Amek CIB vs separate pieces

How is the amek vs say an API pre/Avalon EQ/distressor? I'm trying to decide on a flexible front end

[davemc]

The one thing that stopped me buying the CIB was the EQ is before the comp. I normally work the other way around 80% of the time.
There are a lot of channel boxes out there, although the flexibility of having seperate boxes would probably the way I should of gone. As always just try them and see whay rocks you.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by davemc
The one thing that stopped me buying the CIB was the EQ is before the comp. I normally work the other way around 80% of the time.
There are a lot of channel boxes out there, although the flexibility of having seperate boxes would probably the way I should of gone. As always just try them and see whay rocks you.

Amek can actually wire it the other way around if you like(comp-EQ). On the board its actually like this(EQ-comp). Its like this in a lot of consoles.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by no ssl yet
How is the amek vs say an API pre/Avalon EQ/distressor? I'm trying to decide on a flexible front end

Ok lets see...

An API pre is like...$1000-$1200 these days(in a rack with power supply).

2) an Avalon EQ-$2300-2700-depends on who you purchase it from

3)Distressor-$1000-$1150-again depends on where its purchased

Total-$4300-$5050

An Amek CIB is about $2400 new. If you buy 2 it will be $4800.
You get (2)mic pre's instead of one. +Amek CIB

The EQ is a toss up. I've used both and have owned both.
I prefer the Amek EQ others prefer the Avalon. I think this is a toss up.

The Distressor is as flexible as you get, but there is only one.
The CIB comp is great, while not as flexible(or edgy) as the Distressor. Again you have 2 instead of one. I believe this is one is a slight edge to the Distressor(even though I prefer the CIB for vocals and bass).

So what do we have: one + for the CIB,one + for the Distressor and a tie for both.

What does this mean...let your ears decide.

Peace.

[davemc]

Yeah I did remember you could get the eq/comp switch done, although it still was not switchable back and forwards. It is also a long way from oz to US to get it done.

I agree with the Maths that is why I have a ISA430 its flexible for vocals.
Although I have been thinking of getting a LA2 or Tracker for vocals , so I would then have to split the comp out for use elsewhere, and then get the other comp to go in before the EQ.
So for future building it becomes a bit more tricky, then seperate units. As I like the eq/desser in the ISA but the comp is good not fantastic. The dual out clean and eq/comp/etc is cool though.

Although there are other options in the US for channel boxes like Pendulum, Manley and API box. Which I could not get here, oh the Manley I could if I wanted to buy before I try and pay the larger mark up on prices here but I digress.

[NathanEldred]

Nothing against the CIB, but Distressors rock. They are essential in the rack IMO, especially if you are short in that department. BTW, the price has been lowered on Empirical Labs to January 2001 cost.

[AudioGaff]

When I was shopping for eq I was seriously leaning toward the Avalon eq over a pair of Focusrite ISA 110's but ended up getting 2-CIB's for about the same price. Mostly use the CIB's just for the eq, but the mic pre and comp is a great extra value and I have needed that extra value from time to time and the clients are impressed with all those lights, buttons and knobs...

[C.Lambrechts]

I remember trying the CIB when it came out like what (1.5 years ago or something like that ??? maybe longer) ... anyhow ... I did NOT like it at all. I can't be much more specific about it but what I do remember is that I did a pure pre test back then ... bypassing whatever dynamics and eq was on the testing equipment and the CIB came out last. Other gear I put it up against was an avalon M5, a manley pre, focusrite red pre, probably some others but can't remember which ones .... anyhow .... the pre sucked compared to the others.


In another test I assisted at a friends studio it also was a contender. This time as a 'channel in a box' test. 2 others there ... a focusrite ISA producerpack and an avalon 737. Again ... the CIB came out last. My friend ended up buying 2 producerpacks.

What is the difference between the CIB and the 9098 pre/eq (besides the obvious compression and the ablilty of the CIB's to be summed as a console)???

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by no ssl yet
What is the difference between the CIB and the 9098 pre/eq (besides the obvious compression and the ablilty of the CIB's to be summed as a console)???

The CIB pre is the same as in the console(9098I), while the pre in the 9098pre/eq isn't. Its a big difference, almost night and day. The pre in the 9098 DMA is also much more open. The 9098pre/eq is no slouch either( alot of great vocals were recorded with it), but its just not as open. I liked the EQ alot.

[C.Lambrechts]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
The CIB pre is the same as in the console(9098I), while the pre in the 9098pre/eq isn't. Its a big difference, almost night and day. The pre in the 9098 DMA is also much more open. The 9098pre/eq is no slouch either( alot of great vocals were recorded with it), but its just not as open. I liked the EQ alot.

What thrill says. I don't use the pre in the 9098 all that much ... my partner loves it though. The eq in the 9098 is a topper.

[e-cue]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Ok lets see...


2) an Avalon EQ-$2300-2700-depends on who you purchase it from
An Amek CIB is about $2400 new. If you buy 2 it will be $4800.
You get (2)mic pre's instead of one. +Amek CIB

The EQ is a toss up. I've used both and have owned both.
I prefer the Amek EQ others prefer the Avalon. I think this is a toss up.

