eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 7, 2023 19:16:38 GMT -6
Thanks for all the help on my previous threads, so over the past 6 weeks I have acquired the AS 1176F and OptoComp (coming tomorrow per UPS).
Next up is micpres, my current available pre are : MOTU 828es and RME UCX II
I Used to own :
Chandler Germanium many years ago probably one of my favorite pres ever but looking for something that might be a bit more versatile .
AMEK CIB never really cared for it much very sterile
Avalon 737 another favorite but for me it was the EQ section
The Steinberg MR816 excellent clean but not sterile pres
Panasonic DA7 on board pres
Currently on the short list:
Chandler Germanium rack or 500 series
Chandler TG2 rack or 500 series
Stam Audio 1073
AS V1290
API 312 - any good clones CAPI , SCA etc
Iron age Audio works QPP or 500 series. Is this more of a clean pre vs character pre ? Can these do the API or Neve sound ?
Looking for tight low end smooth top end. I will be using primarily to record vocals, guitar, and hardware synths/drum machines
Thanks !
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Post by Ward on Jul 7, 2023 19:30:55 GMT -6
How many preamps do you think you'll need? What applications are you in need of? Which microphones do you have? What are you planning on?
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Post by phdamage on Jul 7, 2023 20:00:59 GMT -6
I think the Stam tube 1073 might be my new fave if you’re in the 500 series game. I have a ton of fancy pres - Chandler, JLM, hamptone, CAPI, Audioscape, etc and the tube 73 is my go to right now. Could be honeymoon phase but really digging it and price is tough to beat.
I will also say I am quite smitten with my Sebatron VMP. You can often find four channel units for just over $1k. I think they’re the most flexible pres I have. You can drive it hard, leave it squeaky clean and then you can do additional tone shaping with the eq switches.
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Post by smashlord on Jul 7, 2023 20:05:26 GMT -6
Smooth top/tight bottom= CAPI VP28. They rule on kicks (my favorite for this application), snares, and acoustics for me. Don't love it on electric guitar so much... much prefer the Chandler TG2 there.
If you are looking at a 1073 style, I'd consider the Avedis MA5.... its sort of like a Neve without the low mid thing. Fantastic on vocal, bass, kick, snare, electric guitars.
Chandler TG2 has a strong personality....quite colored. I love them on toms, snare, guitars and the right bass. 500 series gives you the fine gain control, which I think is a plus over the rack version.
API 3124 is great bang for the buck. I use them on everything except vocals.
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Post by notneeson on Jul 7, 2023 20:45:04 GMT -6
If you’re recording drums get 8 or more channels of one great pre and go for the console thing. It really does seem to add cohesion.
Oh wait, I see you said drum machines. Maybe not so relevant. That said, one great preamp flavor was enough for most classic records.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2023 23:28:55 GMT -6
api 3124. 1U. 4 pres. no empty 500 rack needed. buy once & record.
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Post by Hudsonic on Jul 8, 2023 7:38:40 GMT -6
Locomotive Audio Weight Tank action action offers that much needed pounding.
High Recommend
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 8, 2023 8:13:57 GMT -6
If you can, demo a daking, very pleased with it here.
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Post by Ward on Jul 8, 2023 9:16:05 GMT -6
Locomotive Audio Weight Tank action action offers that much needed pounding. High Recommend I could not agree with you more. I love my revision 2 WT72 preamp! |
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Post by matt@IAA on Jul 8, 2023 9:32:59 GMT -6
Iron age Audio works QPP or 500 series. Is this more of a clean pre vs character pre ? Can these do the API or Neve sound ? Looking for tight low end smooth top end. I will be using primarily to record vocals, guitar, and hardware synths/drum machines Thanks ! Our pre has nice low end warmth, really great mids and a clear, soft top. Kind of tailored it for this certain tone using the output transformer and op amp distortion profile - it’s not a pure transparent pre. Closer to API than Neve, but with (in my opinion) better mids and less brittle highs than a 312. |
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Post by Ward on Jul 8, 2023 11:13:06 GMT -6
Iron age Audio works QPP or 500 series. Is this more of a clean pre vs character pre ? Can these do the API or Neve sound ? Looking for tight low end smooth top end. I will be using primarily to record vocals, guitar, and hardware synths/drum machines Thanks ! Our pre has nice low end warmth, really great mids and a clear, soft top. Kind of tailored it for this certain tone using the output transformer and op amp distortion profile - it’s not a pure transparent pre. Closer to API than Neve, but with (in my opinion) better mids and less brittle highs than a 312. TOTALLY EMDORSE THAT! Your preamp is a KILLER. I use it every day on every tube microphone I use for vocal. I'm likely going to need a second soon! The QP5, the AS1290, Capi 312 and AEA RPQ500 are my 4 favorite 500 seres preamps atm |
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Post by ab101 on Jul 8, 2023 11:18:47 GMT -6
As to Iron Age - wow - for $1400 - 4 channels! www.ironageaudioworks.com/qppIf I did not have the undertone 4 channel - I would be checking this one out for sure, though maybe I should anyway as this may be the "affordable api 3124ish pre." |
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Post by notneeson on Jul 8, 2023 12:08:20 GMT -6
As to Iron Age - wow - for $1400 - 4 channels! www.ironageaudioworks.com/qppIf I did not have the undertone 4 channel - I would be checking this one out for sure, though maybe I should anyway as this may be the "affordable api 3124ish pre." If I was looking for a four banger the Iron Age would be a total layup. |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,099 
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Post by ericn on Jul 8, 2023 21:13:57 GMT -6
Along with the usual suspects Neve and API influenced designs, Ironage would be a must try. Matt is a student of the classics who in the modern age has managed to deliver the goods!
