HERE IT IS! The 500 Series Shootout Files!

[Diegel]

I would still like to hear more comments on the BAE312a. I am curious why it is so overlooked. To me it sounds like every other preamp has some sort of effect on the sound yet the BAE 312a sounds very true to the source but still very forward. I think that it is perhaps it doesn't sound as full as some of the other preamps but I think that has more to do with the source. Like on the el. guitar it sounds like the source could use more bass with the bae312a whereas the other preamps sound like they are adding things to the source to make it sounds fuller. Same goes for everything else. It sounds like the lachapell is adding bass and warmth that isn't part of the source while the bae312a is leaving the source alone. So my question is what is the role of the preamp. Should the function of the preamp be to add this kind of warmth or is their another place in the signal chain or processing chain where this type of effect belongs.

[zvenx]

Not sure how you could know what sounds closest to the source unless you were there , you may have been if you were, forgive that last comment.
My take on the role of a pre-amp is depends on the type of music. I believe for pure Classical music you need a pre-amp that best represents the source. For me, ever other genre that I work with I want the pre-amp that sounds the best (whatever that means subjectively).
rsp

[Diegel]

Actually I wasn't there but I think I can still tell when sound is coming from the source or the gear. I think it is very obvious that the lachapell has an added effect to the sound. Sounds like warm tube sound. Doesn't sound like the source is right their in the room with you. I am not talking about wether it is desireable or not. Just about wether that should be the role of the preamp or some other piece of gear.

[lrieves]

Originally Posted by Diegel

Just about wether that should be the role of the preamp or some other piece of gear.

If you are asking for a rule to follow, there isn't one. The "role" of the preamp is actually to boost the signal of the microphone up to Line Level. everything after that is what gives us engineers a job. The reason there are so many different Preamps (besides the money market) is to give us the option. I think it is great that you have found a preamp that you would like to try, but sometimes you are going to record somebody with a thin sounding instrument and you will want to add some low end to the signal. the preamp would be a great place to do that after the mic.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Diegel

I would still like to hear more comments on the BAE312a. I am curious why it is so overlooked.

I have to admit when i owned the rack mount BAE 312 and i did like it at all, not much character, on here the 500 series sounds great but when something sounds that warm and soft it normally does not stack well, not do say that harsh type preamps do, im always looking for a pre with a open sound and some great upper mids first, and then i go from there.

[Diegel]

Funny thing just happened in a session. I started the vocalist out on my BAE312a. Everything sounded good. Then we tried the Pacifica and his comment could not have summed up my point earlier better which was "it sounds like there is too much technology on my voice." So we went back to the BAE312a and it sounded perfect. It also was chosen before the Pacifica for acoustic guitars. I will still keep it because I love the Pacifica flavor but I only need one. I am going to start filling my rack with more BAE312a's. I think they are the most natural sounding preamps I have heard so far and I heard at least 50 different models.

[James 'LA' Lugo]

Funny how people's tastes differ, I had 4 BAE312a's in my rack for years and never used them on vocals. They just did nothing for me on the human voice. Apples and oranges.

[Astrain]

Thanks a Lot James and everybody involved in this shootout.

My picks in order

1 Api 512 Liked it in everything, as someone said in another tread it sounds like a record, and I completely agree, this is my favorite.

2 SH Nickel Also liked it in everything, does someone knows if its there any plans to offer the iron mod for the MG?
3 LC 583s very nice in electric and acoustic gtrs(I always liked more the s model)
4 P1 I liked it specially in male voice

M5 not bad but I was expecting to like it more.

Thanks Again, Im probably going to join the club this week and being in the middle of nowhere (dealer wise)this shootout is the closest thing to test these preamps.

[ray dsr]

I have a pair of BAE312a's that I use on overheads. They sound natural and clear.

I've found them to be too clinical on vocals for my taste, but I'm sure for the right singer they would do a great job.

[Tim Farrant]

I know it's been said 1000 times already, but great job James! By the way, how much did Jules pay you?



It would have been nice perhaps to hear the acoustic without the drums, it might have revealed a little more on the transient response of the different preamps, the ear becomes distracted by the percussion.

Tim.

[roger]

well mate - you better hang onto the P1 for those occasions where the vocalist requests a more 'technological' sound.........that's a wierd one!......it's funny how some people are hearing what they WANT to hear because they already own a particular pre....there's the MA5-guy.....and now the BAE-guy.....all these pres sound good but i think it's pretty clear which ones stand a little above the rest of the pack - - - - - james is the man for doing this: it means we can just use our ears instead of listening to some geezer spouting about how his new pair of MA5s sound 'more neve than neve' as i read in another thread......sheesh!.........cheers james! very useful resource!

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

I know it's been said 1000 times already, but great job James! By the way, how much did Jules pay you?



