what ever happened to the Phoenix DRS-Q4?

[AdamJay]

as mentioned here:
http://www.phoenixaudio.net/news.htm

RS-Q4 Dual Microphone pre-amplifier with 4 band Eq and ELEVEN selectable frequencies to play with!! All Class A, All Discrete, All New design. Rather than copying old circuitry from other manufacturers and claiming it as our own, this is a NEW design, but uses Phoenix Audio (UK)'s UNIQUE input stage and a very flexible gyratory Eq circuit design!!

i realize this page is like 3 years old... but i'm curious.

anyone?

[musicsound-2]

http://www.auroraaudio.net/aa_html/aa_products_cs.html

similar things are announced here since a lot of time.

They might do it together in order to launch it successfull and on time ;-)
.. just for the advantage of their customers

[Yutaka]

This page is more up to date, says it's past the design & test stage.

[Thermionic]

DRS-Q4 is on the way. Prototypes have been tested and metalwork has been prepared. Commercial considerations meant that other products had to be concentrated on, and the DRS-Q4 took a back seat for a time.

It should be noted that the DRS-Q4 has been evaluated in stringent studio-environments over a period of time, and the design is fully tested and ready for release in every respect.

If you're interested in a DRS-Q4, please do not hesitate in contacting us. Also, bear in mind that, as with Nicerizer-16, the first 10 pre-production units off the line will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Musicsound-2: Please read the posting I made HERE. Thank-you!


Regards,
Justin

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by Thermionic

Musicsound-2: Please read the posting I made HERE. Thank-you!


Regards,
Justin

Dear Justin,

thanks for reply.
I did not notice before, that Phoenix UK is also launching a micpre with EQ.

I have considered to buy a GTQ2 or a DRS-2. I went though all the information I could get from forums, websites, etc... because I will not have any opportunity here in Germany to compare them both in my studio. ... Seeing my difficulties I am now considerding to buy both and public a nice review.

GTQ2
I like the concept with EQ (GTQ) much more and at least I found up to 5 people, who are saying that they like the product very much. One of them has the ser.no 1 and at least two of them are are also involved in selling this unit. I found nobody who gave me a negative reply.
After asking about the 4-band EQ micpre, which was announced on Geoffs page under the heading "coming soon", I got the following information: "The future 4 band EQ will probably not be released until 2008, if it is ever manufactured. It is more of a thought than anything else right now."
So why put it under the heading "coming soon" ? Just to confuse people ?

DRS-2
In contrary to the GTQ I found some sound examples in the internet. Personally I did not like them too much, as they sounded a bit cold and too bright. Others are calling it "modern". But I am aware that this might be also a question of a mix or even mp3.
I found no sound file from the GTQ and my phantasy is now telling me that I might like it better, as it sounds closer to old Neves and at least I have the EQ.
I found some more people who are promoting the DRS but also more people who are involved in selling the unit. Most likely Phoenix UK has just a better marketing & sales concept and a wider distribution than Aurora with their "Tanner Box" - especially in Europe.

I did not recognise, that a DRS-4 will be launched and so I am interested about the details like availability, price and of course sound.

[bing81]

Originally Posted by musicsound-2

DRS-2
In contrary to the GTQ I found some sound examples in the internet. Personally I did not like them too much, as they sounded a bit cold and too bright. Others are calling it "modern".
I found some more people who are promoting the DRS but also more people who are involved in selling the unit. Most likely Phoenix UK has just a better marketing & sales concept and a wider distribution than Aurora with their "Tanner Box" - especially in Europe.

I'm sorry, but I've never understood this argument. That because people are selling a unit, their opinions are somehow invalidated. And marketing? What are you saying, better marketing = worse-sounding gear?

I was lucky enough to get one of the first DRS's made (mine is serial no. 002). I've run it against any number of other pres in various studios, and have never found the DRS "cold" or "too bright" or otherwise deficient. Maybe it's not right for everyone, but it has been the single best gear purchase I ever made. I've never heard the Aurora units.

B

PS If you want a Neve, get a Neve.

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by bing81

What are you saying, better marketing = worse-sounding gear?

sorry, that has been misunderstood - that is indeed not my view.

What I am trying to say is, that sometimes very good products are overlooked, because of non professional or even non exisiting marketing.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by musicsound-2

DRS-2
In contrary to the GTQ I found some sound examples in the internet. Personally I did not like them too much, as they sounded a bit cold and too bright. Others are calling it "modern". But I am aware that this might be also a question of a mix or even mp3.

If the sound was too cold and bright, believe me, it had nothing to do with that particular preamp.

-R

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

If the sound was too cold and bright, believe me, it had nothing to do with that particular preamp.

-R

Do you own a DRS or have access to one ? Maybe you can than even share a soundfile which shows how warm the DRS-2 can sound in addition to the transparancy which he certainly has.

Have you been able to compare with the GTQ ? I am really intersted how they compare.

Any idea when the DRS-4 will be available ?

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by musicsound-2

Do you own a DRS or have access to one ? Maybe you can than even share a soundfile which shows how warm the DRS-2 can sound in addition to the transparancy which he certainly has.

Have you been able to compare with the GTQ ? I am really intersted how they compare.

Sorry, I'm not a salesman and don't really want to champion one pre over the other, because I honestly think it's gotten a little out of control. But when i got my DRS-2 I soon lost interest in the whole preamp thing, and am only commenting here to correct what I think is a mischaracterization. You should just get one and try it. Posted sound files really don't mean anything.

