Aurora-WOW Factor?

[seanmccoy]

I'm very close to going for a GTQC to fill my need for something aggressive and Neve-ish. I've read only good things about Geoff and the Aurora stuff, but I notice that the other two pres I've also given serious consideration to, the MA-5 and Pacifica, seem to get more "wet-the-pants" reactions around here. Since I have a bunch of preamps but they're all more of the "lower-high-end" variety, I won't be able to make comparisons between pres in this league. Everything about the GTQC looks perfect for me, but I'd love to hear from folks who have had the opportunity to hear it (or the GT2Q) side-by-side with API, Neve, Avedis, A-Designs and similar before laying down the dough.

Thanks for any help.

[kellyd]

If you're going for the N vibe then the Pacifica is the wrong call.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by kellyd

If you're going for the N vibe then the Pacifica is the wrong call.

Really? Interesting. Is it too neutral? Guess I need to re-read some posts. Where would you place it on the "contemporary-aggressive" scale?

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

Really? Interesting. Is it too neutral? Guess I need to re-read some posts. Where would you place it on the "contemporary-aggressive" scale?

I don't own one but I know it is not based on a "Neve" design at all so it's not really "Neve'y" if you know what I mean.

And what do you mean by "aggressive?" Because to me that implies "hard or bright sounding high end" and that is not how I would describe Neve type of sounds.

[kellyd]

not so new has it. The Pacifica from what I understand is based on the Quad 8 preamp so it's not N-ish at all. It's a good pre but that's not what you originally asked.

N like in no specific order.
Aurora GTQ2 (my fav)
BAE 1073
AMS
MA5
Chandler LTD1
Vintech x series
Chameleon Labs
7th circle
and some other kit companies.

[narcoman]

Got Neve coming out of my ears. Aggressive is one of the last words I'd describe it as! My console is warm and pretty (and old). My 1081's and 1073's are too. If its punchy and aggressive then perhaps Neve aint quite the thing for ya....

[AB3]

Aggressive - I would go with the API.

[seanmccoy]

Okay, so I obviously have either some wrong impressions or just semantics issues. "Punchy," "aggressive," "mid-forward," "bright," "3-D" are obviously nebulous terms that may mean different or even opposite things to different people. As I said, I don't have any experience with Neve or API type stuff (I do have Vintech 1272's, which I would describe as "creamy"), so I'm all ears with regard to how folks would describe the overall sounds of the preamps I mentioned. It would be interesting to see if a consensus could be reached.

I'm looking for something that imparts a lot of character and stands out in a mix, but is flexible enough to sound good on everything from soft females to male screamo. Maybe I'm dreamin' here?

Edit--

Ah, from the MA5 thread:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

API: Puncy, mid forward, aggressive...

MA5: Bigger, rounder, Neve 1073 style...

Extremely different sounding and complimentary.

So if I'm interpreting correctly, the Aurora pre, being Neve-patterned, would probably be a better choice for ballads and pop, while API or similar would be better for supercharged stuff, correct? So would the Pacifica fall somewhere in-between, or does it lean toward API? I have no idea what the Quad 8 sound is.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

Okay, so I obviously have either some wrong impressions or just semantics issues. "Punchy," "aggressive," "mid-forward," "bright," "3-D" are obviously nebulous terms that may mean different or even opposite things to different people. As I said, I don't have any experience with Neve or API type stuff (I do have Vintech 1272's, which I would describe as "creamy"), so I'm all ears with regard to how folks would describe the overall sounds of the preamps I mentioned. It would be interesting to see if a consensus could be reached.

I'm looking for something that imparts a lot of character and stands out in a mix, but is flexible enough to sound good on everything from soft females to male screamo. Maybe I'm dreamin' here?

Edit--

Ah, from the MA5 thread:



So if I'm interpreting correctly, the Aurora pre, being Neve-patterned, would probably be a better choice for ballads and pop, while API or similar would be better for supercharged stuff, correct? So would the Pacifica fall somewhere in-between, or does it lean toward API? I have no idea what the Quad 8 sound is.

Hummm....... well I would take all of this as a big HUGE gain of salt that you can toss over your shoulder.

For instance.....

The latest Tool release, 10,000 Days was API on drums and Neve on everything else. Now, people are going to complain (that's what people do) but outside of the over compression on the mastering I think that CD sounds AMAZINGLY GOOD. Stunning in fact.

