Home Recordists: 500-series regret?

[JES]

Hi All,

This is for home recordists who don't do a lot of tracks at once. Has anyone gotten into the lunchbox (or other 500-series config thing) and later said, "gee, I wish I'd spent the money on a stereo pre or two."? I'm just asking because usually criticisms of new products or formats emerge after an initial period of euphoria on these boards. So I'm wondering if people have found downsides to the 500-series approach to pres instead of buying full rack units, like the MP2NV, the Pacifica, etc.

Thanks.

--JES

[bobwarren]

I've been seeing a lot of Pacificas for sale on Ebay. Perhaps they sold to get a pair of P1's and a GR MP500NV.thumbsup

[Snatchman]

The only regrets I have is I can't afford to get'm all!......That being said, the 500 format has been around awhile. It just happens ( a very good thing) that it's come to the fore-front and seems to have appeared out of nowhere. It's a proven format. Now....how can I get another one.......

[Brent]

Just ordered 4 modules myself, so I hope not!

[Inner Light]

no regrets at all. wish I can pick up a ton more!

[column17]

I don't regret at all. I've only got 3 spaces filled on an 8 space OSA TrackPack but I plan on eventually filling it up. It's nice to be able to buy things as funds become available rather than go into debt up front. The quality of the pre's I have (2x OSA MP1-Ls and an MonoGama) is on par or better than most of what I would have considered buying as an alternative.

[peeder]

I put my vote in for 19" rack gear.

The 500 series would be cool to assemble a console out of. The API 1608 allows one rack of that. I would want three racks of it: pick my pre, my comp, and my EQ.

But I'd still use the no-compromise implementations of 19" outboard when I was doing anything critical.

[stratton]

I have one lonely 512C in a six space lunchbox. I use it A LOT and it has saved at least two recording sessions at bigger studios that didn't have any API pres.

512c->SM57->SN Top= Instant snare drum sound. I use it for bass gtr DI too. No regrets at all.

[Duardo]

Most of the available 500-series modules have counterparts available in the standard 19" rack format, and in most cases they are pretty much identical sonically, so putting a couple preamps in a lunchbox is essentially the same as buying a stereo pre. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to any format...the 500 form factor is nice because you can, say, configure your own stereo pre/comp/EQ combination in a lunchbox, or put together a nice little six-pack of preamps for tracking, or fit ten or eleven of whatever in three rack spaces. And has already been mentioned, it's not a new product or format...it's been around for decades. It's also nice because it's easy to upgrade or crossgrade certain components without having to replace the whole shebang. But there's nothing "magical" about it...

[Aearth]

I have a home/project studio and I have 2 x API Lunch boxs full of modules.

nIC

[reflixtinian]

Originally Posted by bobwarren

I've been seeing a lot of Pacificas for sale on Ebay. Perhaps they sold to get a pair of P1's and a GR MP500NV.thumbsup

That's exactly why i love the 500 series....
You don't like something, just unplug it...and sale it

I own GR, API, Purple .. no regrets .. very different colours.

If you buy 4 modules you get the lunchbox for free .. you get 4 preamps (for about 3 grand ) and you have many options to chose from...

[reflixtinian]

actually less ( $ 2800 )

There are better options in 19" format of course
I can't imagine my avalon 737 in 500 format...

Also i prefer chandler's germanium pre in 19" format ( better VU's also )

Or tube stuff that gets too hot.

But if you choose the right thing when it comes to the 500 series....you can save some bucks

[Kiwiburger]

I think the Neve Portico solution is a better idea (1/2 space 19". with options of vertical or horizontal - possible to change faceplate if you need to).

I have a question about 500 series that would make or break it for me ...

Background: I have a couple of API A2D, and they radiate a massive hum field that pisses me right off. I notice that although the chassis appears to be stainless steel, the top cover is thin aluminium. Other 19" rack stuff I have tends to be all steel, and I haven't really noticed problems with hum fields.

Does the other API 19" rack stuff have the same construction, and same hum field problem? Or is it just the A2D? Does the 3124+ have aluminum cover?

Anyhow - it seems to me that a weak point for any preamp is going to be the power supply and shielding. Do 500 series have adequate power supplies and shielding?

