Gutsy and Powerful

[cbastriani]

is what i'm looking for in a preamp for keyboards(hopefully multi-channel). I'm looking for something with impact and kick. Any input?

[Doc Mixwell]

API 3124+ is a MUST HAVE for this application,
It most certainly features the "punch" and "kick", along with a great depth and detail.

I would also look at the Great River MP-2NV for a really musical D.I that will be a staple in your studio for years to come for this purpose.

Also, another thought would be the Chandler LTD TG-2. This would be a great way to go for a very colored texture with gobs of forward midrange!!

Can't go wrong with the API 3124+!!

peace
mixwell

[cbastriani]

does the chandler mini mixer also provide the forward midrange?

[cbastriani]

oh and hows about low end on those? Lookin for tight and punchy.

[raal]

you're getting some nice suggestions, but i usually use my V72s for keys. plenty of weight. only have 2 channels though.

[cbastriani]

well i'm looking for weight WITH the other stuff, not just weight alone

[raal]

Originally Posted by cbastriani

well i'm looking for weight WITH the other stuff, not just weight alone

well if you count the rack it's in, it weighs about 150lbs!!!! sorry, couldn't resist.

by weight i meant the 'weight' it imparts soundwise. gives alot of punch (impact and kick) to anything going through it. i really like it when using digital keyboards. fattens things up nicely. hope this helps some.

[cbastriani]

exactly who's v72 are u talkin about?

[Brad McGowan]

I've been having good luck using the DI inputs on my A Designs P1 and Pacifica for synths. I also like using the Chameleon Labs 7602 because I can engage the high pass filter on the EQ section and lop off unwanted low end that all synth patches seem to have gobs of.

Brad

[gsqd]

Mono = Keyboard > Reddi > Pacifica or one of our Trak2's (depending on mid range needs) > A/D

Stereo/dual channel = Keyboard > Pacifica > A/D

Occasionally stuff a 77 or SOC in there for sheer weight and mojo.

<GM>

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by cbastriani

is what i'm looking for in a preamp for keyboards(hopefully multi-channel). I'm looking for something with impact and kick. Any input?

Multi-channel preamp for keyboards... Well, this is the High End Forum, so I will tell you what in my opinion is the best unit regardless of budget... Try a google search for Aurora Audio GTP8.

[u b k]

tab v78.


gregoire
del
ubk
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[cbastriani]

Btw I should prolly say i'm doing RnB inspired stuff, so thats the kinda sound i'm lookin for. Think prince/seal/timbaland....ish

[fontenele]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Multi-channel preamp for keyboards... Well, this is the High End Forum, so I will tell you what in my opinion is the best unit regardless of budget... Try a google search for Aurora Audio GTP8.

WOW tony I got to say YOU ARE GOOD !
I googled it , and guess what ? The only direct sales page of the Aurora Audio GTP8 are yours.
Good job !

[cbastriani]

Bandicoot

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by fontenele

WOW tony I got to say YOU ARE GOOD !
I googled it , and guess what ? The only direct sales page of the Aurora Audio GTP8 are yours.
Good job !

Being an Aurora dealer, it's not surprising I would show up somewhere. But, I also sell a lot of other different brands.. so what does that have to do with anything? You could not listen to me because I'm a dealer, and look elsewhere and miss out on a potentially great piece. It doesn't matter to me. It's not my loss.

If you do a search on google, there are also reviews/tests and a you tube video from a comparison done at Grandmaster Recorders (all things that I had nothing to do with...).

It's the only really great 8 channel preamp I know of... for the criteria being asked for.

Originally Posted by cbastriani

Btw I should prolly say i'm doing RnB inspired stuff, so thats the kinda sound i'm lookin for. Think prince/seal/timbaland....ish

The GTP8 would be perfect for this type of music. I've used the GTQ2 (the 2 channel version) for years and do a lot of R&B and Hip Hop.

Timbaland tracks through Neve pre's (which is what the Aurora stuff is most similar to), Prince did a lot of stuff on an API, and I don't know what Seal is recorded through...

Hope that helps.

[dubrichie]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

It's the only really great 8 channel preamp I know of...

what about the...

SH GAMMA 8?

ATI 8MX2?

True Systems Precision 8?

Millenia HV-3-8?

