2nd August 2012
|
#1 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 144
Thread Starter | HELP! STAY WITH API 512c OR GO WITH AVEDIS MA5???
I need some serious advice. I am thinking about jumping ship in regard to my API 512c mic pre. I use a Wunder CM 7 GT Mic with it sounds great yadda yadda yadda but I am really interested in the Avedis MA5 Mic Pre so I just want to know which would be better? I know this is a loaded subjective b.s. question on my part but I want to get across the fact that I've had extensive experience with the 512c I'm bored with it I am wondering if the Avedis has more headroom and such. What would you do? Obviously I'd have to pay more for the Avedis since the 512c would be sold as used. If I decided not to go with the Avedis and kept my 512 I'd probably double up on Chandler's Little Devil EQ's making the total amount I have at two along with the devil compressor in my 10 slot lunchbox.
Question 2: I am utterly sick and tired of the Harrison EQ sure the harrison console is great and all but the 500 series module is a far cry from the original console. so as I stated I'm tired of the same old same old with the harrison EQ would it be wise to sell it and go for a little devil EQ processor?
| 
|  | |
2nd August 2012
|
#2 | | Gear interested
Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Louisiana
Posts: 8
|
As with most gear, knowing what instruments you're mostly tracking for what genre of music is a big help in that decision. I have An MA5 and a pair of 512s in my lunchbox at the moment and I love them both depending on my needs. (have only used the 2 on Drums, Bass, and Guitar Cabs) 512s are punchy as you know, the MA5 is smooth. Did a shoot out with them on a bass DI and MA5 was cleanest and smoothest with the 512 being punchier with a little grit. Both sounded great though, just 2 different flavors. I'd say go for the MA5 If you're bored with the 512.. You can always go back, though you might end up with both!
| |
| | |
2nd August 2012
|
#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 998
 |
I usually prefer the ma5 to 512 for voals and acoustic guitar but I'd try hard to add the ma5 and not trade.
| 
| | |
2nd August 2012
|
#4 | | Gear addict
Joined: Nov 2011 Location: Hudson Valley
Posts: 400
|
I have both and yeah, I usually go with the MA5 for vox. The API remains my favorite for "up front" acoustic guitar. O yeah and "obviously" drums on the 512  although I basically never put ribbons through them.
Honestly, I'm replacing my 512 with CAPI now. Having a trim makes me happy.
| |
| | |
2nd August 2012
|
#5 | | Gear nut
Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, AB Canada
Posts: 91
|
I replaced my API 512c with a VP26 CAPI and I couldn't be happier....saved myself $250 plus the CAPI sounds better...for me anyways..
...I have a Golden Age Pre for Neve-ish and the CAPI....I find that having both really covers you well...CAPI for guitars hands-down...Golden Age for bass vocals, although the CAPI is pretty damn good for vocals too
| |
| | |
3rd August 2012
|
#6 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2005 Location: New York City
Posts: 1,420
|
Every time I use an MA5 I want to get a bunch of them. They are usually my pick on vocals over the API 512 which I love for other things like electric guitars, percussion, and as a DI for bass and synths.
| |
| | |
4th August 2012
|
#7 | | Gear Head
Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 59
|
I think you should have both, but if you can only afford one the MA5 is the bomb. My issue with the 512C always is about that you have to use the pad for any loud sources (electric guitars. most drums...) and that totally sucks away the tone that the preamp has...it's like a blanket goes over the tone. The MA5, on the other hand, has an output knob that allows you to adjust the level you need without killing the tone.
MA5 for sure. I have 4 and love them.
| |
| | |
6th August 2012
|
#8 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 452
|
My MA5 went down yesterday, for whatever reason, and I jumped to my 512c for vocals... depressed at the results. Still love the 512c for various things, but the MA5 on anything is just wonderful!
| |
| | |
6th August 2012
|
#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Posts: 1,919
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Levi  My MA5 went down yesterday, for whatever reason, and I jumped to my 512c for vocals... depressed at the results. Still love the 512c for various things, but the MA5 on anything is just wonderful! | Wow! This could be one of the very few (or the first I've heard of?) MA5 that went down (despite the usual output knob pulled too hard..   ) contact Avedis he will repair in a hurry.. what happened?
Btw the MA5 has a tremendous headroom and has a totally different sound from the 512.. I'd go with the MA5.. 
the 512 is good but has the sound of an opamp preamp circuit, which is not bad per se, it's just not as a class A design.. sounds different... better or worse it's in the ear (and taste) of the beholder.. Quote:
Originally Posted by enzee I think you should have both, but if you can only afford one the MA5 is the bomb. | +1! Quote:
Originally Posted by enzee My issue with the 512C always is about that you have to use the pad for any loud sources (electric guitars. most drums...) and that totally sucks away the tone that the preamp has...it's like a blanket goes over the tone. MA5 for sure. I have 4 and love them. | You could mod the 512 in order to don't change its sound when you engage the pad, check on the geeksluts section, I'm sure there are other forums as well speaking/explaining that..
just my 0.02$,
I hope this helps... 
