High End Preamp for Studio B - Which one to get

deadbull · February 23rd, 2012, 03:16 PM

Hey guys.

I am looking for a high quality preamp for my mixing studio at home.
I have high end converter, acoustics etc, so no need for toys

The main tasks would be - DI recording of guitars and bass for external reamping

AND

sometimes - Singer/songwriter stuff that I record in my livingroom, so vox and acoustic guitars.

I am thinking of something "Neve" sounding, but I am not really sure if this would be the best choice for guitar DIs (could it make them too wooly/cloudy in the low mids?)

2 Channels would be cool for that singer/songwriter stuff. Maximum price : 3000USD

Please give me some input!

greyskull · February 23rd, 2012, 05:43 PM

Great river...
/thread.

C-Martin · February 23rd, 2012, 08:13 PM

I would suggest API preamps if you don't have these already. An API A2D would be way below the budget you have and would provide you with a pair of the best workhorse preamps around. If you have a pair already and really want to stick with something neve i would go with Vintech 273 or a pair of x73i's over the Great River for the added EQ. I never really liked the Great River stuff because they have something in the lower mid range that i don't like. You should really give them a try before investing that much money on something.

Gnash · February 23rd, 2012, 09:26 PM

I have the Great River MP-2NV, and it would have everything covered from you post. It's around $2250 from Mercenary audio, so you'll have money left over for two RNCs and other stuff. You could start on a luchbox with four or five modules for that amount too. Vintage King has a deal where you get the lunchbox free with the purchase of three modules!

dcb · February 25th, 2012, 04:15 AM

still a huggge fan of universal audios la 610 mk II ! get two of them for 3k!

Soultrash · February 25th, 2012, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greyskull

Great river...
/thread.

+1

Mikaël-ange · February 25th, 2012, 04:46 AM

For character preamp go with some Api 512, Avedis MA5.
For less character my personal choice will be a isa 110 pair, or a isa 115 (2 isa 110 in one 2u unit).
Don't expect find this new btw

Loren Littlejohn · February 25th, 2012, 05:24 AM

$3k USD?

How about an actual neve?

http://www.daleproaudio.com/p-1416-b...i-and-psu.aspx

crillemannen · February 25th, 2012, 05:51 AM

+1

On the Api a2d. Api conversion with 2 excellent preamps.

Mikaël-ange · February 25th, 2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren Littlejohn

$3k USD?

How about an actual neve?

http://www.daleproaudio.com/p-1416-b...i-and-psu.aspx

OP want a pair

Adrian Warren · February 25th, 2012, 07:28 AM

Rupert Neve Portico 5024. It's quite similar to the API in terms of transient response however it has a more full, modern and sweet sound to it. It also has a switch that sets it to a mode where it somewhat emulates the sound of vintage neve preamps.

greyskull · February 25th, 2012, 10:35 AM

I said great river based on the fact that the op wanted something neve ish and would be recording dis. The great river has the best di out of any hi end pre I've used. The api di is less than great as you have to engage the pad to record at any sort of sensible level and the pad ruins the top end of the di... Much as I love that pre on just about anything else! The ua is nice on bass but too tubby and slow on guitars

deadbull · February 25th, 2012, 12:17 PM

Of the named I worked with the: API (not the a2d but 3124), the brent averill and the UA610 in real life situations. The API is very nice, but I think its not the right tool for full sounding acoustic guitar and singer/songwriter tracks. The brent averill was stunning in every discipline, used it on snare, guitars and vox. Didnt like the UA too much, used it on vox with the SM7 and there really was a low-mid smear that wasnt too pleasing.
Anyone of you ever used the pacifica?
I'm gonna order a great river and check that first and maybe compare it to the brent..

Proggm · February 25th, 2012, 04:16 PM

Chandler TG2. Awesome stuff.

drew_drummer · February 25th, 2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greyskull

Great river...
/thread.

ART MP.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...eat-river.html

/thread

Loren Littlejohn · February 25th, 2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadbull

the brent averill

It is a pretty sexy pre isn't it? I didn't get a chance to mess around with the eq at all but the pre was fantastic.