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 21:29:42 GMT -6
How many preamps do you think you'll need? What applications are you in need of? Which microphones do you have? What are you planning on? (2) pres to start max (8) In original post vocals, track hardware synths/drum machine and bass Microphones are next currently AT2020 AKG C3000 ( considering the Stam C800G or SA-87T ) |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 21:38:33 GMT -6
I think the Stam tube 1073 might be my new fave if you’re in the 500 series game. I have a ton of fancy pres - Chandler, JLM, hamptone, CAPI, Audioscape, etc and the tube 73 is my go to right now. Could be honeymoon phase but really digging it and price is tough to beat. I will also say I am quite smitten with my Sebatron VMP. You can often find four channel units for just over $1k. I think they’re the most flexible pres I have. You can drive it hard, leave it squeaky clean and then you can do additional tone shaping with the eq switches. Sebatron now that's a name I haven't heard of in years ! Always looked at them never pulled the trigger.\ Thanks ! |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 21:40:36 GMT -6
Smooth top/tight bottom= CAPI VP28. They rule on kicks (my favorite for this application), snares, and acoustics for me. Don't love it on electric guitar so much... much prefer the Chandler TG2 there. If you are looking at a 1073 style, I'd consider the Avedis MA5.... its sort of like a Neve without the low mid thing. Fantastic on vocal, bass, kick, snare, electric guitars. Chandler TG2 has a strong personality....quite colored. I love them on toms, snare, guitars and the right bass. 500 series gives you the fine gain control, which I think is a plus over the rack version. API 3124 is great bang for the buck. I use them on everything except vocals. Why no vocal use with the 3124's ? Also do you find the TG2 works well for vocals or not ? Thanks |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 21:43:06 GMT -6
Locomotive Audio Weight Tank action action offers that much needed pounding. High Recommend I have been reading some post here about locomotive audio products, there was video posted on pretty impressed with the demo. |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 21:43:58 GMT -6
Locomotive Audio Weight Tank action action offers that much needed pounding. High Recommend I could not agree with you more. I love my revision 2 WT72 preamp! Hi Ward What application's vocals, bass ... ? |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 22:10:33 GMT -6
As to Iron Age - wow - for $1400 - 4 channels! www.ironageaudioworks.com/qppIf I did not have the undertone 4 channel - I would be checking this one out for sure, though maybe I should anyway as this may be the "affordable api 3124ish pre." Yeah probably should have pulled the trigger on these earlier, they were $1250 I think just a few weeks ago. Oh well everything is going in price these days. I reached out to Matt directly II am seriously leaning towards the QPP. Thanks ! |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 22:18:26 GMT -6
Our pre has nice low end warmth, really great mids and a clear, soft top. Kind of tailored it for this certain tone using the output transformer and op amp distortion profile - it’s not a pure transparent pre. Closer to API than Neve, but with (in my opinion) better mids and less brittle highs than a 312. TOTALLY EMDORSE THAT! Your preamp is a KILLER. I use it every day on every tube microphone I use for vocal. I'm likely going to need a second soon! The QP5, the AS1290, Capi 312 and AEA RPQ500 are my 4 favorite 500 seres preamps atm These endowments are really pushing me to the QPP, microphones are next on my to do list Stam's C800 or his 87T. hat type of vocals are you using these on male/female ? genre ? Thanks ! Thanks |
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eq
Junior Member
Posts: 81
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Post by eq on Jul 8, 2023 22:20:10 GMT -6
As to Iron Age - wow - for $1400 - 4 channels! www.ironageaudioworks.com/qppIf I did not have the undertone 4 channel - I would be checking this one out for sure, though maybe I should anyway as this may be the "affordable api 3124ish pre." There were an even greater deal a few weeks ago at I believe $1250 and still good deal now. |
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Post by niklas1073 on Jul 9, 2023 3:17:37 GMT -6
How many preamps do you think you'll need? What applications are you in need of? Which microphones do you have? What are you planning on? (2) pres to start max (8) In original post vocals, track hardware synths/drum machine and bass Microphones are next currently AT2020 AKG C3000 ( considering the Stam C800G or SA-87T ) To be honest If I could start all over, I would FIRST find the no compromise mic or a few to start my locker, that represents the sound I’m after and pour my wallet out on that. Then save up again to pair it/them with the proper pre’s. The mic will define your sound and chain to an extent that it might change your opinion on pre’s. You have already decided on the compression chain which is a well proven combination and will work with a variety of mics and pres. Just a thought.. |
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Post by Ward on Jul 9, 2023 9:11:52 GMT -6
I could not agree with you more. I love my revision 2 WT72 preamp! Hi Ward What application's vocals, bass ... ? Anything you would use a U87 or KM84 on!! It's a magical pairing and sounds like it sticks an EF86 straight into the solid state Neumann microphone. Bass? Nope. Haven't used it on bass, but standup with an 87 is a given. I'd use it with a U47FET but haven't yet. |
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Post by Mister Chase on Jul 9, 2023 20:23:49 GMT -6
Iron age Audio works QPP or 500 series. Is this more of a clean pre vs character pre ? Can these do the API or Neve sound ? Looking for tight low end smooth top end. I will be using primarily to record vocals, guitar, and hardware synths/drum machines Thanks ! Our pre has nice low end warmth, really great mids and a clear, soft top. Kind of tailored it for this certain tone using the output transformer and op amp distortion profile - it’s not a pure transparent pre. Closer to API than Neve, but with (in my opinion) better mids and less brittle highs than a 312. My QPP is really fantastic. I need to get another so I can get 8 channels going. It's got some color to it but is very musical and leans on the clean side, to me with their own M2 opamps. It actually holds its own on acoustic instruments next to my Hardy M2 - just has a little most warmth/color. Definitely need another. |
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