Golden Age Project Pre73

[Gharper23]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

Stick a 58 or similar transformered dynamic in front of it and a little compression after it, put it in front of a guitar amp, marshall or fender, crunch up the guitar sound in the amp, then dial up the pre till it's just gets a little dirty, compress the level back after the output, play some lead, smooooooth, double it and wham, you got melted butter.

Put a 47 or any LDC tube transformered output mic in front of it, compress a little after, instant drum room mic with mega punch and sheen.

I'll keep that in mind, Thanks.




This is what I'm excited about. I've been told mid 2012 but I can't wait that long! I want a 6 space of these.

[Ngr]

Mic test 1 - Dynamic microphones - YouTube

all recordings made with a fully modded GAP pre73

[maninthebox]

Hello!

I´m very interested in getting one of this. Anyone has a sample of a bass recorded by line, directly to the preamp?

Thanks a lot,
Luis

[nato101010]

Wow, what a great thread. It really supported my thoughts on buying one. Or two, for that matter.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by maninthebox

Hello!

I´m very interested in getting one of this. Anyone has a sample of a bass recorded by line, directly to the preamp?

Thanks a lot,
Luis

I tried using it for my bass into the 1/4" front DI input. It was horrible. Not enough gain, too much distortion, no top end, a dirty pile of mush. I didn't keep the tracks so no samples. It might work well if a DI is used into the mic inputs, anyone try that?

[robertshaw]

what's the $street$ ?

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I tried using it for my bass into the 1/4" front DI input. It was horrible. Not enough gain, too much distortion, no top end, a dirty pile of mush. I didn't keep the tracks so no samples. It might work well if a DI is used into the mic inputs, anyone try that?

doesn't the spec say 80db?
I wonder how it sounds with say a
JDI on the mic input for a DI?

[Jim Williams]

For some reason, the front DI input doesn't allow all the gain settings, some of the higher gain settings are blocked out. That's why I couldn't get nearly enough output drive to feed my converters.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I tried using it for my bass into the 1/4" front DI input. It was horrible. Not enough gain, too much distortion, no top end, a dirty pile of mush. I didn't keep the tracks so no samples. It might work well if a DI is used into the mic inputs, anyone try that?

I use it with a crappy not so crapy bass and it seems to work fine. Sits right in the track. Maybe you got a dirty input?

I might try that today. I just unloaded a Sigma NY 4 channel tube pre of some UTC HA100X's and wired 4 of them 600/50k-50k/600 ohms, I could wire one up 150/50k-50k/600 ohms, or, 50k/150 ohms, and pass it through, see what happens. I'm going to the shed anyway.

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

For some reason, the front DI input doesn't allow all the gain settings, some of the higher gain settings are blocked out. That's why I couldn't get nearly enough output drive to feed my converters.

Possibly the various "off" settings?

Personally, I have gotten some amazing plunky palm-muted bass sounds from that thing. And yeah, if you have "line/mic" cranked, it will distort and mush up.

Usually what I do is set "line/mic" to taste, and then compensate with "output," which for DI bass tends to be a bit on the clean and conservative side.

[guitarboy94]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

For some reason, the front DI input doesn't allow all the gain settings, some of the higher gain settings are blocked out. That's why I couldn't get nearly enough output drive to feed my converters.

Wow...mine sounds amazing on my bass in the DI. Maybe something's wrong with your DI imput gain?

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

I tried using it for my bass into the 1/4" front DI input. It was horrible. Not enough gain, too much distortion, no top end, a dirty pile of mush. I didn't keep the tracks so no samples. It might work well if a DI is used into the mic inputs, anyone try that?

I crank mine up and use some of that mush, but, mine isn't that mushy, maybe that's a QC problem in China with those trannies they use? I know cheap trannies definitely mush up bass.

Originally Posted by memphisindie

I use it with a crappy not so crapy bass and it seems to work fine. Sits right in the track. Maybe you got a dirty input?

I might try that today. I just unloaded a Sigma NY 4 channel tube pre of some UTC HA100X's and wired 4 of them 600/50k-50k/600 ohms, I could wire one up 150/50k-50k/600 ohms, or, 50k/150 ohms, and pass it through, see what happens. I'm going to the shed anyway.

Got my juice shut off right in the middle of that, (that and singin to the radio) so that didn't happen. Now I'm a scoffer. I wish there was more work here.

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

Possibly the various "off" settings?

