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Post by jeromemason on Oct 5, 2014 22:53:46 GMT -6
It can be DIY (preferably), commercially available or vintage. I'm wanting to come up with a solid vocal chain. The microphone I'm building is going to be unlike any other, and it's going to change the game isn't that right Shannon? Instead of just mixing I've decided to build a vocal booth in my mix room, although it won't change the dimensions of my mixing room because it was actually a closet, so I'll just need to treat it acoustically (which I will make a thread about next.) So, what is the best micpre you've found for vocals. What is your chain if you use that preamp, like your eq, compression before you hit tape. Please list the perfect sauce you've found and let me know about it, let's have a discussion on it and talk about why it's good and what make's it the best for you. Also, is it useable with multiple microphones, meaning can you use a c-12 with it and switch out to a 251 and it still be the best. I'd like to go in depth on this because I'm currently putting mine together, and I don't want to read testimonials anywhere but here, I trust this community because unlike the other forums most of us know what the hell we're talking about. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Jerome. |
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 5, 2014 23:08:09 GMT -6
AMS Neve 1081 hands down. Had em, sold em. Big mistake...
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Post by Guitar on Oct 5, 2014 23:19:25 GMT -6
NEVE can do no wrong. Clones are fine of course. But I use my API 312 channels just as often, it seems. Basically, you want color, transformers are good, tubes are fine too. I used to use the UA preamps a lot.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Oct 5, 2014 23:30:59 GMT -6
Mastering Lab.
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Post by hadaja on Oct 6, 2014 4:11:19 GMT -6
Another vote for Neve. I have some 1978 Neve 3415 convertered line amps into preamps and they sound the best. I have 4 x different ones of these and I also use Api, tube preamps, cleaner style amps but I love going to the Neve's for vocals.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,099 
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Post by ericn on Oct 6, 2014 6:31:00 GMT -6
Neve, and my personal favorite is the Dan Alexander Class A Preamp. The later ones with Dans clone of the 1272 but real OlD Neve Transformers. Can you say Big Big Big sounding!
When it isn't right Old API or CAPI !
After that Something Clean like a Millenia .
If none of those work Go Tube!
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Post by svart on Oct 6, 2014 6:47:27 GMT -6
REDD47
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Post by Ward on Oct 6, 2014 7:47:54 GMT -6
Neve is definitely yer go-to. The Vintech and BAE recreations of the 73s 81s and 84s are also fabulous...
But lately, I've been also using the channels on one of my Focusrite pres, 428 mark 1, and getting even better results.
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Post by sinasoid on Oct 6, 2014 11:27:11 GMT -6
AEA RPQ500. Always kind of stunned by that thing. Also quite like the Ridge Farms Gas Cooker we have on consignment right now. It's got a real grittiness to it that Si preamps tend not to have.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 6, 2014 12:55:03 GMT -6
I've had neves that I sold simply because I always seem to reach for API, I'm a rock guy primarily, maybe that's why? I am jonesing for an alternative phat aggressive mic pre for kick though.
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Post by mrholmes on Oct 6, 2014 16:39:36 GMT -6
Used SPL used SSL … but the NEVE 1073 was, or should I say is, an impressive experience on any voice I track.
Could be taste and perception as well, but most singers do agree.
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Post by yotonic on Oct 6, 2014 16:48:33 GMT -6
Neve 1084. But seeing as we only have a handful of loyal members here, I will confess that I broke down and bought an Avalon M5 and a Summit TLA 100 recently after hearing that vocal chain on artists from Colbie Caillat to Rob Thomas and Whitney Houston. And I love it. The Neve 1084 is freaking amazing but The Avalon and Summit together cost as much as one channel of 1084, and the sound is a little more pop vocal for lack of a more intelligent descriptor.
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Post by wiz on Oct 6, 2014 16:49:38 GMT -6
1073 is the best I have used on my voice....
wonder how much different the 1084 is....
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Post by yotonic on Oct 6, 2014 17:06:57 GMT -6
The 1084 has more mid lows and bottom end in my experience. Its worth the extra money if you have a blood bank in your area. It's just got more mojo.
The 31102 is the 1084 and VK will rack and mod the console pre with a line input etc. Just ask them what they are using for input transformers, or source your own.
I have a buddy in LA with vintage 1084s and the AMS 1084s and he's OCD about vintage versus reissue. He claims the AMS reissue might have a touch more detail. Otherwise the same.
I need to check my files, somewhere I have a vocal clip of vintage 1084 versus vintage Helios and vintage 1073.
