Is the API VP26 right for me?

[Kingtone]

Originally Posted by alerte338

Hummm a api 1608 with classic audio hardware and transfo etc... is it possible ?

fab

Anything is possible...

If you are willing to pay for it.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by alerte338

Hummm a api 1608 with classic audio hardware and transfo etc... is it possible ?

fab

yeah but it would take some time and money.
hint:isn't Jeff building a new 500 series modular console?

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

...hint:isn't Jeff building a new 500 series modular console?

Yes. I have a lot of work done on it but there is still lot's to do.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by jsteiger

Yes. I have a lot of work done on it but there is still lot's to do.

[drBill]

Testing the 22 spaces of new CAPI 500 series rack later today. Hope all soldering went well....

Should have a couple of API racks going up FS soon....

[pan60]

Originally Posted by jsteiger

Yes. I have a lot of work done on it but there is still lot's to do.

work faster, get-er done as they say!

[Grummy77]

On top of my LB here you can see my 508 51x starter kit assembled. For now I'm just using it as an 8 space 51x lunchbox. Gonna keep adding elements and hopefully by the time Jeff's done designing the console I it'll be a minimal cost for me to finish. All depends how business goes for me. Gonna just add one or two elements at a time. Once I fill this 508 I'll get another. This way I figure I can speed the costs out. Won't feel such a financial hit all at once. Plus I still get some use out of it.

[poiesznbeats]

Since this is the de facto Classic API thread, I thought it would be the appropriate place for my praise...
I recently built two VP312 preamps with SL Red Dots. I brought them to a session today where I knew that we would have two vintage 312s to A/B with. I'm not gonna make it a long story but I'll say that I absolutely preferred the CAPIs on 2/3 sources and the 3rd source was a toss up. The engineers actually made it a blind shootout for me, as I was tracking the drums in the live room. So no bias here; I actually couldn't believe it. Everyone was impressed that a kit (and at that price) would sound THAT good.
The bottom line is I will be getting more shortly and I'm sure that CAPI made some other new customers today too.

VERY COOL!

[monkeyxx]

nice

[junior]

Originally Posted by poiesznbeats

Since this is the de facto Classic API thread, I thought it would be the appropriate place for my praise...
I recently built two VP312 preamps with SL Red Dots. I brought them to a session today where I knew that we would have two vintage 312s to A/B with. I'm not gonna make it a long story but I'll say that I absolutely preferred the CAPIs on 2/3 sources and the 3rd source was a toss up. The engineers actually made it a blind shootout for me, as I was tracking the drums in the live room. So no bias here; I actually couldn't believe it. Everyone was impressed that a kit (and at that price) would sound THAT good.
The bottom line is I will be getting more shortly and I'm sure that CAPI made some other new customers today too.

VERY COOL!

The VP312 is a killer! I think my next ones are gonna' be the stepped gain versions...

[monkeyxx]

Originally Posted by poiesznbeats

I actually couldn't believe it. Everyone was impressed that a kit (and at that price) would sound THAT good.

I actually saw the CAPI website once, and decided it was fulloshit because of the price and the cheapy appearance of the units. glad I decided to revisit!

[jsteiger]

Originally Posted by monkeyxx

I actually saw the CAPI website once, and decided it was fulloshit because of the price...

Ah, I guess I should raise the prices to be more credible then!

Something so reasonable can't be good right?

[poiesznbeats]

Originally Posted by jsteiger

Ah, I guess I should raise the prices to be more credible then!

Something so reasonable can't be good right?

Not yet!!! Wait til I get a few more

Honestly, one guy said I should fill my lunchbox now because when word gets out the prices will skyrocket. The thought was terrifying. They're fun to build too, and that's coming from a guy that bought a soldering iron specifically to build them. I was like a proud father when they sounded so great, and I would've been happy with "really close, but not quite as good as the real thing." Not at all.

[monkeyxx]

Originally Posted by jsteiger

Something so reasonable can't be good right?

yeah, that was the thought process. you are in the dbx, maudio, ART price range with these

Ah, I guess I should raise the prices to be more credible then!

NO!!!!!

[Baz]

Even after purchasing them pre-assembled, I think I got a great deal

[Piranhadrum]

Here are some pics of my VP26's built by James Bakker of Custom Analog Services (recommended by Jeff). Awesome pre's and they rock on drums! Was impressed by James packing job as well!

[analogtodd]

Just thought I'd throw in on the love here.
Forever I thought this was simply toooo good to be true.
I finally committed and bought an 11space DIY rack and a 312, just to give it a go.

It took a little bit of time to assemble the rack and the 312 and the GAR2520, I plugged it in and WOW!

So this weekend, one of the API 212 modules crapped out while I was setting up for a tracking session, I thought, let me drop the GAR2520 into the 212 and see if it works. I powered off the Sony 3036 console, popped the 212 out, and pulled the stock API2520 module and dropped in the GAR2520.

I powered up the console and I'll be damned, the 212 with the GAR2520 sounds better than every other 212 in my console!!!!

