Purple Biz & API Lunch Box

[Aearth]

Hi
Not finding alot on the Biz on the search engine so I posted this.

I have a API Lunch box with 2 x OSA L3 which I really like and work well with the Lunch box power wise (mA load), now to fill up the slots. I could go API 512 but already have a API 3124+, the Buzz Elixir draws far too much power (150mA per module) so their out. The Biz draws approx 70 mA so it looks like it can work with more modules in the API.

Now how does it sound, I'm looking for something that will take the place of the Buzz Elixir and heaps of headroom, something on the bright sounding side.
Who is happy with their Purple Biz?
Do they sound different to the API 512?

It's great that there are alot of choices now in the 500 series style preamps , but using the API Lunch Box you can be limited with number of modules other than API that you use.
Like the following

This from Tim Farrant
"Having recently been in touch with API about the 500 Series, I can report that there are some limitations with the power supply in some API frames.

The API Lunchbox has a 360mA capable power supply, and I believe the Shadow Hills module draws about 100mA each, so 2, maybe 3 is the limit depending on what else in there. Apparently there are plans to beef up the Lunchbox PSU in the near future.

There is an older 10 space API rack (made in the late 80's) with an internal supply which is very light weight, so some of the more power hungry modules are going to cause problems. Our Elixir preamp draws 150mA per module, and cannot be used in this rack.

The new VPR500 rack has stacks of power capability (3 amps), as does the new OSA external power supply. I am not sure at this time of the power capability of the BAE power supply.

Hope this is of some help.
Tim Farrant."


Me again
SO when choosing your module for your API Lunch Box you really need to consider the power each module draws if you to want to use more than three modules simultaneously. Plus API will not support their Lunch box with other modules other than their own, not that that worries me or some others.



This from API
"hi nick, congratulations on your purchase............we're glad that it's working out well and that you're happy.....

we are just launching a new alliance, the VPR Alliance, whereby we invite other manufacturers to join the Alliance at no cost whatever........the idea is to assist the clients, like yourself, making sure that any modules made for our 500v series racks, meet the minimal technical standards, so that problems will not develop and that clients warranties are not voided.

Approved so far:

A-Designs
Daking

in process:

Speck
Buzz Audio
Shadow Hills


thanks much,

Dan Zimbelman
Director of Sales and Marketing
API"

Thanks Nick

[3rd Floor]

Any update to this list of vpr approved modules?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by 3rd Floor

Any update to this list of vpr approved modules?

Here is a post that will answer your question as of last weekend Oct 6, 2006.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showp...2&postcount=41

However, just an FYI, it's my understanding that to even qualify for the VPR Alliance, the manufacturer of the module cannot currently sell or consider selling powered modular racks. So that puts out BAE, OSA, and I'm pretty sure Andrew @ Purple Audio said he was going to be making racks. So in other words, just because a module is not brought into the VPR does not mean that it isn't a great piece of gear.

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

However, just an FYI, it's my understanding that to even qualify for the VPR Alliance, the manufacturer of the module cannot currently sell or consider selling powered modular racks. So that puts out BAE, OSA, and I'm pretty sure Andrew @ Purple Audio said he was going to be making racks.

According to this thread Avedis Audio is soon to be endorsed, and yet Avedis is manufacturing the R52 modular rack.

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by Steamy Williams

According to this thread Avedis Audio is soon to be endorsed, and yet Avedis is manufacturing the R52 modular rack.

Yep, I already knew that, and it seems a contradiction in said requirements. Don't ask me to figure it out, most likely because the rack was an afterthought, and the VPR for Avedis' product had probably been in the process since it takes a few months evaluation of the product by API (at least that was our experience with Buzz Audio, about 60-90 days). I personally think it shouldn't matter if racks are produced or not, but that's my .0025 cents. Avedis, Purple, OSA & BAE all make solid kit and it would be great to see everyone working together for a positive common goal.

[thenoiseflower]

I got a Purple, Honestly, Its OK. its not really colored but it certainly aint clean, I get the feeling its doing something to the midrange that I dont toaly dig (espesh next to the 512's) and the high end is a little TOO I dont know, slow maybe, its like a soft pre, IMO.....Its just not my thing, tho I've yet to try vocals through it, I've heard some people say good things about it on voice, and I can see that, but I've been all over the germ for vocals now for months.