Personally, I have gotten some amazing plunky palm-muted bass sounds from that thing. And yeah, if you have "line/mic" cranked, it will distort and mush up.

Usually what I do is set "line/mic" to taste, and then compensate with "output," which for DI bass tends to be a bit on the clean and conservative side.

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

Wow...mine sounds amazing on my bass in the DI. Maybe something's wrong with your DI imput gain?

Mine sounds pretty good when dialed in well.

[LeMauce]

I got some questions about the EQ-73 (I hope this is the good place, then starting a new thread...a lot of GAP users are here...).

I have all ready a Neve 1073DPA. I see you need the pre-amp GAP to work it with the EQ-73. My questions:
1. Why? Does the EQ-73 need to be connected to the insert input for "makeup" gain?
2. If so could I use my NEve 1073DPA for makeup gain in a chain like:
DA->EQ-73->Neve1073DPA->AD ?

[Colonel Blues]

It seems that this EQ really needs to be connected to an insert jack… so if you have a preamp with an insert jack, even if not a GAP, it should work, sure !

[onespecial]

for sale. used pre 73. $250

[LeMauce]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blues

It seems that this EQ really needs to be connected to an insert jack… so if you have a preamp with an insert jack, even if not a GAP, it should work, sure !

Meh It doens't (the neve 1073DPA). I was more trying to get it work with a 2 XLR connectors to JACK TRS and hook it really up like I say in my wireup diagramme. DA->EQ-73->NEVE1073->AD...
Thats just to bad... It's saves me 600dollars to not get the pre73. just for stereo eq'en on the 2buss and spending 1000dollars is a bit to much. For that kind of money I can get the Neve 8803 stereo EQ with recall....

Somebody want to shime in with some electronic knowledge if its possible to make the EQ73 work with the neve1073 or whatever pre-amp WITHOUT insert point?

[Colonel Blues]

Originally Posted by LeMauce

Somebody want to shime in with some electronic knowledge if its possible to make the EQ73 work with the neve1073 or whatever pre-amp WITHOUT insert point?

May be you could get in touch with Warren, at ZenProAudio, they are quite used to mod some units from this brand…
His forum name is War, if I remember well…

Here is the link to the site : Recording studio gear & equipment, reviews|sales|advice|Warren Dent|ZenPro Audio

And they are really, really cool guys !!!

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blues

His forum name is War

What is he good for?

Absolutely everything!

[LeMauce]

Originally Posted by Colonel Blues

May be you could get in touch with Warren, at ZenProAudio, they are quite used to mod some units from this brand…
His forum name is War, if I remember well…

Here is the link to the site : Recording studio gear & equipment, reviews|sales|advice|Warren Dent|ZenPro Audio

And they are really, really cool guys !!!

Thnx m8! Will contact him!

[milkybar]

anyone selling one of these hot things in the UK? looking to upgrade from my fast track pro's pre's and this seems like the bees knees...

[Matti]

Golden Age Pre-73 mic preamp | GA Pre-73 | Golden Age mic preamp

Matti

[JWF]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

Wow...mine sounds amazing on my bass in the DI. Maybe something's wrong with your DI imput gain?

Totally agree. I had a drummer and a bass player at my house a few days ago tracking some demo stuff for a friend's band. The bass player was running his Geddy Lee (which I also have) through it. With the input tranny pushed all the way, it was singing.

[averphil]

I recently got a pre73 (yesterday morning infact), and I've already used it to track bass for my band and it sounded great so i'm already pleased with the purchase! But I'm heading into my uni's studios next week to track drums for another band, it's probably my biggest project yet as I'm engineering an entire album's worth of material for this band who are signed under my housemate's indie label, so i naturally want it to sound as good as it possibly can, so here's my dilemma:

Im gonna take my pre73 along to the studio, but what drum mic should I use it on?

The studio is fairly well equiped on the mic front, re20s, 421s, 414s, u87s etc. standard stuff you'd find in a decent studio, and i'm probably gonna take my sm7b along and stick it on something, but as far as pre's etc. the mic lines go straight into a Digidesign C24, with 8 other lines going into an Octopre dynamic mk1.

So what would people suggest i use the pre73 on? Kick? Snare? Mono Room mic? The band are pretty metal, but i wanna avoid triggering, which is pointing towards using it on the kick or snare to get a bit more meat. would that be the right line of thinking?

