Need advice and reviews about pre's and the Vintech Audio X73I ?

ginsuthaironchef · 10th September 2008, 04:58 PM

Any one have any experience with the Vintech Audio X73I?
Is the sonic quality truly similar to the Neve 1073 like Vintech claims?

Am I better off with a tube?

While on the subject of tubes, what tubes do yall suggest for under $1500 paired with a Neumann U87 and Shure sm7b?

On male hiphop vocals on a room treated with Auralex and moving blankets but void of reflections, what pre's would you suggest for a U87 and a SM7b?

Thanks in advance as always?

dhiltonlittle · 10th September 2008, 05:47 PM

i don't like the vintechs at all.

i demo'd alot when i made my decision (on a neve sounding pre) and ended up going with bae 1073's and aurora audio.

are you asking about getting a tube pre?

i'd suggest getting one of the above and adding a tube mic into you're locker.

Beneficial · 18th September 2008, 10:45 PM

After a month of online research on forums etc (didn't have a chance to demo anything) I took the plunge and dropped cash on the Vintech x73i. Best decision I've made. I absolutely love it. I was recording drums with a tube pre before... the preamp in the UA 6176... which was cool too but the Vintech was more what I was looking for. I run almost everything through now and print to tape then dump back into the DAW. To my ears it's smooth and rich sounding... but at the same time crystal clear and focused. Tracks stack really well after running through it. The EQ is great. My only complaint is that I have grounding noise with it... can't use it well with my computer without hearing computer buzzing and electric noise. I had have to short the ground on the unit in order to use it with very minimal noise. That wasn't a problem with my 6176. I thought it was defective at first and sent it back... Dallas sent me a new one right away but it was doing the same thing. I'm thinking these older circuits might just not interact well with newer gear. Anyway, now that I've shorted the ground it sounds amazing. I use it mainly for drums and instruments... still use the tube pre for vocals usually.

Preme Diesel · 19th September 2008, 03:42 AM

i absolutely love mine and wouldnt get rid of them for anything

B-San · 21st September 2008, 08:37 AM

I love mine as well; it is my go to pre and I too have a 6176... I also use eq a lot when mixing!

the Set Surgeon · 21st September 2008, 05:36 PM

Here's what I've found. First off, I love the tone and character of it. What I've found is that depending what style of rap/hiphop you're tracking dictates what pre would work best.

Take Mos Def or Common for example. Most of their stuff is pretty straightforward, a main vox track and maybe an adlib track or two. The beats they rhyme to are usually organic and chill, with room for their delivery to actually become part of the rhythm, almost percussive. When I've tracked myself and clients, I've found that close mic'n with a tube mic and/or pre really benefits the track and voice.

On the other hand, as common with alot of todays radio bangers, you have the artist rappin' over extremely busy beats and stackin' like 12-18 vocal tracks! In this case, I've found the Vintech to excel (which is probably why cats have good luck with them on drums, which are also stacked). It really allows the vocals to stand out, even in a busy anthem.

So, depending on your steez, you'll probably have to wind up bein' a slut and having both eventually. In the mean time, decide which style you're doin' more of and take that road.

Peace

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10th September 2008, 04:58 PM	#1
ginsuthaironchef Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 128	Need advice and reviews about pre's and the Vintech Audio X73I ? Any one have any experience with the Vintech Audio X73I? Is the sonic quality truly similar to the Neve 1073 like Vintech claims? Am I better off with a tube? While on the subject of tubes, what tubes do yall suggest for under $1500 paired with a Neumann U87 and Shure sm7b? On male hiphop vocals on a room treated with Auralex and moving blankets but void of reflections, what pre's would you suggest for a U87 and a SM7b? Thanks in advance as always?

10th September 2008, 05:47 PM	#2
dhiltonlittle Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 712	i don't like the vintechs at all. i demo'd alot when i made my decision (on a neve sounding pre) and ended up going with bae 1073's and aurora audio. are you asking about getting a tube pre? i'd suggest getting one of the above and adding a tube mic into you're locker. __________________ DL

19th September 2008, 03:42 AM	#4
Preme Diesel Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 57	i absolutely love mine and wouldnt get rid of them for anything __________________ James "Preme Diesel" Kuse Recording & Mix Engineer Vancouver, BC www.myspace.com/premediesel www.jamiekuse.com

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18th September 2008, 10:45 PM	#3
Beneficial Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 127	After a month of online research on forums etc (didn't have a chance to demo anything) I took the plunge and dropped cash on the Vintech x73i. Best decision I've made. I absolutely love it. I was recording drums with a tube pre before... the preamp in the UA 6176... which was cool too but the Vintech was more what I was looking for. I run almost everything through now and print to tape then dump back into the DAW. To my ears it's smooth and rich sounding... but at the same time crystal clear and focused. Tracks stack really well after running through it. The EQ is great. My only complaint is that I have grounding noise with it... can't use it well with my computer without hearing computer buzzing and electric noise. I had have to short the ground on the unit in order to use it with very minimal noise. That wasn't a problem with my 6176. I thought it was defective at first and sent it back... Dallas sent me a new one right away but it was doing the same thing. I'm thinking these older circuits might just not interact well with newer gear. Anyway, now that I've shorted the ground it sounds amazing. I use it mainly for drums and instruments... still use the tube pre for vocals usually.

21st September 2008, 08:37 AM	#5
B-San Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 203	I love mine as well; it is my go to pre and I too have a 6176... I also use eq a lot when mixing!

21st September 2008, 05:36 PM	#6
the Set Surgeon Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 'da Pitts, PA Posts: 267	Here's what I've found. First off, I love the tone and character of it. What I've found is that depending what style of rap/hiphop you're tracking dictates what pre would work best. Take Mos Def or Common for example. Most of their stuff is pretty straightforward, a main vox track and maybe an adlib track or two. The beats they rhyme to are usually organic and chill, with room for their delivery to actually become part of the rhythm, almost percussive. When I've tracked myself and clients, I've found that close mic'n with a tube mic and/or pre really benefits the track and voice. On the other hand, as common with alot of todays radio bangers, you have the artist rappin' over extremely busy beats and stackin' like 12-18 vocal tracks! In this case, I've found the Vintech to excel (which is probably why cats have good luck with them on drums, which are also stacked). It really allows the vocals to stand out, even in a busy anthem. So, depending on your steez, you'll probably have to wind up bein' a slut and having both eventually. In the mean time, decide which style you're doin' more of and take that road. Peace