Shadow Hills GAMA 8

[drewrevolution]

Looking at getting one of these. $5G is a pretty heavy price, but I'm willing to do it if these claims are right about them.

Does anyone own or use these? How are the switches from Nickel to Iron. Does it really make it 2 different pre's in each channel that are both good sounding?

Thanks for any help!
-Drew

[TEMAS]

Originally Posted by drewrevolution

How are the switches from Nickel to Iron. Does it really make it 2 different pre's in each channel that are both good sounding?

I think the difference is subtle to say the least. Much less than the difference between any of the Gama settings and my Phoenix DRS.

But thats not to say I don't find the transformer options useful, because I do. And I also like the continuity of having 8 channels the same; it makes it more like using a console because you know each channel is gonna behave the same. And it also sounds and feels great in use.

I think people make a bit too much fuss over the flavours of different preamps, and if you really want to have dramatic options at your disposal I'd look into buying more instruments, mics, eqs and compressors.

[w2w]

I think people make a bit too much fuss over the flavours of different preamps, and if you really want to have dramatic options at your disposal I'd look into buying more instruments, mics, eqs and compressors.

I think the difference is subtle to say the least. Much less than the difference between any of the Gama settings and my Phoenix DRS.

I think these are great points.

I owned a Gama 8 and it seems a bit too hyped about the difference between the settings.HOWEVER: It is a great unit that sounds great,and the build quality is Excellent.I believe Peter will really have some exciting new products in the future,someone to keep an eye on.I have not seen too many unhappy reviews of any Shadow Hills gear,its nice stuff.That was one of the things I liked about the Gama 8...eight channels of the same pre,and it all sounded great.

[TEMAS]

Originally Posted by w2w

I owned a Gama 8

So did you sell yours?

One question I've been meaning to ask Peter or other users .......... does the ouput transformer switch affect the DI input or just the Mic-Pre input? I've been using the DI inputs (for synths) much more than the mic inputs, and I can say quite honestly that I can not hear any difference at all when switching between any of the output settings when using the DI input. Can anyone comment on this?

[drewrevolution]

Hmm,

This is good feedback so I thank you all very much so far. I'm basically wanting to get 8 solid channels in my studio that are clean, but do have a warmth to them. I don't really want the infamous stacking haze of thick channels though so a balanced sounding channel would be amazing.

Is this the unit for me? It's between this and 2 API 3124+

Best,
Drew

[jomo1234]

If you're looking for an 8 channel unit, it's hard to go wrong with the GAMA 8. Even at the 5K price point, you're only paying $625/channel for a world class pre.

The differences in the standard transformer options are subtle, but the longer I own it, the more I can distinguish them and find uses for each. My unit is custom (St' Ives options and some other transformers), but considering what you get, it's a damn bargain.

[w2w]

So did you sell yours?

Yes...Only because I bought another console & I like to use the console pre's.(another reason I liked the Gama 8,using the same pre)

I would buy another Gama 8 in a second,its a great box.I just dont subscribe to the school of needing a different pre for every track,some people do,and thats cool too.

You wont regret buying anything with the name Shadow Hills on it.

[drewrevolution]

i would also like to have 6-8 of the same pre to keep a constant tone, but do you think this is a better deal than getting (2) API 3124+?

[seaneldon]

regarding the price, yeah, it's actually pretty cheap when you break it down. they sound cool as hell, too. and they have more than one sound. so they sound cool as hell in multiples.

[AlexLakis]

You could always go the lunchbox route, and add API 312s and Shadow Hills Mono Gamas as you see fit...

[w2w]

Thats a very subjective question,whats a "good" deal....price,value,sound quality,resale etc........API's are fantastic too.....do the math.....depends on what your budget is.....your best bet:(here it comes...)...Listen to them both & decide.....2nd question:...Its not always possible,etc......Check around local studios & call em up & book a few hours & try them out on different sources,you can learn a lot....you will get tons of replies here on this....all different.....Dont decide off of what others like....I know it gets old,you really just have to listen yourself....$5K is a nice little chunk of $$$ to spend on something you never even listened to.....

[jomo1234]

The 3124 is a fantastic pre and would certainly can't go wrong with 8 channels of it, but IMHO, the GAMA 8 is an even better pre.

