What new preamps to fit with those we already have ?

SLy_drums · 28th February 2006

We have a bunch of mic pres into the studio I work in :

- API 512c (x4)
- API 512b (x1)
- Purple Audio Biz (x2)
- Mindprint Dual Tube Channel (2 channels)

... and the Mackie 8 bus with pres we avoid to use when it's possible.

We are looking for a quad mic pre (or two dual) that will get us a new flavour. The main application is drums. We currently use the API for snare, bass drum, the DTC for OHs, and the Purple for the room mic (Royer) and the hats. We need 4 more pres for the toms and also the ride cymbal (sometimes we have to mic it up).
What would you consider ?

We were thinking about the Millenia, because it's clean and that's something we do not have for the moment, maybe an API 3124+ (but we already have 5 API...), ISA 428 (clean sounding too, but not as good as the 2 mentionned above), Vintech quad 1073...

What's great for toms ?? We also can buy a quad pre that we'll use on the snare and bass drum, and use the API we have on toms...

What do you suggest ?

NB : toms mics all are MD421.

T.RayBullard · 28th February 2006

Get the DAV BG-1...as good as the millennia(HV-3C..I own one) but MUCH cheaper...it has a bit of richness that the millennia doesnt. 700 bucks. do a search here..and the website..

www.davelectronics.com

SLy_drums · 28th February 2006

Dot · 28th February 2006

I love Millennia, but I think it might be too much on the transparent side of things for your applications.

SLy_drums, what kind/s of music are you mostly recording?

What else would you be using the new pres for?

I also think when it's all said and done - you're going to find that the API's are going to be best for toms. That's one of their top applications for a lot of people. And 421's with API pres are a classic for tight, punchy tom sounds. I'd recommend you give the API's to tom duties, and for your new pres look for something for the other parts of the kit - kick, snare, OH....and other applications you have in the studio.

mrhappyballoon · 28th February 2006

If you're looking for clean, the Earthworks is as clean as they get. They are Accurate within .5db from 1hz-200khs, and a distortion of less than 1 part per million. They also have multiple outputs on the back.

Another recommendation would be the Grace Lunatec V3. Clean, high quality pre, with 192k A/D converters. I am about to buy one of these, one of my engineer buddies says that the converters are definately good quality, with an acurate clock. You can use the word clock out (or SPDIF) to stabalize the Mackie converters. I can't wait to hear the influence the new word clock has on my 002R's converters.

SLy_drums · 1st March 2006

thanx for the replies.

I mostly do metal/hardcore music, and also sometimes acoustic music.

The API seem to be the top notch for toms, I think we'll use 3 or 4 of the 5 units we have for that.

What do you think of the following setup :
- Buying a DAV Electronics BG2 (4 channels) : 1500 euros
- Buying two more API 512c for the lunchbox (that we'll end to use for the snare and kick) : 1000 euros

?

If I use the APIs I have for toms, what may I use for a big snare and big kick ?

28th February 2006	#1
SLy_drums Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 760 Thread Starter	What new preamps to fit with those we already have ? We have a bunch of mic pres into the studio I work in : - API 512c (x4) - API 512b (x1) - Purple Audio Biz (x2) - Mindprint Dual Tube Channel (2 channels) ... and the Mackie 8 bus with pres we avoid to use when it's possible. We are looking for a quad mic pre (or two dual) that will get us a new flavour. The main application is drums. We currently use the API for snare, bass drum, the DTC for OHs, and the Purple for the room mic (Royer) and the hats. We need 4 more pres for the toms and also the ride cymbal (sometimes we have to mic it up). What would you consider ? We were thinking about the Millenia, because it's clean and that's something we do not have for the moment, maybe an API 3124+ (but we already have 5 API...), ISA 428 (clean sounding too, but not as good as the 2 mentionned above), Vintech quad 1073... What's great for toms ?? We also can buy a quad pre that we'll use on the snare and bass drum, and use the API we have on toms... What do you suggest ? NB : toms mics all are MD421.

28th February 2006	#3
SLy_drums Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 760 Thread Starter	bump

28th February 2006	#4
Dot Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on the beach in warm, sunny SC Posts: 872	I love Millennia, but I think it might be too much on the transparent side of things for your applications. SLy_drums, what kind/s of music are you mostly recording? What else would you be using the new pres for? I also think when it's all said and done - you're going to find that the API's are going to be best for toms. That's one of their top applications for a lot of people. And 421's with API pres are a classic for tight, punchy tom sounds. I'd recommend you give the API's to tom duties, and for your new pres look for something for the other parts of the kit - kick, snare, OH....and other applications you have in the studio. __________________ Dan Richards Yackin' about gear and recording techniques at http://studioforums.com

28th February 2006	#5
mrhappyballoon Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: BFE Posts: 100	Clean Pre's If you're looking for clean, the Earthworks is as clean as they get. They are Accurate within .5db from 1hz-200khs, and a distortion of less than 1 part per million. They also have multiple outputs on the back. Another recommendation would be the Grace Lunatec V3. Clean, high quality pre, with 192k A/D converters. I am about to buy one of these, one of my engineer buddies says that the converters are definately good quality, with an acurate clock. You can use the word clock out (or SPDIF) to stabalize the Mackie converters. I can't wait to hear the influence the new word clock has on my 002R's converters.

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28th February 2006	#2
T.RayBullard Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Columbus County, North Carolina Posts: 2,431	Get the DAV BG-1...as good as the millennia(HV-3C..I own one) but MUCH cheaper...it has a bit of richness that the millennia doesnt. 700 bucks. do a search here..and the website.. www.davelectronics.com

1st March 2006	#6
SLy_drums Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 760 Thread Starter	thanx for the replies. I mostly do metal/hardcore music, and also sometimes acoustic music. The API seem to be the top notch for toms, I think we'll use 3 or 4 of the 5 units we have for that. What do you think of the following setup : - Buying a DAV Electronics BG2 (4 channels) : 1500 euros - Buying two more API 512c for the lunchbox (that we'll end to use for the snare and kick) : 1000 euros ? If I use the APIs I have for toms, what may I use for a big snare and big kick ?

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