It seems to me that when a maker, such as API, claims to have different versions of unit that "have the same preamp" - what they probably mean is the same preamp circuit - BUT - the power supply situation will be very different.

That's where I suspect the differences lie, and I would like to see this debated by people who have been able to compare...

Thanks.

[A LaMere]

Originally Posted by Kiwiburger

I think the Neve Portico solution is a better idea (1/2 space 19". with options of vertical or horizontal - possible to change faceplate if you need to).

I have a question about 500 series that would make or break it for me ...

Background: I have a couple of API A2D, and they radiate a massive hum field that pisses me right off. I notice that although the chassis appears to be stainless steel, the top cover is thin aluminium. Other 19" rack stuff I have tends to be all steel, and I haven't really noticed problems with hum fields.

Does the other API 19" rack stuff have the same construction, and same hum field problem? Or is it just the A2D? Does the 3124+ have aluminum cover?

Anyhow - it seems to me that a weak point for any preamp is going to be the power supply and shielding. Do 500 series have adequate power supplies and shielding?

It seems to me that when a maker, such as API, claims to have different versions of unit that "have the same preamp" - what they probably mean is the same preamp circuit - BUT - the power supply situation will be very different.

That's where I suspect the differences lie, and I would like to see this debated by people who have been able to compare...

Thanks.

These differences are absolutely small... minute... maybe amount up to the differences between different pieces of gear.. Fwiw, I've used my lunchbox pre's alongside 19" rack gear of the same type... 3124, GRNV pre's, etc and it absolutely holds it's own.

In any case, I have absolutely no regrets at all... having a lunchbox has simply made my job that much easier. Started with a lunchbox and stereo pair of GRNV pre's....
At some point, I'm going to grab a second lunchbox and that'll pretty much set me up for my home setup anyways....

[stagefright13]

Love my 6 pack of Eisens in an API lunchbox. ALWAYS will!

I think the lunchbox torroid is too big to fit in a 1 U rack. It is designed to power 6 modules. So Of course the power supply is different than a 3124!

As the OP said tho this is a topic for people that don't record alot of tracks as once. I might change my tune considering that.

[barryjohns]

I'm a recent convert to the 500 format, and I think it's perfect for the home studio. Takes up much less space, doesn't look as impressive as a rack full of gear, however, very ergonomic. I think it is great because it enables people to build over time, cheaper. It's much easier for people to come up with 700 vice 1k-2k at a time. Plus you can mix and match. Right now I've got an API 512c, P1, GR500, Action on the way, and the other slot will either be another Action or a P1 for stereo recording.......

[AllAboutTone]

I did it for different flavors and remote recordings as well, but ended up liking it even more after falling in love with the OSA-C 500 series, without the 500 series i would have no OSAs.
No regrets here, i did think about it for about a year and decided to make the move, i do still have non 500 series such as John Hardy and some custom built Studer 089s.
I have not got a my MA5 yet, im losing patience everyday but my next high end pre will be the purple pants.

Hey i went 24 bit and 500 series within just a few months, love both.

btw, i can tell a difference between the P-1 and the Pacifica, i favor the Pacifica slightly in the vocal area ONLY, everything else i like the P-1 better.

[yumdrum]

My only regret is that I can't afford more at the moment.

My lonely 512 is starting to get a complex sitting under a pair of GR-MP2NVs.

One of these days it too will have a partner.

[morebutter]

I've seen alot of Purple Biz's for sale lately I am curious why people are letting them go...

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by morebutter

I've seen alot of Purple Biz's for sale lately I am curious why people are letting them go...

Richard Hofstadter would know.

[aussie_techie]

i dont regret not going for 500 series stuff

Originally Posted by peeder

I put my vote in for 19" rack gear.

as do i, its a universal standard and its cheaper, even with an inbuilt power supply. that said i can see the value in a lunch box if you wanted several different pres that you can carry around easily. 2/4 pres the same always seem to be cheaper in 19" though and every one needs at least one pair.

even if your getting the lunch box free compare the price of a 3124 to 4x 512. how can the same pres be worth the few hundred extra just because they are in a 500 series format?

