API VS Focusrite

Lasse Lammert · February 15th, 2011, 05:50 AM

Here's the promised shootout of the API preamp vs the Control24 Focusrite preamps.

of course the API is more detailed and 3d...clearly wins by a mile, still the Control24 preamp is definitely usable

API
Control24

Jarkko Mattheiszen · February 15th, 2011, 05:57 AM

The API seems to have quite a bit more depth, but I can't see myself not being able to use the Control24 preamps perfectly happily judging from these clips, especially with a modern hi-gain rhythm tone. Thanks for the effort man!

Jarkko Mattheiszen · February 15th, 2011, 05:58 AM

Out of curiosity, which API's are these? 512c's? 3124's?

Lasse Lammert · February 15th, 2011, 06:08 AM

Soundlurker · February 15th, 2011, 06:33 AM

As usual, the API is quicker, tighter and with more bite. The Control24 is more dull and boomy.

AEL89 · February 15th, 2011, 08:24 AM

API sounds awesome

Empathy · February 15th, 2011, 08:59 AM

brb, buying 3124's.

~BURNY~ · February 15th, 2011, 09:15 AM

I can imagine that C24 boominess being a problem.

Lasse Lammert · February 15th, 2011, 09:17 AM

well, I'll only be using the focusrites on hats and room tracks, triggers etc...perhaps bottom snare.
I actually think the octopre preamps are a bit more analytic than the Control24 preamps..they're supposed to be the same though

jipchen · February 15th, 2011, 09:28 AM

I like the APIs better, too.. but it's not *that* big a difference to me, and it's not like the Focusrite preamps sound bad.
Imho not worth the extra money but I am GASing for APIs nevertheless

Damnit.

Straight Shooter · February 15th, 2011, 09:41 AM

Control24 vs. API. That's like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

guitarguru777 · February 15th, 2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lasse Lammert

well, I'll only be using the focusrites on hats and room tracks, triggers etc...perhaps bottom snare.
I actually think the octopre preamps are a bit more analytic than the Control24 preamps..they're supposed to be the same though

Well the control 24 pres have shit ton more components next to them and I would think there is a longer signal chain then the octopre.

I still love my Focusrites on my Saffires, I still say for the price you cant beat em.

But seriously guys did you really expect the Control 24 to beat out the API's ....lol

guitarguru777 · February 15th, 2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straight Shooter

Control24 vs. API. That's like bringing a twinkey to a gun fight.

Fixed

Spectivum · February 15th, 2011, 03:31 PM

I did not realize that there are speed issues with preamps, but the second part of the clip clearly shows it. So that's why my fast picking turns to mud, seems I am forced to play doom until I can upgrade

acappa · February 15th, 2011, 08:52 PM

Hey Lasse! What you use to connect to the 3124´s?? I usually KD and Toms...how you manage such a high hot input of the pres???

MarcusD777 · February 15th, 2011, 11:54 PM

Just picked up an API 3124, and RME Fireface 800 w/ Focusrite Octopre via ADAT to record the drums for the new The Empire Shall Fall album... Eager to here how the API sounds. Either going to go Snare, and 3 Toms with the API or 2 OH's, Snare, Room. Will probably use the Octopre and RME pres (hh, ride and rooms etc) Lasse, what are your findings with the API and Octopre on drums soo far??

lolzgreg · February 16th, 2011, 12:00 AM

My guess is that Mr. Small is going to be replacing all of the drums, so shoot for 2 OH's, Snare, Room.

arv_foh · February 16th, 2011, 12:23 AM

goddamn I have GAS for some API so bad

Lasse Lammert · February 16th, 2011, 03:26 AM

definitely put OHs and snare (at least top) on the APIs.
the octopre preamps sound good for toms, hats etc, no need to worry about that

gabriel g. · February 16th, 2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcusD777

Just picked up an API 3124, and RME Fireface 800 w/ Focusrite Octopre via ADAT to record the drums for the new The Empire Shall Fall album... Eager to here how the API sounds. Either going to go Snare, and 3 Toms with the API or 2 OH's, Snare, Room. Will probably use the Octopre and RME pres (hh, ride and rooms etc) Lasse, what are your findings with the API and Octopre on drums soo far??

