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Post by theshea on Feb 28, 2024 1:05:27 GMT -6
the lo-cut i use all the time when tracking. the eq it depends. its perfect for massaging a sound more towards the right shape where another mic or mic positioning is not helpful enough. and since the eq is really broad strokes and i never do more than maybe 1-2 db the sound gets never damaged.
but just engaging the eq is not enough to me, it shure changes the sound a bit but also makes it a bit thinner to my ears. i know thinner sounds strange speaking of neve but thats how my unit works.
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Post by paulcheeba on Feb 28, 2024 2:43:20 GMT -6
It’s not the sweetest eq. Calrec is much better or Pultec or most other classics. It is useful if you have it though. I’m not even that keen on it as a pre. It’s massively overrated IMO. I’d much rather use Coil or Olympic. Overrated how? I get that all this is subjective and its about getting a sound you are after. A 1073 is known for having a certain characteristic about it that for whatever reason appeals to a wide audience of users. How is the Coil and/or Olympic different in what its doing with the signal? I don't mean from a technical perspective but from one of sonic characteristics Thanks. You can buy a house for the price of a console. To me it sounds fudgey and lacks air. I prefer tracking with other preamps, plus every Logic laptop rocker has a Neve or a clone. I don’t want to sound like everyone else. If you’ve heard BBC Calrecs from the 70’s then Neve might not be so hot. My taste that’s all. |
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Post by bluesholyman on Feb 28, 2024 6:21:07 GMT -6
Overrated how? I get that all this is subjective and its about getting a sound you are after. A 1073 is known for having a certain characteristic about it that for whatever reason appeals to a wide audience of users. How is the Coil and/or Olympic different in what its doing with the signal? I don't mean from a technical perspective but from one of sonic characteristics Thanks. To me it sounds fudgey and lacks air. I prefer tracking with other preamps, plus every Logic laptop rocker has a Neve or a clone. I don’t want to sound like everyone else. If you’ve heard BBC Calrecs from the 70’s then Neve might not be so hot. My taste that’s all. Something about this resonates with me. I don't know that I would have said, listening to the pre, that it sound "fudgey and lacks air" but I don't disagree with this compared to what I heard either. Granted, my experience is limited and the room is not great. After talking with my rep at Sweetwater, I decided to not go after another 1073 style preamp. Based on a current sale going on which put it in my price point, I landed on a Cranborne Camden EC2 - I have found nothing bad said about it since the pre came out as a 500 series in 2018. I noticed even a few folks here who have them spoke well of them. Looking forward to getting it in and trying it out - should arrive by the weekend. |
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Post by dok on Feb 28, 2024 12:22:01 GMT -6
After talking with my rep at Sweetwater, I decided to not go after another 1073 style preamp. Based on a current sale going on which put it in my price point, I landed on a Cranborne Camden EC2 - I have found nothing bad said about it since the pre came out as a 500 series in 2018. I noticed even a few folks here who have them spoke well of them. Looking forward to getting it in and trying it out - should arrive by the weekend. Really interested in your assessment of the Cranborne. Have heard nothing but great things and have almost purchased one many, many times. |
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Post by bluesholyman on Feb 28, 2024 14:07:49 GMT -6
After talking with my rep at Sweetwater, I decided to not go after another 1073 style preamp. Based on a current sale going on which put it in my price point, I landed on a Cranborne Camden EC2 - I have found nothing bad said about it since the pre came out as a 500 series in 2018. I noticed even a few folks here who have them spoke well of them. Looking forward to getting it in and trying it out - should arrive by the weekend. Really interested in your assessment of the Cranborne. Have heard nothing but great things and have almost purchased one many, many times. Will be glad to share what I learn/hear. I expect it will be like buttering a biscuit. The trick is making a biscuit worthy of the butter. On a side note, the double stick of butter (EC2) is on sale right now at various places for $800, down from $1200. My rep at SW seems to think they are just trying to get more traction with the lower pricing for a period of time. Worked for me. |
