John Hardy Mic Pre Question

RedWallStudio · 21st August 2007, 09:58 PM

I own a mid 80’s MCI JH636. As much as there are so many nay sayers about the console, it works for me and I’m happy with it, with one glaring exception; the mic pre’s are absolutely horrible (toms sound like a duck that has just been shot). So I use mostly outboard pre’s (API 312’s and a racked pair of Neve’s). I’ve been considering getting some of the John Hardy pre’s that can be swapped out for the MCI pre’s on the channel strips. Have any of you guys used these and what were your thoughts? I’ve heard that they are very transparent, which may be a nice contrast to the color of my API & Neve pre’s. So, what say you?

Karl J · 27th August 2007, 06:09 PM

I put a pair of them in my 636. They are trasparent, nice pres. MUCH better than the stock MCI (duh). I have a pair of API 512c that I use a lot and I think the Hardys go well with them.

Unfortunately they took a while to get and I wasn't happy with the service I got. Otherwise I'd buy more.

bgrotto · 27th August 2007, 06:13 PM

Yup. The Hardy stuff is very cool. I believe you can also find pres by Avalon and API that fit in those desks.

Also look into the Forsell stuff. I remember hearing that he was making some really cool tube (!!!) stuff for those boards.

bdmctear · 27th August 2007, 07:49 PM

Also, ask Jim Williams about his Audio Upgrades transformerless preamp for the MCI. I have an older 400 series console. I am not at all unhappy with the pres, consequently. They sound fantastic to me, only, I don't need 32 of them. I am considering 4 Hardy's down the line as well as 4 Audio Upgrades. The latter are very inexpensive.

Fishmed · 27th August 2007, 07:54 PM

I had an MCI 416 with one chan upgraded to John Hardy. I used that chan for just about everything I could. Had I kept the board, I would have had another chan or so upgraded.

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21st August 2007, 09:58 PM	#1
RedWallStudio Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 606	John Hardy Mic Pre Question I own a mid 80’s MCI JH636. As much as there are so many nay sayers about the console, it works for me and I’m happy with it, with one glaring exception; the mic pre’s are absolutely horrible (toms sound like a duck that has just been shot). So I use mostly outboard pre’s (API 312’s and a racked pair of Neve’s). I’ve been considering getting some of the John Hardy pre’s that can be swapped out for the MCI pre’s on the channel strips. Have any of you guys used these and what were your thoughts? I’ve heard that they are very transparent, which may be a nice contrast to the color of my API & Neve pre’s. So, what say you? __________________ "Are you men the police?" "No ma'am, we're musicians"

27th August 2007, 07:49 PM	#4
bdmctear Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 384	Also, ask Jim Williams about his Audio Upgrades transformerless preamp for the MCI. I have an older 400 series console. I am not at all unhappy with the pres, consequently. They sound fantastic to me, only, I don't need 32 of them. I am considering 4 Hardy's down the line as well as 4 Audio Upgrades. The latter are very inexpensive. __________________ B www.minerstreet.com www.myspace.com/minerstreetrecordings www.myspace.com/bitterbitterweeks

27th August 2007, 07:54 PM	#5
Fishmed Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 406	I had an MCI 416 with one chan upgraded to John Hardy. I used that chan for just about everything I could. Had I kept the board, I would have had another chan or so upgraded. __________________ -Fishmed

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27th August 2007, 06:09 PM	#2
Karl J Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 79	I put a pair of them in my 636. They are trasparent, nice pres. MUCH better than the stock MCI (duh). I have a pair of API 512c that I use a lot and I think the Hardys go well with them. Unfortunately they took a while to get and I wasn't happy with the service I got. Otherwise I'd buy more.