Looking for a 8CH Trasnparent Preamp

[vinzp]

Hi,

It's one of my first posts here, but I' have read this forum for a long time...
A lot of interessting infos.
I work mainly for film scoring recording and location recording (classical music) as a
"junior engineer" .

Actually, I'm looking for a 8ch preamp, quietly transparent.
Some of my friends told me about severals references:

- Audient ASP008
- True Systems Precision 8

I have ever heard few times ago the Millenia HV3D. Great preamps with a lot of details et clean sound, but.. I have not enoughe money :-(

Can you tell me if you know the preamps mentionned ?
Can you suggest me other models ?
As you see, my budget is around $2000 - $2500.

Thanks a lot for your advices and have a good day.
Regards.

Vincent

[Jem]

Hi, I've never had the opportunity to try them myself but D.A.V pre's are VERY highly regarded around here (many people even prefer them to Millennia pre's). I suggest that they'd be well worth your while to check out.

[pkautzsch]

Audient 008 is fine.
Don't really need the impedance switches though, for classical.

[AlexLakis]

I used the True 8 exclusively for a long time, I think it'd sound great for classical. I was forced to record entire rock albums with it, which I'd never choose to do again, but for classical, I think it'd fit your bill nicely.

[digitalolive]

I use two True Systems Precision 8s to record the orchestra that I work for. I can't say enough about them. They sound great. Very clear and uncolored, plenty of gain. I have not used the Audient but for the money, you can't go wrong with the True.

Steve Lemke
Production Manager/Technical Director
Florida West Coast Symphony

[rmx16]

The DAV 8 channel pre looks cool. Don't know if it's out yet.Maybe Teddy could help.

http://www.davelectronics.com/bg8.htm

Rob

[hughesmr]

Originally Posted by rmx16

The DAV 8 channel pre looks cool. Don't know if it's out yet.Maybe Teddy could help.

Quick question on the DAV pres ... do they have an external power supply or wall wart cord, or is it internal to the pre (i.e. just a cord)?

[fifthcircle]

Originally Posted by hughesmr

Quick question on the DAV pres ... do they have an external power supply or wall wart cord, or is it internal to the pre (i.e. just a cord)?

Internal power supply... Just an IEC cable.

--Ben

[Jim vanBergen]

Personally, I use Millenia and Earthworks 1024 preamps for clean. I also hear fabulous results about the DAV and I'm sure Teddy will chime in when he has a moment. Given the price point, the DAV is probably a no-brainer.

These three pre's are definitely a HUGE step above standard preamps IMO, such as Presonus M80, Audient etc. Personally when I used the True Precision I did not like them as much as other mic preamps, though the Dsub is very convenient for me, I just felt it was not in the same league as the Mil-Media or 1024, while still a quality preamp for clean gain. I'm getting very picky though, as any of these would WORK on most projects. But we're talking about ideals, right? And the HV3 is not far from your budget. the 1024s are, unless you get a really decent deal.

If you are handly with a soldering iron and have more time than money, there is the Seventh Circle line, as long as we're talking about options. The clean channel is supposed to be very open & detailed, like John Hardy, which has been a top clean standard as well for a LONG time.

Hope these thoughts help!

[jabney]

When I first got the True P-8 my thoughts were, 'Oh well, at least it should be useful for drums.' However, the more I used it, the better it started sounding. I know that the concept of a 'breaking-in' period for audio equipment may sound like snake-oil to the skeptics, but I'm convinced it's valid for at least some pieces of gear, including the True.

best,

john

[T.RayBullard]

I highly suggest the DAV line. I just ordered another BG-8, should be here tommorow.

What is great about the DAV stuff is that it is clean, but is in no way "sterile".somehow everything that goes through it comes out sounding better. The Millennia pres are what I would call "surgically clean", with low noise and high bandwidth,and of course plenty of gain.... (I own 6 channels of millennia and 22 of DAV)
the BG-8 is 2200.00. 26 - 59 dB of gain,1 HPF frequency 65Hz.earth lift+ 115/230 V switchable.overloads at +29dBu[built for David Gilmour to record his world tour, he bought 64 channels, 8 units]inputs are XLR ,outputs on 25 way d-type.

They are both good units. One is more suited to precision, one is more "euphonic"(but still very detailed/clean). I could take a rack full of either and be very satisfied, though I prefer the DAV sound.
I have a salsa band recording on saturday, I am going to use all DAV. If I get permission, Ill try to post samples.
The True Systems, from what I heard , is a good measure more colored than the BG amps. if I had to go on a scale from clean to colored..

