OSA MP1-C or API 512C or API 3124?

Solunaris · 4th June 2005

Need 4 channels for drums. Any opinions on the difference in sound between these three?

Solunaris · 5th June 2005

anyone?

not_so_new · 5th June 2005

I HATE when people say do a search but really that might help you in this case. There was just a big thread about this a few weeks back I believe??

This site has a huge wealth of info if you know were to look...

Good luck and if you still have questions after a search you can always add to the end of one of the existing threads.

andre tchmil · 5th June 2005

Nothing but the real stuff, believe me.
Looking at them alone , makes you feel so much more comfortable.
And I made lots of clones (API, NEVE)

Telecastr · 5th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre tchmil

Nothing but the real stuff, believe me.
Looking at them alone , makes you feel so much more comfortable.
And I made lots of clones (API, NEVE)

He's not talking about MAKING a clone. 2 of the 3 choices are the real thing. The OSA stuff would be good too. A search would give a wealth of information, and will help you access your situation, along with helping you find the right pre. That said, they are all good pres, and it would be hard to go wrong. IMO, it comes down to the song, musicians, mic & placement ultimately. If you've got that right, any of the 3 pres will be just fine.

Flora · 5th June 2005

Agreed - if youre not happy with your recordings while using any of the above - the mic pres will definitely not be the problem.

Telecastr · 6th June 2005

One other thing that may help decide from a financial standpoint, is that the API stuff will most likely have better resale value, should you need to dump some gear for whatever reason. That's not to say you wouldn't be able to resell OSA, because you definately could, it's just my opinion that you'd probably get closer to what you paid for the API stuff than you would for the OSA stuff. Hopefully you don't need to sell the stuff because you need the money, but it's something to consider.

Midlandmorgan · 6th June 2005

That's true, Tele...but I keep looking for used OSA modules, and haven't found any yet that aren't realy close to retail pricing...

Even though I got mine used, people who get hold of these seem to want to hand onto them (unless there just is a work flow issue, not a quality issue)...

I check into some of the more respectable joints from time to time to see if there's any used OSA modules - they just ain't there...there are some APIs floating around, though...again I don't know if these are being sold just for cash flow purposes or what...

HighKing · 6th June 2005

There's also a lot more API modules than OSA modules floating around.

I think any of them will be solid. I haven't tried the OSA stuff, but between the API and BAE stuff, I find the BAE stuff to be a bit darker (in a good way IMO).

Telecastr · 6th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midlandmorgan

That's true, Tele...but I keep looking for used OSA modules, and haven't found any yet that aren't realy close to retail pricing...

Even though I got mine used, people who get hold of these seem to want to hand onto them (unless there just is a work flow issue, not a quality issue)...

I check into some of the more respectable joints from time to time to see if there's any used OSA modules - they just ain't there...there are some APIs floating around, though...again I don't know if these are being sold just for cash flow purposes or what...

You're right. There aren't many used OSA modules floating around. They are very good. The only reason to unload any API or OSA module IMO, would be if you really needed to free up some of your assets for other things. The resale value of the OSA stuff is good, the API resale value is only slightly better. I was just trying to think of something to help the original poster make a decision other than saying they are all good. The resale thing still isn't a reason not to buy OSA, just somthing to consider.

One thing to remember is that if you buy a non API rack and put API modules in it, you void the API module's warranty. You can put whatever you want in an API rack without voiding any warranties though.

NathanEldred · 6th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telecastr

One thing to remember is that if you buy a non API rack and put API modules in it, you void the API module's warranty.

There will still be plenty of room in the 'non API rack' for OSA, Purple, and BAE...and everyone's warranty will still be valid.

Telecastr · 7th June 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

There will still be plenty of room in the 'non API rack' for OSA, Purple, and BAE...and everyone's warranty will still be valid.

Right. I'm not saying API is the only way. Just simply saying that if he was considering ever putting API and OSA together in the same rack, something I'm going to do myself, it's important to know that the API module warranty is voided if it's not put in an API rack. Bottom line for that situation...get an API rack and put API, OSA, Purple, and BAE in it. If you don't want to actually get API, go with another company's rack. A true gearslut would fill an API rack with API, OSA rack with OSA, BAE with BAE, etc. That's a lot of pres.

AllAboutTone · 23rd July 2008

Im still not sure what it is but i like the 512c much better than the 3124+ for guitars and drums

, seems like there is more harmonics and edge for those two.
A few months ago i went 500 series and i can go back to some of my old mixes and hear the difference between the 512c and the 3124.

six_wax · 23rd July 2008

Really? Most reports I've heard are that the 512s & 3124 pres are nigh indistinguishable.

