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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 14, 2018 18:35:35 GMT -6
anymore? Had one years ago, but (you guys might need to sit down for this...) I sold it. I look back on those times with great fondness and longing for a past era (2009)...
Anyway, seriously, cool pre that if I remember correctly was nice and fast, maybe kind've a smiley face curve...?
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Post by mhbunch on Apr 14, 2018 19:57:42 GMT -6
There’s one at a studio I work at sometimes. I like it on snare and guitars. Has a little bit of hifi curve thing going on to my ears. Good stuff but has never left my jaw on the floor.
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Post by jtc111 on Apr 14, 2018 21:08:35 GMT -6
I wanted one for years but for some reason I never got around to buying one. Now I have enough solid preamps for my needs and it probably won't happen. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about that unit though, especially on guitars.
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Post by BradM on Apr 14, 2018 21:16:30 GMT -6
The Pacifica (and P1) is my favorite preamp of all time. It's been used on 90% of every overdub I've ever recorded since I beta tested and acquired an early prototype from Peter Montessi. Mine is actually black and is called Cantara. They were still working on the name at that time. I've absolutely love what the Pacifica does on electric guitars and vocals. It has a very electric thing in the midrange going on. I know a lot of people like sound with the pad engaged, but I'm more of a "pad out" fan. My trick is I put a 12 dB inline pad on the output. For years I've been meaning to just mod the thing and wire up the output pad to a switch on the front panel.
Love love love the Pacifica.
Brad
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Post by hadaja on Apr 14, 2018 21:32:10 GMT -6
The Pacifica was the biggest thing most people lusted after around the 2010 onwards era especially on acoustic guitars and vocals. It was alwasy just a little too much money for me. But i came close so many times to getting one. Like you it has never left my radar.
I bought the A-Designs Mp1 so i am telling myself that will do the job but alas it just sits in the box unsused. It will go on the chopping block shortly. But man that MP1 has a huge transformer in it.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 14, 2018 21:42:34 GMT -6
I have a pair of Quad Eight CA-137s, which I think are the inspiration for the Pacifica. I really like them on just about everything. Had lent them to a room I book for quite some time, and I’m really enjoying having them back.
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Post by M57 on Apr 15, 2018 4:18:03 GMT -6
A P1 sits next to a NP-500NV in my box, and while I have to admit that I gravitate toward the Great River when I'm recording my lead vocal because it's just a tad darker, the P1 gets used when I'm stacking vocals. When I'm recording my piano in stereo, I have to use both, but if I had money to burn I'd use a pair of P1's. I prefer the pad off.
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Post by nick8801 on Apr 15, 2018 9:47:08 GMT -6
I love my p1! I agree with Brad that it has the electric feeling as well. I’m not sure how to describe it, but that’s what I titled my Sweetwater review several years ago! Love mine on female vocals and even bass. Bass always sounds nice and tight with a good presence.
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Post by swurveman on Apr 15, 2018 10:28:18 GMT -6
My guess is it has to do with marketing and function. The Pacifica doesn't have a 73 (no EQ) or a 12 in its name. I almost bought one for acoustic guitar and overheads, but my fear of too much brightness led me to buying a UA 2-610. For my room and converters it was the right choice
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Post by EmRR on Apr 15, 2018 11:50:33 GMT -6
I have a pair of Quad Eight CA-137s, which I think are the inspiration for the Pacifica. I really like them on just about everything. Had lent them to a room I book for quite some time, and I’m really enjoying having them back. CA-137 is 5 transistor AM-4(?), Pacifica I think is the later 10 transistor AM-10 with a lower ratio input transformer. |
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Post by notneeson on Apr 15, 2018 11:52:49 GMT -6
I have a pair of Quad Eight CA-137s, which I think are the inspiration for the Pacifica. I really like them on just about everything. Had lent them to a room I book for quite some time, and I’m really enjoying having them back. CA-137 is 5 transistor AM-4(?), Pacifica I think is the later 10 transistor AM-10 with a lower ratio input transformer. Mine are AM-10, perhaps I got the card # wrong? Have not looked under the hood in years. |
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Post by EmRR on Apr 15, 2018 16:00:23 GMT -6
CA-137 is 5 transistor AM-4(?), Pacifica I think is the later 10 transistor AM-10 with a lower ratio input transformer. Mine are AM-10, perhaps I got the card # wrong? Have not looked under the hood in years. Ya know what, i think we are both right, there are several generations. |
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Post by BradM on Apr 15, 2018 20:07:45 GMT -6
I have a pair of Quad Eight CA-137s, which I think are the inspiration for the Pacifica. I really like them on just about everything. Had lent them to a room I book for quite some time, and I’m really enjoying having them back. CA-137 is 5 transistor AM-4(?), Pacifica I think is the later 10 transistor AM-10 with a lower ratio input transformer. The A Designs Pacifica has a 1:10 input transformer and AM-10 clone opamp. Brad |
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Post by matt on Apr 15, 2018 22:55:28 GMT -6
No Pacifica here, but as I’ve posted elsewhere on RGO, a Ventura serves as my #1 vocal pre. Sounds great to my ears, and yes, it has a clean, full, hi-fi character. So good, I never feel a need to chase another pre. Unlike some people I know.