So far Ive only actualy cut tracks with it a few times. Once drivin an old tube organ doing big pedal parts, and that sounded really nice, the strange foggyness is puts off felt nice on the old organ at about 8 feet. And sometimes on the hats, if you DONT want a dry and defined hat sound (in favor of say like lotsa washey open 1/4 notes), its OK. just about every other time fired it up to to try it on any particular source, I've moved on to the next option pretty quickly.

all of that said, The other guys here seem to love it on dirt guitars, and it does get shitloads of gain, so I can see it being useful for many quiet/delicate things, (which is why I bought it), I just havent had anything super delicate to record lately to really address that...

BTW I had an issue, a very strange issue with it not performing well in my luchbox past the third slot from the left, (yeah I know, weird) I thing I has to do with front to back fit, as it works fine in the further left slots, 1 and 2 so to speak.
what I was noticing was no power to the unit, or no gain but power, if I pulled the BOTTOM EDGE of the module out of the slot slightley, like less than 1 millimeter, suddenly I had gain and power and leds, but pop it in place and its a dead duck (accept for when its in the first two slots) as well as the pot being super dirty on a super intermitent basis but that seems to have passed .

just my opinions, and my personal feeling is that I'm not totaly in love just yet. maybee when I get some old nasty op-amps, and inject some edge, I'll be more apt to dig the peice more, cause being able to swap ops and have the manufacurer say its all good is pretty cool. thumbsup

[chriscoleman]

I had a Biz from one of the first production runs. Phantom power didn't work and it clicked/ticked at high gain settings.

Sent it back and got a 512C.

[retropete]

I'm using the Purple in dual mode on the top of the snare. API on the bottom. The Purple seems more present, cleaner and ballsier to me.

I've got to say, there's a lot of variety you can get with the Biz... I haven't even begun to scratch the surface.

[scrubby]

hi all. long-time lurker... i have a pair of biz on the way (i think they're supposed to arrive today?) to satisfy my long-standing curiousity on their apparent versatility and whatnot.

but especially with regard to:

"...being able to swap ops and have the manufacurer say its all good is pretty cool."

...there are three standard footprint op-amps inside the thing - has anyone actually swapped any/all of them? it seems you could drive yourself mad testing all manner of combinations in each stage, given the number of current options.

just curious.

[sounddevisor]

Originally Posted by chriscoleman

I had a Biz from one of the first production runs. Phantom power didn't work and it clicked/ticked at high gain settings.

Sent it back and got a 512C.

There was a problem with some of the early units - I had an early pair of Biz which did the same thing. Andrew replaced them for me once he got the new modules built - in fact, he came by my studio one night to drop off the new modules. He was driving around Brooklyn like a gearslut's Santa Claus, dropping off new modules to all the good studio kids. thumbsup

As far as the original question goes - there have been several threads on the board with some pretty detailed descriptions of the sound. My 2 cents - I love 'em, I'll be getting another pair sooner or later. I find them very versatile - I can get a pretty good range of sounds from them depending on how hard I push the gain and whether second gain stage is switched in or out.

For more, try these threads:

Any news on the Purple Audio BIZ preamp??

API, Purples "The Biz", BAE or OSA

Purple Audio "Biz" mic pre VS Shadow Hills Mono mic pre

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=38577

[Youn]

They sound much different then the 512s, less aggressive, more open and of course alot of variety due to the dual mode and input/output levels. I like mine alot on ribbons actually, where it always seems to work better then the 512s.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

just because a module is not brought into the VPR does not mean that it isn't a great piece of gear.

good or bad, remember their will always be politics at play, some of which not all will be privy to : )
their is always a agenda.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I personally think it shouldn't matter if racks are produced or not, but that's my .0025 cents. Avedis, Purple, OSA & BAE all make solid kit and it would be great to see everyone working together for a positive common goal.

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

Avedis, Purple, OSA & BAE all make solid kit and it would be great to see everyone working together for a positive common goal.

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

it would be great to see everyone working together for a positive common goal.

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

a positive common goal.