It isn’t that often that you find a mic-pre to really get excited about anymore. There have been so many crowding the market in the last few years that my response is usually less than enthusiastic. I’m probably your typical project studio owner. I’ve got my rack of pres that I’ve accumulated over the years and in my mind don’t really need to be looking for anything new. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it right?
A few months ago I received an e-mail from Nathan Eldred at Atlas Pro Audio, asking me if I would be interested in testing his new pre-amp offering, The Juggernaut. Being a Gearslut at heart, I couldn’t help but say yes, but in the back of my mind I’m thinking, “There is no way I’m spending any more money on another mic pre.”
I had almost forgotten about being in the test group for the Juggernaut when UPS dropped the package off at my door. I was in the middle of a session but couldn’t help but open the box and peak inside. Build quality on this unit is great, the de-tented controls feel extremely solid, and aid in quick recall of settings, also the button setup is pretty slick. The LED lit switches enable you to see exactly what’s engaged from across the room. The clip light worked in a similar manner.
The first test of the pre-amp was on a drum session. I had my old reliables on snare drum. My go-to is the Vintech X73i and if I want something a bit different, I just route the snare over to the Great River MP-2NV. These 2 pretty much serve me well in every circumstance. I had actually already tracked 5 songs when I brought the Juggernaut into the mix. Without mentioning anything to anyone else in the room, I patched over to it and started working. It immediately offered such an improvement, that the artist and drummer commented on the sound after the first pass. So much for a subtle change. I would describe it as a bit faster compared to the X73i, but also a little fatter, and less blocky. I found the best success with the Iron transformer in this situation, and the THD switch engaged. The clip light flashing here and there didn’t yield any audible distortion, just a more saturated (and better!) sound. Don’t be afraid to have it blinking now and then.
The second area I put this thing through the test on was bass. I wouldn’t describe this thing as even slightly clean with the iron transformer engaged. I was able to pull more growl out of it than even the Great River. I’ll let you judge for yourself though. Below are sound clips of various pre-amps.
The setup was as follows: Fender American P-Bass, Pre-Amp, Atomic Squeeze Box, Apogee AD-16X. I didn’t change any settings on the squeeze box from take to take, and adjusted the gain on the pre-amp to where I was seeing 4-5 dB of gain reduction.
Great River MP2-NV Mercury Audio V72 Atlas Juggernaut (Iron Transformer)
On the overall the final outcome of this demo was extremely positive, The nickel transformer didn’t really do to much for me personally but I really typically prefer a more colored sound and it does give the pre a lighter, more gentle side.
This isn’t really a pre-amp I would recommend for a clean scenario, but when it comes to color, between the variable impedence, THD switch, and 2 transformers, this thing offers a freakin’ rainbow. My Vintech will be on the classifieds soon if anyone is interested.
Cheers,
Jon King
Producer/Engineer
Smoking Gun Recording Inc.
Nashville, TN