I've used the 3124s a ton. The 512s are better?

AllAboutTone · 23rd July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by six_wax

Really? Most reports I've heard are that the 512s & 3124 pres are nigh indistinguishable.

I've used the 3124s a ton. The 512s are better?

Well like i said i did not have the 3124+ it was a 3124, they suppose to have the same electronics, op amps etc.

madgansound · 24th July 2008

I have two 3124+'s and had two 512c's in a lunchbox along side them for a little over a year. I could not distinguish between the two sonically, regardless of the source. Though I loved having the front mounted XLR's on the 512c's; they are now gone so I could free the money up for something else. You can never, ever go wrong with API, especially on skins. That it probably one of THE MOST typed statements on the web, right next two 'looking for a 1073 clone' and 'how do I track distorted guitars'. There's already hundreds of opinions regarding this here at Gearslutz, let alone the web. Good luck

4th June 2005	#1
Solunaris Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,698 Thread Starter	OSA MP1-C or API 512C or API 3124? Need 4 channels for drums. Any opinions on the difference in sound between these three?

5th June 2005	#3
not_so_new Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,695	I HATE when people say do a search but really that might help you in this case. There was just a big thread about this a few weeks back I believe?? This site has a huge wealth of info if you know were to look... Good luck and if you still have questions after a search you can always add to the end of one of the existing threads. __________________ Michael

6th June 2005	#8
Midlandmorgan Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Midland TX Posts: 1,120	That's true, Tele...but I keep looking for used OSA modules, and haven't found any yet that aren't realy close to retail pricing... Even though I got mine used, people who get hold of these seem to want to hand onto them (unless there just is a work flow issue, not a quality issue)... I check into some of the more respectable joints from time to time to see if there's any used OSA modules - they just ain't there...there are some APIs floating around, though...again I don't know if these are being sold just for cash flow purposes or what... __________________ Ken Morgan Wireline Studio Midland, TX Good Sound Starts With Good Gear - Great Sound Starts With Great Players

23rd July 2008	#13
AllAboutTone Gear Guru Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina Posts: 11,475	Im still not sure what it is but i like the 512c much better than the 3124+ for guitars and drums, seems like there is more harmonics and edge for those two. A few months ago i went 500 series and i can go back to some of my old mixes and hear the difference between the 512c and the 3124. __________________ *Don't Fuk with my Tone !!!. I need a spell check app Harrison~ API~ Dan Alexander~ Fuchs~ John Hardy~ JLM~ Urei/UA Fuchs Amps = Amazing Tone !!**

24th July 2008	#16
madgansound Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2004 Location: South Shore, MA. Posts: 168	I have two 3124+'s and had two 512c's in a lunchbox along side them for a little over a year. I could not distinguish between the two sonically, regardless of the source. Though I loved having the front mounted XLR's on the 512c's; they are now gone so I could free the money up for something else. You can never, ever go wrong with API, especially on skins. That it probably one of THE MOST typed statements on the web, right next two 'looking for a 1073 clone' and 'how do I track distorted guitars'. There's already hundreds of opinions regarding this here at Gearslutz, let alone the web. Good luck __________________ www.madgansound.com

5th June 2005	#4
andre tchmil Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2002 Location: always on the move Posts: 750	Nothing but the real stuff, believe me. Looking at them alone , makes you feel so much more comfortable. And I made lots of clones (API, NEVE)

5th June 2005	#6
Flora Gear addict Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle and Portland Posts: 426	Agreed - if youre not happy with your recordings while using any of the above - the mic pres will definitely not be the problem.

6th June 2005	#7
Telecastr Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 621	One other thing that may help decide from a financial standpoint, is that the API stuff will most likely have better resale value, should you need to dump some gear for whatever reason. That's not to say you wouldn't be able to resell OSA, because you definately could, it's just my opinion that you'd probably get closer to what you paid for the API stuff than you would for the OSA stuff. Hopefully you don't need to sell the stuff because you need the money, but it's something to consider.

6th June 2005	#9
HighKing Gear nut Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 86	There's also a lot more API modules than OSA modules floating around. I think any of them will be solid. I haven't tried the OSA stuff, but between the API and BAE stuff, I find the BAE stuff to be a bit darker (in a good way IMO).

23rd July 2008	#14
six_wax Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,102	Really? Most reports I've heard are that the 512s & 3124 pres are nigh indistinguishable. I've used the 3124s a ton. The 512s are better?

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