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Post by ironinthepath on Feb 28, 2024 17:45:49 GMT -6
www.proaudio.de/images/stories/tests/cranborneaudio_ec2/DSC_1242-gr.jpgThere are plenty of posts in forums with people raving about the Cranborne products, never tried them myself so can't comment either way about the actual sound of the device. I will say though that in general I prefer preamps with "iron" in the signal path - this comes at an expense for quality transformers. The use of many ICs and no transformers is a way to make a cost effective design, but similar measures are used in the stock preamps of portable interfaces and mixers. The good news about the EC2 is that (according to specs on their internet page) it has really low noise and high input impedance, a great combo for ribbon mics. Hope it works out well for you. -Chris
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Post by bluesholyman on Feb 28, 2024 18:18:00 GMT -6
I will say though that in general I prefer preamps with "iron" in the signal path - this comes at an expense for quality transformers. The use of many ICs and no transformers is a way to make a cost effective design, but similar measures are used in the stock preamps of portable interfaces and mixers. The good news about the EC2 is that (according to specs on their internet page) it has really low noise and high input impedance, a great combo for ribbon mics. Hope it works out well for you. -Chris Yeah, I hope it does, for Ribbons and everything else. SOS did a review of it (the 500 preamp specifically) and talked about the transformerless design and efforts to impart transformery character into the circuit: "The ‘characterful’ aspect comes from Cranborne’s new Mojo system, which comprises a set of bespoke filters and harmonics generators. These work in concert to replicate the kind of subtle and often desirable characteristics of the input transformers in traditional mic preamps. This combination of ultra‑linear, very high‑performance, transformerless preamp with the user‑controllable Mojo saturation makes the Camden 500 preamp an attention‑grabbing and extremely versatile design." Not sure how close it gets but they could be onto something. Here is the original article: www.soundonsound.com/reviews/cranborne-audio-camden-500. I have limited experience with transformer based preamps and that is probably to my advantage trying newer gear - easier to impress. As long as it produces a great sound, I"m good. I suspect I will like it better than the 1073 circuit but that is yet to be seen. I ran the Shure 315 (with an inline FetHead) into my Carbon's pre and it sounded really good. I suspect it will be "better" with the Camden but "better" is as yet undefined. Looking forward to it either way. |
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Post by robo on Feb 28, 2024 22:23:08 GMT -6
The Camden is a great clean preamp. Not boring or clinical, just more of your source. The mojo is useful to add some thickness or midrange push like a transformer-based pre, and you can usually tell pretty quick if it is helpful or not.
I’m actually selling one right now in the classifieds just because I’m out of rack space and have too many preamps. I’d be happy making a record with just Camdens though. I think it is a solid choice if you just have one outboard pre.
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Ox Han
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by Ox Han on Feb 29, 2024 4:44:29 GMT -6
The Camden is a great clean preamp. Not boring or clinical, just more of your source. The mojo is useful to add some thickness or midrange push like a transformer-based pre, and you can usually tell pretty quick if it is helpful or not. I’m actually selling one right now in the classifieds just because I’m out of rack space and have too many preamps. I’d be happy making a record with just Camdens though. I think it is a solid choice if you just have one outboard pre. I’ve said something similar before, but every time I see a post like “it’s a great piece of gear. Rave rave rave. I’m selling mine” I think to myself, If it’s so great and amazing why are you selling it? No experience with their preamps, but Cranborne are one of the most exciting and innovative companies. |
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Post by robo on Feb 29, 2024 10:38:32 GMT -6
