Lunch pre for vocals: OSA L, P-1, Purple Biz, or SH Gama?

[rids]

Looking for a pre to put in my lunchbox for vocals. I'm going to probably get another pre later, but for now I'm looking to get one suited for vocals. I'm looking at the OSA L, A Designs P-1, Purple Audio Biz, and Shadow Hills Mono Gama. It sounds like the L3 is the biggest sounding OSA pre, but seems as thought the L is more suited for vocals. The A Designs stuff, I'm unsure what would be the best for vocals, but it seems like the P-1, but I bet the Red One would be cool.

Anyways, I just starting to feel sluty, as I have a pair of Chandler Germaniums and will be getting a decent EQ soon (looking forward to the Chandler 500 EQs). I only have a Shure SM58 mic, so perhaps if you guys see this as inadequate then you could suggest a mic with the pre as well.

[rowdy322]

Pearlman with the A-designs P-1. DISCUSSION IS NOW OVER!!

[thermos]

Definitely a new mic before a new pre. Right?
I love my Pearlman too. Kind of can't lose with that one.

[Saucyjack]

I've haven't run my P-1 thru many vocals yet but the Purple Biz is tres cool on vocals.
Seems to sit the vocal forward and super easy to dial in a good sound...very flexible.

[rids]

I assume when we're talking about the Pearlman, it's the TM-1? Where can you get these? They look quite pricey for my budget right now, as I was looking to drop the $700-800 for one of these pres.

Good to know about the Purple Biz being nice on vocals. I'd be interested to hear how it compares to the other 3. And BTW, if there are some other pres for the lunchbox that are good for vocals, let me know, even outside of the lunchbox too.

[s.d.finley]

Today I used a P1 on background group vocals for a rock band. The P1 helped the BGV cut thru a dense rock mix. Normally I like the Gama on lead vocal trax, but have also been digging the EM-Silver too, just got it last week. The silver is a lil darker. Why only choose one?

sdf

[rids]

Well, I hope to choose more and see how slutty I can get with my lunch, but for now it's all about vocals for my current pre decision and meeting a budget. How unslutty of me.

[rids]

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

Today I used a P1 on background group vocals for a rock band. The P1 helped the BGV cut thru a dense rock mix. Normally I like the Gama on lead vocal trax, but have also been digging the EM-Silver too, just got it last week. The silver is a lil darker. Why only choose one?

sdf

Wow, the silver? Are you doing male vocals through it? I wonder how females would sound through it. Good to know the Gama is a strong contender. How would you describe the Gama on vocals?

[s.d.finley]

Originally Posted by rids

Wow, the silver? Are you doing male vocals through it? I wonder how females would sound through it. Good to know the Gama is a strong contender. How would you describe the Gama on vocals?

I've only had my Lunchbox since mid-march, so I have only spent a month and 1/2 using it, a great time too I might add!! I have not had the chance to use the EM-silver on female vox yet. I like the silver and a tube mic on male vox....really smooth, but stilll has some presence, to cut thru. I've used the Gama on nickel setting alot on female vocals, this is probably my fav for female vox. For male, Gama on steel, and either the silver or P1.....but I'd say 75% of the time, the talent and I choose the Gama. The Gama sounds alil' different depending on the mic and vocalist, of course. Plus the arrangement of the song, and the desinity of the arrangement play a big factor in choosing the right pre. I almost think that on some vocals, its splitting hairs, deciding which of those 3 pres to choose from. They all sound very good. The advantage of the Gama, is you can choose 3 different output paths, which change the color of the signal. Sometime switching to Nickle from Steel makes a big difference, and sometimes it doesnt.

Hope this helps!!

sdf

[rids]

Dang, I didn't want to hear that about the Gama being good on vocals. If I went that route, I'm sure I'd have to wait quite a while. I would think there is still a long waiting list.

Well, actually that might give me a chance to try out some other pres first. So no one cares for the OSA L on vocals?

Also, where can you buy Pearlman Mics? I don't find anything in a google search.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by rids

Well, actually that might give me a chance to try out some other pres first. So no one cares for the OSA L on vocals?

******//www.gearslutz.com/board/showt...&highlight=osa

[Bradahman]

I am more of the singer/song writer/producer in my group which consists of my brother's and I. My youngest bro is the drummer/ bass player of the group, and he has been a studio apprentice for the last few years. He's used to the Neve's and Calrec's of this world. This past week he has been tracking with my set up, and I did not really get into it about the two preamps that I have, the P-1 and the OSA L. I just wanted to see which one he would gravitate to. He has consistantly gone to the OSA L. Last night he was tracking a young female singer, and he went straight to the P-1. After about an hour he wanted to take a break. After his break he just wanted to see how she would sound on the L. He ended up retracking her with the L.

[rids]

Alright, looks like we have a 4 way tie. I'm getting convinced that I will have to try these all out myself, but the more I hear about these the better I start to understand and formulate how I might use these different pres.

