Mic Pre Test with SM57 and Royer 101 - Chandler, API, Classic API

[jrod9900]

Originally Posted by gfunny72

You lean towards the little devil on clean? Where do you set you input gain and feedback?

I really like pushing the gain on the Devils. They really start opening up around 12 o'clock and on. On cleans I would say between 12 and 2 o'clock with the feedback around 1 o'clock. I rarely have my output past like 9 or 10 o'clock. There is so much gain in this thing.

You can get a thick driven sound or a nice warm clean sound. I really like the pre a lot. I really like the Classic API a lot too. Both are absolutely useable in many instances. I haven't tried the Classics on drums yet. I really like the Devil on snare. YOu can get whatever sound you want. I like a little drive on my snare.

JROD

[junior]

Originally Posted by jrod9900

I really like pushing the gain on the Devils. They really start opening up around 12 o'clock and on. On cleans I would say between 12 and 2 o'clock with the feedback around 1 o'clock. I rarely have my output past like 9 or 10 o'clock. There is so much gain in this thing.

You can get a thick driven sound or a nice warm clean sound. I really like the pre a lot. I really like the Classic API a lot too. Both are absolutely useable in many instances. I haven't tried the Classics on drums yet. I really like the Devil on snare. YOu can get whatever sound you want. I like a little drive on my snare.

JROD

I have a hunch you'll like that 26 on snare and toms!

[jrod9900]

Well, guess I'll have to put that on my to-do list. Just gonna be hard to take the Devil off it. LOL.

[Neily]

I used to have a rack full of *insert all the usual 500 series pres here*

I now have a rack full of Classic API stepped vp312s and couldn't be happier. Best pre's I've ever had... I want to get a bunch of the VP26s too as soon as I get some extra cash ... and some missing links.... I cant wait for the new EQ's to be released. Gonna buy a whack of those too!!! mmm!

Basically I want everything classic api makes...

[Fishnmusician]

Originally Posted by jrod9900

Gar2520

I'd like to hear the difference between it and the red dot.

JROD

Before you sell the 512's you might wanna plug a Gar into one. It could be a drastic difference.
When I first tried a Red dot in my API 212L I couldnt believe it (after a good burn in). It beat all my other pre's with the Folcrom, including JCF Lever.
Before swapping the Red dot, the stock 2520 was un usable in that application.
So I tried the red dot in 225L compressor, but didnt like it.
I think there are some Gar/Red dot comparison files in here somewhere.

[jrod9900]

Originally Posted by Fishnmusician

Before you sell the 512's you might wanna plug a Gar into one. It could be a drastic difference.
When I first tried a Red dot in my API 212L I couldnt believe it (after a good burn in). It beat all my other pre's with the Folcrom, including JCF Lever.
Before swapping the Red dot, the stock 2520 was un usable in that application.
So I tried the red dot in 225L compressor, but didnt like it.
I think there are some Gar/Red dot comparison files in here somewhere.

Cool, guess I may have to try that. I'm really thinking about a pair of the 312s. How you guys digging them? How do they compare to the VP26s and 512s? I hear they are a little smoother, more open, and a bit more high end.

JROD

[dysenterygary]

Thanks for the shootout jrod! I feel like the odd one out, because I definitely liked the chandler the best. Its so mid forward it almost sounds like its already eq'd and ready for a mix.

[jrod9900]

Very true. I love the Chandler on Guitars. It really helps with EQ. Its great for rock bass too. Snare. Yuuup.

It's really hard hearing something like this shootout, but it isn't in context. The mix will be a whole different story, but hey, more tools in the tool box. LOL

Glad someone appreciated it!

JROD

[twitme]

Thank you for spending the time to do this test! Recently I've been researching mic pres quite a bit in thinking about adding to my current collection: FMR RNP and Groove Tubes Brick.

Listening to sound samples online I wasn't finding much that really impressed me until I hit upon a shootout that included the Chandler Germanium. I fell in love immediately. That's* what I wanted my preamp to do. From others' posts on the pre it sounded like it probably wasn't the best choice for my only high quality pre, so I started doing more research and fell in love with the Little Devil, in theory, before hearing it in practice. This led me to your thread.

I downloaded the samples and blindly ordered them based on my liking of the sound (disregarding the challenge of naming which was which). My 1st choice was the 57/vp26. Second choice 101/vp26. Third/fourth the standard API and decidedly in last place was the Little Devil. I know there's a lot you can do with the controls of that box, so I wouldn't write it off for the future, but based on your samples I am definitely more interested in the sound of the vp26. Sine I love DIY/soldering I've decided to pick a kit up (and probably an API 6b lunchbox to get into the 500 series game), and keep the Germanium on the radar for when the wallet is a bit more full.