Cheu
__________________  www.masterdaelion.com
A new, breaktrough way of reading your music scores. "If you want to be given everything, give everything up" www.qtrio.ch www.studio21.ch Quote: |
We're only as good as the musicians we keep; the same goes for the musicians. - Remoteness
| | |
| | |
6th August 2012
|
#10 | | Gear nut
Joined: Mar 2006 Location: around LA
Posts: 122
|
hi Levi
I got your email and will contact you shortly. It sounds like the gain switch needs replacing.. I'll take care of it no charge and ship it back.
-Avedis
| |
| | |
7th August 2012
|
#11 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee
Posts: 452
| Quote: |
Wow! This could be one of the very few (or the first I've heard of?) MA5 that went down (despite the usual output knob pulled too hard.. ) contact Avedis he will repair in a hurry.. what happened?
| Well, I had a wonderful visit with Avedis yesterday... now, more than ever, I'm a fan for life! This gentleman was so personable, knew exactly what the issue was, offered to repair it for free (on a four-year old preamp!), etc. Merely a wiper on the switch. He said this is the third one to do this in the history of the preamp, and that he's yet to have one electronically fail or have issues. GOODNESS!!!! That's a SERIOUS build quality!!! Just thrilled with Avedis and how they do business!!!
| |
| | |
7th August 2012
|
#12 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 658
|
get a lot of api 512c and a lot of vintage neve. then you dont need to worry anymore
| |
| | |
7th August 2012
|
#13 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 453
|
i have an MA. sounds amazing. wide range of sounds
| |
| | |
8th August 2012
|
#14 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 12,241
|
What are you mainly using the pre for ? I would think the 512 is faster, just a tad.
Both pres are tops.
__________________ Don't Fu*k with my Tone !!!.
I need a spell check app  Harrison~ Neve~ API~ BAE~ Dan Alexander~ Fuchs~ John Hardy~ JLM~ Urei/UA | |
| | |
8th August 2012
|
#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Sausalito, Ca.
Posts: 744
| Quote:
Originally Posted by AllAboutTone What are you mainly using the pre for ? I would think the 512 is faster, just a tad.
Both pres are tops. |
Come on AAT, you can say whatever you want about these pre's, nobody gonna come after ya.....jk
| |
| | |
8th August 2012
|
#16 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 12,241
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintageidiot Come on AAT, you can say whatever you want about these pre's, nobody gonna come after ya.....jk | Yea since I don't use them anymore.
However I do use a older 3124 for drums, they are faster for drums than my MR3.
| |
| | |
9th August 2012
|
#17 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2004 Location: seattle
Posts: 551
|
I recently tried a MA5, loved it.
I had a little time the other day and did a geeky shoot out between a API 512b, MA5 and 1073(real one) on a crunchy guitar track.
Guess what? They all sounded great...
Had it on a room mic these last few days, same thing... it sounded great.
Looking forward to trying it out on other sources and filling the last couple of slots left.
| |
| | |
9th August 2012
|
#18 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 12,241
| Quote:
Originally Posted by gear is cool I recently tried a MA5, loved it.
I had a little time the other day and did a geeky shoot out between a API 512b, MA5 and 1073(real one) on a crunchy guitar track.
Guess what? They all sounded great...
Had it on a room mic these last few days, same thing... it sounded great.
Looking forward to trying it out on other sources and filling the last couple of slots left. | Try out a kick and snare on API and get back with results.
| |
| | |
9th August 2012
|
#19 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2009 Location: los angeles
Posts: 2,660
|
You need both. They are totally different sound prints. One is a Neve-style (MA5; great midrange and solid low-end; great on everything) and the other is an API-style (slow slew so splatters transients; great for drums etc).
Avedis (MA5) build quality, customer service and design are second to none. For an API-style pre check out the BAE 312 (AFAIK, that's an Avedis design as well) or one of the DIY CAPI (have heard the very good VP26 but not the VP28).
| |
| | |
10th August 2012
|
#20 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2004 Location: seattle
Posts: 551
| Quote:
Originally Posted by AllAboutTone Try out a kick and snare on API and get back with results. | O O
| |
| | |
17th August 2012
|
#21 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 144
Thread Starter |
GOOD NEWS got an Avedis MA5 with my Wunder CM 7 mic its amazing and now I'm using my 512c for Bass DI. So its working out perfectly the Avedis is much better on vocals I cannot articulate the differences but I can just tell the MA5 is perfect with a high end mic that I have I'm making great vocal tracks. Now if I could just find a decent EQ.
| |
| | |
17th August 2012
|
#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Sausalito, Ca.
Posts: 744
|
Can't go wrong with those......well, you could, but I doubt you will.
| |
| | |
1 Week Ago
|
#23 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 58
|
When in doubt, choose both. Everybody wins, except for your accountant.
| |
| | | |
New Reply 
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