Originally Posted by drewrevolution

i would also like to have 6-8 of the same pre to keep a constant tone, but do you think this is a better deal than getting (2) API 3124+?

[IPLayHamers]

Originally Posted by jomo1234

The 3124 is a fantastic pre and would certainly can't go wrong with 8 channels of it, but IMHO, the GAMA 8 is an even better pre.

Yeah, what he said.

I'm gonna check out a friend's GAMA on Friday, so I'll let you know what I think.

[canderson]

Originally Posted by drewrevolution

Looking at getting one of these. $5G is a pretty heavy price, but I'm willing to do it if these claims are right about them.

Does anyone own or use these? How are the switches from Nickel to Iron. Does it really make it 2 different pre's in each channel that are both good sounding?

Thanks for any help!
-Drew

As you can see by my avatar, I'm just a BIT bias when it comes to Shadow Hills Industries and the GAMA 8.

5G's IS a pretty heavy price, and you are asking about both the Nickel and the IRON setting so I gotta tell ya.. . ...

the IRON transformers option is an EXTRA to those 5G's....so depending on whether you go 2 or 4 IRON transformers ($575 extra for 2 and $900 extra for 4) your correspondingly talking about $5.5 and $5.9 G's...excluding shipping.

If you are feeling really trepidatious about dumping that much money into one piece, then I would consider at this time getting into the 500 series as there are a myriad of options. Just bear in mind that the MONO GAMA does not have the option to have the IRON transformer installed in it.

Why have you narrowed it down for yourself as being just between the GAMA 8 and 2 3124's?

When you say "$5G is a pretty heavy price, but I'm willing to do it if these claims are right about them," what "claims" are you speaking to?

canderson

[Shadow Hills]

The DI is effected by the output transformer switching.
Thanks for the complements.
Peter Reardon

[TEMAS]

Originally Posted by Shadow Hills

The DI is effected by the output transformer switching.

I thought it must be.

I've been running all sorts of stuff through the DI and Mic Inputs over the last couple of days to get to the bottom of this. The Nickel does sound a touch brighter than the others, and I'd say the Iron is the least bright.

How would you describe the difference - is it more of a dynamic thing or tonal or both?

Thanks. (Sorry to be a pain!)

[bongo]

The transformer switch is subtle. I hear almost no difference when I solo a single track. I hear bigger differences when I listen to the whole track. I've learned what transformer I like on certain instruments. The Nickle seems a little airier and the Steel a little more mid-rangy.
I've done many jazz recordings with this with great results.
I'm glad I bought it when they were $3995! I knew that wouldn't last.

New is the new vintage!

[trustyjim]

I've got one of these on order now with the Iron option . I'm really stoked because these will be my first high-end pre's other than some Seventh Circle units. I wanted to get a number of good input channels to complement my upgrade to Pro Tools HD, and the GAMA just seemed to fit the bill. I haven't heard it first hand, but I will definitely post on here when it arrives. It's supposed to be coming in mid March

[pigpen]

On some instruments the difference is subtle...on others, not so much for me. Snare and guitars esp. I have found quickly what I dig on what, but it is always only a flip away to hear something different. API does not have that option. I am in no way saying that I would not love to have 8 API's.I had a 124 I sold to buy y Gama 8. However, the fact is that I too like having a more consoley type vibe. I actually have the Gama 8 and the Equinox so I am running 10 channels of Gama daily. Pretty cool....and when you go to mix, you just have this "feel". Of course the Equinox is a big part of that, but I really fell that it is the parts coming together as whole.
I dunno...maybe I gotta stop smokin crack...

[lucey]

some Gama 8 porn ...

[Tetness]

The Gama8 kills. For the money, you can't beat it.

[arpodthegreat]

Originally Posted by jomo1234

If you're looking for an 8 channel unit, it's hard to go wrong with the GAMA 8. Even at the 5K price point, you're only paying $625/channel for a world class pre.

The differences in the standard transformer options are subtle, but the longer I own it, the more I can distinguish them and find uses for each. My unit is custom (St' Ives options and some other transformers), but considering what you get, it's a damn bargain.

this has pretty much been my experience with the unit. i find that the nickel is noticeably brighter. between steel and iron is more subtle. i have not used the discrete much at all though it would be nice to record a few tracks and see how it sounds with several tracks.

i agree with the idea that it's sounds great to record through the same pre. everything has a sound that glues together and mixing is really fun. that's not to say that i don't want to get my hands on a germanium or a pendulum.

