT -6
Paging Bob O. and Doug! (and anyone else  ) If possible, would like to learn more about them. (I have the Soundtoys Radiator and Little Radiator) Thanks in advance, Chris |
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Post by crillemannen on Jan 9, 2023 1:06:40 GMT -6
I'm curious too! I might be demoing a brand new preamp based on the altec. I want to do a deep dive into preamps this year to see if I can find "my flavour". Tube pres are nice but my V76 is a bit to colored for certain type of mics since it boost some topend. Lovely though when it works. But the altec is probably more chocolate, we'll see!
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Post by chessparov on Jan 9, 2023 2:23:26 GMT -6
Within the Radiator/Little Radiator Plugs...
I'm starting out with the Little Radiator, as it's a simpler version for me to "earball". Seems to mostly make the signal sound fuller.
Chris
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Post by EmRR on Jan 9, 2023 7:19:36 GMT -6
After trying to make a set of four 1567A’s useful, I’ll be happy to never see one again. In that case all 4 had incurable power supply noise, probably needing new power transformers. The circuit itself? Not anything anyone would need today, looking at ‘needs’. The Peerless audio transformers are the best part. Hint: some people back then put better in there. They got popular because they were once common and cheap. Most pro old stuff is far better.
1567 has a 180 ohm load resistor across the input to force a matching load. That’s an automatic 6db noise penalty. Really should be removed for most mics. It’s likely there because it makes an open input channel that’s errantly turned up a lot quieter. It's gonna make your ribbons darker, and some of your dynamics too. It's gonna make your condensers have more distortion, but then why are you using a condenser with a 95dB preamp?!?!
Same transformers in a 1566. Different design. Haven’t messed with one to assess. Output stage likely goes full nasty with any overload. Not my jam.
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Post by EmRR on Jan 9, 2023 7:47:28 GMT -6
my V76 is a bit to colored for certain type of mics since it boost some topend. Lovely though when it works. But the altec is probably more chocolate, we'll see! Top end boost with some mics is due to the output impedance of the mic being much lower than the preamp is expecting. it Eq’s the input transformer. This is what Gotham was trying to address in their Neumann output mods way back. |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 9, 2023 9:40:46 GMT -6
Thanks Doug. I wondered along these lines. IMHO Soundtoys has an awareness of these concerns. So the Default Setting is deliberately "cleaner", than the emulations of the less in spec Altec 1567a/1566a, on the Radiator/Little Radiator respectively. On the moderate/clean Radiator settings, it sounds like it does help "funk up" a vocal. Chris |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2023 10:15:02 GMT -6
I have a 1566a here which sees use sometimes.
The pre i have here has a compressed sound, slightly rolled off top and can get really crunchy when cranked.
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Post by chessparov on Jan 9, 2023 10:37:19 GMT -6
FWIW the Little Radiator sounds less aggressive/Present in the Mid Range,versus the Soyuz Launcher.
Both do roll off the top end a bit.
Chris
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Post by drbill on Jan 9, 2023 10:37:57 GMT -6
Thanks Doug EmRR. Interesting stuff.... Old isn't always "better" is it? Sometimes it's just old. Haha! |
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Jan 9, 2023 11:07:19 GMT -6
Prior to 1964 one feeding a Fairchild 660 was used for vocals. After 1964 the mikepres were removed and it was used to mix the guitar directs. After 1968 it wasn't used much.
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Post by bgrotto on Jan 9, 2023 11:13:24 GMT -6
Paging Bob O. and Doug! (and anyone else ) If possible, would like to learn more about them. (I have the Soundtoys Radiator and Little Radiator) Thanks in advance, Chris Take the Fuse altec clone for a spin, while you're in demo mode. For my money, it's a way better-sounding preamp. |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 9, 2023 11:35:15 GMT -6
So far I've liked the Little Radiator into the MJUC Jr. Kinda my introduction into Vari-Mu style. 15 second vocal example below. Added 2% 480L style Fat Plate Reverb too. Chris |
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Post by EmRR on Jan 9, 2023 16:39:22 GMT -6
Oh yeah, for comparison, the Altec 428B and then the 458A were the pro Altec preamps at the same time. 250A and 250SU consoles. Price those.....
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Post by chessparov on Jan 9, 2023 17:44:53 GMT -6
Wow! Chris |
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Post by the other mark williams on Jan 9, 2023 22:13:35 GMT -6
Oh yeah, for comparison, the Altec 428B and then the 458A were the pro Altec preamps at the same time. 250A and 250SU consoles. Price those..... Wow! Chris Yes, and Chris - FWIW - the Kush 458 plugin is based on the (you guessed it) Altec 458A. I happen to prefer it to the Radiator plugins, personally. |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 10, 2023 0:54:16 GMT -6
Cool. I'll check that out. BTW I do like the MJUC jr Plug quite a bit so far. Can be pretty smooth IMHO.
I suppose the Radiators might be handy once in a while...
To creatively "trash out" a signal then, as an effect.
Chris
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Post by thehightenor on Jan 10, 2023 2:23:49 GMT -6
Thanks Doug EmRR . Interesting stuff.... Old isn't always "better" is it? Sometimes it's just old. Haha! Thing is, I'm old enough to remember getting excited about transistors arriving in everything and saying goodbye to valves. Then digital arriving and saying goodbye to tape. Then DAW's arriving and saying goodbye to LFC's Now looking back that was a lot of goodbye's. So I've been going back a bit to that older sound that in retrospect my ears preferred. I guess the opposite is also true .... "not all progress is progress" :-) |
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Post by chessparov on Jan 10, 2023 9:01:14 GMT -6
Most of the time I'll just plan on having an auxiliary Track with Effects. For blending with the "clean" Track. Otherwise I tend to OD it! Chris |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2023 9:10:10 GMT -6
0.57 - quite a few 1566a's going to tape.
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Post by chessparov on Jan 10, 2023 9:52:01 GMT -6
Awesome!! And what a Tenor voice too! Chris |
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