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Post by Randge on Oct 6, 2014 22:18:20 GMT -6
RTZ 9762/9762A for me. I went over to Gary Paczosa's a few weeks back and we put them up against his Mastering Lab preamps that he favors. For Dobro and my vocal, I much preferred the RTZ. Gary was very surprised and you can ask him his opinion when you see him. You guys gotta try them. Short of those, there is a tie for second. Some voices really work with the Edwards LE-10 preamp. I also like my pair of V-72 Telefunkens. I have compared them to 4 other pairs and mine are still the best 72's I have ever heard. I have no idea why they sound better, but i am glad I own them.
R
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 6, 2014 23:12:08 GMT -6
RTZ 9762/9762A for me. I went over to Gary Paczosa's a few weeks back and we put them up against his Mastering Lab preamps that he favors. For Dobro and my vocal, I much preferred the RTZ. Gary was very surprised and you can ask him his opinion when you see him. You guys gotta try them. Short of those, there is a tie for second. Some voices really work with the Edwards LE-10 preamp. I also like my pair of V-72 Telefunkens. I have compared them to 4 other pairs and mine are still the best 72's I have ever heard. I have no idea why they sound better, but i am glad I own them. R Do you have both the 9762 and the 9762A? Hear any difference in the sound if so? |
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Post by swurveman on Oct 7, 2014 8:39:18 GMT -6
Vintech X73i. I don't record to tape. So, my chain is mostly Neumann U87ai->Vintech x73i-> Aurora16/RME AES 32->Daw. I never use the EQ for tracking, but am planning on using it as an insert in my DAW for EQ purposes.
BTW: My partner had an 500 series Vintech 573, which he told me does not sound as good as my rack mounted x73i. He never uses it now that he has my rack mounted X73i's. I have not tested this myself, but I thought I'd mention it FWIW.
I have an API 3124, but I don't find it as pleasing as the Vintech for vocals. It squeezes the frequency range of the vocal to my ears.
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Post by Ward on Oct 7, 2014 8:56:55 GMT -6
The Vintech preamps are quite excellent and often overlooked.
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Post by yotonic on Oct 7, 2014 8:58:08 GMT -6
You can always change some of the op amps in that API.
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Post by swurveman on Oct 7, 2014 9:13:31 GMT -6
You can always change some of the op amps in that API. Thanks yotonic. And in the 3124's defense, I have not not padded the output to drive the gain up in the preamp. I don't use the internal pad either. |
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Post by Randge on Oct 7, 2014 12:54:19 GMT -6
I do, Cowboy. I can play a solo for you and switch in the middle and you couldn't tell it. That very much surprised me.
R
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Post by Guitar on Oct 7, 2014 13:22:16 GMT -6
The GAR op amps are really good, and they help a lot, to my ears, over the stock API 2520. I rely on them daily, usually the GAR2520.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 7, 2014 13:57:05 GMT -6
I do, Cowboy. I can play a solo for you and switch in the middle and you couldn't tell it. That very much surprised me. R Very cool. Upon your trusted ears, I'm going to demo one from Pepper. |
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Post by sopwith on Oct 7, 2014 15:34:20 GMT -6
I do, Cowboy. I can play a solo for you and switch in the middle and you couldn't tell it. That very much surprised me. R Very cool. Upon your trusted ears, I'm going to demo one from Pepper. Could you report back about this one when you try it? I could conceivably have Pepper chuck one of these in the box with my CV4 when it comes off backorder. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 7, 2014 20:51:23 GMT -6
It can be DIY (preferably), commercially available or vintage. I'm wanting to come up with a solid vocal chain. The microphone I'm building is going to be unlike any other, and it's going to change the game isn't that right Shannon? Instead of just mixing I've decided to build a vocal booth in my mix room, although it won't change the dimensions of my mixing room because it was actually a closet, so I'll just need to treat it acoustically (which I will make a thread about next.) So, what is the best micpre you've found for vocals. What is your chain if you use that preamp, like your eq, compression before you hit tape. Please list the perfect sauce you've found and let me know about it, let's have a discussion on it and talk about why it's good and what make's it the best for you. Also, is it useable with multiple microphones, meaning can you use a c-12 with it and switch out to a 251 and it still be the best. I'd like to go in depth on this because I'm currently putting mine together, and I don't want to read testimonials anywhere but here, I trust this community because unlike the other forums most of us know what the hell we're talking about. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Jerome. Vintage Neve 1073's... |
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