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9th July 2004
| #1 |
| Lives for gear  Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A.
Posts: 2,096
Thread Starter | Whats wrong with the 3124? I tried one the other day...can I record drums without the pads? Is this the big API drum sound everyone's talking about...cause I dont hear it... The pads change the sound a lot and compared to my 2022 the snare and kick is neither as open or big... The reason I almost bought it is because of YOU guys...whats the deal here? ...  |
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9th July 2004
| #2 | |
| Lives for gear  Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NJ
Posts: 646
| Re: Whats wrong with the 3124? Quote:
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9th July 2004
| #3 |
| Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 409
| API Y'know, I just tried the API 7600 channel strip and thought the pre on drums was great. Big and in-my-face on room mics, and powerful enough on kick that I could envision using just one mic instead of my usual two (one peeking in the head, the other a foot or two away facing the kit from another kick drum). The 7600 uses a 212, so I dunno if that helps. -E |
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9th July 2004
| #4 |
| Lives for gear  Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida
Posts: 7,130
 | Carry it through to a mixdown and tell us what you think. If were talking about guitar driven rock music...I think some hard hitting processing like a Distressor or saturated tape is going to be as essential as the preamp unless you want it exactly like standing in the room with the kit (as opposed to 'bigger' than reality). Also, what kind of mics are you using..what other preamps have you compared them to for a point of reference (besides the 2022?)...what's your room like...what kind of processing do you have at your disposal?
__________________ Nathan Eldred Visit Atlas Pro Audio USA Distributor for Buzz Audio Atlas Recording Studios, Inc. |
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9th July 2004
| #5 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego,Ca
Posts: 806
| Try padding the outputs and saturate the input....push those puppies into the red. when i first recorded with my 3124 i felt the same way......since i pad my outputs i can push the pre harder to give me that big sound that most people love. Ron Florentine Soundswest Studio |
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9th July 2004
| #6 | |
| Lives for gear  | Re: Whats wrong with the 3124? Quote:
I got some stuff like the TG-2 that is highly recommended here and I also got some stuff that seems to be more 'controversial' like the UA 6176 and the AKG 414-B/ULS. These boxes work great for me, YMMV. Andi | |
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9th July 2004
| #7 |
| Gearslutz.com admin  | I've never had an issue with the pad function... I use mine all the time.. With the pads in often...  To pad or not to pad that is the question... - Shakespear
__________________ Jules Add your reviews to the new reviews area! Gearslutz on Facebook Follow my GS picks on Twitter |
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9th July 2004
| #8 | ||
| member no 666  Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 9,464
| Quote:
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9th July 2004
| #9 | |
| Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 41
| Quote:
-John | |
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9th July 2004
| #10 |
| member no 666 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 9,464
| I'm not Ron... but the Shure A15AS "Switchable Attenuator" should work for you... it's switchable between 15, 20, & 25db of attenuation conveniently housed in a barrel connector.
__________________ CN Fletcher Professional Affiliations: R/E/P Professional Recording Engineer and Producer forums - serious hobbyists welcome TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik SoundPure.com mwagener wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:33 We are selling emotions, there are no emotions in a grid Roscoe Ambel once said: Pro-Tools is to audio what fluorescent is to light |
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9th July 2004
| #11 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A.
Posts: 2,096
Thread Starter | I don't buy anything because someone tells me...you guys were the reason I bought it to try it...but it seems its going back... The mics I used it with are the usual dynamic suspects 57,421,112,52...so I guess snare, toms and kick it is... The pads change the sound to a more saturated-like version...with less high freqs and attack compared to the unpaded sound...maybe this is what most of you like... I do have the inline shure pads...I'll try them on the output although I don't like the fact that I have to "figure" out what I must do to get the most out of this unit. ps. I also have the 2610 which I like a lot...I use the inline pads and it gives me results that I like... |
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9th July 2004
| #12 |
| Guest
Posts: n/a
| I have tried all variations of the API pres. I have owned 512b and c's along with a 3124 and the BA racked 312s. I love the 312s. They sound to me like all the descriptions I hear others saying about API. Prior to this I had a 512c loaded lunchbox once I got the 312s I always prefered them. I sold the lunchbox as I wasn't using it. I found the 3124 to be like the 512c most of all. As far as the circuit is concerned I have no clue what is most similiar. In general I like the API stuff alot. Maybe you got over hyped. I would give it time and like someone said put them in the mix. can track an entire project through them and be happy. I can't say that about many pres I have tried. And I agree about how kick a$$ the Avalon pads are. My M5 pad seems invisible to my tin ear. D |
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9th July 2004
| #13 |
| Gearslutz.com admin | "the Shure A15AS "Switchable Attenuator" should work for you... it's switchable between 15, 20, & 25db of attenuation conveniently housed in a barrel connector" I have 2 so I can try that..  |
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9th July 2004
| #14 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,716
| A-Designs ATTY is cool too. Very transparent, continuously variable, available in stereo, mute button and multi-connects for TRS/XLR. |
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9th July 2004
| #15 | |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Spring Hill, TN, USA
Posts: 2,237
| Nothing's wrong Quote:
I just did another (another??) preamp shootout, this time with the 3124 in the lineup of 24 preamps, at API's suggestion. The 3124 sounds like an API. It has the API sound. Obviously API thinks so, because they could have sent me any unit that they make. They sent the 3124. If you are disappointed with it, then I wouldn't bother getting any other configuration or API modules. You won't like them any better. Chalk it up to experience and now you know that the API doesn't float your boat. But I would spend more time with it and try it on lots of other sources before you sell it. Then you may hear what hundreds of other engineers before you have heard and loved about it.
