Preamp for recording acoustic material

[ckett]

Hello,

I am looking into a 2 channel preamp to record acoustic sounds. I want something that has incredible clarity, excellent transient response and dymanic range, but doesn't sound anemic and lose some of the bottom end. I will be recording primarily world acoustic instruments (hand percussion, gongs, stringed instruments) , and a variety of "noise makers" to record and sample for more creative sound design.

Here are 2 preamps under serious consideration:

Millennia HV-3C
John Hardy M-1

If anyone has reference to recordings made entirely on any of these two preamps, please let me know!

Thanks and look forward to your input!

[analogjeff]

I've used both and greatly prefer the Millenia -- bigger and more open -- also highly recommend the Pendulum tube pre, and for really big, open, clean but smooth, try the Martech pres...

[True North]

You can also try a Grace 201

[boboji]

I use the Hardy M1 on my Goodall with Gefell M300's.

It sounds really really really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[squeegybug]

incredible clarity, excellent transient response and dymanic range, but doesn't sound anemic and lose some of the bottom end.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=38417

Steve

[HandCrafted Lab]

Preamp "Affinity" - 2 ch full tube,A class,without any feedbacks,hand crafted "Affinity" preamp

Mic low-z inpur and Hi-z instrumental input (guitar,bass,piezo,keyboards)input can work simultaneosly - as active mixer -we use for it separate tube,ajusted individually.



XXL Photo
XXL Photo Inside
Harmony Central Review
Samples of sounding
Comparison(blind test) here, Preamp/Leveller with different gears by Guy Sternberg ,Berlin
Our Gearslutz Top

Price - 949,0-$
+delivery ~ 50,0$ to USA

[84K]

No Question for me... Pendulum Audio MDP-1A. thumbsup

[JonCraig]

another vote for the millenia HV-series.

--jon

[u b k]

without a doubt, the undisputed king of the type of pre you're seeking (in my mind, at least) is the martech mss10.

detail for days, and stunning clarity. it isn't larger than life, but it's every bit as big.


gregoire
del ubik

[Norman Lindsey]

check out the Buzz preamps. they are well worth it.

[ckett]

Thanks for the input thus far.

I have the 3D Pre CD as a starting point in hearing these preamps.

My budget is set at a max of $1800. So the Pendulum and Gordons are out.

Does anyone have recordings that I can reference that really showcase these preamps well.

I am down to the following:

Millennia HV-3C
Grace Design 2x101 or the 201
John Hardy M-1

Some of the reviews I have read of the Grace state a slightly forward quality in the upper mids. Is this overstated or just a slight issue?

Keep the comments rolling!

[klaukholm]

We are adding some channals to compliment our HV3D's and Lavry's Micpre looks like a serious alternative.
We have NOT had the chance to try it, but maybe someone here can chime in.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by klaukholm

We are adding some channals to compliment our HV3D's and Lavry's Micpre looks like a serious alternative.
We have NOT had the chance to try it, but maybe someone here can chime in.

I thought that Lavry MicPre is also very clean and transparent one (like Millennia)

[boboji]

You are getting some good advice here. Hardy, Martech, Pendulum etc.
However....
In my kinda a newbie humble opinion. The Grace is not a bad pre but not in the league of these others. From the feeling I get for qwhat you're looking for, I feel you would not be happy with the Grace. I sold mine. My Hardy is much bigger. But that Pendulum......thats a very nice pre!!! I vote for the Hardy!!!!

[ckett]

boboji,

Did you have the Grace 101 or 201? I am kind of coming to the same conclusion. Some of the reviews I have read where they have compared the GRace to a Millennia
still choose the Millennia for most things. The Hardy seems like an incredible clean, balanced great sounding pre but not quite the dimension of the Millennia.

The decision comes down to how much transparency and dimension (Millennia), vs balanced vibrant tone (Hardy).

[maskedman72]

great river mp2nv is your answer.

[boboji]

I had the Grace 101. I've heard it compared to the Millenia also however I think if you compared the too in a listening test the Millenia would be the obvious answer.

I have never heard the Great River but I have never heard less than incredible raving reviews of it.

In terms of dimension and hugeness you seem to think the Hardy would not stand up to the Millenia. I would bet there is hardly a negligable difference between the two. The Hardy sounds very big. I feel its a good deal too. The great thing about the frame is that you can add more pre's to it later.

I use a DW Fearn for my vocals which is HHHUUUGGGEEEEEEE. A little too big for my big guitar.

The difference between the Hardy and the Millenia would maybe more depend on what mics you're using.

BTW let me add I am probably the least experienced of all these guys on this board. I've been recording for about 2 1/2 years now. I like gear that is good, simple to use and that I won't need to upgrade for a long time. I like thwe Hardy because I don't need to tweak it to get a great sound. Just plug it in and hit record.

Good luck with your choice.

Boboji

[ckett]

Great!

