Help me get a 500 API series mic pre

[borism]

Hello
I'm putting toguether a API Lunchbox for the On the Go Jobs, many times my clients want to record vocals and or guitars in to protools at them places, so I took my old 500 API lunch box and put a 550b eq, Im thinking on maybe a Buzz Compressor, but Id like to get one mic pre in it, versatile, reliable, and GOOD,
there are so many nowadays, Adesign with like 5 colors, API, Brent, Gamma, Buzz elixir , etc
So the question is:
You have to buy one all around - very good micpre to fit yout lunch box, what would you choose? help me here, o please, dont go with, Get them all and try them.. would you?
Thank you!

[Reptil]

there are two ways to go about this..

1. the easy fast way.
write down all the names on seperate papers...
close your eyes throw them in a basket or something and pick one. now look...

2. the solid slow way.
find the button that says search with a little white triangle on the right.
click that
type API 500 preamp, or a few names like MP-1 biz Pacifica Shadow hills API (duh!)
ok now click Go
read
find out what ppl. think, and where you can get them
call a pimp, and ask if you can inspect the goods in the privacy of your bedroom
do that
choose
send the rest back (now that is the hard part)

cheers

[bobx]

from my experience and what i've heard, you can't really go wrong with any of them. they all sound pretty darn good. you just gotta try them out and find the best one that suites your needs.

i like my purple audio biz. it seems to work all around for most of my needs.

[TonyBelmont]

Hey Boris,

I would probably get the API 512c as the first preamp, but it all depends on what kind of sound you are looking for in a preamp. I think the API is a great all around-er.

[borism]

Hi Tony, thanks
I have a 512c, and honestly I dont mind having a second unit, actualy that whas my 1st reaction, but with so many new models around that I havent heard would like to hear the Gearslutzs opinion..

[borism]

Oh and BTW I did a search...just too many threads, too many, do you know how many times the word API is around? But thank you any way !

[Reptil]

I'd get a pacifica.
but even then, I have a lot of preamps now. (enough?!)
and not enough compressors.
anybody know if/when purple decides to make a 1176 in 500 form?
or at least some dynamics module with a "bad mofo" attitude?
(the idea is to populate my studio with bad mofo attitude kit )
that would really really really make me happy. (no more rackspace or $$ for 4u of purple)

ok I did some search
(time to kill, waiting for an ebay auction, for an RME for a friend)
here's some stuff that I found interesting
Another 500 Series mic preamp - DIY kits!!!
Which A-Design 500 Series
Purple Biz & API Lunch Box
If you had an empty lunch box, what would you fill it with?
Which "500" pre?
A-design P1, 'BUZ' or Mono GAMA?
500 Series Module Porn !
A few 500-series modules pics

ok ok it's not a preamp, but...
500 Series Essence Compressor Update

or just get another API 512 not a wrong choice too IMO

[SoundEng1]

Besides API, Who else makes 500 series Compressor Modules?

[borism]

Buzz Audio is suposed to make available the Essence Opto compressor soon (sept?)
based more or less on the SOC 1.1 I believe, and that should be a good thing
Other than that the API is the only option as far as I know,Well see..

[Reptil]

Soundeng1 you didn't click all the links now didya

jus messin around
here it is again..
500 Series Essence Compressor Update

can you imagine a luchbox full of different compressors? JOY
a gap in the market if you ask me.
i want something small and purple and funky and it aint prince.

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by SoundEng1

Besides API, Who else makes 500 series Compressor Modules?

I own a pair of 525's. They're excellent vocal compressors. I used to use 'em on acoustics but I don't compress acoustics these days.

They're not too good on anything but vocals and they're damn sensitive, but on vocals they're priceless.

But don't get a pair. I bought two when I was buying things in pairs. I've never used 'em in pairs except to color the tracks with no gain reduction.

[Reptil]

mmm.
I suppose that makes sense. stereo? get the 2500.
one api one essence one purple comp? (4 slots left )
like getting a box of crayons for your third birthday

[max cooper]

Yeah, also, the 500 series preamps I've heard (512c, Brent Averill, OSA MP1-L) have been close enough that I could interchange them and get great results.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Reptil

mmm.
I suppose that makes sense. stereo? get the 2500.
one api one essence one purple comp? (4 slots left )
like getting a box of crayons for your third birthday

How about a discrete LA3a type comp for the 500 series..... Interested?

[borism]

What would that be?

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

How about a discrete LA3a type comp for the 500 series..... Interested?

Yeah, that's what the Buzz Audio Essence already (sort of is...I'm not saying it's an La-3a clone, but it is the following below) that's going to be released in less than a month.

Some essential ingredients:

1) All Class A
2) All Discrete
3) Passive input
4) Mu metal Lundahl transformers on the input and output

(In English...the combo of #3 and #4 are going to equal coloration)

And it has onboard side chain EQ, AND an insertable side chain with the secondary XLR's because it takes up two module spaces.

http://www.buzzaudio.com/products/whatsnew.htm





And there is another BIG surprise product that's going to blow everyones socks off, but I'm not saying anything else.

Thank you, I'll be here all night!!

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by borism

What would that be?

A friend has a new company and their first product will be a 500 series format discrete LA3a type comp, to be released sometime soon I hope.

[borism]

Neat! Look forward to know more about both compressors

[thenoiseflower]

Tony, That sounds amazing, I'm sure we will know when its available, about how soon ?

hey nathan, have you been able to test the essence as a buss comp? or how about drum rooms (will it destroy signal )

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by thenoiseflower

hey nathan, have you been able to test the essence as a buss comp? or how about drum rooms (will it destroy signal )

It hasn't shipped yet, but is in the very last stages before production so I haven't had the chance to test it (I'll be pulling SN 001, 002 for my own rack to go next to the Buzz Elixir preamps). However, the actual envelope of the compression is supposed to be identical to the already existing SOC1.1 which I have used a lot. So if you do a search on that product, you'll find applications to be similar (although the Essence should have more coloration based on the topology).