__________________ Lynn Fuston 3D Audio Inc. Host of 3dB, Producer of the 3D Vocal Mic, Preamp, ADC, Ribbon Mic Comparison CDs available at 3D Webstore. | |
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10th July 2004
| #16 |
| Gear nut  Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 145
| I have a 3124. Definately try to reserve judgement until you have a full mix. I really love API for vocals, bass, and drums. The tracks may sound "smaller" than you are used to, but they will probably mix better. I do wish the 3124 had an output pad. I end up using the input pad a lot. I have been wanting to get the Shure or ATTY pads for the output.
__________________ E.B. Music Recording Studio http://home.cfl.rr.com/ericberrong |
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10th July 2004
| #17 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego,Ca
Posts: 806
| The output pads I mentioned really made a huge difference(Wiggy turn me on to this) .....My first drum & Bass recording I did with the 3124 sounded good but nothing like I hoped.........Then I started to push the input more with my output pads attached and it really gave my recording alot more meat.The pads that Fletcher and Jules mention should do the trick......Try this before you send the unit back...good luck I hope this helps. Ron Florentine Soundswest Studio |
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10th July 2004
| #18 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A.
Posts: 2,096
Thread Starter | I'll test some more and report back...thanks guys... |
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11th July 2004
| #19 | |
| Gear Guru  Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 12,365
| Re: Nothing's wrong Quote:
Yet I love the 550 eq's and the 512b on rock bass is the bomb. Lynn did you try the MSS-10 in your new shootout? I'm into that one now...
__________________ brian lucey magic garden mastering The Shins, Dr. John, The Black Keys, OAR, David Lynch, Sami Yusuf, moe. | |
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11th July 2004
| #20 | |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NJ
Posts: 646
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11th July 2004
| #21 | |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Spring Hill, TN, USA
Posts: 2,237
| Re: Re: Nothing's wrong Quote:
To see the full list, look here: http://www.3daudioinc.com/cgi-bin/ul...2&t=000007&p=2 Look about two-thirds of the way down the page and the names are all there in the caption of a photo with me sitting in front of them all. | |
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13th July 2004
| #22 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: L.A.
Posts: 2,096
Thread Starter | ok, I did my tests... I prefer the pad in the output rather than in the input...BUT...I would prefer actually not to use one...in other words I like everything about the different sounds the 3124 gives me...if the choice of using a pad was mine then it would be a winner...unfortunately it seems the choice cannot be mine...the unit forces me to use one...so...you get the pic someone here said he thought the same of the 512 too...I'll call api tommorow to see what they say... |
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13th July 2004
| #23 |
| Gearslutz.com admin | I'll be checking this out too.. But just to clarify... do the input lights go into red full time when you are overdriving the inputs? I've been 'playing nice' with mine for 6 years now...  |
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13th July 2004
| #24 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego,Ca
Posts: 806
| Jules..... I will push my pre fairly hard so in goes into the red...get some of that iron into the sound......but use your ears it is a fine line between big and beautiful or fat and ugly!!!! Ron Florentine Soundswest Studio |
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13th July 2004
| #25 | |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Spring Hill, TN, USA
Posts: 2,237
| Quote:
You prefer the output pad, but would prefer not to use one, but the unit forces you to use one. I don't understand the logic. I've been using APIs for over 20 years and have never used an output pad. Nor have I ever felt "forced" to use one. Either you love it or you don't. Don't be so codependent with a preamp. If it doesn't float your boat, then sell it and find something that does. There are too many preamps out there, really fine preamps, that sound great for you to have a love/hate relationship with just one. | |
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13th July 2004
| #26 | |
| Gear maniac  Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 275
| Quote:
Now I nerver got the tape out but I quit worrying about the meters so much.I drive them till they sound the way I want them and some times calm them down with a comp or I use the output pads. I found when you find the "sweet spot" of this pre (512) it will stay tight in the lows but will maintain that rock n roll attitude I desire. As of late I have been hitting 499 at 15ips with the 512c's and lovin the results on Guitars,drums and bass. Real sticky! | |
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13th July 2004
| #27 |
| Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dublin
Posts: 701
| [QUOTE]Originally posted by Bosco Now I nerver got the tape out but I quit worrying about the meters so much.I drive them till they sound the way I want them and some times calm them down with a comp or I use the output pads. How would compressing stop the input overload led from coming on? Is there a way to patch a compressor on the pre? |
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13th July 2004
| #28 | |
| Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 275
| Quote:
It can come out hot this is where the "taming" is done. This all falls down to a fine line of gain stageing that will work for some but not for all. | |
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25th November 2006
| #29 | |
| Gear Guru  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 11,066
| Quote:
Dude, stay with the 2022s i have not found anything that the 2022 sounds bad on. The 2022 is a hell of a pre. Some say Avalon is overpriced, Also do not believe from anyone that the 2022 is thin because it is not, the 2022 has a great spectrum, get yourself a sweet eq to go with it if needed... I use the 2022 with a u47 fet on outside kick, my kick kicks artist minds when they hear it. It still kicks my mind as well..
__________________ Don't Fu*k with my Tone !!!. I need a spell check app  API~ Dan Alexander~ Fuchs~ John Hardy ~JLM ~Studer 089 Fuchs Amps = Amazing Tone !! | |
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22nd December 2006
| #30 |
| Gear Guru Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 11,066
| Im a sucker !!!! .... i did invest in a 3124 just because i trust my gearslutz guys, it is everything they say, the 3124 has taken the studio to a higher level, those 4 puppies are sweet..... |
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