The Camden is a great clean preamp. Not boring or clinical, just more of your source. The mojo is useful to add some thickness or midrange push like a transformer-based pre, and you can usually tell pretty quick if it is helpful or not. I’m actually selling one right now in the classifieds just because I’m out of rack space and have too many preamps. I’d be happy making a record with just Camdens though. I think it is a solid choice if you just have one outboard pre. I’ve said something similar before, but every time I see a post like “it’s a great piece of gear. Rave rave rave. I’m selling mine” I think to myself, If it’s so great and amazing why are you selling it? No experience with their preamps, but Cranborne are one of the most exciting and innovative companies. In my case, I’m selling it along with three other 500-series pieces to make room for other processors. I’ve got 19 channels of great preamps, all transformer or tube based, and some of them can be very clean, so the Camden isn’t essential for my setup. |
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Post by chessparov on Feb 29, 2024 13:27:23 GMT -6
Not fit to make sweeping, let alone any final judgments but... The Locomotive/Useful Arts/Cranborne Pre's were all impressive, when I sang/tried them at the recent NAMM. Chris P.S. Only once on API 312. And that was on an OG MD421. Sounded "chirpy"  cool on vocals though!  |
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Post by bluesholyman on Mar 4, 2024 8:10:55 GMT -6
The Camden is a great clean preamp. Not boring or clinical, just more of your source. The mojo is useful to add some thickness or midrange push like a transformer-based pre, and you can usually tell pretty quick if it is helpful or not. It arrived over the weekend and while I have only had limited time with it, I certainly like it better than the WA1073 - I am actually beginning to think the WA had gain issues as the Camden provides significantly more signal than I was getting with the 1073eq. Limited use thus far but I think it will do just fine. It makes for a very compact and useful setup with the Carbon. Stubby little footstool legs from Lowe's make for a useful riser with the road case. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by Ward on Mar 4, 2024 8:18:41 GMT -6
It ads more to the cost of the pre and I have 1U space to put something in. I can probably do a single 1073 style with EQ or get a dual-1073 style, no eq for maybe a bit more. Whats your take on usefulness of the hardware EQ on a mic pre? I'm going into a Pro Tools carbon and can track with a dsp plugin with no issues. I am just wondering if hardware EQ is worth it given the capability of plugins these days. Thanks The 1073 is an EQ. There are quite a few other Neve EQ designs that are often paired with the same preamp, which is not a 1073 The preamp is a 1290. |
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Post by longscale on Mar 4, 2024 10:31:09 GMT -6
It depends on what your individual needs are. Do you need multiple high quality pre's or do you need/want a single with a fantastically good musical EQ? I have a BAE 1073. I can't comment on the other variations as to their quality; I've not personally tried them.
I like that there are limited (but extremely musical) choices on the EQ points of the 1073. It really helped me learn, and did not overwhelm me with a million choices. I found it a useful teacher in that way.I find it an easy bit of HW to use. I can work quickly. Very simple to hear this is good, or no I don't want that. Small moves reveal quite quickly to my ears.
I did go the multiple pre only route long ago. I got a dual 1272 from the original Brent Averill. Original Neve hw. But for me personally that was a mistake. When I got the 1073 it was instantly "That is the sound I've been trying to get". My particular 1272s do not sound like a 1073 to my ears, and it is not even close. The 1272s are good preamps - but they don't do what my 1073 does. Not trying to start a 1272 vs 1073 conversation. Use what works for you; but if I could send a note to my younger self it would be, buy the single 1073 instead.
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Post by krackle on Mar 4, 2024 12:43:51 GMT -6
I’ve recorded with 1073’s at a friends place, don’t own one but I have an Aurora GTQ2..same basic realm ..
I almost never do corrective / more precise EQ in the unit when recording, preferring more flexibility in a plugin q..
But I use it all the time after a mic’d amp to find guitar sounds..lots there in the mid choices in combo with mic position and amp settings to get cool sounds happening.
Once in a while I’ll use the mid settings correctively to cut obvious, funky sounds in the 1.6k or 3k regions. And you can sometimes find nice strength boosting in the 400hz setting when all things line up..all in all tho, stuff has clearly be working before deciding to commit to it.
