UA 6176 Overkill?

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by Scott Church

I need help trying to spend my resources in the best manner. I'm looking for a warm, thick pre. My best mics are an AKG 414, Blue Baby Bottle and a Fathead ribbon. With those mics in mind.....would the 6176 be useless and wasted or would it still make a wonderful difference?

Scott

What pre are you using now..?..I don't know how "wonderful of a difference" the UA would make, but I'll bet it'll improve those mics some..Good luck

[axs1]

I feel my 6176 has made a big difference. The best way I can describe it is that it places what I record in a solid and defined space (more so than what I can make happen with plugs without a lot of work).

Lack of thickness is no longer a problem. And with the right settings, it really is a break to not have to worry about things peaking when tracking. Some people don't like it - many suggest changing the tubes/valves. I'm happy with mine as is. I find that I use less and less compression, though, and just run stuff through it to get that "placing"-effect, warmth and slight limiting of the recorded signal.

Cheers!

[chessparov]

Talent>ROOM>AE skill>Gear

So...

How does the room sound?
Do you need to treat it?

Chris

[Scott Church]

My pres as of now are pretty inexpensive...ART MPA II...which I find very clean and clear and a good pair with SM81's and acoustic guitars. I've got a dual channel SM Pro Audio TB202....not bad for what it is (my first pre) and I've got a Joe Meek OneQ which I purchased because it was new and at half price.

My room definitely needs treatment...which I'm in the process of. I've just sealed up the windows and sliding glass door and added carpet...that has made a huge difference...next is to deaden the interior door put up some bass traps and a bit more dryness (room is long 9x24) and I should be in MUCH better shape.

My vocals can be bright and sweetly and I was looking for something to warm them up. Most of my mic/pres as of now tend to accentuate the highs instead of keeping honest or warming up the mid-lows.

[jlsgear]

IMHO .. the 6176 is an overly pricey piece .. I'd look a the WARM api'ish pre for $449 .. add a seperate compressor to complement the mic and pre.

[Scott Church]

@ jlsgear...what are you recommending? What api-ish pre?

[jlsgear]

WARM AUDIO WA12 .. nice pre for $449 .. warm with tons of quiet gain .. more versatile than the UA 610 pre in the 6176

pair it with the FMR pb6a compressor .. killer combo for 1/2 the price of the UA 6176 ..

I just don't see the need to spend 2k on what you are looking for .. just my 02.

[Scott Church]

The "WARM AUDIO WA12" is one I've not heard of before. I did just get the two rack package of GAP 73's...I figured I couldn't go wrong with those? But, I've still got some room in my AI. Let me ask you jlsgear....is there an easy way to rack mount two units like that? I've read some things on the matter...but they were a bit sketchy and I've never mounted to 1/2 racks before.

[jlsgear]

I think I've read about the GAP rack tray as a fit for a pair of WA12 pres .. not sure tho.

[WarmAudio]

Originally Posted by jlsgear

I think I've read about the GAP rack tray as a fit for a pair of WA12 pres .. not sure tho.

Yes, they can be racked in the GAP Unite rack kit.

[mds]

6176 is a great piece. Great preamp paired with a classic compressor. The comp alone is worth the price.