How would daking pres fare on classical music?

[Tommy like sound]

I'm looking at purchasing the daking mic pre iv, but was wondering if its users enjoyed using it on sources other than vox and guitars for which it seems popular. I've got some orchestral work coming up early next year and don't want to be using something that won't work with those sources.

cheers

[fifthcircle]

Sure, they'll work just fine.

I use all sorts of tubes and transformers in orchestral recording and it gives a sense of realism and impact that the purely transparent stuff doesn't give.

Now- you need to make sure that the rest of your chain will balance the coloration brought in by your pres. Using good open mics on a colored pre is a great sound (for example I'll use my DPA 4006 mics on a Pacifica for orchestral stuff). Just make sure that you don't end up with a muddy sounding recording.

--Ben

[musicbydesign]

IMO a clean pre like Forssell, Millennia, Hardy etc would be best but you never know. Would be interesting to hear how a character pre would sound on classical for sure but the chosen Microphone/s would be a large factor also. Beyer MC930's are known to be a great sdc for that task.

Daniel

[RCM - Ronan]

Those I have recorded lots of classical music over the years, I have never tried it with Daking pres, but my hunch is that they would be a wonderful choice. Lots of nice detail without sounding sterile or clinical.

[warhead]

No reason why it would not work fine.

Speaking of Forsell, the AEA RPQ is a Fred Forsell design and does not get enough press. It has a phantom input for condenser mics and tons of clean gain too.

War

[Elk]

The AEA RPQ is excellent and reasonably priced.

Wonderful recommendation.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Elk

The AEA RPQ is excellent and reasonably priced.

Wonderful recommendation.

This is not meant as a slight against AEA, but this mic pre would be selling like hot cakes to the "clean but musical, super high gain but quiet as a mouse pissin' on cotton" crowd if it were built by a company known more for their preamps. They are just known more for their ribbon mics, which makes sense, but still so many overlook this excellent preamp and it's not just for ribbons.

The EQ / filters on board are just icing on the cake too.

War

[DJBlueDrink]

I didn't know Fred Forsell designed the RPQ. I'd only heard that about the TRP. If so then that's pretty cool as that guy makes some real good stuff.

[Tommy like sound]

Cool, good responses. I'll do a bit of research on the AEA RPQ but if my memory serves it's about 4000 for two channels, so maybe not the best comparison? Unless I get a christmas bonus i'll probably still be using all Rode mics for this recording. Have had great results thus far... Sounds like it would be wise to experiment with which mic goes into which pre. Last year I didn't have that luxury.

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by warhead

... just icing on the cake too. ...

Icing on the gravy, that's the new phrase...

[Tommy like sound]

icing on the gravy, in my mouth, making me happy.

[Tommy like sound]

Um so the AEA RPQ is actually very reasonably priced. Or at least it would be if I could buy it from the states. I hate it when companies don't make their boxes universal! makes buying stuff harder!

[low_z]

Moose pissin' gravy on... Nevermind.

[Aaron Miller]

I think they would be great because they are pretty neutral frequency response wise but do add something special. Don't know if it's color but I like it.

[mattsplace]

Daking is fantastic for everything! But i would recommand you something more clean sounding (Benchmark pre420 for first then prismsound maselec, buzz, grace design) Also i heard a lot of good things about D.A.V. and they are very cheap and made by one ex Decca record enginner!?!?! It sounds good! Maybe the preamps too?