Hey guys!
Well the P501 came through my town! I recorded a bunch of voice over using my Schoeps CMC641 and SM7b. Since I mostly record with the Schoeps I played with that mic most. Firstly, let me disclose that the only other pres I had to compare with were the Purple Biz and Pendulum Quartet (obviously not 500 series). I have used tons of other pres in my career, but never side by side. In this case, I only wanted to compare what I tend to use everyday. My regular setup for VO type recording is Biz->Quartet EQ-> Quartet Comp->Protools. This typically sounds great for most people.
For this test I tried the P501 in different stages. First I recorded with the pre only and found a juicy level. Then I tried to match the level going through the Biz. As just preamps they both sound really good. The Biz has too many ways to tweak input/output gain and dual switch so I just left it at the setting I normally use. Anyway, there were differences, although only engineers could tell or care. In this case I preferred the P501 because it presented the takes with slightly better definition and presence. I don't know what those 'neve' type 500pres sound like to compare, but this pre sounded nice and 'in the pocket'. When going back the Biz I thought the takes sounded good, but less definition and more bassy. I think the design philosophy behind most of the Purple stuff is for nice fat bass stuff anyway, so I wasn't too surprised. At this point I wasn't gonna compare the Quartet pre since I knew the tube sound would be warmer and less defined anyway. Don't get me wrong, the Quartet has a nice tube pre, but the extra warmth with this mic pairing sometimes add too much 'wool'.
Next I left out the Biz and focused on checking out the limiter and compressor section of the P501. I did a take at the same gain settings and engaged the limiter. The take was nice and slightly louder without any weird flattening. Then I threw on the comp at a .1ms attack and 6:1 ratio (this thing has auto makeup and release times). I would normally never track at a stronger compression level than 4:1, but this sounded really good! It was nicely compressed without pumping/sucking and the auto release and gain seem to work out nicely. I recorded a take with the ratio set to infinite:1 which I assumed would crush it. Well, it came out more compressed for sure, but horribly squashed? Not really, and in a good way. I don't know why you'd want to megacompress something like that, but I guess people do. At this level, the breaths sounded too sucked up and I hate that sound, but the rest of the VO was still usable. This leads me to believe you could probably compress more than you're used to and still get nice sounding results.
Just for kicks I paired the P501 with the infamous SM7b. I had to crank the gain higher than the Schoeps, but I think we all knew that was coming. However, this pre is nice and quiet with a low noise floor. I never record VO with this mic cos every pre I've used with it is just too noisy, or not enough gain, or both! This is the best pairing I've encountered when it comes to not sounding noisy. Compressed the SM7b sounded pretty good too. This module would definitely give me a reason to actually use the mic once in a while.
Other thoughts...
I love the knob colors and the meters are very useful! It's nice being able to see gain level and gain reduction at the same time. As usual, if I have the option, I always have the bass roll-off enabled. One thing I thought was strange was that in order to enable things like the comp, 48v, and limiter you have to flip the switch away from the marking. Suffice to say, I was like 'why're there no phantom!!?!' and 'why's there no gain reduction?!'. After reading the manual I was set straight. It was also interesting to find the attack times increasing going counterclockwise. I think for some hands, the switches might be a tad small.
Okay, I know I said I was gonna track three pres, and really only did two. I have tons of recordings with the old chain and variations. I went back and listened to a bunch of old projects versus the test recordings and the sessions I tracked with the P501 and confirmed what I wrote in the beginning. Clean, detailed, and smooth compression! I would almost say more detailed than my other chain. Man, this thing has me confused now cos it's so great that such a tiny module could have so many features and sound great. Makes me wonder if I had one full time, would I even use my other tracking gear?!
The only thing I would need would be an EQ! The sessions I tracked for actual clients left me not having to mix the VO except for EQ. Listening to old projects made me realize how much extra work I was doing, only to have things sound nice, but 'processy'. This was a very nice results without having to do a whole lotta post, besides editing.
Final thoughts...
Awesome! This unit fulfills almost all of my tracking desires and got me 75% close to a final mix, which is huge productivity leap!!! Honestly, the P501 provides so much functionality it kinda blows me away! Anything that makes my work easier is a godsend, not to mention if it sounds great that makes it all the more worth it. It seems lately that the 500 series has blown up in a crazy way, one that I cannot keep up with anymore. Prices have gone up on many units while only offering one or two features and seem to be slightly different variations on each other. The P501 does it's own thing and adds more to the package. Oh yeah, there's a DI, but I didn't even get to try it. Even if it sounds like crap (which I really doubt), it's definitely another cherry on top!
I'll have files posted in the next day or two. I would put up the whole PT session, but I'll probably just post up stems.
Many thanks to Warren and SafeSound for letting me check out the P501 and adding another layer to my GAS!!!
