Warm sounding mic pre (or channel strip) any ideas?

[stevetgn]

I've got 2 Focusrite ISA220 which sound great, very open,clean, high headroom and transparent, plus several APIs. However, I want to install something very warm & fat sounding with a bit more colour so I started messing around with the various Universal Audio 610 pre's, in particular the 6176. I really like the unit. Just wondering what everyone else turns to when they want fat and warm?

Cheers

Steve

[edvdr76]

It all depends on how much dough you want to spend. If youre on a budget then you can get an Avalon 737. I own 2 of these units and let me tell you that I wouldn't trade them for anything. They just sound beautiful! and they are not expensive(about $1400 used), well compared to other units. They have a pre, compressor and a smoooooth eq. I also recommend the Groove tubes Vipre. That is a FAT-ASS sounding pre!!

[stevetgn]

Originally Posted by edvdr76

It all depends on how much dough you want to spend.

I'll spend up to about £1200'ish

what do you put through your 737 edvdr76?

[edvdr76]

I usually use it on vocals, bass sometimes, acoustic guitars, accordion, etc. I've actually tried it on almost everything and I personally like the sound it gives me. most of the time I'm using a U-87 or an 89. You can actually buy one fairly cheap here in the U.S. Roughly around $1400 used.

[snedley]

Pendulum Quartet

[RCM - Ronan]

I am shamelessly addicted to the A Designs Pacifica for nice and warm tones.

[jdjustice]

Originally Posted by snedley

Pendulum Quartet

Pendulum pres are very "warm" IMHO.. The Quartet is super, the Quartet II even better but over your stated budget. Other suggestion: GR. I too have an Avalon 737sp and I use it for vox and bass with good results. That is a good, affordable choice. JMHO.


J.D.

[Bump Music]

Germanium. Sounds like tape, tubes, and Class A Transformer goodness. Not the best for everything, but but for that warmth.

[Andrew Kinsey]

There arn't that many decent channel strips within your budget,
These are some of them that spring to mind:

Drawmer 1969 Mecenary Edition
Sebatron Thorax
SPL Channel One
Vintech X73i, which is a Neve 1073 clone + EQ .

Preamps now, you have a lot more choice their,
these are my suggestions.

Chandler Germanium
Manley Tube Preamp
Rupert Neve Portico 5012
Sebatron VMP-1000eVU
Summit Audio 2BA-221

The best thing to do is demo some of these units before you buy,
if you need any more help with this let me know.

[indigo]

I am interested to see what this 8801 Neve will sound like !!!

[cap217]

in your budget, big fat warm= UA la610

[Reptil]

"warm" is completely subjective, but I wouldn't call an avalon warm.
esotheric, crystal-like glossyness, but warm? no way.

warm would be (IMVHO ) a Siemens Sitral (W295a or b EQ and V276 pre)
warm would be a Sphere eq and (suggested) Pacifica (warm and sweet)
warm would be a TAB Funkenwerk pre
warm is transformer warm, for me at least

[wayne mox]

Save lots of money and get a preassembled Hamptone JFET or Tube version.

[Aearth]

Originally Posted by Reptil

"warm" is completely subjective, but I wouldn't call an avalon warm.
esotheric, crystal-like glossyness, but warm? no way.

warm would be (IMVHO ) a Siemens Sitral (W295a or b EQ and V276 pre)
warm would be a Sphere eq and (suggested) Pacifica (warm and sweet)
warm would be a TAB Funkenwerk pre
warm is transformer warm, for me at least

I wouldn't call a UA anything warm either.

Nick

[Jazzy Alz]

I would stay away from the avalon 737 if you are looking for a phat or warm sound. The studio I work at has two of these and IMO (and many other musicians) they sound very average (thin). Having said that Mariah Carey and Snoop use one all the time (maybe their voice suits it??). The pacifica and germanium are both worth a look IMO. I'm getting both! Also look at the JLM gear (you will be surprised!). The JLM 99v uses opamps and has a very warm sound IMO. Avalon NOOOOO. Good luck man!

[airmate]

i'd recommend a germanium or a vintage telefunken/siemens pre (v72 or v276).