Does anyone have any short example recordings of the Pendulum in action? Actually if anyone has any recordings they can either post or reference that showcases any of the following pres in action would be great! It is really difficult to make a decision in the blind. Unfortunately there is no place to try these pres before you buy in my area.

John Hardy M-1
Pendulum Audio
Millennia HV-3

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by ckett

Great!

Does anyone have any short example recordings of the Pendulum in action? Actually if anyone has any recordings they can either post or reference that showcases any of the following pres in action would be great! It is really difficult to make a decision in the blind. Unfortunately there is no place to try these pres before you buy in my area.

John Hardy M-1
Pendulum Audio
Millennia HV-3

If you wait for 2 weeks, I will definitely post samples HV3/STT-1 vs. Pendulum
I just ordered MDP-1 and I am very excited about it Cannot wait till it arrives

[iziphonics]

I have HV-3C and use it mostly with Brauner Velvet. Works excellent on acoustic instruments, really clean, detailed and balanced sound. Millennia seems to be practically invisible in the chain.

[Beauarts]

FYI, you have to specify whether the Hardy has transformers out or not. With transformers it's pretty different and I think, better.

[GYang]

Hardy is very clean.
Millenia is very clean.
Pendulum is very clean.

Hardy on some materials sounded slightly warmer than Millenia, but still very neutral. Both can serve the task equally well.

But if you wish to add (tweakable) liveliness, controlable warmness, more body etc. , (what IS often necessary) than pick up one or two Pendulum Quartet II. Absolutely incredible piece of gear. One of my Top 5 gears of all time.

GYang

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by ckett

Great!

Does anyone have any short example recordings of the Pendulum in action? Actually if anyone has any recordings they can either post or reference that showcases any of the following pres in action would be great! It is really difficult to make a decision in the blind. Unfortunately there is no place to try these pres before you buy in my area.

John Hardy M-1
Pendulum Audio
Millennia HV-3

Here's a link to an acoustic guitar recording using a Pendulum Audio MDP-1a, along with a pair of Schoeps CMC6/MK4 in XY:

http://www.sdelsolray.com/downloads/..._SchoepsXY.mp3

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

Here's a link to an acoustic guitar recording using a Pendulum Audio MDP-1a, along with a pair of Schoeps CMC6/MK4 in XY:

Nice ... Seems that Pendulum is rather "round" on HF (not very sharp) and also that XY position tends to sound a bit narrow (1D). I personally always prefer variations on a broad AB stereo. Which AD did you use ?

[hannaent]

Another option here might be an Earthworks 1022.

I use it to record chamber winds with a pair of QTC-1's and a Lavry Blue converter. It seemed to be a huge improvement over my previous 2 channel MIC Pre (Presonus MP20). I thought that thing was practically worthless for acoustic music. I have not used the other preamps though.

Good luck in your search!

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Nice ... Seems that Pendulum is rather "round" on HF (not very sharp) and also that XY position tends to sound a bit narrow (1D). I personally always prefer variations on a broad AB stereo. Which AD did you use ?

Yes, a bit round in the HF, but part of that (in the sample) is due to the guitar (EI rosewood/cedar woods), and the reverb applied.

Here's a link to the source files. Feel free to download them and mix them to taste. There's two other tracks there also, two Gefell mics through a different pre:

http://www.sdelsolray.com/

AD converters used were RME ADI-8 Pro.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

Yes, a bit round in the HF, but part of that (in the sample) is due to the guitar (EI rosewood/cedar woods), and the reverb applied.

Here's a link to the source files. Feel free to download them and mix them to taste. There's two other tracks there also, two Gefell mics through a different pre:

http://www.sdelsolray.com/

AD converters used were RME ADI-8 Pro.

Interesting. Pendulum is being usually described as "very big sounding" with extended LF. The sample does not sound like this to me at all, I hear rather small sound with very little bass, I hope it has something to do with the particular guitar or the mics position ?

[hannaent]

Since you asked for recordings, here are a couple.

The first is acoustic guitar recorded on Earthworks QTC-1 into Earthworks 1022 Mic Pre into my Alesis ML-9600.

The second recording is my woodwind quintet. It recorded on the same gear, except I upgraded to Lavry Blue Converters.

[ISedlacek]

I have found a sample of my guitar (classical concert one) recorded with a pair of Schoeps MK4V to Millennia STT-1 and Mytek stereo AD (now I have Lavry).
I wonder - would Pendulum MDP-1 really bring some new dimension to me or shall I stick with Millennia ?

guitar

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Interesting. Pendulum is being usually described as "very big sounding" with extended LF. The sample does not sound like this to me at all, I hear rather small sound with very little bass, I hope it has something to do with the particular guitar or the mics position ?

The music itself only has two bass notes (D & A) at 73Hz and 110Hz, which aren't played that often. All other pitches are at 147Hz or higher. The recording is very close to the actual sound of that guitar from out front about 2 feet or so.