Grace m801 and m802?

AMS-NEVE module racks, with 8 modules?

API 8-space 500 Series rack with, um, 8 preamps in it?

Helios Type 69, uuum, 8-module rack?

DAV BG-8?

Focusrite ISA-828?

Tonelux V-8, with, uuuuuuuuuum, 8 preamps?

Crane Song SPIDER?

UA 8110?

SPL Gainstation 8?

Vintage Design, with, CRIKEY! 8 modules in a rack?

SSL X-Rack with, you'll never guess, 8 preamp modules in it?


BESIDES, OP did not state in how many RU they would like to have 8 preamps.

SOOO... if it's 2 RU, as many of the above 8-in-1-box solutions occupy, then we could also include all of the 4-channel, 1 RU units available. just buy TWO of them!


like...

Wunder PA-Four?

API 3124?

Daking MP-IV?

GML 8304?

Lavry Blue?

John Hardy?

Rupert Neve Portico?

PRISM Maselec?

Earthworks?


i must admit that i have not used most of the above listed units, but i do contend that each and every one of them is considered of very high quality by at least some experienced and skilled engineers whose tastes in such matters are every bit as relevant as Mr. Belmont's.

all of which which means that they may fit the bill JUST as well as the Aurora GTP-8.

they can certainly answer the question just as well anyway.

shit, there's a whole heap and a half of others out there that are "not generally regarded as high end" and which as such i did not list... which even I know about and, really, in the grand scheme of these things, i know SHIT!

go figure.

sorry Tony, i just had to call you on it. seems to be the done thing these days...

[dubrichie]

hang on, i do apologize, i just re-read the thread and discovered that the OP did NOT in fact state a necessity for 8 channels of preamp in 1 unit.

they just asked for a "multi-channel" unit.

my point remains intact regardless. in fact, it may even be bolstered. hurrah!

as you were...

[ArcCirDude]

Originally Posted by cbastriani

is what i'm looking for in a preamp for keyboards(hopefully multi-channel). I'm looking for something with impact and kick. Any input?

May I suggest one of the best, (in my most very humble opinion as an owner of an extensive selection of modern and vintage keyboards) .... drumroll please.... the AURORA AUDIO GTQ2!!!! And it comes in a multi channel format, as well! But if you want to save some greenbacks just get yourself a great quality line mixer (Speck, Rane SM82, etc..) and run all your synths through the GTQ2 and (dear god help me...) "phaten" up all your synths...who am I to stop you?

And I don't deal shit except for knowledge.... (although spiced with a little opinion based upon 30 (dear god help me again...) years or so experience).

[Sqye]

.

lol......gary

.

[ArcCirDude]

Sqye! My man!! 'Sup? The snows have already entrenched me, up here. Yours is coming! Haha! I'm looking forward to the holidays back in the states! Micro breweries, wood fired pizzas... Faux wood fired pizzas... It's all good!

[dmb10]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Multi-channel preamp for keyboards... Well, this is the High End Forum, so I will tell you what in my opinion is the best unit regardless of budget... Try a google search for Aurora Audio GTP8.

THESE types of posts always make me realize these forums are made up of way too many boutique gear pushers. People read posts like Tony's and then repeat on another thread, that its the BEST 8 channel pre-amp, without ever hearing it. Viral marketing...nice. It is starting to get out of hand with mercenary and High Profile, Soundpure...etc.

But...to all of their credit - this type of marketing WORKS, and most of the companies would have much less success without gearslutz. Please don't reply to this post defending yourselves either. I get it. So do a lot of people here. We just choose to ignore it. You are however leading uneducated consumers into major $ purchases that benefit you more than the consumer. SERIOUSLY, does this person need a FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR preamp for "punchy" sounds? No. High end or no high end. The name of the forum isn't "overpriced".

-Jeremy

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by dubrichie

i must admit that i have not used most of the above listed units, but i do contend that each and every one of them is considered of very high quality by at least some experienced and skilled engineers whose tastes in such matters are every bit as relevant as Mr. Belmont's.

all of which which means that they may fit the bill JUST as well as the Aurora GTP-8.

they can certainly answer the question just as well anyway.

shit, there's a whole heap and a half of others out there that are "not generally regarded as high end" and which as such i did not list... which even I know about and, really, in the grand scheme of these things, i know SHIT!

go figure.

sorry Tony, i just had to call you on it. seems to be the done thing these days...