This is all just totally subjective and all that, no, I didn't do any plots or graphs, I was setting up for a session, plugged the same mic/same source into one channel to the next while USING MY EARS, and it sounded better.

Anyway, I already ordered another 312 and extra GAR2520 and will be doing a pair of VP28's next month.

AWESOME STUFF, AWESOME VALUE!!!!

[gfunny72]

Yeah James did 2 VC528 Missing Links for me when they first came out. He really did a great job- was a little nervous considering he had not done one at the time, but he handled everything very professionally and it worked out perfectly. I love those things -swapping out opamps for different flavors which I can use with any pre.

Originally Posted by Piranhadrum

Here are some pics of my VP26's built by James Bakker of Custom Analog Services (recommended by Jeff). Awesome pre's and they rock on drums! Was impressed by James packing job as well!

[Piranhadrum]

James's work is clean and tidy, very professional to deal with as well.

[rooms]

just wanted to add my experience to the ongoing love here... I built a vp26 in about 3 hours yesterday afternoon. very easy build as long as you constantly double check and then check again. Ive not had loads of building experience, just a few pedals here and there... Jeff was very good over the email and shipping to the UK took just over a week in total (and then an enormous VAT, duty and 'handling fee's' bill). I bought the VP26 and VP312 with a standard gar2520 and the red dot so i can see which pre I prefer with which opamp and then I'll be getting six further channels with missing links. I'm very happy with the initial sound testing of the vp26, very warm and 'chunky' reminded me of the Wilco 'sky blue sky' tones on guitars. Can't wait to build the 312 now...

[ScumBum]

I finished one of my songs , lots of CAPI and Missing Link .

Listen to it hear , Classic api - VP26 & VP312DI (audio samples)

[ben_allison]

Sounds great!

Love my VP26's but I'm sooo excited to test out my VP28's... I'm sadly between interfaces at the moment.

Dr Bill, 22 channels? You're a madman.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Dr Bill, 22 channels? You're a madman.

Soon to be more....

Eventually I want to procure 2 Serpent Splices as SOON as they are available (maybe March Mike said....), 2 more 28's, 2 more EZ1073's, and several Missing Links I think too. Maybe 4. I'm obviously going to have to build some of Jeff's 312DI's.... Probably a couple. Plus some of the radial reamping modules, and a few other random things.... Eventually I'll no doubt have FOUR of the 11 space racks.

Plus, I'm having Dan build me a LA3A clone from Serpent before they are all gone. And then I'm going to need a REAL legit LA2A as well. That will be a DIY too.

Oh yeah, and Brad and I are going to build a pair of those U47 clones after the 1st.....

[ben_allison]

Originally Posted by drBill

Soon to be more....

Eventually I want to procure 2 Serpent Splices as SOON as they are available (maybe March Mike said....), 2 more 28's, 2 more EZ1073's, and several Missing Links I think too. Maybe 4. I'm obviously going to have to build some of Jeff's 312DI's.... Probably a couple. Plus some of the radial reamping modules, and a few other random things.... Eventually I'll no doubt have FOUR of the 11 space racks.

Plus, I'm having Dan build me a LA3A clone from Serpent before they are all gone. And then I'm going to need a REAL legit LA2A as well. That will be a DIY too.

Oh yeah, and Brad and I are going to build a pair of those U47 clones after the 1st.....

Haha! Too bad I wasn't in the area. A soldering party would be fun.

You should consider bribing Jeff to finishe the console! Might be a better format than separate racks.

Also, U47 clone? What will that give you that an MJ mic wouldn't?

[drBill]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Also, U47 clone? What will that give you that an MJ mic wouldn't?

A big fat azz shiny legit 47 body? I dunno....probably not much. But I'd like to give it a try anyway. Sounds like a fun project. I have half a mind to buy an extra body and put my MJ mic INTO that body - for client appreciation. They'll never know......

On the side note, I know you were asking about the new K47H's and I just used them with a singer that I ALWAYS have blowtorch / hashy air / sibilence problems with, and it was freaking smooth. So much so it scared me..... Just getting to know them, but I think I will like them very much.

[ben_allison]

Well it does sound like a fun project!

Nice to know its smooth. I've been using an SM7 on my voice but I find more and more that it's a bit too gritty and kinda dull. And it needs too much gain. I got a Cloudlifter (which is awesome) but still, tracks end up being too noisy, especially with loads of compression. But part of why I got it is because I'm a bit sibilant, and my fricatives are a bit forward.

Excited to try a K47H + MK012 > VP28 > IC Brute

[drBill]

Originally Posted by ben_allison

Excited to try a K47H + MK012 > VP28 > IC Brute

sounds like a killer chain!!

[ScumBum]

Has anyone ran a VP28 into a Missing Link ?

Or would the phattness be overwhelming and tear a hole in the space time continuum .

[pacealmondo]

Any news on the modular console Jeff ?

all the best

[Piranhadrum]

Hey guys have four vp 26's in my lunchbox, have two slots left. Should I fill them with the 312's or two more vp26's? I record a lot of drums through them, but also everything else.