Quick API preamp question

jwnc · 27th July 2005

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about getting a API 512 C preamp to start my preamp collection and I was wondering do I have to have the lunch box to power the preamp or can it run by itself? What are my power options on this.

Also, if you have a 512 C how do you like it?

Thanks
Jason

superburtm · 27th July 2005

You need a lunchbox or an api console to stick this puppy into. They sound great.

jwnc · 27th July 2005

Thanks I apprecite it!

Jason

Zarathustra · 27th July 2005

One is never enough! Look at a 3124+

Z

Ziggy!! · 27th July 2005

Or Brent Averill's racked 312 units...

oceantracks · 27th July 2005

I just got an API 512 with lunchbox, and I've owned a number of other pres in the past. Very impressed with this guy, used it on male vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, and so far, very good. It just sits there and lets you get on with other things, you know? It doesn't seem to have a big statement .....just works and sounds excellent, not to bright, not to dark. Just kind of there.

Will try on female vocals this week and report back.

These pres have been around for a long time for a good reason, apparently....

TH

audioez · 27th July 2005

512c is a safe bet, it's the cleanist of current api mic pre amps; on the other hand!!!
I got my hands on a early nineties 3124!!! it has a certian old sound to it, maybe cause it's been used and abused, the only minus is there is no phase flip, but that only bothers nerds!! The 3124 is used on every band I mix for broadcast, usually the drum kit(KICK, SNARE, FRONT L , and FRONT R).

Then you really hit a home run when you strap any 550 series eq after the pre; boy do I sound like a salesman, pretty sad

jwnc · 27th July 2005

Thanks for all the info everyone, I am looking into the API, Brent Averill or (Maybe) the Apogee Mini-MP. I am sure down the road I will get all of them.. haha

Thanks
Jason

choodelphia · 28th July 2005

It just sits there and lets you get on with other things, you know? It doesn't seem to have a big statement .....just works and sounds excellent, not to bright, not to dark. Just kind of there.
_________________________________________________________________

That is a really good decription of my API pre.

I just recently got an API 212L mic pre w/4 space rack. I know it's not a 512C like you asked about, but, from what I have read & heard, it is pretty similiar(after all, it is an API).

Not to bright, not to dark. Just there. Clear enough, warm enough, & just plain solid. And to me, it seems to have a kind of midrange sheen to it. Unbelievable amount of gain. A real pro sound!

You should be confident in buying it.

Later

27th July 2005	#1
jwnc Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2005 Location: NC Posts: 207 Thread Starter	Quick API preamp question Hello everyone, I am thinking about getting a API 512 C preamp to start my preamp collection and I was wondering do I have to have the lunch box to power the preamp or can it run by itself? What are my power options on this. Also, if you have a 512 C how do you like it? Thanks Jason

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27th July 2005	#2
superburtm Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 3,602	You need a lunchbox or an api console to stick this puppy into. They sound great.

27th July 2005	#4
Zarathustra 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 367	One is never enough! Look at a 3124+ Z

27th July 2005	#5
Ziggy!! Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,319	Or Brent Averill's racked 312 units...

27th July 2005	#6
oceantracks Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,954	I just got an API 512 with lunchbox, and I've owned a number of other pres in the past. Very impressed with this guy, used it on male vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, and so far, very good. It just sits there and lets you get on with other things, you know? It doesn't seem to have a big statement .....just works and sounds excellent, not to bright, not to dark. Just kind of there. Will try on female vocals this week and report back. These pres have been around for a long time for a good reason, apparently.... TH

27th July 2005	#7
audioez Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 627	512c is a safe bet, it's the cleanist of current api mic pre amps; on the other hand!!! I got my hands on a early nineties 3124!!! it has a certian old sound to it, maybe cause it's been used and abused, the only minus is there is no phase flip, but that only bothers nerds!! The 3124 is used on every band I mix for broadcast, usually the drum kit(KICK, SNARE, FRONT L , and FRONT R). Then you really hit a home run when you strap any 550 series eq after the pre; boy do I sound like a salesman, pretty sad

28th July 2005	#9
choodelphia Gear Head Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 54	It just sits there and lets you get on with other things, you know? It doesn't seem to have a big statement .....just works and sounds excellent, not to bright, not to dark. Just kind of there. _________________________________________________________________ That is a really good decription of my API pre. I just recently got an API 212L mic pre w/4 space rack. I know it's not a 512C like you asked about, but, from what I have read & heard, it is pretty similiar(after all, it is an API). Not to bright, not to dark. Just there. Clear enough, warm enough, & just plain solid. And to me, it seems to have a kind of midrange sheen to it. Unbelievable amount of gain. A real pro sound! You should be confident in buying it. Later