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by aussie_techie

even if your getting the lunch box free compare the price of a 3124 to 4x 512. how can the same pres be worth the few hundred extra just because they are in a 500 series format?

because what you are quoting here is ALL API , if all you want is API then get 3124 but i love the different flavors and thats what a lunch box is for, as a drum lover i like the OSA-Cs better than API. I cannot buy OSA in a 19 in rack. I can see the 500 series getting bigger and more wide spread.

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by JES

Hi All,

This is for home recordists who don't do a lot of tracks at once. Has anyone gotten into the lunchbox (or other 500-series config thing) and later said, "gee, I wish I'd spent the money on a stereo pre or two."? I'm just asking because usually criticisms of new products or formats emerge after an initial period of euphoria on these boards. So I'm wondering if people have found downsides to the 500-series approach to pres instead of buying full rack units, like the MP2NV, the Pacifica, etc.

Thanks.

--JES

The 500 series format is far from being new. It has been around for close to 20 years. My friend bought a 6 slot API unit in 1991 and it is still rocking today!

[Duardo]

even if your getting the lunch box free compare the price of a 3124 to 4x 512. how can the same pres be worth the few hundred extra just because they are in a 500 series format?

They're not "worth" a few hundred extra, so if all you want is four API preamps then get the 3124. But if you want to add, say, two EQ's, or you want two preamps, two EQ's, and two compressors, or if you want ten or eleven different preamps in three rack spaces, or if you just like all the pretty colors...then a lunchbox or rack may make more sense.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by morebutter

I've seen alot of Purple Biz's for sale lately I am curious why people are letting them go...

They may be taking care of Biz-ness early and getting some new pants ordered.

[aussie_techie]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

because what you are quoting here is ALL API , if all you want is API then get 3124 but i love the different flavors and thats what a lunch box is for, as a drum lover i like the OSA-Cs better than API. I cannot buy OSA in a 19 in rack. I can see the 500 series getting bigger and more wide spread.

its not just API, work it out for any brand where 19" is available aswell as 500 series. if your doing the 500 series thing because OSA is your favourite sound then fine. go for whatever you think sound best, no one argue with that. but in terms of pricing OSA is the exception rather than the rule.

as i said before i do see the point if you want all the different flavors but not if you want lots of channels of the same thing. now i have to add to that, if they are available as rack mount units as you have pointed out not everything is.

Originally Posted by Duardo

They're not "worth" a few hundred extra, so if all you want is four API preamps then get the 3124. But if you want to add, say, two EQ's, or you want two preamps, two EQ's, and two compressors, or if you want ten or eleven different preamps in three rack spaces, or if you just like all the pretty colors...then a lunchbox or rack may make more sense.

the 3124 is just one example im not saying just because you get a lunch box you will get 4 API pres with it. my point is if your buying in pairs/4channels rackmount is usually cheaper. its not like you cant add a rackmount EQ or comp on top of any rackmount pre. i do see the point if you want single channels of 6-10 different flavors. personally i would prefer to have multiple channels of a hand full of flavors or at least some pairs and i see alot of people with lunchboxs full of the same unit so its a very valid point as to why you would choose the 500series route. I can see the point for people who do want different things, certainly no one works the same.

[barryjohns]

I can buy 2 P-1's and a Lunchbox and still have 4 slots open for less than a Pacifica. I can buy 2 Great River 500 Pre's and a Lunch box for less than the Stereo version.

I paid 675.00 for my P1 new, free shipping. I paid 710.00 for my Great River 500, new, free shipping.

I'm not buying that the 500 series is more expensive, API is the only exception that I know of. I'd love to hear of others......that have 19" or 1/2 Rack equivalents.

[reflixtinian]

the 3124 is just one example im not saying just because you get a lunch box you will get 4 API pres with it. my point is if your buying in pairs/4channels rackmount is usually cheaper. its not like you cant add a rackmount EQ or comp on top of any rackmount pre. i do see the point if you want single channels of 6-10 different flavors. personally i would prefer to have multiple channels of a hand full of flavors or at least some pairs and i see alot of people with lunchboxs full of the same unit so its a very valid point as to why you would choose the 500series route. I can see the point for people who do want different things, certainly no one works the same.[/quote]


3124 is a cool deal , but in my case, i don't need 4 api's

[reflixtinian]

For me, the 512c doesn't work for everything , every time...

[pan60]

the best format to be in is the 500 format!!!!
and their is so much more to come: )~