Mic Preamp for Peluso 251

[MDM]

Hi there -

I am looking for a nice mic pre-amp for the Peluso 251 mic

I got a Tube Tech CL1B in the chain as well -

I use Metric Halo AD

I find that the Peluso 251 is on the edge of too brilliant

I 'd like to purchase a pre-amp that kinda soothes, smoothes the sound, making it less edgy and more ... well pretty

Any suggestions welcome - i am thinking between 1000 and 2000 dollars for a one channel preamp.

Please only suggest if you actually know the sound of this mic and not just because you love some kind of preamp very much - thanks

[kittonian]

Chandler LTD-1. It's become my absolute favorite mic-pre/eq.

[MDM]

interesting

so what about that Chandler Germanium ?

and what about Millenia ?

[markk]

I know alot of folks hate the dual m610 but if find it great on the 22 251.
I have the BAE 1073, GR 1NV, P-1 and API 512C pres and love them all but the M610 IMHO sounds the best with the 251 for my vox.
I choose The GR or P1 for my 2247 LE though.

22 251> Dual M610>1176>LA2A>Nuendo

[scdafunkyg]

Yeah, I have found the same thing in my quest for a mic pre for my 22 251. I do alot of RnB and have found that the Universal Audio stuff softens the 22 251 in a nice way ( I am trying out a LA 610 on an extended loan). Although I have been hearing so much hype about the Pacifica that I want to try it out as well. One thing though, I tried a Presonus ADL600 with the 22 251, but I didn't have too long with it. I am supposed to get it back next week and will do more extensive tests, but that one was really nice as well...kind of describes what you are looking for.

[woomanmoomin]

The A-Designs MP-2A is another valve pre that, judging from what people have said on here about it, would probably tame the 22 251's highs very nicely. Apparently it's pretty clear for a valve pre, too.

I have a couple of Siemens V276A pres on the way and I'm looking forward to trying one of them with my 22 251. I would prefer to use the mic with a solid-state pre if at all possible, and there are plenty of mellow-sounding vintage solid-state German pres (Siemens/Telefunken/Tab) that I can imagine might sound great with the 22 251 without adding tube colour to the signal.

I would also like to try it with something dark and Neve-ish like one of the Great River NV pres.

People say the Pacifica with the pad engaged has a vaguely Neve-ish quality, so I'd like to try that. I guess I might end up rolling off the highs at least a little, though.

[amd]

I use an A design Mp2a with the 22-251 and get great results. It is clean but not sterile and will tame harshness and thicken things up. I'm really surprised that this pre doesn't get more attention around here.

[MDM]

nice

anyone tried the Germanimum or the Millenia pre-amp ?

[MDM]

and oh :

I do a really spacious, clean type of music -

I really dislike any 'rock and roll'sound in my productions - (not that i dislike the genre, i love it

So there's no loud electric guitars, no drumkits and no loud screamy vocalists.

It's all beauty and pristine : acoustic instruments, percussion, feminine female vocals....

Light, space and beauty is what I seek - not edge....

Suggestions are welcome & appreciated.

[dwaynedelario]

I was running the 22 251 through a 1073DPD and an 1176 (very slight compression)...didn't like the sound at all even though, oddly, the soundelux 251 sounded great this way. I sh*t you not I plugged the peluso directly into a fireface800 on a whim and it tamed it...let it open up without so much sparkle. I am baffled too

[MadGuitrst]

It sounds good through the Sebatron.

[TonyBelmont]

I've probably used the 251 more than anybody on the forum. For what you are doing, I don't think the Pacifica or Germanium would be good choices in combination with the 251. The Pacifica can be a little too bright combined with the 251, and the Germanium is a little too colored for your "cleaner sound" tastes.

I've found time after time that the 251 sounds best through Neve-ish preamps, and that's what I would advise you to check out. I've had the best results with my Aurora GTQ preamp... it sounds equally impressive although slightly less open with my Neve 1073's. These types of pre's help round the edges out, and would make for a great combo with your CL1b.

You've got a great microphone.... With your budget? I would probably say a Brent Averill 1272 would be a good fit, and would leave you with enough cash left over to pick up a Peluso R14 to compliment the 251.

[henryrobinett]

I haven't used all kinds of pres with my Pelusos but I love the sound of the Millennia with them. That's my pre of choice and it fits like a glove.

[Dopamine]

I was just going to post about this! I got this mic a few months ago. LOVE IT, except that is is way too sibilant with my 737. So I too am looking for another pre. I was thinking about the Brent Averill API or maybe a Germanium.