I would note that I don't think your API 512s were a waste of money at all. They still sound excellent.

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by twitme

Thank you for spending the time to do this test! Recently I've been researching mic pres quite a bit in thinking about adding to my current collection: FMR RNP and Groove Tubes Brick.

Listening to sound samples online I wasn't finding much that really impressed me until I hit upon a shootout that included the Chandler Germanium. I fell in love immediately. That's* what I wanted my preamp to do. From others' posts on the pre it sounded like it probably wasn't the best choice for my only high quality pre, so I started doing more research and fell in love with the Little Devil, in theory, before hearing it in practice. This led me to your thread.

I downloaded the samples and blindly ordered them based on my liking of the sound (disregarding the challenge of naming which was which). My 1st choice was the 57/vp26. Second choice 101/vp26. Third/fourth the standard API and decidedly in last place was the Little Devil. I know there's a lot you can do with the controls of that box, so I wouldn't write it off for the future, but based on your samples I am definitely more interested in the sound of the vp26. Sine I love DIY/soldering I've decided to pick a kit up (and probably an API 6b lunchbox to get into the 500 series game), and keep the Germanium on the radar for when the wallet is a bit more full.

I would note that I don't think your API 512s were a waste of money at all. They still sound excellent.

Try a BAE 500 series rackmount box.

[jrod9900]

Originally Posted by twitme

Thank you for spending the time to do this test! Recently I've been researching mic pres quite a bit in thinking about adding to my current collection: FMR RNP and Groove Tubes Brick.

Listening to sound samples online I wasn't finding much that really impressed me until I hit upon a shootout that included the Chandler Germanium. I fell in love immediately. That's* what I wanted my preamp to do. From others' posts on the pre it sounded like it probably wasn't the best choice for my only high quality pre, so I started doing more research and fell in love with the Little Devil, in theory, before hearing it in practice. This led me to your thread.

I downloaded the samples and blindly ordered them based on my liking of the sound (disregarding the challenge of naming which was which). My 1st choice was the 57/vp26. Second choice 101/vp26. Third/fourth the standard API and decidedly in last place was the Little Devil. I know there's a lot you can do with the controls of that box, so I wouldn't write it off for the future, but based on your samples I am definitely more interested in the sound of the vp26. Sine I love DIY/soldering I've decided to pick a kit up (and probably an API 6b lunchbox to get into the 500 series game), and keep the Germanium on the radar for when the wallet is a bit more full.

I would note that I don't think your API 512s were a waste of money at all. They still sound excellent.

Well, I'm glad you got some use out of them. I've been doing a lot of tracking lately with all my pres (along with some Shadow Hills Mono Gammas too). I was really stoked with the VP26s at first by themselves. However, I have since really learned what they do and their true sounds.

I will describe the VP26 as being very loose when compared to the others. That doesn't mean I'm saying it is good or bad. I keep going back to the Chandler for that tight, thick, and warm sound. I alos just did some reamping with the VP26s and Devils for a mix, and I ended up going with the Devils. They just dit better for this modern rock tracks. The VP26 was a little more gushy if I could use that term.

I really is just a different color to paint with. And regarding my 512s, I don't regret buying them. I have been getting a lot of use out of them. I ended up using the on some clean and light drive guitars, and they worked swimmingly. I was happy.

Now, I just need to keep adding more tools... Donations are accepted. ;-)

Jrod

[TrueNotes]

I though the little devil #5 sounded the best. Right away I knew #5 was the LD chandler. I was laughing when you announced the results.....
I use LDs myself so I recognized the sound. FAT and CLEAN......

[John Peacock]

I think the most amazing thing about this shootout is the fact that switching between two pres that are at least in the same family (The VP26 and the API 512) had a more drastic sonic difference (at least to my ears) than switching the mic between a $100 dynamic and a $800 ribbon.

[jrod9900]

Yeah, funny how that works. I always want to hate the 57, yet I use it on every record!

Jrod

[twitme]

I hate to be cross-posting guy, but I'm going to be cross-posting guy. Since reading this thread I've purchased and built a vp26 and a vp312DI. I did a preamp comparison you might be interested in, including both the gar2520 and the Red Dot:

Discrete Op-Amp shootout.

In a couple weeks I'll be adding SGA SOA 2 and Whistle Rock ML918 to the shootout.

[jrod9900]

Oh my gaaawwwwddd... We have a cross-poster!!!

Sweet, I wanna check this out. Rteally curious!

Jrod

[loveyoumaxin]

I think #1 is just quick catcher.
It accrues ear fatigue.
#4 is endlessly good for me.

[jrod9900]

Don't even remeber what that is. I think I know... Maybe...

JROD