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by averphil

I recently got a pre73 (yesterday morning infact), and I've already used it to track bass for my band and it sounded great so i'm already pleased with the purchase! But I'm heading into my uni's studios next week to track drums for another band,
Im gonna take my pre73 along to the studio, but what drum mic should I use it on?
So what would people suggest i use the pre73 on? Kick? Snare? Mono Room mic? The band are pretty metal, but i wanna avoid triggering, which is pointing towards using it on the kick or snare to get a bit more meat. would that be the right line of thinking?

Yep.
If it were something that could use more ambience, I'd say use it on room sound with a decent LDC (with a toob if ya got it), and follow it with a light over easy compressor, happiness.
But yeah, If its that tight no ambience metal, better on a close mic for kick and snare. If they're gonna trigger, don't sweat it, but, use it on vox. or guitar.
I use an API on guitar and sometimes the 73, never a prob, just taste for the tune, always works and always works for vox depending on the vocalist.

[giopad65]

Originally Posted by averphil

Im gonna take my pre73 along to the studio, but what drum mic should I use it on?

I take Averphil's post as a chance to post my question.
I've been surfin aaaaaaall the way along this thread to find out secrets and stories about this pre. I also noticed that most of you guys having and using it work on electrical instruments, drums, etc.
I am looking for some mic pre to use with the small choir I sing in: it's all (obviously) acoustical stuff, we play mostly ancient music and sometimes we play instruments along (flutes, little percussions, etc.)
I look for neutral, clean, yet not sterile sound.
I am wondering if the PRE73 is a good choice with respect to my goal (I already have a FF400 - with two RME pres in it, and a DAV BG-1).
Thank you.

[zeljkom]

Originally Posted by giopad65

I take Averphil's post as a chance to post my question.
I've been surfin aaaaaaall the way along this thread to find out secrets and stories about this pre. I also noticed that most of you guys having and using it work on electrical instruments, drums, etc.
I am looking for some mic pre to use with the small choir I sing in: it's all (obviously) acoustical stuff, we play mostly ancient music and sometimes we play instruments along (flutes, little percussions, etc.)
I look for neutral, clean, yet not sterile sound.
I am wondering if the PRE73 is a good choice with respect to my goal (I already have a FF400 - with two RME pres in it, and a DAV BG-1).
Thank you.

It can do neutral and colorful sound. Depends on the input. It's a really nice preamp. Can't go wrong with this one.

[changeng]

for choir work tho I would think the DAV is your tool of choice. GAP73 can do the job, but it's mono and tends to roll off the highs slightly. The DAV should give you a nicely round tone (from all reports I've heard about the thing - haven't heard it myself, but I do have a GAP73). There are some guys on the GS boards who record choirs with a DAV.

[Anghello]

Originally Posted by LeMauce

Meh It doens't (the neve 1073DPA). I was more trying to get it work with a 2 XLR connectors to JACK TRS and hook it really up like I say in my wireup diagramme. DA->EQ-73->NEVE1073->AD...
Thats just to bad... It's saves me 600dollars to not get the pre73. just for stereo eq'en on the 2buss and spending 1000dollars is a bit to much. For that kind of money I can get the Neve 8803 stereo EQ with recall....

Somebody want to shime in with some electronic knowledge if its possible to make the EQ73 work with the neve1073 or whatever pre-amp WITHOUT insert point?

You can use any stable insert even on consoles. But the truble would be in gaining up to 18db. Best performance is via golden age pres.

[peepee]

Originally Posted by changeng

for choir work tho I would think the DAV is your tool of choice. GAP73 can do the job, but it's mono and tends to roll off the highs slightly. The DAV should give you a nicely round tone (from all reports I've heard about the thing - haven't heard it myself, but I do have a GAP73). There are some guys on the GS boards who record choirs with a DAV.

I agree that the GAP73 has a roll off on the highs. Im not satisfied with it when it comes to vocals. I think it sounds a bit weird in the high end. Not crips and no EQ can fix it either. So I am looking for a replacement in the same price range. Any suggestions? DAV seem to be a lot more expensive.

[Anghello]

Originally Posted by peepee

I agree that the GAP73 has a roll off on the highs. Im not satisfied with it when it comes to vocals. I think it sounds a bit weird in the high end. Not crips and no EQ can fix it either. So I am looking for a replacement in the same price range. Any suggestions? DAV seem to be a lot more expensive.

In my opinion this is the cleanest and most natural preamp for vocals. I think your issue is not in pre.. but converter or mic.