It would have been nice perhaps to hear the acoustic without the drums, it might have revealed a little more on the transient response of the different preamps, the ear becomes distracted by the percussion.

Tim.

Buy the CD - I am going to so that I can hear all the samples in full quality on there own. I haven't even bothered to listen to all the MP3's - I am just going to wait for the CD. Then I can make a decent evaluation etc.

[AllAboutTone]

I was gonna mention the same thing, make a CD of these samples and sell them, this way you get a true sound of the preamps, no more guessing games listening at MP3s.

Let me know, i will put in a order for one to have on file.

Im excited about the 500 series market and what's to come down the road, we got great stuff now but just think what might come out in the next few years..

[Bradahman]

Originally Posted by roger

well mate - you better hang onto the P1 for those occasions where the vocalist requests a more 'technological' sound.........that's a wierd one!......it's funny how some people are hearing what they WANT to hear because they already own a particular pre....there's the MA5-guy.....and now the BAE-guy.....all these pres sound good but i think it's pretty clear which ones stand a little above the rest of the pack - - - - - james is the man for doing this: it means we can just use our ears instead of listening to some geezer spouting about how his new pair of MA5s sound 'more neve than neve' as i read in another thread......sheesh!.........cheers james! very useful resource!

Too funny. Can I be the Biz guy.

[lrieves]

Originally Posted by Bradahman

Too funny. Can I be the Biz guy.

I wanted to be the Biz Guy!!!

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Bradahman

Too funny. Can I be the Biz guy.

Ok then i will take Action post biz..lol to funny.

[anguswoodhead]

Can I be the LaChapell guy Pleeeeease?

[Bradahman]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Ok then i will take Action post biz..lol to funny.

Dude... I think someone already called you the Ma5 guy.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by Bradahman

Dude... I think someone already called you the Ma5 guy.

Almost but NO cigar.... Roger Mate Ramgett from the UK said, Quote : in a thread that the MA5 dude said that (Neve~ish MA5) sounded better than the Neve, couldn't have been me cause i have never owned a Neve 1073 to know that. Beside the MA5 is one of those pres you gotta have but does not always work on everything and i think we can say that about most all preamps. Not even API can deliver on everything. Im still the Action guy taking what the biz gives me. :) ......compressed

[gm5k]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Not even API can deliver on everything.

i would venture to say that it can.

those poor, poor, souls with their API consoles...

what are they to do when the 512 doesn't deliver the goods?!

[AllAboutTone]

im quite sure that those not so poor guys with the API consoles have a larger than life mic collection to chose from so they can get much closer, im much on the poor side cause i do not have a super large collection of mics, and i have saw it more than a few times not work so good with a male vocal or female for that matter, P-1s and Hardy is a much better choice for vocals before i got some MA5s and sometimes they still are.
FWIW, that quote about the Neve sounding better than Neve is on the MA5 thread i think where i quoted that someone else said it sounded better than the real thing, NOT I, i was only repeating not agreeing, lol again i do not have enough $$ for some Neve gear to A/B it with, so the next best thing is the MA5, who knows maybe better.....Have a great weekend !!!!

[roger]

...thanks for clearing that up MA5-guy!

haha - just jokes!

[drBill]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I was gonna mention the same thing, make a CD of these samples and sell them, this way you get a true sound of the preamps, no more guessing games listening at MP3s.

Let me know, i will put in a order for one to have on file.

Im excited about the 500 series market and what's to come down the road, we got great stuff now but just think what might come out in the next few years..

James - again, to echo everyone else - THANKS!

What would be great would be a DATA CD or DVD with the PT sessions on them. That would allow maximum tweekage!!

[glide 1]

Thanx for doing this james.

I noticed the LaChapell clips are louder than most of the others, certainly on heavy gtrs and fem vox clips.

512 as mentioned in previous post is a consistent performer in all the clips...mintjulep holds its own too.

My faves are the avedis, api, gama, and LaChapell - in no particular order..

[desol]

512.

What opamp is in the BA312?

[jchas]

Why no GreatRiver in the shoot out?
It would have been nice to be able to compare others to something that most everybody knows.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by jchas

Why no GreatRiver in the shoot out?
It would have been nice to be able to compare others to something that most everybody knows.

Actually come to think of it, didn't I see a germanium in the pics? Where was that in the shootout downloads?

[big65pbass]

wow! i LOVE those pics, too. thanks SOOOO much for doing this. it helps those of us new to this awesome modular system get much closer to knowing where to put our $ and most effectively fill our lunchboxes.

[nosebleedaudio]

Originally Posted by desol

512.

What opamp is in the BA312?

1122

[Newcleardaze]

Incredible shootout!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you...

My personal all around favorite was the Shadow Hills... just seemed to be in my top 2 on everything on one setting or another. I would take any one of them, though.