HERE IT IS! The 500 Series Shootout Files!

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 12:51 AM

MP3's are on post #212 on this thread!

Mike's singing into a Pearlman TM-1 with CineMag/EF14

Mics:
Male vocal = Pearlman TM-1 (w/ Cinemag Xfomer & EF14 tube)
Female vocal = Neumann TLM49
Acoustic guitar = Audio Technica ATM-450
Electric guitar = Shure SM57

Preamps top row:
Purple Pants
Purple Biz
Brett Averill BAE 312
Bizzar Audio Mint Julep
API 512C
Shadow Hills Mono Gama

Single unit rack:
JMK Audio JM 130

Preamps middle row:
Avedis MA5 (gold)
Chandler Germanium (this was not working properly and not included in the shootout)
OSA MP1-L/DI
OSA MP1-L3/DI
OSA MP1-C/DI
OSA MP1-A
A-Designs P-1
A-Designs Montessi Gold
VSI M-1
La Chapelle 583v (this is a beta version and uses a Cinebag input Xformer)

Preamps bottom row:
Buzz Elixir
A-Designs Montessi Blue
A-Designs Montessi Red
Avedis MA-5 (red) this was not included in the shootout as the MA-5 (gold) already had been and the only difference is the color of the faceplate
La Chapelle 583s (uses a Jensen input Xformer)

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 01:04 AM

Lori

The pic of Lori is in front of the TM-1 but she sang into a Neumann TLM49.

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 01:17 AM

Dan on guitar

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 01:29 AM

Me playing a Les Paul Standard with a Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge through my Herbert into a Recto 4X12 cab with V30 and an ole SM57

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 01:32 AM

All right guys I did the best I could, I matched levels to the best of my ability.

Enjoy!

James 'LA' Lugo

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 02:15 AM

Let the games begin...

primemeat64 · 3rd May 2008, 02:20 AM

That's a LOT of work.

Thank you!

dylansmale · 3rd May 2008, 02:29 AM

wow, the Shadow Hills pre blew everything out of the water here. The 512 and the pacifica gold I really liked too.

do you record using every pre you have at the same time?

dylansmale · 3rd May 2008, 02:36 AM

I like the shadow hills nickel rather than the steal, but its hard to tell with the drums beating so hard I can't listen to the guitars.

AllAboutTone · 3rd May 2008, 03:09 AM

All i can say is the MA5

is kicking some serious ASS !!! in most every shootout. Very easy to hear the difference, MA5 also has the most depth of the entire series. Glad to own a couple.
In the meantime back to the shoot outs.
Thanks so much 4 the shootout, great work guys.

btw, was the 28K engaged ?

boyinthebox · 3rd May 2008, 03:14 AM

James,

You are truly a gentleman and a scholar.

This is an incredible amount of work you put in. Thank you for taking so much time for the sake of others! All the best.

Cheers.

NathanEldred · 3rd May 2008, 03:24 AM

Nice tracks James, great job.

I just quickly listened to about 12 different samples, they all sound nice...I don't hear anything blowing anything else away. Subtle shades of clarity vs color with more or less mid emphasis. Some sound similar even among different brands/models. TEHO.

Just an observation, I did notice that in some of the mixes the vocals sound louder than others, that could make a difference to the sound and give one sample an advantage or disadvantage.

SK1 · 3rd May 2008, 03:26 AM

Hey James thanks for doing this !!!

It's really helping me because I've already got a tm1 and a 57 .... lol !!! Maybe I should pick up a 450 for ac gtr to help put things in perspective.

Of course shoot outs, and shoot outs with mp3's can only tell part of the story. But it's part of the story that I'm thankful to hear. Much better than reading a bunch of advertising hype, that's for sure.

I've got 4 spaces in the api 10 space to fill

.

The mono gama nickel and mono gama steel are sounding like they might fit the bill nicely.

Thanks again !!!

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 03:29 AM

The Mono gama tracks are all the same pre, it has 3 modes. Very sweet!

teleman · 3rd May 2008, 03:32 AM

James,
Thanks for the shootout. I just joined the 500 club today with an API lunchbox and an MA5. I was going to get the API 512 next but after hearing the Shadow Hills that one might be next, or maybe the P1, or the A Designs Red, or the.....
I'm going to need a bigger lunchbox.
Gotta go listen to some more samples.

Thanks again,
Len

SK1 · 3rd May 2008, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

I just quickly listened to about 12 different samples, they all sound nice...I don't hear anything blowing anything else away. Subtle shades of clarity vs color with more or less mid emphasis. TEHO.