So for the sake of comparison, the OSA L has been said to have a nice big bottom and a very nice high, while not quite having the 3 demensional mid range quality the P-1 has. So would that make sense for male singers that don't get into those really high notes like women can, that the P-1 might work better for a male, while the OSA L might work more for a female? Of course like it has been said, they're just different flavors, but still curious as to the taste of these flavors.

[Bradahman]

If you ask me, they are all so close that it does not really matter. I think people are over analyzing these pre's a bit because they have 4 or 5 different flavors and they are experimenting with which pre fits with what... But if they had just one rack filled with P-1's, or Biz's, or Gamma's, or OSA L's, they would be just fine and their work would still be solid.

[max cooper]

I guess it's a little hard to believe there's so much thought going into which mic preamp for which source.

Isn't a good preamp a good preamp?

What if you just bought preamps that generally sound good?

I think microphones merit these kinds of discussions, but preamps?

I've gotten sidetracked by this kind of thinking once or twice, and in the end, I've never thought a good preamp didn't sound good on a particular source.

Maybe I have tin ears or something.

[tvanveen]

Gotta agree with Bradahman. The mic, singer and room are going to make more difference then which pre is used, and are going to determine which sounds best in a given situation.

[Bradahman]

I was just running everything though my OSA L, and it sounded good to me. Everyone started talking about the P-1, so I had to get one. I was expecting a world of difference and there was none from a quality stand point. The P-1 is a nice sounding pre, but the OSA L is every bit as good.

[tvanveen]

Have you tried using an inline pad before hitting the input on the P1? That thing really starts to cook when you crank it, but just hitting the pad button on the pre won't do it.

I think the differences between the 500 pres (at least the ones I have) are hard to discern unless you're slamming the input.

That's another reason I like the OSA and Biz...with the output pot you don't need an inline pad.

[Bradahman]

I have not used an inline pad, but I have brought down the source level and have been able to use the pad to push the amp. Also have been using the SM7 which uses a lot of gain all by it'self. Don't get me wrong the P-1 does sound good. I do AB the two and one usually sounds a little better than the other, but marginally so. To the point where either one would do. But for the big phatt tracks... I find myself reaching for the the OSA L.

[s.d.finley]

I pad from the mic and sometimes pad the pre too. I dont have an OSA "L", but would like one .

Today I tracked a rapper that is young and has a thin kinda voice. I started with the EM-silver, tooooo smooth and not "krunk" enuff, ditto for the Gama. But when I tried the P1, it had just enuff punch and excitment to cut thru. I have noticed that with vocalist that can project and already sound larger than life, the P1 is too much. But for those who need "help", and a good amount of it, it works great.

So many options nowdays....I need a bigger box!!

sdf

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by rids

I only have a Shure SM58 mic, so perhaps if you guys see this as inadequate then you could suggest a mic with the pre as well.

A 58 is very often a beautiful thing... I've cut some of the best vocals I've ever recorded using a 57 which is basically a 58 to which you must apply some low end filtering... that said, there are about 2 billion other microphones that may very well suit your purposes... I would suggest you drive a few around the block and determine if one or the other tickles your fancy.

As for the mic pre quandary... your options would be to either try a bunch of them to determine which [if any] suits your sense of aesthetic... and/or create a giant "pie chart" with the names of each of the "aftermarket API sized pre's" in a slice of the pie. Attach an arrow on a stick to the center of the pie chart and spin the arrow.

Round and round she goes... where she stops... well that would be the pre-amp I would suggest to for you... but I don't sell them (anymore) so my opinion isn't based on a commercial effort.

Best of luck with all you do.

Peace.

[ScumBum]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

As for the mic pre quandary... your options would be to either try a bunch of them to determine which [if any] suits your sense of aesthetic... and/or create a giant "pie chart" with the names of each of the "aftermarket API sized pre's" in a slice of the pie. Attach an arrow on a stick to the center of the pie chart and spin the arrow.

Round and round she goes... where she stops... well that would be the pre-amp I would suggest to for you... but I don't sell them (anymore) so my opinion isn't based on a commercial effort.

Best of luck with all you do.

Peace.

Thanks Fletcher , life just got so much easier !

I've been wondering if I should break up with my girlfriend , I think I'll use the same pie chart ,

[weatherbox]

hey Rids, I just got a p1 and Biz today. I've only made very preliminary tests thus far, but I feel pretty safe in saying anyone who likes one is gonna like the other as well. With the Biz in normal mode, it and the P1 sounded pretty similar on my (allergy-congested) voice, and even more similar on my strummed acoustic guitar. In dual mode, the Biz was a little weightier, if that makes any sense. I'll have to try them on electric guitar and overheads next, that's where I get most picky about preamps - vox and acoustic for me usually the mic is the part of the chain worth worrying about. But as for differences, from what I've done so far they're subtle but present on vox. The P1 has a really nice midrange presence, it's forward but not in a way that comes across as unnatural. I have a feeling I'm going to love this thing when I get to electric guitars. The Biz felt a little flatter in response with a little more to the low end - probably gonna be a killer on kick drum. All in all, they're closer in sound than a lot of my other preamps. I'll reserve "formal" judgement until I've used them across a range of tracks, but initial impression is that both are winners.

