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Post by zzz000 on Jun 1, 2023 4:13:06 GMT -6
Looking to get 3 more 500 series preamps to fill out my lunchbox. I've currently got two 88RLBs and an API 512c. I've also got a bunch of other preamps - Heritage HA73 Elite, Black Lion B12a MkIII x2, Black Lion Auteur, GAP Pre 73 MkIII and an Audient ASP800, plus Focusrite Clarett+ 4Pre & 8Pre as interfaces. Most of it besides the 4Pre, Auteur & GAP is racked up in a gator case which sits in a cupboard most of the time when I'm not recording drums, otherwise I'm just using the 4Pre and the lunchbox.
I'm thinking I may sell a couple of the rack units, probably the GAP and Auteur but not sure, they still sound better than the Audient & Clarett preamps when I need the extra channels for recording drums and they are not exactly worth a lot either. Otherwise I'm just doing 1-4 channels at a time - vocals, guitar etc.
Would I be better to get two of the 511s and one 1073 or vice versa? Or seeing as apart from drums I'll only need a few channels at a time, maybe get 3-4 of one type of pre (88/511/1073) for consistency and then a couple of others in the lunchbox for a bit of variation? Open to other suggestions liking consolidating my setup or whatnot. So far I have founding upgrading preamps to be a worthwhile endeavour that makes quite a noticeable difference to the overall sonic quality of the recordings.
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Post by Ward on Jun 1, 2023 6:25:25 GMT -6
500 series? I have found some of my favorites through working with companies that make them and making friends in the industry. Standouts include: audioscape V1290 - because it is unquestionably the BEST sounding '1073' family preamp out there. matt@IAA Iron Age QP5 because it is SO damned strident with Tube Mics. Especially in a vocal capacity. @ribbonmics AEA 500RPQ, not just because because of how well it works with ribbons but how AMAZING it is with Neumann KM84 and KMS84 microphones when recording acoustic instruments. jsteiger's CAPI 312 is excellent on anything mic'ing a guitar amp, especially dynamics, as it opens them up a little and they're not as choked in the presence band. Grace Audio's 501 is just about identical to their beloved M101 - which is my favorite straight preamp on ribbon mics, actually. I would love to see a Locomotive Audio weight tank 500 series V72, but in the meantime there is the 7th circle audio V72 in a 500 chassis size offering. |
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Post by notneeson on Jun 1, 2023 10:29:12 GMT -6
I would vote for as many channels of the same pre as you can muster.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,934 
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Post by ericn on Jun 1, 2023 10:33:38 GMT -6
I would vote for as many channels of the same pre as you can muster. With 8 ch of excellent 1272 I tend to agree, but I have to admit in 500 series land Matt’s stuff and the Heider would be on my must try list. |
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Post by robo on Jun 1, 2023 10:36:02 GMT -6
You’ve already got a couple of 1073-inspired pres, so you should already know if that’s the sound you want. I agree with Ward that the Audioscape is great for a stand alone 1073-ish pre. BAE is my fave with the full channel.
511 is going to be more versatile as it is cleaner with better subs, but then you get the silk options.
You might also look at the Shelford pres, as it sounds like they are somewhere in between.
There are of course plenty of other great options to consider, like APA Juggernaut, Phoenix, Chandler, etc. but I’d suggest trying 1-2 and sticking with what you like.
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Post by drumsound on Jun 1, 2023 11:22:30 GMT -6
I would vote for as many channels of the same pre as you can muster. I'm in this camp as well. |
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Post by anders on Jun 1, 2023 15:45:15 GMT -6
I would vote for as many channels of the same pre as you can muster. I'm in this camp as well. Another upvote for this approach. You'll spend more time plugging in and pressing record, less time obsessing over whether you should use Pre A, B, C, D, E, or F for each source. |
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Post by Quint on Jun 1, 2023 16:40:38 GMT -6
I'm in this camp as well. Another upvote for this approach. You'll spend more time plugging in and pressing record, less time obsessing over whether you should use Pre A, B, C, D, E, or F for each source. I concur as well. |
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Post by zzz000 on Jun 1, 2023 21:54:02 GMT -6
Maybe another 2 88RLBs then? I do want another 1073 channel for my lunchbox, I've found a 1073LB nearby which I will pick up. Anyone compared the 88s to 511s?
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Post by niklas1073 on Jun 2, 2023 8:40:35 GMT -6
I suppose it’s really hard to tell someone else what to go for in case you are not extremely familiar with ones sound and preferences. And since you are asking for the advice maybe you are still figuring out yours. You seem to have some variety already as it is from the clean api to colored 1073 and the 88 maybe somewhere there in between. Sometimes for business diversity is a bliss, but Then again having a sound though it might be a one trick pony can be very flattering. For consistency you will probably need a quad and then a few stereo’s. I would really try to figure out how you want to sound and what you want to put out, or what variations you likely will run into. Also since recources probably are limited, what pre’s will sit nicely together. Then the selection will kind of fall into place accordingly.
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