Just an observation, I did notice that in some of the mixes the vocals sound louder than others, that can make a big difference to the sound.

Yeah it's amazing how the tm1 sounds like ....... a tm1 .... regardless of what pre James sent it through.

As far as the loudness of the vocals .......... the takes are different too, that makes a difference ........ f it I can hear the difference.

I wouldn't base my decision on what 500 pre to buy next entirely off this shootout ...... but it definitely helps.

Thanks again James!

SK1 · 3rd May 2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

The Mono gama tracks are all the same pre, it has 3 modes. Very sweet!

Wow, that's a real contender then. Male vocs sounded sweet through the pearlman and the mono gama.

AllAboutTone · 3rd May 2008, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleman

James,
Thanks for the shootout. I just joined the 500 club today with an API lunchbox and an MA5. I was going to get the API 512 next but after hearing the Shadow Hills that one might be next, or maybe the P1, or the A Designs Red, or the.....
I'm going to need a bigger lunchbox.
Gotta go listen to some more samples.

Thanks again,
Len

lol, yup very addictive indeed, i wished a Hardy could have been part of the shootout, well maybe someday.

BCNinternational · 3rd May 2008, 03:48 AM

Mr. James 'L.A.' Lugo,

Sincere thanks for this resource. Your time invested to produce this thread is very much appreciated.

gm5k · 3rd May 2008, 04:33 AM

for heavy guitars, i thought the MA5, OSA L3, and A Designs pre's were awesome. acoustic guitar i thought the LaChapell had the most depth...sounded "like an album", if you will. thanks James

i agree with Nathan that nothing absolutely blew anything else away in this shootout IMHO. just different strokes for different folks.

dylansmale · 3rd May 2008, 04:44 AM

i overlooked the lachapelle which was the obvious winner too me...

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 05:17 AM

I'm a dips**t I originally labelled the LaChapell Audio pres 538s & v instead of 583s & v. I fixed the f'up, so now the LaChapell 583s & 583v are labelled correctly and at the bottom of each of the audio posts. Sorry Scott. I feel bad Scott's my boy and I screwed him over! You always hurt the ones you love...

staudio · 3rd May 2008, 05:35 AM

Thank you so much.

Scott LaChapell · 3rd May 2008, 05:38 AM

James! No worries at all my friend, seriously, you've been putting in SOOOO many hours with this project. A simple type-o is nothing; I don't even want to know how much time you've invested with this project...

Nicely done though, it's a great resource that I'm sure will be accessed for quite a while.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

I'm a dips**t I originally labelled the LaChapell Audio pres 538s & v instead of 583s & v. I fixed the f'up, so now the LaChapell 583s & 583v are labelled correctly and at the bottom of each of the audio posts. Sorry Scott. I feel bad Scott's my boy and I screwed him over! You always hurt the ones you love...

**James 'LA' Lugo** · 3rd May 2008, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dylansmale

i overlooked the lachapelle which was the obvious winner too me...

I'm with you on that. After listening to these tracks a 1000 times at full bandwidth the LaChapell is the best pre IMO. The Mono, MA5, P1/Red/Blue, Mint Julep were all awesome to. Again at the end of the day I don't think you could go wrong with most of these pres.

The next few weeks are brutal for me with American Idol wrapping up (I'm host on the red carpet on grand finale day at the Nokia Center - Yikes!) but when it's all done I'm gonna offer to send out full bandwidth CD of all the files and/or DVD's of the PT session for a very minimal cost to everyone (just enough cost to pay for shipping and my assistant's time). So that will be happening after May 21st.

If you're interested in getting a hard copy of this shootout send and email to:
dena@jameslugo.com

but nothing will be shipping till Idol is done.

wilkinswp · 3rd May 2008, 05:45 AM

Thanks for doing this. This is a lot of work you've done.

BLueROom · 3rd May 2008, 05:50 AM

James, you should be applauded for the amount of effort that you put into something like this. Really great work.

Scinx · 3rd May 2008, 05:54 AM

Thanks James...very nice collection...from instructional vocal CDs to preamp shootouts - you continue to rip things up around here

Tak

NandoOg7 · 3rd May 2008, 08:07 AM

I need to change my pants after looking at those pictures!

TheMarqueeYears · 3rd May 2008, 08:14 AM

Hi James,

I've never met you - but I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all this fantastic work. What a resource. Huge.

I'm looking into getting into a 500 collection and this is just brilliant.