Tim Farrant predicts mid Sept for it to ship from NZ, there is always the chance it might be delayed a few weeks for final tweeking (or if something as simple as screenprinting gets messed up by the screenprinter). As far as destroying signal, haven't met an Opto comp that does that really, they are usually more natural and gentle than that.

That's usually what FET or VCA comps are for.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by thenoiseflower

Tony, That sounds amazing, I'm sure we will know when its available, about how soon ?

hey nathan, have you been able to test the essence as a buss comp? or how about drum rooms (will it destroy signal )

I'll give them a ring tomorrow and find out the eta, probably at some point in the next few months. What's with the ?...

[Soldier777c]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I own a pair of 525's.

They sound nice on a piano as well. That's a great compressor.

I guess I'm just going to have to take the plunge and get myself a damn lunchbox. I've been holding off for too long (upcoming marriage = gear killer).

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

How about a discrete LA3a type comp for the 500 series..... Interested?

YES! I don't need preamps or eq. I need good compressors of various kinds and the 500 format is cost effective, and not too big. Only compromise would be less controls. And in the case of a LA3a that wouldn't be much of an issue.

sorry for possibly going OT.

[Aearth]

Originally Posted by borism

Hello
I'm putting toguether a API Lunchbox for the On the Go Jobs, many times my clients want to record vocals and or guitars in to protools at them places, so I took my old 500 API lunch box and put a 550b eq, Im thinking on maybe a Buzz Compressor, but Id like to get one mic pre in it, versatile, reliable, and GOOD,
there are so many nowadays, Adesign with like 5 colors, API, Brent, Gamma, Buzz elixir , etc
So the question is:
You have to buy one all around - very good micpre to fit yout lunch box, what would you choose? help me here, o please, dont go with, Get them all and try them.. would you?
Thank you!

WAIT
You just can't fill a API (brand) Lunch Box with any module. You have to check out how much power the modules draw.
API modules 40mA so you run 6 modules at the same time
A-Design (not too sure of power usage) but you can run 6 modules
Purple pre 70mA (I've been told)
Gamma pre 100mA
Buzz pre 150mA
OSA pres 50mA

Quote from Tim from Buzz Audio
"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."

Nick

[doorknocker]

If I had to decide on just one pre, not only limited to the API-variety, I would choose the Brent Averill 312A. Though I love my other pres I wouldn't be unhappy to record everything with just 312s.

[borism]

Sure the power consumption is an issue if you plan to tuck in many preamps ala Gamma in one rack , I have a 6B api lunch box and Im planning on 1 or 2 mic pres, 1 550b and maybe one compressor like the buzz audio or just a distressor in a rack, kind of a swissarmy micpre kit, but yes I'll be checking the consuming.

I see you like the Brent 312, how would you compare to 512c? like them better?

Thank you for all interesting responces

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by borism

I see you like the Brent 312, how would you compare to 512c? like them better?

No experience here with the 512, I just think that the 312As are killer and I got some nice other pres (LTD-1, UA2108 + 6176, TG-2).

For a lot of 'clean but with attitude' sounds I choose between the UA 2108 and the 312As. They are different, especially in their midgrange character, but again I would happily stick to 312s for everything.

Not that I want to be limited to that but the 312s work on everything and would be ideally suited to mobile setups I guess.

I plan to get a BA rack with 2 more 312s and probably 4 x Avedis E27 EQ in the future.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

No experience here with the 512, I just think that the 312As are killer and I got some nice other pres (LTD-1, UA2108 + 6176, TG-2).

For a lot of 'clean but with attitude' sounds I choose between the UA 2108 and the 312As. They are different, especially in their midgrange character, but again I would happily stick to 312s for everything.

Not that I want to be limited to that but the 312s work on everything and would be ideally suited to mobile setups I guess.

I plan to get a BA rack with 2 more 312s and probably 4 x Avedis E27 EQ in the future.

The Avedis E27's are smoking...

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The Avedis E27's are smoking...

Tony,

how would you compare the E27 to the various API 500 incarnations?
As I said above, I don't have any experience with the original API gear so I'm not out to get 'clones' or anything, after all I could still buy the original API EQs.

I plan to get 4 of the same EQs though, mainly for drum tracking, and so would like to know if there's any reason NOT to go all Avedis.

BTW, I also got an LTD-1 and plan to get a second one eventually, love the EQ on acoustic guitar and also on snare/kick.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

Tony,

how would you compare the E27 to the various API 500 incarnations?
As I said above, I don't have any experience with the original API gear so I'm not out to get 'clones' or anything, after all I could still buy the original API EQs.

I plan to get 4 of the same EQs though, mainly for drum tracking, and so would like to know if there's any reason NOT to go all Avedis.

BTW, I also got an LTD-1 and plan to get a second one eventually, love the EQ on acoustic guitar and also on snare/kick.

Good question. Well, Avedis makes sure to tell people that the E27 is a completely unique design. It's not a clone of anything at all. It would probably compare more towards the 550a than anything else, as both EQ's have the proportional Q thing going on.. But, the E27 has 9 frequencies per band (compared to 5) and a greater amount of boost and cut. Sound wise, it could be said that it has a little more color at the fundamentals than the 550a. I can't think of any reason to not go all Avedis.