bang for the buck -- best 4 channel pre -- no presonus, etc

[blackcom]

You allready have Neve and API and still need four moore?? I know there is the FF ISA428, but the API 3124+ still kicks it ass.

[atticus]

The new Daking four channel pre would be close to that budget and be of excellent quality. If you want something cleaner you could probably find a used four channel Millennia HV-3 in that ballpark as well. Another option would be if you were good at DIY. If so you could do the Hampton or SCA and stay under $1500. Good luck!

[europa78]

Think those (3124+) run about $2500. How much for the ISA? See many on Ebay?

Originally Posted by blackcom

You allready have Neve and API and still need four moore?? I know there is the FF ISA428, but the API 3124+ still kicks it ass.

[europa78]

ah yes the Daking. Good call!

Thanks,

Kenny


a

Originally Posted by atticus

The new Daking four channel pre would be close to that budget and be of excellent quality. If you want something cleaner you could probably find a used four channel Millennia HV-3 in that ballpark as well. Another option would be if you were good at DIY. If so you could do the Hampton or SCA and stay under $1500. Good luck!

[txgator]

Four channels of Sytek would be half of your budget...and supposed to be good.

[europa78]

I here good thing about them. Steve Albini likes them, but I'm not really a fan of his production style, although, I think he has good ears, Have you used the sytek? Like 'em? Sound like?

Thanks,

Kenny

Originally Posted by txgator

Four channels of Sytek would be half of your budget...and supposed to be good.

[Jim vanBergen]

There are a couple of versions of Sytek- do you like the Burr Brown or the standard op-amp? Also- can anyone suggest a dealer?
-J

[heyman]

I have a 4 channel sytek that I would like to part with.. I just bought a 3124 mb and dont need the extra channels anymore... I already have 10 channels of pres without the sytek.. It is in mint condition and was racked up immediately..

It has the burr brown mods on channel 3 and 4...

please let me know if you are interested in it..

you can email me at

jcastela@risd.edu

[europa78]

I'm sending you an email.

Kenny

Originally Posted by heyman

I have a 4 channel sytek that I would like to part with.. I just bought a 3124 mb and dont need the extra channels anymore... I already have 10 channels of pres without the sytek.. It is in mint condition and was racked up immediately..

It has the burr brown mods on channel 3 and 4...

please let me know if you are interested in it..

you can email me at

jcastela@risd.edu

[JonCraig]

i love the syteks. very clean & transparent. i wouldn't judge any gear based on albini's "production style," as he has NO production style. he'll tell you that himself. he records the band exactly as they sound in the room (and most of the bands he records sound like shit. there are, of course exceptions).

that said, if you're looking for no color, extremely fast transient response, and affordability, they syteks are it. i've heard them called "a poor man's millenia". fwiw, i didn't like the bb on chans 3&4. mine is stock opamps in all 4 chans.

--jon

[robmix]

The Daking's just a bit out of your budget. My second recommendation would be the Focusrite ISA428. I had one until I ordered my Daking. Great utility pre that sat nicely with my other pre's - Neve, Wunder, Manley, etc.

[prismtheory]

Give the focusrite ISA428 a chance. I don't care what anyone said. Once you get past the "platinum" range of garbage Focusrite makes nice stuff. I have a focurite red, which two channels will run you around 1699. The ISA is going for 1699 for four channels....it's a really sweet piece of gear. I use it all of the time. ESPECIALLY on cymbal mics. IT's also really good for snare and rock guitar cabs.

API is definitely kick ass as well.

You may also look at checking out a used TRUE SYSTEMS precision 8...I think you can probably swoop one of the up for around 1600 used. They are really clean pres.

Take care.

[europa78]

Great comments everyone. I'd love to find used Dakings but I'm pressed for time so... ISA, and Sytek seem to be in the lead so far. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have some "colorless" pres. Not really my thing but... One question, nobody seems too fond of the Burr Brown channels of the Sytek -- what's the deal there?

[u b k]

you got space in the api rack? 4xOSA vintage.

you seem to like pieces that are heavy on the color... me too. do you REALLY need 4 colorless pre's? wouldn't 1 or 2 more gorgeous ones be better in the long run?


gregoire
del ubik

[john caldwell]

In case your needs expand, consider the True Systems Precision 8. That'll give you 8 Channels of pre, a MS decoder, and in one rack space. The quality is really excellent, in my view, if transparency is the goal. Seems to me that that you've already got the color pallete covered with you other pre's. Precision 8's seem to bring about $1800 used.