[Revelation]

Originally Posted by Jazzy Alz

I would stay away from the avalon 737 if you are looking for a phat or warm sound. The studio I work at has two of these and IMO (and many other musicians) they sound very average (thin). Having said that Mariah Carey and Snoop use one all the time (maybe their voice suits it??). The pacifica and germanium are both worth a look IMO. I'm getting both! Also look at the JLM gear (you will be surprised!). The JLM 99v uses opamps and has a very warm sound IMO. Avalon NOOOOO. Good luck man!

I am sooo tired of people saying the 737 sounds thin. It does not! Not any thinner than the Focusrite ISA pre's. If you want to say they are not as big as the Great River or Portico, that's fair, but p l e a s e don't say they are thin. The ISA is center right going more towards clean and the 737 is center left going more towards warm. In working the optic compressor and using its wonderful EQ, you can can a big full sound out of it.

However if you want a real warm creamy sound, the Manley pre is the way to go. If you want a channel strip and have the money, the Manley Voxbox.

[dbm]

Originally Posted by stevetgn

something very warm & fat sounding with a bit more colour

Sounds like pretty much everyone's description of Sebatrons.

[edvdr76]

Dude, if you dont like the Avalons then get the Vipre. That thing is BAAAADASSS!!

[insomnio]

Warm? Demeter VTMP-2b
With nice tubes here. The perfect description for it would be 'sweet'.

____________________
Insomnio

[dchapp]

Originally Posted by Jazzy Alz

I would stay away from the avalon 737 if you are looking for a phat or warm sound. The studio I work at has two of these and IMO (and many other musicians) they sound very average (thin). Having said that Mariah Carey and Snoop use one all the time (maybe their voice suits it??). The pacifica and germanium are both worth a look IMO. I'm getting both! Also look at the JLM gear (you will be surprised!). The JLM 99v uses opamps and has a very warm sound IMO. Avalon NOOOOO. Good luck man!

Hi Jazzy..........the Avalon 737 isn't one of the usual suspects...(mic pre/comp) chosen for Mariah Ld vocs......one was used for a couple of weeks for BG vocs back in 1998....I thought it sounded too dark and cloudy............

[jeff deff]

I've been using Seventh Circle N72s and they sound warm and smooth. They are worth the effort of assembling yourself. Plus you get to learn about electronics which used to be a requirement for being an audio engineer.

[leddy]

Bumping this thread to ask -

Like the OP I need a very colorful pre for recording Jazz. I'm looking for a buttery sound, like Stan Getz-ish. All I have at the moment is Sytek.

For budget reasons, I'm looking at the Hamptone tube version, or possibly a Portico 5012. Either would keep me just over a grand or so for 2 channels.

Should I just order the Hamptone, or is the Portico "silk" going to be able to deliver the same amount of nice harmonic distortion?

Thoughts? Thanks...

[strawdps]

Originally Posted by leddy

Bumping this thread to ask -

Like the OP I need a very colorful pre for recording Jazz. I'm looking for a buttery sound, like Stan Getz-ish. All I have at the moment is Sytek.

For budget reasons, I'm looking at the Hamptone tube version, or possibly a Portico 5012. Either would keep me just over a grand or so for 2 channels.

Should I just order the Hamptone, or is the Portico "silk" going to be able to deliver the same amount of nice harmonic distortion?

Thoughts? Thanks...

bump for the above question ...

[Roc Mixwell]

"warm" means a lot of things to a lot of people;

Here are some mic amps that I consider "warm", or whatever that really means.

Thermionic Early Bird

DW Fearn VT2

Great River MP2NV

Chandler TG-2



Just a few options......

[carlheinz]

+! for the D.W.Fearn. i used the pre on vocals for the first time and it was without a doubt amazing.I switched over to an api and an ssl pre just hear the diff.You really hear it and you see it on the computer as the average volume levels are louder with less peaks with the Fearn.Very smooth with nice overtones.Like a real nice glass of Makers Mark.

[visiblesound]

I second the Chandler stuff. The TG2 is an amazing preamp. The Germ is even warmer and rounder.

VS

[hurd300403]

Originally Posted by cap217

in your budget, big fat warm= UA la610

+1 thumbsup

[youngmain]

Great River Mp2nv is "warm." But if you want buttery, chocolate chipity fresh out the "warm" then the DW Fearn is for you my friend. The samples I have heard are amazing. ANd those are samples! I can only imagine in person!

[4blades]

Originally Posted by stevetgn

Any Ideas?

For a solid state pre+eq try Aurora gtq2
For tube sweetness, try this PREQ-1, di, mic-line pre and pultec style eq.