If you want to use the real toms and snare, use the apis. Maybe with pad-cables.
I got the biggest toms out of hot driven api-pres.
If you use small-condensers for OH then the octopres are fine.
They are by far not as slow as onyx preamps or stuff...

gabriel g. · February 16th, 2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectivum

I did not realize that there are speed issues with preamps, but the second part of the clip clearly shows it. So that's why my fast picking turns to mud, seems I am forced to play doom until I can upgrade

dont go crazy here

You can do fine with cheap preamps.
Its not like someone can play too fast, so the transients dont get amplified

aramism · February 16th, 2011, 05:43 AM

i'd think a more fair comparison as far as similar class pres would be api vs great river. one of these days i'll do something similar with a reamped track as i have both.

in my experience without posting samples i'd say that the api is certainly a beast but in some applications i've always felt the great river to have a little more brightness and bite in the right frequencies to stand out in a mix. it depends on the genre i guess. api is smoother a little bit. hopefully next week i can have something to post.

on edit: recently i had a project where i couldn't decide which one to use and ended up using both on separate sides of double tracking.

Trevoire520 · February 17th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Wow quite a difference there. Definitely more mud in the focusrite.

Would love to hear how the GAP Pre 73 holds up against these two.

Genius Gone Insane · February 17th, 2011, 02:56 PM

I figured API would sound a little better but that's a pretty big difference.

MarcusD777 · February 18th, 2011, 01:31 AM

Lasse have you had any issues keeping the API preamps at a reasonable level on the outputs into your converters when driving them for extra color and distortion with drums?? I know these bad boys run super hot soo I'm looking for a means to tame the line level signal out out the API into the Fireface 800 running at +4 dBu... Are there any line level attenuators that don't affect the tone like some mic pads would?? The input pads of the API would seem to defeat this purpose of running them hot for color on the ouputs ...

February 15th, 2011, 05:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lasse Lammert HCAF Blitzkrieg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7,116	API VS Focusrite Here's the promised shootout of the API preamp vs the Control24 Focusrite preamps. of course the API is more detailed and 3d...clearly wins by a mile, still the Control24 preamp is definitely usable API Control24 __________________ Contact me about Reamping Mixing Mastering Drumediting (special UM rates)  Lasse Lammert Drumsamples My Band's FB...LIKE IT, BITCH!

February 15th, 2011, 05:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jarkko Mattheiszen The FU guy. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lappeenranta, Finland Posts: 6,305	The API seems to have quite a bit more depth, but I can't see myself not being able to use the Control24 preamps perfectly happily judging from these clips, especially with a modern hi-gain rhythm tone. Thanks for the effort man! __________________ WWW - FACEBOOK Recording - Mixing - Mastering

February 15th, 2011, 05:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jarkko Mattheiszen The FU guy. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lappeenranta, Finland Posts: 6,305	Out of curiosity, which API's are these? 512c's? 3124's? __________________ WWW - FACEBOOK Recording - Mixing - Mastering

February 15th, 2011, 06:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lasse Lammert HCAF Blitzkrieg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7,116	3124 __________________ Contact me about Reamping Mixing Mastering Drumediting (special UM rates)  Lasse Lammert Drumsamples My Band's FB...LIKE IT, BITCH!

February 15th, 2011, 06:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Soundlurker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,601	As usual, the API is quicker, tighter and with more bite. The Control24 is more dull and boomy. __________________

February 15th, 2011, 08:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Empathy James Archbold Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 736	brb, buying 3124's.

February 15th, 2011, 09:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
~BURNY~ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,286	I can imagine that C24 boominess being a problem. __________________

February 15th, 2011, 09:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lasse Lammert HCAF Blitzkrieg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7,116	well, I'll only be using the focusrites on hats and room tracks, triggers etc...perhaps bottom snare. I actually think the octopre preamps are a bit more analytic than the Control24 preamps..they're supposed to be the same though __________________ Contact me about Reamping Mixing Mastering Drumediting (special UM rates)  Lasse Lammert Drumsamples My Band's FB...LIKE IT, BITCH!

February 15th, 2011, 09:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
jipchen Max Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 2,252	I like the APIs better, too.. but it's not that big a difference to me, and it's not like the Focusrite preamps sound bad. Imho not worth the extra money but I am GASing for APIs nevertheless Damnit. __________________ - Forester Recording Studio - Contact me for Recording, Reamping, Mixing and Pre/Stem-Mastering -

February 15th, 2011, 09:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
Straight Shooter Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 54	Control24 vs. API. That's like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

February 15th, 2011, 03:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
Spectivum DisMember Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roaming Europe Posts: 57	I did not realize that there are speed issues with preamps, but the second part of the clip clearly shows it. So that's why my fast picking turns to mud, seems I am forced to play doom until I can upgrade