Millennia/Grace/DAV/True p8


If you have further questions about DAV,
inquiries/orders can be made to

mick@davelectronics.com OR davelectronics@tiscali.co.uk

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

The True Systems, from what I heard , is a good measure more colored than the BG amps.

I don't have experience with the BG stuff, but I'd like to say that I have found the True 8 to have "a sound." That is, it is colored to a degree, and imparts a certain sonic signature on every track you run thru it. It is a "clean" preamp, but in my opinion, is not totally transparent.

This "color," is what leads me to believe it would be good for classical...it sounds like it would be.

[henryrobinett]

I love my Millennias. I record mainly jazz and some orchestral stuff. Ytansparent. 13 channels of Mellinnia and several Metric Halo of the ULN-2 variety.

[chandlersonic]

I've got an Audient 8024. Can't go wrong with the asp008, great pres and great bang for the buck. But do check out the DAVs, they are freaaaaaking awesome.

[Dr Bob]

I would cast another vote for the True Precision 8. I have used these for several years for location work and while I agree that they are not as transparent as Millenia's I don't find this any disadvantage at all for classical work. They are very musical pres. I just finished a project for solo cello and piano for Sony using those pre's exclusively and it sounds very nice. We miked with Schoeps CMC6 2S and used Shure 32's for spots on the cello and piano.

[Remoteness]

I'm digging this thread... There are many options here. Keep them coming.

[lukejs]

Hey guys..I thought I´d chime in here because I´m thinking of upgrading my Onyx and octopre preamps... I thought I´d mention the ATI 8 MX2. http://www.audiotoys.com/8MX2.HTM In my research , I´ve come across this one, and wondered how it sounded.. Audio Toys is a divsion of API or something ? This unit has compressor limitors on every channel, and is an 8 to 2 mixer.... maybe an Octopre on steroids ? Anyone have any experience with this one ? I´m persnally leaning toward the DAV´s....... or two Daking 4 channel units.....

[jslevin]

Used to have a True Precision 8, and it's a great piece. You can find one used for $1700, maybe even less.

Here's a location recording of some chamber music we made with the True:

http://www.turtlestudios.com/mp3/String_Trio.mp3

Sounded really great to me. As I recently wrote in another thread, the only potential issue with the True is that it runs pretty hot, i.e., lots of gain and no trim control. But you could make classical recordings for years and years without that ever being a problem.

JSL

[George Necola]

Audient ASP008 here... super happy.

cheers

[Plush]

May I offer my VERY STRONG recommendation for the DAV Electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 8?

BG No. 1--2 channels
BG No. 2--4 channels
BG No. 8--8 channels

Or. . .if you want all xlr outputs instead of d-subs, use 2 Broadhurst Gardens No. 2 mic amps. The BG No. 2 is a 4 channel mic amp. Both have internal power supplies and high headroom.

The Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps are the best mic amps in the world.

I'm a freak of the classical music recording indushtry and I've never found better mic amps for gorgeous sound.

Decca Heritage is Decca Sound

[vinzp]

Hi,

Thank you very much for all your relpies.
What a lot of advices ! It's great.

I have read all your advices and experiences with these different preamps.

Several models are often quoted:

- DAV Electronics BG8
- True System Precision 8
- Millenia HV3D

I would be curious to hear the BG8.
The problem is that I could only try the Millenia before buying, here in France.. .
Concerning the Millenia, it's terrible to see the diffrence about pricing.

$3700 in USA, and 4600€ in Europe (about $5800)...

But it's a pleasure to read you, and I will take your advices in account when I will buy the preamps.

If others would want tell here about their experiences, they're welcome.

Have a good day.

Vincent.

[T.RayBullard]

you could get 2 bg-8s for the price of one millennia.

there are plenty of BG samples around...I will get you some.

Originally Posted by vincent_p

Hi,

Thank you very much for all your relpies.
What a lot of advices ! It's great.

I have read all your advices and experiences with these different preamps.

Several models are often quoted:

- DAV Electronics BG8
- True System Precision 8
- Millenia HV3D

I would be curious to hear the BG8.
The problem is that I could only try the Millenia before buying, here in France.. .
Concerning the Millenia, it's terrible to see the diffrence about pricing.

