ATTY or Inline Pad - Any difference?

[musictech]

I've got one ATTY and am planning on ordering a second and also getting a few inline mic pads.

I've got an API 3124+ which sounds good on drums when driven hard, with the ATTY after it to get levels under control before going to the converters. But, even with a second ATTY, covering the other two channels of the 3124+, I'll still need pads for some other pre-amps for other drum signals, either to drive them hard, or just to get the signal level down a bit.

Is there any noticeable difference in sound between using an inline pad before the pre-amp, or the ATTY after? I've never had both before, so can't compare directly yet.

Or, are the inline pads generally a better option than the built-in pad on some of the pre-amps?

Other pre-amps I have include:
Pacifica
2 Germaniums
ADL 600
ME1NV
RNP

Just curious. I'll be getting the second ATTY and a few inline pads soon to check for myself... but, just wondered what other people's experience was.

Thanks.

steve

[uptoolate]

I'm interested in this also.

[Zwinter]

An inline should sound, at least, slightly different because you are changing the gain staging. How much of a difference will depend on your specific situation. Plus, some pre-amps don't have pads, so it's a good idea to keep some around.

Also, I have heard that some pre-amps have a small amplifier before the pad. So it could be possible to distort that amplifier if you don't knock down the signal before it even arrives at the pre-amp.

[Angus202]

Using inline pads won't get you THAT sound from the APIs, you need to push those transformers into saturation. I stuck 4 10k pots (double stacked for balanced operation) into a project box - like having 4 atty's (for only $50 in parts!) for each channel of my 3124+, sounds killer!
-Ryan

[musictech]

Originally Posted by Angus202

Using inline pads won't get you THAT sound from the APIs, you need to push those transformers into saturation. I stuck 4 10k pots (double stacked for balanced operation) into a project box - like having 4 atty's (for only $50 in parts!) for each channel of my 3124+, sounds killer!
-Ryan

Which transformers are you talking about? If you are cranking the pre-amp gain so the signal is going into the red, you are driving the output transformers, which is what others are doing to get "that" sound, right?

Or is it also due to not padding the input so that the input transformer is also getting hit fairly hard with a hot signal right from the microphone? Or just a combination of both?

When I'm recording drums, I've got the kick and snare smacking the level meters just barely into the red on pretty much every hit, but since I only have one ATTY right now, anything that I put through the other two channels (usually the rack toms) I have to use the 3124 pad or else I'm clipping my converters even with the gain at the lowest level (without the pad).

Steve

[AlexLakis]

Originally Posted by musictech

When I'm recording drums, I've got the kick and snare smacking the level meters just barely into the red on pretty much every hit, but since I only have one ATTY right now, anything that I put through the other two channels (usually the rack toms) I have to use the 3124 pad or else I'm clipping my converters even with the gain at the lowest level (without the pad).

Steve

Why not try the Shure A15As before the pre, then?

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Produc..._A15AS_content

[drmmrboy]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

Why not try the Shure A15As before the pre, then?

http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Produc..._A15AS_content

Same difference as using the API pad.

To hit the input hard, pad after the API. thumbsup

[musictech]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've got a second ATTY and four inline pads on the way, so I'll be able to test it out both ways the next time I get a drummer in here. I'll probably just stick with the two ATTY's after the API pres and then use inline pads for any other channels that are overloading some of the other pres I have.

Steve