Adrian Warren · February 25th, 2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew_drummer

ART MP.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...eat-river.html

/thread

Thanks for the link. I actually preferred the Art MP. This might also be interesting especially for the op.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear-...-shootout.html

deadbull · February 25th, 2012, 05:58 PM

It was the best EQ I ever had my hands on!
Gonna have to checkout the TG2 too.
Thanks Drew, it was a very interresting read!

aortizjr · February 27th, 2012, 03:54 PM

I would consider a A-Designs Pacifica.

Sounds great on everything and awesome DI's. In a way, it sits somewhere between the punchy and midrangy API and smooth and slower Neve. Well and those terms for API and Neve are gross exaggerations, but that subtlety is there.

If I could only afford one pre, that would be a very high contender.

A John Hardy Jensen twin Servo 990 would be way way way up there as well. Desert island pre since it is cleaner.

For a studio B, I would consider also the Slate Fox. That way you get switchable Vintage 1073 or a modern SS version and combos between them. I haven't used one though.

Eduardo Apolonia · February 27th, 2012, 04:19 PM

Dave Hill Europa1 Pair

egan. · February 27th, 2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew_drummer

ART MP.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...eat-river.html

/thread

I didn't hear it that way but to each his own.

If I were you I'd buy whatever pre you want and a coutryman rather than combining the two needs.

With your budget I'd probably get the 2xGR500NV and an API rack or the A2D.

Loren Littlejohn · February 28th, 2012, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egan.

I didn't hear it that way but to each his own.

If I were you I'd buy whatever pre you want and a coutryman rather than combining the two needs.

With your budget I'd probably get the 2xGR500NV and an API rack or the A2D.

Actually I just opened that thread as well and I don't hear it either. I thought Orange was boomy.

drew_drummer · February 28th, 2012, 04:33 AM

It's a shame you guys couldn't have heard the files without the results being known.

$$$ counts for a lot of our perspective on gear.

jipchen · February 28th, 2012, 05:08 AM

+1 to the Great River Me1nv (or the 2 channel version). The channelstrip with the preamp and the EQ is also great.

Additionaly, you should check out the Vintech X73i (two of them) or the Vintech 273. They are also Neve clones which are said to sound exactly the same, plus they have a great EQ built in. They are hard to get in Europe but I found a store which carries them and if you've got a VAT number you don't have to pay the Swedish VAT first:
http://goldenagemusic.mamutweb.com/S...o-X73i/4971020
http://goldenagemusic.mamutweb.com/S...Vintech&page=1
The x73i there is about 1125€, the 273 about 1310€. I think you need an extra power supply for the x73i, though.. not sure about the 273.
I think Lasse's got one of these?

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew_drummer

It's a shame you guys couldn't have heard the files without the results being known.

$$$ counts for a lot of our perspective on gear.

I guess most of us know the thread (and similar ones), I had a listen without knowing the answer and preferred the Great River fwiw. Actually I bought it after the blind test

You're still right of course, and the difference is subtle.

Lasse Lammert · February 28th, 2012, 05:11 AM

I like my DAV preamps

February 23rd, 2012, 03:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
deadbull Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 118	High End Preamp for Studio B - Which one to get Hey guys. I am looking for a high quality preamp for my mixing studio at home. I have high end converter, acoustics etc, so no need for toys The main tasks would be - DI recording of guitars and bass for external reamping AND sometimes - Singer/songwriter stuff that I record in my livingroom, so vox and acoustic guitars. I am thinking of something "Neve" sounding, but I am not really sure if this would be the best choice for guitar DIs (could it make them too wooly/cloudy in the low mids?) 2 Channels would be cool for that singer/songwriter stuff. Maximum price : 3000USD Please give me some input! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/pitchbackstudios

February 23rd, 2012, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
C-Martin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 346	I would suggest API preamps if you don't have these already. An API A2D would be way below the budget you have and would provide you with a pair of the best workhorse preamps around. If you have a pair already and really want to stick with something neve i would go with Vintech 273 or a pair of x73i's over the Great River for the added EQ. I never really liked the Great River stuff because they have something in the lower mid range that i don't like. You should really give them a try before investing that much money on something. __________________

February 23rd, 2012, 09:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gnash Lefty Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 1,271	I have the Great River MP-2NV, and it would have everything covered from you post. It's around $2250 from Mercenary audio, so you'll have money left over for two RNCs and other stuff. You could start on a luchbox with four or five modules for that amount too. Vintage King has a deal where you get the lunchbox free with the purchase of three modules! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/shanemeyer51...p?id=560372282 http://www.youtube.com/Gnash5150

