Vintech 473, UA 4110, or API 3124 as HD front end

themaestro · 7th February 2006

Hey guys...i've considering the purchase of a new pre as a front end for my hd system. currently, i am tracking drums and synths from the assignable outs of my motif directly into my 96 1/0. i was hoping that a good affordable pre might be able to fatten up my sound a little bit. anybody have other options or advice?, i wanna make a decision asap! thanks.

cdog · 7th February 2006

I doubt you would be disappointed with any of those.

The 473 has a nice hi/low EQ and is pretty thick sounding.

The UA is probably the most flexible - it can get really clean or crunchy.

The API 3124 is a classic.

**TonyBelmont** · 7th February 2006

No doubt the API!!!!!

themaestro · 8th February 2006

thanks for the feedback...i'm leaning towards the thickness of the vintech, but i like the fact that the ua has leds for the inputs and outputs to show whats happening. can anybody tell me what's so hot about the api?

decibel · 9th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by themaestro

thanks for the feedback...i'm leaning towards the thickness of the vintech, but i like the fact that the ua has leds for the inputs and outputs to show whats happening. can anybody tell me what's so hot about the api?

I have the API 3124 and the Vintech 473, and I can tell you that if it was between the two, the API is far and above the better choice for almost everything. I often think that I could make records with only API preamps....so if you are going to have one preamp for everything, I would say the API wins by a LONGSHOT.

The Vintech is OK, on things like toms and fingerpicked acoustic, but on somethings it actually sounds broken...like strummed acoustic.

Can't comment on the UA.....

Andy

mesh boogie · 9th February 2006

funny, i was just sitting here thinking about some vocals i recorded a couple of hours ago through my 8110(the 8 channel version of the 4110).

i thought they sounded kind of crispy compared to the darker sound of my bae 1272.

but that was with vocals.

I actually track all my synths and drum machines through the 8110 because they all happen to be normaled to the line inputs. it provides a nice clean signal, not much color. so if you are looking to fatten something up maybe that would not be the choice.

maybe go with the 3124. thats on my "things to get when i have the money to get it" list.

7th February 2006	#1
themaestro Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: ATL Posts: 515 Thread Starter	Vintech 473, UA 4110, or API 3124 as HD front end Hey guys...i've considering the purchase of a new pre as a front end for my hd system. currently, i am tracking drums and synths from the assignable outs of my motif directly into my 96 1/0. i was hoping that a good affordable pre might be able to fatten up my sound a little bit. anybody have other options or advice?, i wanna make a decision asap! thanks. __________________ Produced by Maestro Twitter @Maestro

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7th February 2006	#2
cdog Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,559 3 Reviews written	I doubt you would be disappointed with any of those. The 473 has a nice hi/low EQ and is pretty thick sounding. The UA is probably the most flexible - it can get really clean or crunchy. The API 3124 is a classic.

7th February 2006	#3
TonyBelmont Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,917	No doubt the API!!!!!

8th February 2006	#4
themaestro Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: ATL Posts: 515 Thread Starter	thanks for the feedback...i'm leaning towards the thickness of the vintech, but i like the fact that the ua has leds for the inputs and outputs to show whats happening. can anybody tell me what's so hot about the api?

9th February 2006	#6
mesh boogie Gear Head Joined: Sep 2005 Location: 2 up 2 down Posts: 64	funny, i was just sitting here thinking about some vocals i recorded a couple of hours ago through my 8110(the 8 channel version of the 4110). i thought they sounded kind of crispy compared to the darker sound of my bae 1272. but that was with vocals. I actually track all my synths and drum machines through the 8110 because they all happen to be normaled to the line inputs. it provides a nice clean signal, not much color. so if you are looking to fatten something up maybe that would not be the choice. maybe go with the 3124. thats on my "things to get when i have the money to get it" list.