Recommend mic pre's for recording drums...

[tonyvose]

Hello -- OK , so this is going to be dumb, because it's all so subjective. BUT...I want to buy some pre's , preferably with EQ, for tracking my drums. I've got a pair of Averill Neve 1272's. But I'm thinking about: Chandler (TG Channel and/or LTD-1),Vintech (x73i and/or x73), Daking, Great River, or Aurora Audio GTQ2. I know I COULD go Averill neve 1073 or API, also. Regarding the Averill Neve, I wonder if I want more eq frequency possibilities. In regards to the API, from a cost standpoint, I'm a little bummed that I would need to buy a mic pre AND an eq(but that's my hang-up, I know). ANY OPINIONS OUT THERE ? (based on having tracked drums) (I've got the
semi-usual mic assortment - AKG D-112, 57's top & under, Sennheiser 421's, 414's for overhead, A-T 4031(??) on hat, Langevin CR-3A as a mono room....) Thanks for any thoughts, and I know it's all according to taste.
Nick Vincent

[Alexi]

hey there,

i would give the sebatron tube pres a listen, and they have some kind of eq installed allready.

name: vmp4000 i think

[DirkB]

Oh man, how often did we go through this... Do a search my friend and happy reading about preamps for the next week or so .

What I would do is get the BAE 11space rack and fill it with 8 312's and 3 eq's (can be the e15's or anything from API).

Greetings,
Dirk

[chetatkinsdiet]

Right. It's been done here so much. There are tons of great choices. If you want me to name one, fine...get as many API's as you need for the drums. You'll be happy.
later,
m
PS...get an 11 sp rack, not the 4 pre modules. It'll be cheaper in the long run. That way you can grab a couple of 560b's for eq as well. You'll probably be able to get by with a couple....one for kick, one for snare. You'll probably find yourself using these pres and eq on everything.
later,
m

[Exsanguis]

API's all the way.

[tonyvose]

Thank you all very much. I will search the archives a bit, and I get it -- API all the way.
Nick V.

[84K]

Another API vote...

[Hiwatt]

I like the tg stuff on drums...

[ziegenh5]

You've got the Neve thing covered in the 1272's, so I wouldn't bother with another Neve-alike unless you stepped up to a pair of 1073's. That said, I would probably get another flavor like API or Daking/Trident(my favorite), because they are cheaper and sound as good or better than any Neve on drums IMO.
Sean

[adamcal]

yes I recomend you buy some mic pres

[Doublehelix]

Yep...API's through a Distressor or two!

[mangoid]

Best drums sounds I've ever heard are from D.W. Fearn VT-2 and Chandler Limited LTD-1. The bottom end on both is great, and the LTD-1 is awe-inspiringly deep.

I usually put the overheads through the Fearn and the rest through the LTD-1s. The Chandler TG channel is great for snare.

[wwittman]

My opinion is that great drums have been recorded through Neves, API's, Dakings, Chandlers, and many other pres.

Any great sounding pre with good flexible EQ is going to work.

After that, it becomes a list of pointless anecdotes.

outside of the usual "I like this," "I like that" posts... what sort of additional info are you HOPING for?

[tonyvose]

As far as what I was hoping for... you know--- a combination of great answers cost-wise and great answers sonically, AND making it easy for me by having my mind made up for me. But that's ludicrous, and I'm grateful for everyone's input. I now know what I basically already knew. ( And, no offense meant to anyone else, but
I REALLY appreciate Mr. Wittman's input, as, sonically and otherwise, "Right Hand Man" and "One Of Us" just rock my world in the biggest way.) So that's it. If you want, we can end this subject. I appreciate evrybody's opinions. Thank you !
Nick V.

[wwittman]

I'm not trying to necessarily end your thread.. just to see what I can add that's USEFUL!

You probably already know that the Relish drums were Neve 1066's (on most songs, except two) plus an API eq on the bass drum (because the 1066 was only 3 bands)


But i've recorded drums just as happily on API's and other Neves and Dakings and Trident A's...
in fact probably MY favourite desk of all is the Trident A.

But that still means I choose a desk and a room for a record.
I don't believe in "needing" a particular preamp for a particular instrument.

[denial]

I love the fat, slowness of 1073's. Not to mention a very smoothe distortion.

API 512C/312 with a 550A/B or 560 can be punchy and aggressive.

A pair of V76's for overheads is big and warm too.