$3700 in USA, and 4600€ in Europe (about $5800)...

But it's a pleasure to read you, and I will take your advices in account when I will buy the preamps.

If others would want tell here about their experiences, they're welcome.

Have a good day.

Vincent.

[lampmeister]

Dont forget with the DAV pre's you can add extra channels as you go. My aim is to get 8 channels together and I'll be doing it with 4 racked BG-1's (eventually). Why? Well, you don't have to take a big financial hit with getting all 8 channels at the same time; 4 x BG-1's is about the same price as 1 x BG-8; for smaller jobs you can take 1 or 2 BG-1's out of the rack and travel super-light; the BG-1's also gaffa-tape nicely to a mic stand so that your unamplified mic signal is kept to a minimum. I also use my BG-1 to record guitar, vocals and percussion in my little studio.

The BG-1 is just a fantastically flexible solution, it fits anywhere from a 48 channel Genex mega-rig to a stereo "shoulder-bag rig".

Cheers,

Dave.

[Dzoing]

John Hardy M1's have (had?) good reputation for classical music. I know they are 4ch only. I'm surprised nobody still mention those Hardy pres these days, what happened to them? Did they simply go out of fashion or what?

[T.RayBullard]

what is cool too, is that Mick takes trade ins and applies the value of the trade in to the new purchase. Not many companies do that, as far as I know. I just traded a spare BG-1 in and got a BG-8 for less money.

Originally Posted by lampmeister

Dont forget with the DAV pre's you can add extra channels as you go. My aim is to get 8 channels together and I'll be doing it with 4 racked BG-1's (eventually). Why? Well, you don't have to take a big financial hit with getting all 8 channels at the same time; 4 x BG-1's is about the same price as 1 x BG-8; for smaller jobs you can take 1 or 2 BG-1's out of the rack and travel super-light; the BG-1's also gaffa-tape nicely to a mic stand so that your unamplified mic signal is kept to a minimum. I also use my BG-1 to record guitar, vocals and percussion in my little studio.

The BG-1 is just a fantastically flexible solution, it fits anywhere from a 48 channel Genex mega-rig to a stereo "shoulder-bag rig".

Cheers,

Dave.

[classicalrecord]

hey lampmeister,
how have you managed to rack up the bg1's?? i have a bg2 and wouldn't mind two more channels but i'd really to have them rackmounted, how'd you do it?
(thanks for the help, sorry this a little off topic)
as for 8 channel clean pre's-- i love my bg2 (only 4 channels) but can only really compare it to the sytek which i had previously and the DAV is a definite step up.
anyway, just my two cents, thanks.

[John Hardy]

John Hardy M1's have (had?) good reputation for classical music. I know they are 4ch only. I'm surprised nobody still mention those Hardy pres these days, what happened to them? Did they simply go out of fashion or what?

Actually, you can get the M-1, M-2 and Jensen Twin Servo 990 mic preamps with one, two, three or four channels. If you get less than four channels, you can add channels.

Quality never goes out of fashion.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

[Dzoing]

Originally Posted by John Hardy

Actually, you can get the M-1, M-2 and Jensen Twin Servo 990 mic preamps with one, two, three or four channels. If you get less than four channels, you can add channels.

Quality never goes out of fashion.

John Hardy
The John Hardy Co.
www.johnhardyco.com

For things to be clear: No offense here Mr Hardy, I really think too that Quality never goes out of fashion.

And to Vincent_p from Paris: do you really need 8 channels? If I were you I'd rather consider Hardy's M1 for classical and jazz. As John told you, you can get less channels first, and expand your rack later...

[David Rick]

Originally Posted by vincent_p

Hi,

The problem is that I could only try the Millenia before buying, here in France.. .
Concerning the Millenia, it's terrible to see the diffrence about pricing.

$3700 in USA, and 4600€ in Europe (about $5800)...

Ouch! One strategy might be to buy the Millennia HV3D as a four-channel unit and upgrade it to eight later. Since Millennia has distribution there, I recommend you at least demo a couple of channels before you buy anything else. There's a good reason the HV-3's have become ubiquitous in classical work.

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[niteflite]

At the risk of hijacking this thread, will people share their feelings about the Grace 801?

Once in great favor and considered to have a 'cleaner' sound, Grace seems rarely mentioned in this context lately. I know it's pricier new than the stated budget but occasionally I see them available in the used market.

Cheers,
jeff