drum slut who's become a gear slut seeks mic pre ideas

[mejon]

I'm looking to upgrade my mic pres to beef up and give some depth to my drum tones. I'm doing more and more drum sessions from my new studio, so I'm looking for the best I can afford. My room and mics are happening, so it's time to get the pres up to par. If said mic pres could work well for vocals, guitars, acoustic instruments, etc... that would be nice too.

My budget limit is 3K, so I'm considering Vintage Audio King's deal where they thow in a free lunch box with a purchase of 4 modules. Originally I was going to get a pair of 512c and a pair of 550b. Now I'm thinking of getting 4 of the 512c and get eqs or compression later. I've seen the 3124+, but don't know how it compares in sound or quailty to the 512cs.

I've considered some of the botique companies that compare to the API stuff, but I don't have any hands on experience with them. They don't seem that much cheaper than going for the real APIs...

Any thoughts/ideas/comments/links are appreciated.

bye!

[RoundBadge]

I'm a drummer GS too..have lots of neve,API,chandler,Wunder,Boutique BLAH,BLAH..
tons of Killer stuff out there..
But for the $..
These might rock for 3.5 g's.
they're new.but guys are getting them this week ..just wait for some reviews.
In true gearslutz fashoin,I'm curious as well..
theres always more shit to try/ buy /sell/trade. ..it never ends
hell if they sound great..the price is amazing!:
http://www.vintageking.com/s.nl/sc.1...t.A/id.5128/.f

[RoundBadge]

Oh and welcome to the forum..You're bio looks goddarned good!
Saw it's youre 1st post..
lots of cool weirdos around here stike

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by djui5

that new pre looks sexy roundbadge I'd love to know how it sounds.

I'm demoing the tg mixer this week ,and I'm trying to get my mits on some of those pre's and the new dual comp as well..
The comps are on the backburner until he makes back some $ dough on some of the presold pre's..
It's the comp I'm really interested in though!Stereo Opto and SSL at the same time !
I'll report back if it happens
stike

[Tim Farrant]

Well if you are heading down the API path, there's also the OSA modules to consider which are API compatible. There have been some favourable comments here about these preamps recently.

Cheers
Tim.

[achtung baby]

search for some threads about API related pre's. the API tone is the way to go for drums IMO.

[DrDeltaM]

Another cool option is the 4 channel Daking pre-amp, and it'll save you some money for something else as well.

[mejon]

Thanks everyone for making a newbie feel so welcome.

The Shadow Hill unit looks amazing!

It looks like the API 3124+ is the best bang for the buck (under $600/channel), and is also convenient for racking. Most of the views and reviews say it's fantastic. I'm thinking of getting that for now, and then the Vintech 473 next.

Thoughts?

cheers and thanks again!

[DrDeltaM]

Originally Posted by mejon

It looks like the API 3124+ is the best bang for the buck (under $600/channel), and is also convenient for racking.

The Daking would be like under $500/channel in USA ( http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/micpreiv.html ), but is of course a different sound then the API sound (some ppl describe it as between Neve and API). If possible, try and hear what fits you best

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by mejon

Thanks everyone for making a newbie feel so welcome.

The Shadow Hill unit looks amazing!

It looks like the API 3124+ is the best bang for the buck (under $600/channel), and is also convenient for racking. Most of the views and reviews say it's fantastic. I'm thinking of getting that for now, and then the Vintech 473 next.

Thoughts?

cheers and thanks again!

Yes the API's are great..and Ive had my Dakings for about 11 years now and they're Absolutley fukkin great on drums too..EQ from hellthumbsup!
The 4 channel thing looks like a great value.
The new Wunder 4 channel pre only looks cool too..haven't seen pricing yet,but I'm sure it'll be reasonable[I have 2 of the PEQR versions,Great go to's for drums as well!]

I sold my 473worked Fine for vox and keys .....
but in the end they just really ended up as keyboard DI's.. Paled compared to the real neve 1073/84' on drums..just plain smaller/flatter sounding

stike Demo everything you can...
Jeff at Vintage King/LA is a great place to start!He usually has loads of stuff in stock to demo..very,very helpful![He's a busy drummer/studio owner as well]