[rids]

Originally Posted by weatherbox

hey Rids, I just got a p1 and Biz today and am going to be testing them out a little. I'll try and get some sort of comparison file together for you so you can draw your own conclusions, at least between those two. Just gotta promise not to laugh at my singing...

Never! I respect any and everyone's work no matter what stage they're at. Plus, that would help out a lot.

Good to know about the thin sounding vocalists, SD. Makes sense and I will definitely keep that in mind when choosing these pres.

[weatherbox]

Originally Posted by rids

Never! I respect any and everyone's work no matter what stage they're at. Plus, that would help out a lot.

Good to know about the thin sounding vocalists, SD. Makes sense and I will definitely keep that in mind when choosing these pres.

as you posted, I edited my reply... I'll get some sounds together once I've got a better situation in place - some full tracks and me not hit with allergies so hard! Hopefully soon. Might be able to get some female vox as well. On their own, the differences feel less apparent to me, it's in track context that I usually appreciate what a different pre brings to the table.

[rids]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

A 58 is very often a beautiful thing... I've cut some of the best vocals I've ever recorded using a 57 which is basically a 58 to which you must apply some low end filtering... that said, there are about 2 billion other microphones that may very well suit your purposes... I would suggest you drive a few around the block and determine if one or the other tickles your fancy.

As for the mic pre quandary... your options would be to either try a bunch of them to determine which [if any] suits your sense of aesthetic... and/or create a giant "pie chart" with the names of each of the "aftermarket API sized pre's" in a slice of the pie. Attach an arrow on a stick to the center of the pie chart and spin the arrow.

Round and round she goes... where she stops... well that would be the pre-amp I would suggest to for you... but I don't sell them (anymore) so my opinion isn't based on a commercial effort.

Best of luck with all you do.

Peace.

Thanks and good to hear this. Although, the first couple of posters here made me think that a good mic, such as a Pearlman, would be a better investment first. The Pearlman is out of my price range right now, which 700-800, and the Pearlmans seem to be about 1400-1500. The Pearlman sounds like the ultimate bang for buck in the mic dept. Makes me want to save up and get it, but if great vocals can be had with the SM58, then I would feel pretty comfortable using this for a while.

Are there any other cheaper mics that any of guys could suggest for vocals?

[AdamJay]

Rids,

hi.

i own all 4 of the preamps you are considering. And they're really all quite well suited for your needs. They're all versatile, elegant sounding, airy, and all have a great deal of depth. So i'll try to sum up each individual's biggest strength versus the others.

OSA MP1-L: Most upfront sound. It has the most centered, forward sound of the lot. And it takes EQ extremely well.

A-Designs P1: Most elegant. Having several tracks in the mix tracked with the P1 will yield a mix with alot of depth and spatial width. Because of this, its the only pre of the lot that i own two of, great for stereo recording. Not sure how well it takes EQ because i rarely EQ it, it captures the source so well that with proper mic selection i usually just have to set the level correctly in the mix.

Purple Biz: Most colorful. The Dual mode is nuts. And the variety of tones you can get with different gain/output settings makes the 'color' quite tunable.

Shadow Hills Mono GAMA: Most versatile. The 3 transformer options, combined with the pad make it capable of the most broad amount of tones.


So, i would ask yourself what exactly do you need in a preamp.
If you want something to cut through the mix: OSA
If you want something to add a high fi quality to your vocals: P1
If you want something to make your tracks more distinct: Biz
If you want something that will give you different tones from one track to the next: GAMA


good luck!

[Dot]

rids, I've got a lot of these new 500-series format pres here. I think if you're just thinking about vocals you might either be getting ahead of yourself, or not considering the other applications you also might have for the pre.

When you say "vocals" - what kind of vocals do you mean? One person's vocals...male..female.. Or different vocalists? Sexy R&B, Hard Rock, Polka?

What kind of music are you working on and what kind of sound are you wanting?

Chances are you can select one of these pres that'll let you do a lot of things.

[rids]

What's the dual mode on the Biz?

I'm going to be recording male and female vocals, myself mainly and two female guest vocalists. I'm not a great vocalist, have taken some classes before, but one of the females has a hugh range and is an accomplished singer, doing plays/opera type stuff at her college. My music involves a lot of synths, guitars, bass, drums via samplers, and the vocals.

As for my music, It's kind of Popish music, but incorporates a lot of synths with guitar and other traditional instruments (mainly from an Eastwest Colossus sample library).

For the sound, I'm aiming for a high fi quality in my music. I already have a Chandler Germaniums.

Thanks for the list of 'IF' questions Adam. The OSA L and P-1 seem like they'd fit the ticket. From the descriptions I've been hearing, those sound like they would fit what I'm after (only I can just speculate at this point). The P-1s might be a better choice since they seem like they would work well on variety of different applications, but the OSA L seems like great one too, that's hard to pass up. But I'm feeling at this point that the P-1 would give me some versatility. Would you guys agree given my type of music?

[rids]

I should say that the P-1 was my initial pick a while back, so maybe I could be hung up on this one.