Your the man

TMY
(Rob)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The A Designs Solid State Shootout (500 series + Pacifica)	warhead	So much gear, so little time!	52	9th August 2008 02:20 PM
500 Series Preamp Shootout Saturday April 12th.	James 'LA' Lugo	So much gear, so little time!	319	17th May 2008 11:59 PM
500 series EQ shootout	pieter	High end	19	2nd April 2008 02:33 PM
Any vendors or Gearslutz want their 500 series pre in our shootout?	James 'LA' Lugo	So much gear, so little time!	27	17th March 2008 10:51 PM
Do all 500 Series modules fit into all 500 Series racks?	AlanTide	So much gear, so little time!	2	27th March 2006 02:54 PM

3rd May 2008, 12:51 AM	#1
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	HERE IT IS! The 500 Series Shootout Files! MP3's are on post #212 on this thread! Mike's singing into a Pearlman TM-1 with CineMag/EF14 Mics: Male vocal = Pearlman TM-1 (w/ Cinemag Xfomer & EF14 tube) Female vocal = Neumann TLM49 Acoustic guitar = Audio Technica ATM-450 Electric guitar = Shure SM57 Preamps top row: Purple Pants Purple Biz Brett Averill BAE 312 Bizzar Audio Mint Julep API 512C Shadow Hills Mono Gama Single unit rack: JMK Audio JM 130 Preamps middle row: Avedis MA5 (gold) Chandler Germanium (this was not working properly and not included in the shootout) OSA MP1-L/DI OSA MP1-L3/DI OSA MP1-C/DI OSA MP1-A A-Designs P-1 A-Designs Montessi Gold VSI M-1 La Chapelle 583v (this is a beta version and uses a Cinebag input Xformer) Preamps bottom row: Buzz Elixir A-Designs Montessi Blue A-Designs Montessi Red Avedis MA-5 (red) this was not included in the shootout as the MA-5 (gold) already had been and the only difference is the color of the faceplate La Chapelle 583s (uses a Jensen input Xformer) __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 01:17 AM	#3
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	Acoustic Guitar with ATM450 Dan on guitar __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 01:29 AM	#4
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	Heavy Guitars!!!!! Me playing a Les Paul Standard with a Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge through my Herbert into a Recto 4X12 cab with V30 and an ole SM57 __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 01:32 AM	#5
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	DONE! All right guys I did the best I could, I matched levels to the best of my ability. Enjoy! James 'LA' Lugo __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 01:04 AM	#2
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	Female Vocals into a TLM49 Lori The pic of Lori is in front of the TM-1 but she sang into a Neumann TLM49. __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 02:15 AM	#6
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	Let the games begin... __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 02:20 AM	#7
primemeat64 Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greater London, UK Posts: 365	That's a LOT of work. Thank you! __________________ It will be faster for us to create our own utopia instead of waiting for somebody else to do it. Let's start by being real nice to each other and to the environment.

3rd May 2008, 02:29 AM	#8
dylansmale Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,572	wow, the Shadow Hills pre blew everything out of the water here. The 512 and the pacifica gold I really liked too. do you record using every pre you have at the same time?

3rd May 2008, 02:36 AM	#9
dylansmale Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,572	I like the shadow hills nickel rather than the steal, but its hard to tell with the drums beating so hard I can't listen to the guitars.

3rd May 2008, 03:09 AM	#10
AllAboutTone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 2,735	All i can say is the MA5 is kicking some serious ASS !!! in most every shootout. Very easy to hear the difference, MA5 also has the most depth of the entire series. Glad to own a couple. In the meantime back to the shoot outs. Thanks so much 4 the shootout, great work guys. btw, was the 28K engaged ? __________________ Using 500 Series is like trading baseball cards. Im not voting for McCain, rather voting against BO.

3rd May 2008, 03:14 AM	#11
boyinthebox Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Madison, Wi Posts: 195	James, You are truly a gentleman and a scholar. This is an incredible amount of work you put in. Thank you for taking so much time for the sake of others! All the best. Cheers.

