Classic api - VP26 & VP312DI (audio samples)

[ScumBum]

I wanted to start a thread to post all my audio samples of the VP26 and VP312DI mic pres . Classic Audio Products of Illinois For those that don't know about them , they are 500 series pres that can be bought in kit form to build yourself (very easy to build , complete step by step instructions for the VP26) , or you can buy them fully assembled . They are my FAVORITE 500 series pres because of three things , the price , the customer service (you can pm Jeff here on gearslutz and he'll answer any question ) and last and most important THE SOUND . These pres sound ANALOG ! For the first time I don't mind recording to Pro Tools because these pres give me a VERY analog sound . These pres smooth out all the digital crap . But remember this is just my opinion and everybody hears differently . Red Dot DOA's are used in all the samples .

[ScumBum]

Heres a comparison between the VP26 and VP312 Overhead , two KSM32's in the same spot , one running to a VP26 and one to a VP312 , into Digi002 converter .

Same thing for the Black Lion Audio Converter files , but instead of overhead placement , front of Kit .

CAPI-Drums-BehrADA8000 = KSM32 - VP312 - Overhead , SM7 - VP26 - Kick , 57 - VP26 - Floor Tom , Behringer ADA8000 .

KSM32-BehrADA8000 = KSM32 - VP312 - Overhead - Behringer ADA8000 .

[ScumBum]

Bass.........

Bass - G&L 1000 - VP312DI - Black Lion Audio Sparrow

Bass-002Converter - same bass , but one take with the FET1 plugin and next without it , into Digi 002 Converter .

[ScumBum]

Direct Guitar..........



Les Paul - VP312DI - Black Lion Audio Sparrow

[ScumBum]

Distorted Guitars..........


57 - VP26 - Black Lion Audio Sparrow Converter

[Snatchman]

Sounds good..Vocals..?

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by Snatchman

Sounds good..Vocals..?

I will have some soon .

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by Snatchman

Sounds good..Vocals..?

recorded some vocals and acoustic guitar tonight and will post tomorrow .

[junior]

Cool thread - thanks for sharing! I'll give 'em a listen tonight...

[ScumBum]

Vocal.............

[ScumBum]

Acoustic Guitar...........

Same performance , two KSM32's , one into a VP26 and one into a VP312 . Black Lion Audio Sparrow Converter .

[ScumBum]

Ukulele..........

[Heartfelt]

Thanks for this. In anticipation, I am weighing the diff's between those two. I expected the VP26 to be dark, considering all the feedback here.

[down_town]

Thanks for samples ScumBum! just wondering what mics you used to record the vocals and acoustic guitars?
cheers

[ScumBum]

SM7 vocals and KSM32 acoustic guitar and Ukulele .



Everybody , post what you think about the differences you hear between the VP26 and VP312 . Which one you like .


When I get "the Missing link" , I'm gonna post more samples of having it in the signal chain and without it .

[radiospace]

Which op-amp does your VP-26 have in it?

[ScumBum]

After doing all these , the one thing I've notice that sets them really apart is that the VP26 has the smaller 2623-1 Output Transformer which compresses the sound in a really nice way . When I hear the VP312 clips it sounds good but I want to grab a compressor . The VP26 clips don't make me feel that way . They sound more like an album , less work in the mix . Kinda like working with tape............

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by radiospace

Which op-amp does your VP-26 have in it?

They all have SL-2520 Red Dot's .

[benversluis]

Thanks for posting this. Never heard of these guys but after listening to your samples, I'm sold...

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by benversluis

Thanks for posting this. Never heard of these guys but after listening to your samples, I'm sold...

This is EXACTLY why I started this thread , if you want the BEST "api sound" , get the Classic api pres .

Now I wanna tell my experience , remember this is "MY OPINION" of the modern 512c mic pre , if you love your 512c thats great , but this is what I personally think of them .

Always wanting the "api sound" I finally bought some 512c's a few years back . Recording rock music I felt I had the holy grail mic pre . After a few years using them , I noticed my recordings were sounding harsh in the upper mids , highs . So I'd usually put an eq on the mix buss to try and tame some of that harshness . I blamed it on digital , my converters , or my mics . I thought I need ribbons , better converters and I even almost went analog . The 512c's never crossed my mind as the problem . Then I read the VP26 review in tape op . It looked cool , it was based on the vintage api 70's console . Searched more info online and I found ALOT of people saying the 512c's are harsh sounding . So then I realized maybe its the 512c's that I'm not happy with . So I sold them and bought classic api pres and the first thing I recorded with the VP26's , I was smiling , cranking up the volume and not cringing from harsh freqs . It all sounded more analog , smoother , better ! Finally recording to Digital was sounding good .

[msquared]

I think that it has more to do with the fact that the 512c was developed to work within an all tape environment after several years of other preamps that, for whatever reason, weren't quite cutting it. There are specific problems to solve with tape that the "harshness" probably balances out nicely, otherwise they wouldn't have maintained their popularity for so long. The CAPI gear on the other hand ended up being perfect for digital decades before digital was as widespread as it is. The fact that we're getting to play with it now is a happy accident and I doubt that quality of parts has as much to do with either situation as just differences in design.

[msquared]

Originally Posted by ScumBum

When I get "the Missing link" , I'm gonna post more samples of having it in the signal chain and without it .

I will be floored if anyone manages to make a recording with one of these mythical beasts. So far they seem to be so powerful that they make it impossible to post any kind of sound clips. Very impressive indeed!

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by msquared

I think that it has more to do with the fact that the 512c was developed to work within an all tape environment after several years of other preamps that, for whatever reason, weren't quite cutting it. There are specific problems to solve with tape that the "harshness" probably balances out nicely, otherwise they wouldn't have maintained their popularity for so long. The CAPI gear on the other hand ended up being perfect for digital decades before digital was as widespread as it is. The fact that we're getting to play with it now is a happy accident and I doubt that quality of parts has as much to do with either situation as just differences in design.

You know that does make sense . Going to tape the 512c probably works great with that extra boost in the upper mids and highs . But going digital it was not working for me .

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by msquared

I will be floored if anyone manages to make a recording with one of these mythical beasts. So far they seem to be so powerful that they make it impossible to post any kind of sound clips. Very impressive indeed!

You will be floored soon cause I'm getting one and I'm gonna post samples of before and after ..............

[drBill]

Originally Posted by msquared

I will be floored if anyone manages to make a recording with one of these mythical beasts. So far they seem to be so powerful that they make it impossible to post any kind of sound clips. Very impressive indeed!

In case you missed it, I posted THIS on a couple of other vp/528 threads. Lead Guitar thru vp26/528 combo.

[CeretoneAudio]

Originally Posted by drBill

In case you missed it, I posted THIS on a couple of other vp/528 threads. Lead Guitar thru vp26/528 combo.

That recording sounds funny.... or do I mean it makes me feel funny? I just don't know anymore

[drBill]

I forgot to tell you, never eat Thai food before listening to anything I've done.....

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by drBill

In case you missed it, I posted THIS on a couple of other vp/528 threads. Lead Guitar thru vp26/528 combo.

Hey drBill every time I click the links you posted for the Missing Link , they never load for me .

[ScumBum]

EDIT : The artist didn't want his song posted on here so I removed it . I'll post some of my own music soon .

[drBill]

Originally Posted by ScumBum

Hey drBill every time I click the links you posted for the Missing Link , they never load for me .

Weird. Works perfectly for me. Maybe right click and download??