Will a Focusrite Red7 from '97 equate the new ones?

[T. Gundersen]

First of all I appologize if I'm on the wrong forum. I regard the Red7 as a high end pre, so that's my reasoning for posting here. Hope anyone can help.

I've worked in another studio with their Sony C-800g / Focusrite Red7 (5-6 years old) setup and that was just what I wanted. Now there's a guy in my area that has a Red7 for sale, but it's from 1997, where the Red series wasn't the top series. My question is, will I get burnt for buying the old Red7, if the sound I want is from one of the new ones? Also are there any Red-series owners that can comment on the maintenance needed for an 11-year old unit, will that be a problem?

Also if anyone know, should I be paying used-price based on the current new-prices, or the lower new-prices from 1997 where Reds wasn't a top series.

[James Meeker]

Actually my understanding is that the older Reds are better than the new ones.

That being said, the Focusrite's have a particular sound that many people (including myself) aren't too fond of. They're very airy on top and thin sounding compared to, for example, a Great River preamp. So if you are looking for fidelity and size I'd suggest looking at something a little larger sounding.

My recommendations would be Great River or something like a Chandler TG2.

[T. Gundersen]

Sounds good that the older ones are supposed to be better.. Thanks for the input on that.

The stuff I recorded with the c-800g didn't sound thin to me, but that might be the combo more than the pre speaking. The guys that own the combo I worked on does real good work too, IMO, and they also record through that chain.

I currently own a Tube-Tech MP1-A which I really dig for the more beefy-yet-clean purposes, but I'm looking to get a good solid-state pre that will allow me to get "thick" vocals without having the tube signature absolutely all over the vocal stacks.

I don't know the Chandler, but I'm pretty sure the Great River isn't what I want.

[James Meeker]

So you're looking for a cleaner solid-state preamp that has some size to it. My suspiscion would be to look at the Martech MSS preamp. Never tried one but I hear they are the bee's knees for that sound.

Talk to someone from Mercenary Audio about it, they are the main boosters of that preamp. That's where I heard about 'em from.

[Tube World]

Originally Posted by James Meeker

So you're looking for a cleaner solid-state preamp that has some size to it. My suspiscion would be to look at the Martech MSS preamp. Never tried one but I hear they are the bee's knees for that sound.

Talk to someone from Mercenary Audio about it, they are the main boosters of that preamp. That's where I heard about 'em from.

Why is it that every time someone asked a question about something he wants to buy, someone tries to talk him into buying something else. Many love the Focusrite sound as well. We don't want big and huge from a pre many times. If we want that, we can dial it in with the EQ and compressors we have.

Ge the Focusrite pre, you already know how great it sounds.

[T. Gundersen]

Originally Posted by Tube World

Why is it that every time someone asked a question about something he wants to buy, someone tries to talk him into buying something else. Many love the Focusrite sound as well. We don't want big and huge from a pre many times. If we want that, we can dial it in with the EQ and compressors we have.

Ge the Focusrite pre, you already know how great it sounds.

I guess that's just Mr. Meeker spreading his passion for other gear, which is perfectly ok with me. I can see what you're saying, but IMO people should just sort in other peoples oppinions to get the end result they want, that's what I do. May I add that Mr. Meeker helped me alot in several other threads with his detailed and accurate comments, so he already has a little +1 from me.

With that said, I'll probably try and see if I can get the unit over for testing. The guy selling it seems like a standup guy, the price isn't way too high, and I'm pretty sure about the quality of the unit.

[Vietstylistic]

I love the Red 7, especially with tube mics. I dont like tracking with EQ so the Red 7 was perfect for me. The Martech also a GREAT clean pre, very natural sound. I have both, and love both. I dont know anything about the older version Red series though....

[dpasch]

my understanding is that the older Reds are better than the new ones.

Sounds good that the older ones are supposed to be better..

So this is how it happens?.?.
Nice.



D

[Sounds Great]

I always thought the Red 7 was a really great looking unit. It just looks like class.

[James Meeker]

Why is it that every time someone asked a question about something he wants to buy, someone tries to talk him into buying something else. Many love the Focusrite sound as well.

Maybe I thought I was being useful. Sorry if I wasn't.

We don't want big and huge from a pre many times.

True.

If we want that, we can dial it in with the EQ and compressors we have.

I find that approach doesn't work. I'd much rather start with a big signal and chop it down to size if need be. Trying to make something small sound big... well, never seen a lot of luck with that.

By all means, if you like the Red sound go for it. It's not a bad preamp. There are a few things I like 'em on, but not enough to justify the price. Plus there are always a few things I like better.

[Steffmo]

I'm not all sure what you mean the the RED was not supposed to be the top in 1997.

I'm kind of guessing the at you are referring to the blue series....the ISA 110 and 115.

I think the Blue series were the first focusright rack mounted products, essentially using Rupert Neve's designs from the Forte console.. The original down market product was the green series.

When the RED series came around, it was supposed to be as Top of the line as the Blue, but it was meant to transition the line away from Neve designs to something new, but equally high end. They certainly were PRICED high end.

I have zero problem with the way the Red series sound myself I own an original Blue ISA115, which is a fabulous unit, espesially for the EQ, but I like the RED equally as much.