Wouldn't an Avalon 737 be a better comparasion in this case? If so, the 737 blows the CIB away in every area (including price) except the pre in the 737, imo. Amek makes great gear, I just find myself constantly disappointed considering the company's history, it's connections with Rupurt, etc...

[Steve Smith]

FWIW, I have a CIB and I absolutely love it when I loke it, and hate it when i dont ( which is rare) really flexable and I super dig it.

As far as the comp eq order... I almost allways comp then eq, but i have never run into trouble with the CIB, I just assign the comp to the MIC chain, the EQ to the LINE chain and patch on the bay mic out to line in. Maybe this freas some folk out, but my ears are cool with it.. maybe I should add myself to the "gear that sucks" thread?

[Ted]

Well,

I love my 72 chnl 9098i. There may be better but I'm perfectly content thus far.

Thanks,
Ted.

[Kamurah]

I just bought a 9098 DMA a month or so ago.....and so far I truly love it.

It has a great focused sound with good headroom. Have been using it almost exclusively for vocals and it really brings out the best in my mics. (my voice is another matter)

I think a lot of boutique audio is very much an "Emperors new clothes" community. People say they love something one month...then aren't thrilled with its sound the nest. Vintage or Modern....clean or colored....tube or solid state....the trends change almost like the fashion industry. I noticed this phenomenon when doing research for my pre. I would do review and opinion searches on all the sites, boards, etc. I could find. Well the reviews would start out (and not just for the 9098, but for other units too...including the CIB, the Avalon 737, etc) They would start out, say in 2000 with people saying "This is the best mic pre / EQ / Compressor / insert outboard piece here that I have come across....the sound is totally professional and it sounds like units costing Xtimes its price" Everyone would recommend it...and it would be on all the "A" lists....you know....the short lists people spew out when giving gear recommendations to unsuspecting neophites who ask a "Which pre should I buy" type of question.

BTW I love the "it sounds like units costing 5X its price" quote....what does that mean anyway? lol

Anyway....the hype would build and build and everyone seems to jump on the bandwagon....and then, maybe a year later some well known user or dealer will say something like "well yes I think that unit is OK...but it isn't the bees knees that everyone says it is"....and then we start the slope toward perigee...where everyone starts to talk less favorably about the unit. It's all very amusing and you can document the rise and fall from stardom of a piece of gear rather accurately.

I guess my point is: the CIB is a serious piece of gear. I don't think you would have to apologize for it in any context....and you should be able to get great signals out of it (if you put great signals into it)
Hell, you put a turd through a Neve or SSL...and all you have is a well recorded turd (and a large studio bill)

In the end...you should choose your gear on YOUR needs and YOUR ear...not what I or anybody else likes or dislikes about a particular unit...and not based on the current fad or trend in the industry.

My +/- .02db

Sorry for the ramble

[NathanEldred]

You probably have seen that reaction because there is a lot of serious new gear that has come out since 2000 that sounds great. Of course it's subjective, we all have our favorites.

[Musiclab]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
The CIB pre is the same as in the console(9098I), while the pre in the 9098pre/eq isn't. Its a big difference, almost night and day. The pre in the 9098 DMA is also much more open. The 9098pre/eq is no slouch either( alot of great vocals were recorded with it), but its just not as open. I liked the EQ alot.

Actually the real difference is there are transformers in the CIB and there are "transformer like amplifiers" in the original pre/ eq. I wonder which way it is in the console. But those eq's either way are pretty great. especially on kick and bass

[Steve Smith]

I think the console uses both tranny and tranny-like

[Ted]

It does.

Thanks,
Ted.

[Ted]

Steve,

Sorry I haven't called yet. I've been very busy. I will call you later.

Thanks,
Ted

[whoomusic]

I got my first one in 2004 new and bought another in 2008 used and paid more . I have heard all this talk- good and not as good... All I can say is that it does what I need it to do for my recording needs and does it beautifully! I even love the compressor. Sometimes having too much good equipment makes one overlook the possibilities of a single piece.
Ahh, that brings me back to 1975 I had nothing but a 4 track reel and a 2 track mixdown a tascam model 3 and I went to the moon...

[nukmusic]

WOW...from the grave it comes

but you did search vs creating a new post. big ups

[whoomusic]

I reason I replied to this thread is when you Google a review, this is one of the first to show up so, it's still quite active for info.thumbsup

[andychamp]

When I have a mix where everything's fine, but the bass just won't fit in (badly played/recorded, shitty dynamics, etc...), I strap the CIB across the bass channel/group and go to town on it until it works.

It's not my go-to channel strip, but definitely a life-saver.

p.s.: to get the comp BEFORE the EQ, just patch the mic out into the line in and switch the EQ to the Line path, no need to send the unit to Amek for modifications

[Musiclab]

In the mix it lives on the snare top track, with the MM button engaged on the compressor, I really like what it does to the snare. I've heard people say they didn't care for the comp but with the MM button on it's real nice

[GYang]

Despite CIB and DMCL (that I find more useful in general than CIB) were one of my very first high-end gears, after adding many more I still keep them. Not the best, but very good, useful workhorses.

[kingofswing]

+ more love for the Amek CIB

I love using the EQ for bass, kick and snare. Very good filters. I enjoy the compressor with the &MM switched in - a nice warm sound it brings.