Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - More mileage from: pre-amp or good plugins?

babydaddymusic · 13th January 2010

Thank you guys for the replies
That API I have, it contains parts from a console that were put into a rack casing.
A buddy had to make it as part of his grade here at the Belmont school of music. I am not sure how "real" it is in terms of how the parts that he had to put in, like transformers, etc...
There is no metering, and the pre is HOT, and I mean HOT. Even with the 10db pads on my mics AND the pad on the pre, I can barely turn the gain up past 9:00.
I mic my kit with a four mic, Glyn John placement, and you can hear which side of the two OH has the API on it. There is a ton of punch, and presence that the other pre doesn't provide.
I will say that the first vocal recording I did through the API made my 3035 sound much, much better than the 3Q ever had. I was shocked at the difference. It was hard to lose my vocal in a fairly lush rock mix, and it reminded me how important the front end is.
Are you guys of the school that either get a grace 101 or RNP or go balls out and get into the 500 series and or don't bother with anything under a grand?
I guess for all intents and purposes I have an API mic pre, which is really cool. But really, I only have one really good pre, and I guess that's the issue.
The only thing I record more than one channel at a time is when I play drums, so...
A part of me wants to just buy a $400.00 API lunchbox and just start saving for a 512c, and maybe a chandler or GR NV
Another part of me says, a UA 110 or Daking, or that 700 dollarish range will be a step up compared to the other 3 pres I have (I am including the pres on my Apogee Duet).
I trust my ears, but I haven't had the benefit of seeing how some of these units suss out in a 20 track rock mix. Some guys say, you can get a pre that sounds good on one or two tracks, but when you start "stacking" at mix time, you learn the difference between a 600 dollar pre and a GR, or API, etc...
I know for sure the API/Home Made pre makes my vocal sit in the beautiful pocket right on top of the music with no effort, and that it makes the side of the drums I use it on in stereo punchy and present with no effort.
But, it's a little too stark for acoustic guitar to my ears, which I record a lot of acoustic guitar in my music.
So, ARRGGGGHHH!
Any thoughts!
Noel

13th January 2010	#9
babydaddymusic Gear addict Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 324 Thread Starter 2 Reviews written	Thank you guys for the replies That API I have, it contains parts from a console that were put into a rack casing. A buddy had to make it as part of his grade here at the Belmont school of music. I am not sure how "real" it is in terms of how the parts that he had to put in, like transformers, etc... There is no metering, and the pre is HOT, and I mean HOT. Even with the 10db pads on my mics AND the pad on the pre, I can barely turn the gain up past 9:00. I mic my kit with a four mic, Glyn John placement, and you can hear which side of the two OH has the API on it. There is a ton of punch, and presence that the other pre doesn't provide. I will say that the first vocal recording I did through the API made my 3035 sound much, much better than the 3Q ever had. I was shocked at the difference. It was hard to lose my vocal in a fairly lush rock mix, and it reminded me how important the front end is. Are you guys of the school that either get a grace 101 or RNP or go balls out and get into the 500 series and or don't bother with anything under a grand? I guess for all intents and purposes I have an API mic pre, which is really cool. But really, I only have one really good pre, and I guess that's the issue. The only thing I record more than one channel at a time is when I play drums, so... A part of me wants to just buy a $400.00 API lunchbox and just start saving for a 512c, and maybe a chandler or GR NV Another part of me says, a UA 110 or Daking, or that 700 dollarish range will be a step up compared to the other 3 pres I have (I am including the pres on my Apogee Duet). I trust my ears, but I haven't had the benefit of seeing how some of these units suss out in a 20 track rock mix. Some guys say, you can get a pre that sounds good on one or two tracks, but when you start "stacking" at mix time, you learn the difference between a 600 dollar pre and a GR, or API, etc... I know for sure the API/Home Made pre makes my vocal sit in the beautiful pocket right on top of the music with no effort, and that it makes the side of the drums I use it on in stereo punchy and present with no effort. But, it's a little too stark for acoustic guitar to my ears, which I record a lot of acoustic guitar in my music. So, ARRGGGGHHH! Any thoughts! Noel