[seawell]

I love my Gamma 8. I find myself using all 4 settings quite a bit. Iron is great on guitars, vocals, snare, kick, toms, drum room mic. Nickel for vocals, acoustic guitar, clean guitars, toms, kick, drum overheads. Steel for guitars, snare, toms, acoustic guitar, vocals. Discrete for drum overheads. I really like being able to audition different sounds so quickly.

[aryschien]

I just got my Gama Mono. I think I'm getting a Gama 8 with the Iron transformer option.

I really regret the days that I haven't heard a Gama pre. All three transformers on the Gama Mono are awesome.

First I A/B tested the Gama Mono with another pre. All three Gama beat that other pre, like you guys said in English, eating the other pre for breakfast.

The maker of the Gama pres loves music, and know what people love about good sound! And the three colors he design simply cover most of the tracks we're going to have during mixdown.

Roughly speaking, the Nickel enhances the highs and add a bit low, the Discrete is the most neutral, and the Steel has less high but with a more meaty mid and also add a bit low like the Nickel.

All three bring out details in the sound, and are very musical. The Steel has less detail then the other two, but it's alright for sounds that need to be meaty.

I tried a lot of source, and this is how I feel about the three transformers so far:

[Nickel] acoustic guitar, electrics guitar on upper part of the sound field
[Discrete] acoustic piano, rhodes, acoustic bass, electric guitars in the back
[Steel] DRUMS!!!!!! electric bass, electric guitars in your face and as the foundation of the rhythm part of the mix

I haven't heard about the Iron, but if I'm going to buy the Gama 8 in the end, I'd sure order the option. The fourth can't be bad when the other three are this good.

[aryschien]

One thing I forgot to mention in the previous post:

I also A/B/C tested them with my Brent Averill 1073 and 312a. Still can't say 100% for sure that the Gama Mono is in the same league, due to the fact that this is the first day I got it, but I'd say the worst senerio would be 100:100:95 if not as good. To me the difference in sound quality is so subtle that I wouldn't want to care, with the versitility of the three different sounds from the Gama.

(The part I still have to be sure about is the resolution, focus, depth and how fast it can be compared to the BAE 1073 and 312a. I'll do some more tests later.)

I believe a Gama 8 would be one of the greatest thing an ITB mixing user can have. I myself have worked ITB for years, and know very well what I want to enhance my ITB mix.

Now I only wish that there were a Gama 16 summing mixer. The Gama 8 doesn't sum, and with the Shadow Hills 32-channel summing box you have to apply one of the three transformer options to all 32 channels. A Gama 16 summing mixer that allows you to choose different transformer for each channel would be heaven.

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by aryschien

Now I only wish that there were a Gama 16 summing mixer. The Gama 8 doesn't sum, and with the Shadow Hills 32-channel summing box you have to apply one of the three transformer options to all 32 channels. A Gama 16 summing mixer that allows you to choose different transformer for each channel would be heaven.

... you mean like the Shadow Hills Hyperion described here?

behold:

SH Hyperion

DP

[The MPCist]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

... you mean like the Shadow Hills Hyperion described here?

behold:

SH Hyperion

DP

Yep, Dave's right. Gama 8 > Hyperion should solve your problem.

As for me, I'd say go for the Equinox since if you're mixing, you already would have tracked thru the Gama 8 anyhow so you can just use the Equinox's transformer options as an overall flavor.

[aryschien]

Hi Dave and MPCist,

Currently I'm using the Manley 16x2 mixer, so I believe that adding a Gama 8 would be enough (well, half of enough for it's 8 gama for 16 channels) for me.

I can't wait for a product that no one know when it will be available. As MPCist might know, our album should had been released two months ago....

As for tracking with the Gama Mono, I'd really like to wait for the mixdown time to decide which of the three transformers I'm gonna use for which track.

I'm still thinking about it. Haven't made my decision. Would love to hear anything from Shadow Hills, by the way. (I've e-mailed them.)