-R

[AdamJay]

justin,
just sent you an email re: DRS-Q4.
thanks for chiming in on this thread.


musicsound-2,
FWIW,
i don't sell equipment, but i own a DRS-2 and i recommend it. I purchased it based on recommendations and comparisons as well. The only thing i could be happier about with it is the inclusion of an EQ, hence my DRS-Q4 inquiry.

I do indeed rave about the DRS-2 any time i have the opportunity and time to comment on high end preamps that someone on GS may be contemplating purchasing. It is the best preamp i have ever heard, though i will admit my experience with the GTQ is limited (partly because it didnt wow me instantly).

[Fibes]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

If the sound was too cold and bright, believe me, it had nothing to do with that particular preamp.

-R

And if it was the one I provided it was an MP3, had no eq and the mic was a U95.

I don't think it was bright at all.

Cold wouldn't even come to mind.

[zimv20]

Originally Posted by musicsound-2

DRS-2
In contrary to the GTQ I found some sound examples in the internet. Personally I did not like them too much, as they sounded a bit cold and too bright. Others are calling it "modern". But I am aware that this might be also a question of a mix or even mp3.

i'm a very happy drs-1 owner and feel your description does not fit. i also recommend you give it a try.

PM me if you want to hear it on a female vocal i tracked, which i hope would dispel the cold and bright notion.

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by Fibes

And if it was the one I provided it was an MP3, had no eq and the mic was a U95.

I don't think it was bright at all.

Cold wouldn't even come to mind.

Hi Fibes,

you have been the only one who shared a sound file of the GTQ2 (NOT the DRS-2 or am I wrong ?).
However, I really liked the vocals on "whisper his name" they sounded great and sexy and the mic pre fits very good to the voice IMO.

[Thermionic]

Although I've never heard anyone say a DRS was "cold" or "bright", it certainly can sound transparent if you don't push the o/p-stage. One aspect that *may* be causing a touch of confusion here is that the red LED on the DRS output-stage comes on at +8, yet the o/p-stage is barely even straining at this level.

Drive the o/p-stage hard, and you get even-harmonic saturation to suit application; let it "breath", and you get an airy, clean sound that is suited to acoustic material where you don't want "colour".

Fletcher mentions how he implements the DRS-2 in This Link Here, complete with gaffer tape :-)

Thanks to all that have emailed me re: the pre-production units. We're really looking forward to reading / hearing your impressions!

Justin

[musicsound-2]

sounds really promising - but difficult to put decisions on hold for that time.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by AdamJay

justin,
just sent you an email re: DRS-Q4.
thanks for chiming in on this thread.


musicsound-2,
FWIW,
i don't sell equipment, but i own a DRS-2 and i recommend it. I purchased it based on recommendations and comparisons as well. The only thing i could be happier about with it is the inclusion of an EQ, hence my DRS-Q4 inquiry.

I do indeed rave about the DRS-2 any time i have the opportunity and time to comment on high end preamps that someone on GS may be contemplating purchasing. It is the best preamp i have ever heard, though i will admit my experience with the GTQ is limited (partly because it didnt wow me instantly).

I just saw this... and was wondering where you heard this GTQ that you say didn't wow you instantly? Are you saying that you actually heard one and you weren't impressed?....

What was the setup and mics used, and what did you not like about it? If the GTQ doesn't wow you, then neither would a 1073.

[AdamJay]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I just saw this... and was wondering where you heard this GTQ that you say didn't wow you instantly? Are you saying that you actually heard one and you weren't impressed?....

What was the setup and mics used, and what did you not like about it? If the GTQ doesn't wow you, then neither would a 1073.

was a studio in Belgrade. a year and a half, possibly 2 years ago.
now, i can't remember all the mic's we tried. (it was a late night overdub, and that whole 3 weeks was crazy)
we used a couple Neumann SDC's (KM84's maybe?), a couple wierd Yugoslavian mic's i had never seen in my life (those actually sounded the best) , and some Sennheiser SDC's.

we may have ended up going with something cleaner, i think we went with the Hardy. but i do remember not being impressed by the Aurora (perhaps a mk2 'phoenix' model at the time?). i really cannot elaborate on it more than that, i haven't the memory to.

take it for what its worth (probably no more than a grain of salt), it was last minute horn and woodwind overdubs when i was more concerned about catching my ride to Doboj in an hour than the critical examination of the sound of a preamp i had never used before.

[Geoff_T]

Hi

Just a clarification or two....

I can't recall telling anyone of a delivery of a four bander "in 2008 or possibly never at all" as it's a current project.... along with the compressor.

We haven't shipped a GTQ2 to Belgrade so I can't comment on how it got there, or in the condition it was in, or how it was set up.

To the very best of my knowledge, there are no sound files of the GTQ2 on the internet. There are too many variables of room, mic, material, etc. for my liking.

Preamps are like colour palettes, a useful tool to go with a particular mic and some folk might like the sound combination, others not.

[musicsound-2]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

To the very best of my knowledge, there are no sound files of the GTQ2 on the internet. There are too many variables of room, mic, material, etc. for my liking.

Preamps are like colour palettes, a useful tool to go with a particular mic and some folk might like the sound combination, others not.

Dear Geoff,

yes I agree with everything, but:

how can people outside the USA get an idea of how it might sound ? If it is really so good sounding like you and some others are telling, it is a pitty that there is not any option to hear it.

You don´t have any distribution here - you dislike sound files in the internet. Whatelse can I do to convince myself ?

I am just testing a Portico because it is simply AVAILABLE and I might end up to buy this preamp just simply for that reason, for the good quality and for the offer of a 10-days trial period - but not only for the hype.