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Post by ragan on Apr 15, 2018 23:05:22 GMT -6
Haven't used the Pacifica but I did some session work at a place running a Quad Eight desk and that thing sounded so damn good.
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Post by EmRR on Apr 16, 2018 8:40:28 GMT -6
OK, had a chance to dig in my notes.
QEE-7100 used in the Cornado/Ventura/Pacifica is a 1:8 ratio according to Orphan Audio.
The QEE-3440 input transformer is 1:18 (150:50K) which is roughly 6dB more gain before the actives.
CA-127 cards are a 6 transistor (AM-4?) op amp.
CA-137 cards are a 10 transistor AM-10 op amp, and not the plug-in AM-10 but one laid on on the main PCB.
What I used/have are a more obscure CA-727 / QE3631 two channel card with the 5 transistor (AM-3?) circuit and QEE-3440 input. I really like their overall qualities. They are the circuit in the MM-100 console modules.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083 
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Post by ericn on Apr 16, 2018 8:45:57 GMT -6
Because like John everybody fell for the latest and greatest new sexy thing.
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Post by adamjbrass on Apr 16, 2018 8:51:49 GMT -6
Products that come out and gain popularity quickly through internet forums and social media do have a shelf life to them, regarding hype! We should be thankful for that. But at the end of the day, the real work with marketing lives and dies in the hands of the end users and the words coming out of their mouths. We have to be careful about measuring the hype too closely. When new products come to market, they sell real fast and often. Then things calm down as hundreds of other products are hurled at our heads daily. Just goes to show you that Hype and visibility can make or break a brand. But I am sure the Pacifica moves often for A-Designs. Its one of their flagship pieces.
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Post by EmRR on Apr 16, 2018 9:12:52 GMT -6
The noise level is so high, there's pretty much no way one could parse for ones' self what is going to be best fit. Lots of great products that will be ignored only because they are on the backside of the hype cycle.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083
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Post by ericn on Apr 16, 2018 9:23:55 GMT -6
The noise level is so high, there's pretty much no way one could parse for ones' self what is going to be best fit. Lots of great products that will be ignored only because they are on the backside of the hype cycle. Another factor was A designed made it kind of confusing with all the different transformer/ color options of the P1 500 series module. but is gold better? Why can’t I get it in rack mount ? Is red better? No it’s got to be gold! Options are great, but the customer has to understand and it’s about moving gear, so that means time is money so Just buy the API😁 |
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Post by BradM on Apr 16, 2018 10:45:10 GMT -6
The noise level is so high, there's pretty much no way one could parse for ones' self what is going to be best fit. Lots of great products that will be ignored only because they are on the backside of the hype cycle. Another factor was A designed made it kind of confusing with all the different transformer/ color options of the P1 500 series module. but is gold better? Why can’t I get it in rack mount ? Is red better? No it’s got to be gold! Options are great, but the customer has to understand and it’s about moving gear, so that means time is money so Just buy the API😁 In 'N Out has the right formula - keep the menu limited to three items. Everything else is on the secret menu.  Brad |
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Post by Guitar on Apr 16, 2018 10:52:57 GMT -6
I've got a top-secret AM10 op amp that I'll hopefully be able to talk about more soon.
I stuck a few in my API 312 builds with the Cinemag input transformers. Really wonderful sound similar to what everyone has described. It's not a Pacifica, nor a Quad Eight, but it's got the heart of one.
I sold my SCA N72 so this now my main vocal channel. I'll use them for anything, though. Acoustic guitars, guitar amps.
A great preamp is a great preamp, most of the time. I like these kind that are less-specific about what they're good at.
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Post by notneeson on Apr 16, 2018 12:13:24 GMT -6
Another factor was A designed made it kind of confusing with all the different transformer/ color options of the P1 500 series module. but is gold better? Why can’t I get it in rack mount ? Is red better? No it’s got to be gold! Options are great, but the customer has to understand and it’s about moving gear, so that means time is money so Just buy the API😁 In 'N Out has the right formula - keep the menu limited to three items. Everything else is on the secret menu. Brad When I interviewed you, you mentioned Apple. Now I know you're other big influence! |
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Post by jimwilliams on Apr 17, 2018 10:16:15 GMT -6
I sent out a pair of C-137 cards out yesterday. They were converted to mic preamps using the Jensen JT-13KC mic input transformer at 1/5 ratio. They have a 20~60 db gain range with a PEC conductive plastic pot.
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Post by klauth on Apr 17, 2018 10:44:39 GMT -6
I own a few of them, as well as some P-1's. They definitely have a shimmer up high, I've never gotten tired of. Although, I was always bummed they never made a comprehensive EQ that would accompany it.
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