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Post by dok on Sept 29, 2024 13:33:09 GMT -6
The Camden is a great clean preamp. Not boring or clinical, just more of your source. The mojo is useful to add some thickness or midrange push like a transformer-based pre, and you can usually tell pretty quick if it is helpful or not. It arrived over the weekend and while I have only had limited time with it, I certainly like it better than the WA1073 - I am actually beginning to think the WA had gain issues as the Camden provides significantly more signal than I was getting with the 1073eq. Limited use thus far but I think it will do just fine. It makes for a very compact and useful setup with the Carbon. Stubby little footstool legs from Lowe's make for a useful riser with the road case. View AttachmentHow are you finding the EC2 after several months? |
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Post by thehightenor on Sept 29, 2024 13:53:05 GMT -6
I really like the EQ on my BAE 1073D.
-3 or 4dB at 220hz is just perfect on my vocals tracked with a 47.
It just has this perfect curve - love it.
And just engaging the EQ seems to add something I find appealing.
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Post by hadaja on Sept 29, 2024 14:06:57 GMT -6
I found a lot of Neve Clone Eq's, not to my taste. Some include the GAP eq, Warm Audio Eq and few others I dont remember now that I have owned.
I did find that just going for a straight Neve or Neve clone stand alone preamp worked better. Surprising the GAP PRe73 is still nice, the BAE 73 is nice and I still enjoy my Vintech x73 unit although I dont use the eq too much I still think that eq is a better version then some of the others mentioned.
I have tried quite a few original Neve 3415, 3415a and 33415 modules and even they can all sound a little different from each other.
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Post by wiz on Sept 29, 2024 15:07:55 GMT -6
From memory the eq in with controls flat on a 1073 is plus or minus 1 or 2 dB
So it will have an effect when engaged
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Post by basspro on Sept 30, 2024 9:00:34 GMT -6
Man, I find EQ almost necessary these days when tracking. Different strokes for different folks, obviously, but I really like to get things as finished as possible right out of the gate. I find it impacts the performers positively to have things sounding exciting in the cans. I also use a lot of ribbons, so things can be a bit murky if you're not adding some top end/cutting some lows and low mids.
This is also pretty source dependent though. With drums and guitars, I'll go crazy with eq on the way in, but I'm less likely to touch vocals (other than HPF to avoid low end freaking out a compressor)
If I can get playback sounding cohesive on basic tracks, I find that it moves the entire process along more smoothly. It's nice to have the feeling of "this is awesome" rather than "this is going to be awesome once it's mixed".
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Post by bluesholyman on Sept 30, 2024 13:30:00 GMT -6
It arrived over the weekend and while I have only had limited time with it, I certainly like it better than the WA1073 - I am actually beginning to think the WA had gain issues as the Camden provides significantly more signal than I was getting with the 1073eq. Limited use thus far but I think it will do just fine. It makes for a very compact and useful setup with the Carbon. Stubby little footstool legs from Lowe's make for a useful riser with the road case. View AttachmentHow are you finding the EC2 after several months? Haven't had a lot of play time with it (songwriter, not active studio) but what I have used it for worked great. The mojo knob is subtle but noticeable. I am just getting basic use out of it but I am happy with it. |
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Post by Oneiro on Sept 30, 2024 14:20:15 GMT -6
I'm not a huge fan of Neve EQ. 1073, 1081, 33115, etc. all seem to be too much past 3-4 db for me. Much prefer API, Quad Eight, Cadac, Siemens, Telefunken, let alone all the new stuff we have today.
I think the pre and the transformers are where the magic of the Neve stuff is. And I guess how the OG diode comps grab.
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Post by notneeson on Sept 30, 2024 16:57:16 GMT -6
I really love having great EQs handy for tracking drums. That’s when it gets used the most: on the way in.
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Post by rowmat on Sept 30, 2024 17:24:36 GMT -6
I ran pair of Heritage Audio 8173’s and a pair of 6673’s and used them for tracking kick and toms when recording and during mixdown the 16khz shelving EQ was my go to for vocals. Many more EQ points than the 1073 (which are somewhat limiting) with the addition of 12khz and 16khz shelving over the 10khz of the 1073 along with much more. Seriously f’n great modules and IMO primarily for their EQ. Uses all traditional Neve style components throughout. Not IC based EQ circuitry. heritageaudio.com/8173-2/heritageaudio.com/6673-2/  |
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cool on vocals though! 