Not much of a consensus here.

[amd]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

I was just going to post about this! i got this mic a few months ago. LOVE IT, except that is is way to sibilant with my 737. So I too am looking for another pre. I was thinking about the Brent Averill API or maybe a Germanium.

Not much of a consensus here.

Dopamine, I had the same experience with my 737 and the 251. If you want to check out the Mp2a/251 combo PM me - we live in the same area.

[FULL-DUPLEX]

Originally Posted by woomanmoomin

I have a couple of Siemens V276A pres on the way and I'm looking forward to trying one of them with my 22 251. I would prefer to use the mic with a solid-state pre if at all possible, and there are plenty of mellow-sounding vintage solid-state German pres (Siemens/Telefunken/Tab) that I can imagine might sound great with the 22 251 without adding tube colour to the signal.

Great choice the Siemens V276a!

[scdafunkyg]

Which Millennia are you pushing the 22 251 through?

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

I haven't used all kinds of pres with my Pelusos but I love the sound of the Millennia with them. That's my pre of choice and it fits like a glove.

[scdafunkyg]

Anyone try the 22 251 with a Neve Portico?

[johnmarkpainter]

I've used it a lot with an API and also a UA 2-610.

With the API you have to be very careful that it doesn't get too harsh.
With the UA it is much smoother but can require EQ depending upon the Singer.

jmp

[Dopamine]

Anyone try it on vocals through a Germanium?

[scdafunkyg]

Dopamine,

That's interesting with the 737 that you are experiencing sibilance. I would have thought with the 737 being tube and all it would actually soften it further. That's interesting. I am curious about the Great River stuff and definitely the API like yourself. I tried the Germanium, it was allright, but found it a little too grainy for my application (R&B). I found I wanted something a little cleaner.

Originally Posted by Dopamine

I was just going to post about this! I got this mic a few months ago. LOVE IT, except that is is way too sibilant with my 737. So I too am looking for another pre. I was thinking about the Brent Averill API or maybe a Germanium.

Not much of a consensus here.

[Dopamine]

<< I tried the Germanium, it was allright, but found it a little too grainy for my application (R&B >>

Hmmm, maybe the best pre (that won't break the bank) would be the UA610. I actually sold mine to get the Avalon.

[scdafunkyg]

Yeah, I have a LA610 right now. I am putting it through it's paces. I am looking at that Great River.

Originally Posted by Dopamine

<< I tried the Germanium, it was allright, but found it a little too grainy for my application (R&B >>

Hmmm, maybe the best pre (that won't break the bank) would be the UA610. I actually sold mine to get the Avalon.

[Dopamine]

Just bumping this thread. Still looking for an under $1500 (used) pre that sounds amazing on the 22 251.

I'm thinking about the UA 610, unless someone can recommend something better.

Thanks!

[shanabit]

Why not use the de-essing on the 737sp? Just a thought

[Dopamine]

<< Why not use the de-essing on the 737sp? Just a thought >>

Because I like using the 737's EQ.

These 22 251 mics are so popular on Gearslutz, but I've in sibilance hell ever since I've got mine. It really takes the fun out of engineering.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

<< Why not use the de-essing on the 737sp? Just a thought >>

Because I like using the 737's EQ.

These 22 251 mics are so popular on Gearslutz, but I've in sibilance hell ever since I've got mine. It really takes the fun out of engineering.

What other preamps have you tried with it? I think you should try to get a Neve type pre of some kind to listen to the 251 with(Aurora, BAE, etc)...

The 251 can be sibilant on some vocalist's... It wouldn't be my first choice on a person with a lisp.

[Wiggum, Ralph]

I'm with Tony on this one, look for a Neve-ish type pre for the 251.

I was working on a project where the studio only had 737 & 251 as there go-to combo. I really hated working with the 737sp especially with the 251. So I begged them to get a 1073 on rental, to alleviate the "sibliance". Well, when they finally got the 1073, it was the perfect compliment to the 251 sound. Night & Day Difference, IMHO

Ok maybe not night & day, but you get the point...

[radiospace]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

These 22 251 mics are so popular on Gearslutz, but I've in sibilance hell ever since I've got mine. It really takes the fun out of engineering.

Sounds like you need a new mic, not a new pre.

[Stu Gutz]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The 251 can be sibilant on some vocalist's... It wouldn't be my first choice on a person with a lisp.

Shay ... thatsh not a nicesh shing to shay! tutt