High end mic pre users...tube or not to tube for tracking analog synths?

[Jazzpunk]

Curious what mic pres other analog synth owners are favoring for tracking their synths? I currently have a 1973 Fender Rhodes and Moog Little Phatty. As I will be adding a PEK and Omega 8 in the upcoming months it is time to start seriously considering a quality mic pre.

I feel like a tube pre would be the best choice for the Rhodes but I'm not so sure on the Phatty or the Omega synth.

Ultimately, I'll need to figure it out for myself but it's always fun to hear what others are diggin'.

Thanks!

[AlanTide]

We have Logic in our MIDI suite where all keyboards are located. When we transfer sequences into Pro Tools (main room), we do it one track at a time. We have Logic slaved to Pro Tools MTC. Every track is run through high end preamps before it gets into Pro Tools. We have a Vintech 273, 2 Vintech X73's, 2 Avalon 737sp's, A Universal Audio 2-610, 2 API 512b's, and a Neve 33114. We choose different pre's for different instruments etc. In the near future, I am gonna add more tie lines out of the MIDI suite so we can do more tracks at the same time through each of the preamps. Friday, I ran the Little Phatty through the API and it sounded awesome! You could get 2 API 512c's and a lunchbox for around $1500 or so, I would guess. However, there are TONS of nice pre's out there to choose from. Hope this helps in some small way.

[Jazzpunk]

Thanks for the response Alan. Out of curiousity what have you found the UA 2-610 to be good on?

[AlanTide]

So I used it on everything. Every stereo synth I had went through it before going into my DAW. I even take the extra time to run my vst instruments through it and convert them to audio as well. I use the 2-610 on overheads for real drum alot as well.

[Meriphew]

I use mainly API 312's, though i sometimes go through my GT Vipre. Both sound wonderful, which reminds me that I want to pick up a Wunder PA Four eventually.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Meriphew

I use mainly API 312's, though i sometimes go through my GT Vipre. Both sound wonderful, which reminds me that I want to pick up a Wunder PA Four eventually.

Ever a time when you feel the tubes on the Vipre are too beefy for synths? That one is definitely on the list of contenders (though wish there was a stereo version) but may be overkill for my needs.

[Jazzpunk]

Anyone else? I know you guys who've invested in expensive modulars, Omega 8's or racks of vintage keyboards aren't recording directly into your computer's I/O...you aren't right?!

[ShaneFontane]

I run my Omega 8, Phatty and MPC through the API A2D, which is 2 312s and a converter. Sounds loud and clean as a fvckin whistle to me. You can run the input a bit red for some more color.

[Jazzpunk]

Thanks for the reply Shane. That API looks pretty sweet. That along with the Manley Stereo Tube DI could be an interesting combo.

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

Ever a time when you feel the tubes on the Vipre are too beefy for synths?

Not really. Sometimes I just prefered the API's.

[Led]

I've got a fair few vintage synths. I track most of them through a pair of 1272 originals. The synth are all on my patchbay.

[HIGHENDONLY]

I wonder how they would sound threw a manley slam? anyone ever try that

[yoshimodular]

Old thread.

I own a Slam. Nice sound for synths. I prefer most of time crushing the DI inputs of my VP1

[OurDarkness]

The SLAM! is awesome. I want it, too.

@the OP: get a Manley TNT (Tubes - No Tubes). Thank me later.

[ctrlshft]

Great River ME-1NV for my Moog LP, Tom O SEM, DSI Tetra, love it.