Best,

John-

[7rojo7]

john hardy, earthworks

[europa78]

I hear you... It's like buying multi-pair cable or patchbays -- not to sexy.

Thanks for your input,

Kenny

Originally Posted by u b i k

you got space in the api rack? 4xOSA vintage.

you seem to like pieces that are heavy on the color... me too. do you REALLY need 4 colorless pre's? wouldn't 1 or 2 more gorgeous ones be better in the long run?


gregoire
del ubik

[europa78]

Any thoughts on Sebatron 4000e or RNP (really nice preamp)?

[mds]

Check out DAV Electronics...the BG#2 is around $1400...a transparent, big, open sounding preamp. Many find it superior to the sytek. Designed by Decca engineer/tech Mick Hinton. You could get 2 BG1s for less, but they aren't rack mountable so they might be cumbersome in the studio. They travel well, though.

Mike

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by u b i k

you got space in the api rack? 4xOSA vintage.

you seem to like pieces that are heavy on the color... me too. do you REALLY need 4 colorless pre's? wouldn't 1 or 2 more gorgeous ones be better in the long run?

FWIW, the OSA "Vintage" (AKA MP1-C) is the same price as the OSA "Original" (AKA MP1-A).

The MP1-C 'Vintage' has a lot more coloration than the MP1-A 'Original', which is overall pretty neutral. So there are choices in this context.

[europa78]

Thanks Nathan for the clarification. I have a couple of questions that you'd be perfect for answering. How's the noise floor on the RNP? Is it an issue worth mentioning? Also, what would a rack w/48v and 4 OSA MP1-C run me?

Regards,

Kenny

P.S. How's the weather treating you?

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

FWIW, the OSA "Vintage" (AKA MP1-C) is the same price as the OSA "Original" (AKA MP1-A).

The MP1-C 'Vintage' has a lot more coloration than the MP1-A 'Original', which is overall pretty neutral. So there are choices in this context.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by europa78

Thanks Nathan for the clarification. I have a couple of questions that you'd be perfect for answering. How's the noise floor on the RNP? Is it an issue worth mentioning? Also, what would a rack w/48v and 4 OSA MP1-C run me?

Regards,

Kenny

P.S. How's the weather treating you?

I PM'd you...thanks.

[zimv20]

Originally Posted by europa78

How's the noise floor on the RNP? Is it an issue worth mentioning?

fwiw, it's never bothered me. never tried it w/ a ribbon, though.

[cAPSLOCK]

For the Sytek...

Go to home depot. Look at the paint chips. Go to the white ones. Drop down one or two from PURE white and you have the stock pres. Drop down two more chips and you have the burr brown pres.

The stock pres are very nice and open and pure. The transients are very well represented. They are fast pres. The Burr browns are just a hair's bredth warmer, though it's not really a huge difference. These are still transparant sounding. The real difference is in the transients. The stock pres are great for things like cymbals or acoustic guitar.

I only wish the pres had pads and low roll offs, but I suppose if you are into a purist approach the way it works is good, but you can't cheat and not roll off the lows when you mix.

If you want something with ANY character you should avoid the Sytek. Or at least talk to Mike about putting something like a jensen transformer in it, though I do not know how this mod sounds.

I find the Sytek to be a great workhorse pre that just doesn't cheat the sound at all.


cAPS

[u b k]

Originally Posted by cAPSLOCK

...you can't cheat and not rool off the lows when you mix.

sure i can thumbsup .


gregoire
del ubik

[cAPSLOCK]

Just dont yell at me when your speakers walk right off their stands.

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by europa78

. How's the noise floor on the RNP? Is it an issue worth mentioning?

Nope, when I had one I used to crank it to 60db with my SM7, with no problems as long as the source is medium to loud. Recording classical music with it cranked at 60db-66db probably wouldn't be the best thing though.

[santacore]

I can recommend the Sytek too. I used it for years doing post production and I found it sounded great on a lot of stuff. It's quiet, clean, and musical. For the money it's very hard to beat. Regarding the burr browns, if I remember correctly I liked the stock channels better but they were both good.

[Plush]

Sytek is outstanding! Great design and simple signal path.

Clean and fast sound! I particularly like the fact that the gain controls are continuous.

Excellent buy and something to improve any signal chain.

Plush