I think the GTP8 is the best 8 channel preamp out of all the units you mentioned for the stated application.... The original poster asked for GUTSY AND POWERFUL... Not clean and transparent like the Millenia or Crane Song.... and most of your suggestions either aren't even a multi-channel mic preamp or don't have instrument inputs. As a side note, I am also a dealer for most of the products you mentioned including ATI, Millenia, Crane Song, API, SSL, Wunder, etc.

I find it funny that some of the very same people who the original poster is noting as similar to his sound HAVE SEEKED ME OUT FOR THIS VERY SAME TYPE OF ADVICE... Yet, I come on gearslutz and give the very same recommendation I would give to a Timberland, etc and my posts are looked at as spamming....

Maybe I'm qualified to answer the question? I believe it is something he should at least look at..... either way, I don't see why I have to be beat up on this forum.

What did I do that was so wrong by recommending him look into a piece of gear that might be something he's interested? I told him to do a google search, because there just isn't much info on GS about the piece... Other than this: Aurora GTP8 and GTQ2...SLAMMIN!!

Originally Posted by dmb10

THESE types of posts always make me realize these forums are made up of way too many boutique gear pushers. People read posts like Tony's and then repeat on another thread, that its the BEST 8 channel pre-amp, without ever hearing it. Viral marketing...nice. It is starting to get out of hand with mercenary and High Profile, Soundpure...etc.

But...to all of their credit - this type of marketing WORKS, and most of the companies would have much less success without gearslutz. Please don't reply to this post defending yourselves either. I get it. So do a lot of people here. We just choose to ignore it. You are however leading uneducated consumers into major $ purchases that benefit you more than the consumer. SERIOUSLY, does this person need a FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR preamp for "punchy" sounds? No. High end or no high end. The name of the forum isn't "overpriced".

-Jeremy

I recommended a piece of gear that I feel is the best for the stated application with the limited knowledge of the situation given. I'm not marketing a product... I don't own the company that manufacturer's it, and I am not the only dealer. I didn't start a thread saying... "Hey guys this is the greatest (insert product here), etc."

I was simply answering the question as honestly as possible.

What is the big deal people? Do we not have nothing better to do on a Friday night than give me a hard time? Is this helping the original poster?

The question was ... "a preamp for keyboards(hopefully multi-channel). I'm looking for something with impact and kick."

I'm guessing someone with keyboards (key word being plural), and asking for MULTICHANNEL, would want something with SEVERAL CHANNELS of pre. If he wanted stereo, he would have asked for stereo, so that immediately leads me to believe he wants more than 2... and I assumed he would want more than 4. Otherwise, the typical question would be what is the best stereo or 4 channel preamp... Maybe it was wrong to assume he wanted more than 4 channels.

I gave the best information based on the limited knowledge I was given with the original post.

Why I have to be chastised for this I don't know....

I don't have the energy to do this with people anymore... seriously, this type of stuff is so counterproductive and unnecessary.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by dubrichie

UA 8110?

i'm just getting to know the 110, and i'm starting to think it's one of the biggest sleepers in these waters. very analog, gorgeous saturation, damn good value (especially used).


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[dubrichie]

Tony, you have as much right to your opinions and to express them here as anyone else.

BUT

you're statement that "It's the only really great 8 channel preamp I know of..." is TOTAL BULLSHIT.

DI inputs and being subjectively "gutsy and / or "ballsy" aside, it is UNMITIGATED TOTAL BULLSHIT and insulting to the intelligence of the rest of us.

i'm not on a witch hunt. i have gleaned a great deal of very useful information from many gear dealers on these forums, but that particular statement, in the context of this thread, was NOT such useful information and TOTALLY out of order.

the rapidly increasing amount of such bullshit and subsequent bickering and bombast on GS is really lowering the value of the forums and FAST. it is becoming harder and harder to cut through it all and as such less useful and enjoyable to be here.

which is a damn shame.

shit, i just caught a glimpse of a mirror and whaddayaknow, now i'm part of said bickering... when all i want to do is talk about and learn about gear, recording, mixing, making music and to ENJOY doing so.

i'm outta this thread, have at it.