February 15th, 2011, 08:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
acappa The Metal Factory Studios Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 756	Hey Lasse! What you use to connect to the 3124´s?? I usually KD and Toms...how you manage such a high hot input of the pres??? __________________ THE METAL FACTORY STUDIOS RECORDING\|MIXING\|MASTERING GEAR: AMP: PEAVEY 5150 II\|XXX CABS: MESA 4x12 V30 FX: TC G-MAJOR 2\|ASTONE OD\|MXR PHASER\|DIGITECH CHORUS\| I/O: FOCUSRITE LIQUID SAFFIRE 56\|SSL Alpha AX 24 I/O PREAMPS: API 3124\|SSL VHD\|CHANDLER GERMANIUM\|TLAUDIO FAT TRACK\| OUTBOARD: DISTRESSOR\|NEVE 8803 ST EQ TC POWERCORE SYSTEM 6000\|UAD-1\|SSD 3.5\| DAW: SONAR X1 PE MONITOR: ADAM A8X MICS: NEUMANN TLM 103\|ATM 450\|SHURE SM7B\|AKG 414\|OKTAVA 012\|AUDIX D6\|D4\|D2\|I5\|SM57s

February 15th, 2011, 11:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
MarcusD777 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 187	Just picked up an API 3124, and RME Fireface 800 w/ Focusrite Octopre via ADAT to record the drums for the new The Empire Shall Fall album... Eager to here how the API sounds. Either going to go Snare, and 3 Toms with the API or 2 OH's, Snare, Room. Will probably use the Octopre and RME pres (hh, ride and rooms etc) Lasse, what are your findings with the API and Octopre on drums soo far??

February 16th, 2011, 12:00 AM	#17 (permalink)
lolzgreg Cereal Shipping Sneapster Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Beach, New York Posts: 4,085	My guess is that Mr. Small is going to be replacing all of the drums, so shoot for 2 OH's, Snare, Room. __________________ www.thetomatofarmstudio.com PM me for Reamping, Mixing, Mastering, and Custom Impulses. Amps: Baron K2 Bogner Ecstasy 101B Hughes and Kettner Triamp MKII Fortin Modded EVH 5150 III Fortin Modded Randall RD50 Fortin Natas Marshall JVM410H Peavey 6505 Cabs: Engl Pro 412 (V30s) Freyette Fatbottom 2x12 Marshall Mode Four 412 (K100s) Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 412 (V30s) Splawn 412 (G12Ms) Clients: The Empire Shall Fall, Eskimo Callboy, Fallbrawl, 26, Vanisher, AeneA, Burials...

February 16th, 2011, 12:23 AM	#18 (permalink)
arv_foh Brian K Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,466	goddamn I have GAS for some API so bad __________________ Audio Engineering, Graphic Design, and Photography www.btkaudio.com www.btkphoto.com

February 16th, 2011, 03:26 AM	#19 (permalink)
Lasse Lammert HCAF Blitzkrieg Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7,116	definitely put OHs and snare (at least top) on the APIs. the octopre preamps sound good for toms, hats etc, no need to worry about that __________________ Contact me about Reamping Mixing Mastering Drumediting (special UM rates)  Lasse Lammert Drumsamples My Band's FB...LIKE IT, BITCH!

February 16th, 2011, 05:43 AM	#22 (permalink)
aramism Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,422	i'd think a more fair comparison as far as similar class pres would be api vs great river. one of these days i'll do something similar with a reamped track as i have both. in my experience without posting samples i'd say that the api is certainly a beast but in some applications i've always felt the great river to have a little more brightness and bite in the right frequencies to stand out in a mix. it depends on the genre i guess. api is smoother a little bit. hopefully next week i can have something to post. on edit: recently i had a project where i couldn't decide which one to use and ended up using both on separate sides of double tracking.

February 17th, 2011, 02:16 PM	#23 (permalink)
Trevoire520 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 3,412	Wow quite a difference there. Definitely more mud in the focusrite. Would love to hear how the GAP Pre 73 holds up against these two.

February 17th, 2011, 02:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
Genius Gone Insane http://www.¯\(°_o)/¯.com Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 4,659	I figured API would sound a little better but that's a pretty big difference.

February 18th, 2011, 01:31 AM	#25 (permalink)
MarcusD777 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 187	Lasse have you had any issues keeping the API preamps at a reasonable level on the outputs into your converters when driving them for extra color and distortion with drums?? I know these bad boys run super hot soo I'm looking for a means to tame the line level signal out out the API into the Fireface 800 running at +4 dBu... Are there any line level attenuators that don't affect the tone like some mic pads would?? The input pads of the API would seem to defeat this purpose of running them hot for color on the ouputs ...