3rd May 2008, 03:24 AM	#12
NathanEldred Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West Coast Central Florida Posts: 5,372	Nice tracks James, great job. I just quickly listened to about 12 different samples, they all sound nice...I don't hear anything blowing anything else away. Subtle shades of clarity vs color with more or less mid emphasis. Some sound similar even among different brands/models. TEHO. Just an observation, I did notice that in some of the mixes the vocals sound louder than others, that could make a difference to the sound and give one sample an advantage or disadvantage. __________________ Nathan Eldred Atlas Pro Audio- Boutique Gear, Consultation, Sales, & Distibution Home of the Atlas Juggernaut Preamp & 500 Series Revolver Rack USA Distributor for Buzz Audio, Exclusive Distributor for Atlas Pro Audio Gear and OSA Atlas Recording Studios, Inc. Recording/Mixing/Mastering Services

3rd May 2008, 03:26 AM	#13
SK1 Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 824	Hey James thanks for doing this !!! It's really helping me because I've already got a tm1 and a 57 .... lol !!! Maybe I should pick up a 450 for ac gtr to help put things in perspective. Of course shoot outs, and shoot outs with mp3's can only tell part of the story. But it's part of the story that I'm thankful to hear. Much better than reading a bunch of advertising hype, that's for sure. I've got 4 spaces in the api 10 space to fill . The mono gama nickel and mono gama steel are sounding like they might fit the bill nicely. Thanks again !!!

3rd May 2008, 03:29 AM	#14
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	The Mono gama tracks are all the same pre, it has 3 modes. Very sweet! __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 03:32 AM	#15
teleman Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 13	James, Thanks for the shootout. I just joined the 500 club today with an API lunchbox and an MA5. I was going to get the API 512 next but after hearing the Shadow Hills that one might be next, or maybe the P1, or the A Designs Red, or the..... I'm going to need a bigger lunchbox. Gotta go listen to some more samples. Thanks again, Len

3rd May 2008, 03:48 AM	#19
BCNinternational Gear Head Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 70	Respect! Mr. James 'L.A.' Lugo, Sincere thanks for this resource. Your time invested to produce this thread is very much appreciated. __________________ Respect and God Bless, Dan BCNiSS

3rd May 2008, 04:33 AM	#20
gm5k Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: 500 Series Land/San Antonio,Tx Posts: 1,490	for heavy guitars, i thought the MA5, OSA L3, and A Designs pre's were awesome. acoustic guitar i thought the LaChapell had the most depth...sounded "like an album", if you will. thanks James i agree with Nathan that nothing absolutely blew anything else away in this shootout IMHO. just different strokes for different folks. __________________ "I remember one time Kevin Garnett was mushing him, and shoving him in the face; and Tim Duncan didn't do anything, he didn't react. He just kicked Kevin Garnett's a--, and won the damn championship. You know what I'm sayin'? That's gangsta. Everybody can show emotion, dunk on somebody, scream and be real cocky; but Tim Duncan is a ... he's a pimp."-Ron Artest

3rd May 2008, 04:44 AM	#21
dylansmale Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,572	i overlooked the lachapelle which was the obvious winner too me...

3rd May 2008, 05:17 AM	#22
James 'LA' Lugo Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 2,858	I'm a dips**t I originally labelled the LaChapell Audio pres 538s & v instead of 583s & v. I fixed the f'up, so now the LaChapell 583s & 583v are labelled correctly and at the bottom of each of the audio posts. Sorry Scott. I feel bad Scott's my boy and I screwed him over! You always hurt the ones you love... __________________ Vocal Asylum, 323.462.4722 6381 Hollywood Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90028 http://www.JamesLugo.com http://www.WritingGiants.com http://www.myspace.com/jameslugo Clients Include: The Smashing Pumpkins, 311, A Fine Frenzy, The Veronica's, American Idol

3rd May 2008, 05:35 AM	#23
staudio Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New York Posts: 549	Thank you so much.

3rd May 2008, 05:45 AM	#26
wilkinswp Gear addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 362	Thanks for doing this. This is a lot of work you've done.

3rd May 2008, 05:50 AM	#27
BLueROom Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SF, CA Posts: 770	James, you should be applauded for the amount of effort that you put into something like this. Really great work. __________________ ºººººººººººººººººººº ::Supersonic Samples::Premium Drum Replacement Library/ WAV & GOG ::Supersonic is DOWNLOADABLE:: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| ºººººººººººººººººººº

3rd May 2008, 05:54 AM	#28
Scinx Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northeast USA Posts: 515	Thanks James...very nice collection...from instructional vocal CDs to preamp shootouts - you continue to rip things up around here Tak __________________ . W H A T • I S • S C I N X ? http://www.scinx.com

3rd May 2008, 08:07 AM	#29
NandoOg7 Gear nut Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 116	I need to change my pants after looking at those pictures!

3rd May 2008, 08:14 AM	#30
TheMarqueeYears Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 116	Thank You Hi James, I've never met you - but I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all this fantastic work. What a resource. Huge. I'm looking into getting into a 500 collection and this is just brilliant. Your the man TMY (Rob)