I don't think of any song on 10,000 Days as being a "ballad" or "pop" yet they used Neve's on pretty much everything.

The whole "you have to use this preamp for this recording style" is just WAY over the top in my opinion. Get a good preamp, go make music.

If you want a GENERAL idea of the tonal qualities, yes API is a little more "punchy" and Neve is a little "rounder" but… .shhhhh… between us? I seriously doubt many people here could tell a difference between a track in a mix recorded with an API pre and a Neve pre and these are about as far apart in tonal qualities as preamps get…. which is to say there is not a real big night and day difference.

But….. YMMV

[seanmccoy]

Thanks, Michael. Great post.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

Thanks, Michael. Great post.

You got it dude and thanks back at ya.

I can't say this enough, preamps do matter just get something good and make music with it.

[dick swifter]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I can't say this enough, preamps do matter just get something good and make music with it.

Another great post! Well said!!!

[desol]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

The whole "you have to use this preamp for this recording style" is just WAY over the top in my opinion. Get a good preamp, go make music.

[desol]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

I'm very close to going for a GTQC to fill my need for something aggressive and Neve-ish. I've read only good things about Geoff and the Aurora stuff, but I notice that the other two pres I've also given serious consideration to, the MA-5 and Pacifica, seem to get more "wet-the-pants" reactions around here. Since I have a bunch of preamps but they're all more of the "lower-high-end" variety, I won't be able to make comparisons between pres in this league. Everything about the GTQC looks perfect for me, but I'd love to hear from folks who have had the opportunity to hear it (or the GT2Q) side-by-side with API, Neve, Avedis, A-Designs and similar before laying down the dough.

Thanks for any help.

Side by side with a Neve:

YouTube - Aurora Audio Test Video - GTP8 - 8 Channel Mic Preamp


Real tight.

[BobbyPeru]

I'd like to say that I've got 1073's and 512c's and a GTQ2 Mk3 and my 2 favorites out of these are the API's and the GTQ's. The original 1073's are good for somethings, but the GTQ is more open on the top and a bit more focussed which, to me, make it a tad more versatile. Then the GTQ has a high pass which makes it more useful in some situations than the API's, not to mention it also has 3 other limited bands of EQ that are surprisingly useful.

Not to mention the GTQ is like 20lbs and built like a tank.

Bobby Peru
Milwaukee, WI

[AB3]

The GTQ is so tempting. I did hear one that sounded awesome. I did see some posts about some quality control issues. Was that a temporary thing? A fluke? If I order one, what is the likelihood that it would need to be returned? I am not trying to bash this unit. I am hoping that those that endorse will help explain and clear that up. I am assuming these problems are in the past (or were a temporary deal). But I would like to know for sure.

THANKS.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by AB3

The GTQ is so tempting. I did hear one that sounded awesome. I did see some posts about some quality control issues. Was that a temporary thing? A fluke? If I order one, what is the likelihood that it would need to be returned? I am not trying to bash this unit. I am hoping that those that endorse will help explain and clear that up. I am assuming these problems are in the past (or were a temporary deal). But I would like to know for sure.

THANKS.

There are NO quality control issues with the GTQ or any Aurora Audio products.

They have been very reliable over the long term.

Any issues you may have read about were most likely isolated to a specific person's unit and not representative of the entire product line. The few issues I've encountered over the years were mostly related to being banged around in shipping.

[AB3]

Thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

There are NO quality control issues with the GTQ or any Aurora Audio products.

They have been very reliable over the long term.

Any issues you may have read about were most likely isolated to a specific person's unit and not representative of the entire product line. The few issues I've encountered over the years were mostly related to being banged around in shipping.

[baikonour]

Is there a UK distributor for the Aurora products?

Or can we order it direct from Aurora?

Sorry slightly OT...

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by baikonour

Is there a UK distributor for the Aurora products?

Or can we order it direct from Aurora?

Sorry slightly OT...

We are the distributor to the UK.

[baikonour]

If I understand correctly you can use the EQ at the mixing stage (through the line ins) or even on the the 2 buss.. Is the EQ also available via the DI input?
How does the EQ section sounds like???

If it's correct then you can use the unit as a front end but also at the mixing stage and maybe even on the 2 buss...Which makes it really versatile...

Is someone can confirm all this???

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by baikonour

Is someone can confirm all this???

Consider it confirmed.