February 25th, 2012, 05:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
crillemannen Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,817	+1 On the Api a2d. Api conversion with 2 excellent preamps. __________________ - studiohaga.net Facebook

February 25th, 2012, 12:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
deadbull Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 118	Of the named I worked with the: API (not the a2d but 3124), the brent averill and the UA610 in real life situations. The API is very nice, but I think its not the right tool for full sounding acoustic guitar and singer/songwriter tracks. The brent averill was stunning in every discipline, used it on snare, guitars and vox. Didnt like the UA too much, used it on vox with the SM7 and there really was a low-mid smear that wasnt too pleasing. Anyone of you ever used the pacifica? I'm gonna order a great river and check that first and maybe compare it to the brent.. __________________ http://www.facebook.com/pitchbackstudios

February 23rd, 2012, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
greyskull Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,804	Great river... /thread.

February 25th, 2012, 04:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
dcb nerd Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,355	still a huggge fan of universal audios la 610 mk II ! get two of them for 3k!

February 25th, 2012, 07:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
Adrian Warren Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 222	Rupert Neve Portico 5024. It's quite similar to the API in terms of transient response however it has a more full, modern and sweet sound to it. It also has a switch that sets it to a mode where it somewhat emulates the sound of vintage neve preamps.

February 25th, 2012, 10:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
greyskull Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,804	I said great river based on the fact that the op wanted something neve ish and would be recording dis. The great river has the best di out of any hi end pre I've used. The api di is less than great as you have to engage the pad to record at any sort of sensible level and the pad ruins the top end of the di... Much as I love that pre on just about anything else! The ua is nice on bass but too tubby and slow on guitars

February 25th, 2012, 04:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
Proggm Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 462	Chandler TG2. Awesome stuff. __________________ Recording Studios - Buenos Aires, Argentina

February 25th, 2012, 05:58 PM	#18 (permalink)
deadbull Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 118	It was the best EQ I ever had my hands on! Gonna have to checkout the TG2 too. Thanks Drew, it was a very interresting read! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/pitchbackstudios

February 27th, 2012, 03:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
aortizjr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 518	I would consider a A-Designs Pacifica. Sounds great on everything and awesome DI's. In a way, it sits somewhere between the punchy and midrangy API and smooth and slower Neve. Well and those terms for API and Neve are gross exaggerations, but that subtlety is there. If I could only afford one pre, that would be a very high contender. A John Hardy Jensen twin Servo 990 would be way way way up there as well. Desert island pre since it is cleaner. For a studio B, I would consider also the Slate Fox. That way you get switchable Vintage 1073 or a modern SS version and combos between them. I haven't used one though. __________________ Ortiz Audio - http://www.ortizaudio.net/ Audio Related Blog: http://ortizaudio.blogspot.com/ SANGRE MAL: http://www.myspace.com/sangremal

February 27th, 2012, 04:19 PM	#20 (permalink)
Eduardo Apolonia formerly Eddy(RawMachine) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Algarve, Portugal Posts: 962	Dave Hill Europa1 Pair __________________ Contact me for Mixing, Mastering and Reamping Reamping: More than 30 different amps (BadCat, Bogner, Custom Audio Amplifiers, Diezel, EVH, Engl, Fender, Fortin, Friedman, Krank, Marshall, Mesa, Naylor, Orange, Peavey, Soldano, Splawn, Vox) 8 different cabinets (Bogner, Diezel, Marshall, Mesa, Mills, Orange) http://www.facebook.com/EApolonia

February 28th, 2012, 04:33 AM	#23 (permalink)
drew_drummer Dancefap Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,933	It's a shame you guys couldn't have heard the files without the results being known. $$$ counts for a lot of our perspective on gear. __________________ HOME PAGE :: BIG CARTEL :: YOUTUBE :: TWITTER :: FACEBOOK "Part doom, part sludge, part stoner, part post-rock, Exegesis is all win. It’s a marriage of inspired songwriting, highly skilled performance, and close-to-perfect production engineering.” www.nocleansinging.com

February 28th, 2012, 05:11 AM	#25 (permalink)
Lasse Lammert HCAF Blitzkrieg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 8,065	I like my DAV preamps __________________ Contact me about Reamping Mixing Mastering Drumediting (special UM rates)  Lasse Lammert Drumsamples My Band's FB...LIKE IT, BITCH!