Wunder Audio PAFOUR or API 3124?

stresstour · 10th June 2007

Which one do you like for all around mic pres if you wanted to add 4 at a time?

dillweed · 10th June 2007

The gain structure seems perfect on the wunders. drums usually get the lowest or second to lowest setting...works great. i guess if you were recording a 747 close up you'd need a pad.

Api's you need the pad on for recording drums...kind of a drag in my book.

wunder's sound thick, really neve'ish with extended lows and highs. api's sound great, kind of plain jane, but nothing wrong with them.

they both work great. it's going to be a personal pref. thing.

chandlersonic · 10th June 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pegleg

Personally I'd prefer a lunchbox with 512s over the 3124... bigger transformer

I find the APIs to be a little punchier/ thicker / a little fuller lo-mids (which a friend calls 'muddy').

My biggest complaint on the Wunder is the lack of a pad. With high output mics you'll need in-line pads

Why exactly would you pick the 512s over the 3124? I'm curious as I always found they're pretty much interchangeable.

alnico · 10th June 2007

The Wunder PA4 could use a trim for fine tuning maybe but I can't say I've had any overloading with any of the variety of mics I've used with it. There's something I like about the mids (PEQ1R=EQ not engaged) that keeps me coming back to it for vocals. It's got a sweet grind when you drive it too.

stevetgn · 10th June 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pegleg

Personally I'd prefer a lunchbox with 512s over the 3124... bigger transformer

Is this true?

gabetx26 · 10th June 2007

I have both units and love them equally. If I had to choose one for "all around" use I would probably go with the the API based on utility purposes and price. For me it's just easier to use. The gain knob is not stepped so you can do fine tweaking, the pad switch is a plus when working with loud sources(somtimes have to use a line attenuator on the Pafour), and the LED VU meter is also helpful. I know some people might think those reasons are miniscule but to me a great pre is a great pre, both will hold their own in any application IMHO. Even though they do have different sonic characteristics they're not dramatic enough to make me choose one over the other based on that. Either way you go you'll be making an exellent choice

.

Daedalus77 · 10th June 2007

I've not used the Wunder, but I can make a couple comments on the API.

• Someone else may know for certain, but I don't think there's any difference in the 512 and 3124 transformers. From what I've heard, they're interchangeable. I've used both, at least, and they sound the same to me.

• Regarding the pad issue: While the API does indeed have a input pad, what it benefits from most is using an output pad, such as an A-Designs ATTY. In my experience, drums sound great with my 512s overdriven (blinkin' red), but this often overloads the converters, so an ATTY allows a mitigated level going into the DAW. Also, in my experience, the input pad on the API changes the sound in a way I don't like, so I tend to avoid it.

Hope this was helpful.
David

max cooper · 11th June 2007

Get both. The Wunder is a lot more dynamic and "in your face" than the API, in case that's what you want.

10th June 2007	#1
stresstour Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 487 Thread Starter	Wunder Audio PAFOUR or API 3124? Which one do you like for all around mic pres if you wanted to add 4 at a time?

10th June 2007	#2
dillweed Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tx. Posts: 289	wunder!! The gain structure seems perfect on the wunders. drums usually get the lowest or second to lowest setting...works great. i guess if you were recording a 747 close up you'd need a pad. Api's you need the pad on for recording drums...kind of a drag in my book. wunder's sound thick, really neve'ish with extended lows and highs. api's sound great, kind of plain jane, but nothing wrong with them. they both work great. it's going to be a personal pref. thing.

10th June 2007	#7
Daedalus77 Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,645	On APIs and the pad... I've not used the Wunder, but I can make a couple comments on the API. • Someone else may know for certain, but I don't think there's any difference in the 512 and 3124 transformers. From what I've heard, they're interchangeable. I've used both, at least, and they sound the same to me. • Regarding the pad issue: While the API does indeed have a input pad, what it benefits from most is using an output pad, such as an A-Designs ATTY. In my experience, drums sound great with my 512s overdriven (blinkin' red), but this often overloads the converters, so an ATTY allows a mitigated level going into the DAW. Also, in my experience, the input pad on the API changes the sound in a way I don't like, so I tend to avoid it. Hope this was helpful. David

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10th June 2007	#4
alnico Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 484	The Wunder PA4 could use a trim for fine tuning maybe but I can't say I've had any overloading with any of the variety of mics I've used with it. There's something I like about the mids (PEQ1R=EQ not engaged) that keeps me coming back to it for vocals. It's got a sweet grind when you drive it too.

10th June 2007	#6
gabetx26 Gear nut Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 87	I have both units and love them equally. If I had to choose one for "all around" use I would probably go with the the API based on utility purposes and price. For me it's just easier to use. The gain knob is not stepped so you can do fine tweaking, the pad switch is a plus when working with loud sources(somtimes have to use a line attenuator on the Pafour), and the LED VU meter is also helpful. I know some people might think those reasons are miniscule but to me a great pre is a great pre, both will hold their own in any application IMHO. Even though they do have different sonic characteristics they're not dramatic enough to make me choose one over the other based on that. Either way you go you'll be making an exellent choice .

11th June 2007	#8
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	Get both. The Wunder is a lot more dynamic and "in your face" than the API, in case that's what you want.