Goodbye API 500 form. For me, anyways...

[bobwarren]

I've enjoyed my time with some awesome gear, but I've decided to go back to the 19" rack system. I've had P1's, 512C, MA5's, and EM series pres and loved them all. The only exception is I'll get a couple MA5's again. I'm currently upgrading my converters, then I'm keeping or getting the following in 19" standard rack each with dedicated power supplies:
API 3124
A-Designs Pacifica
HR500 FOR (2) MA5's
True Systems Precision 8
UA 2-610

That should cover all the bases for now. The only rack system I'll get down the road will house a couple 1073/1084 from AMS-NEVE or BAE.

[plexisys]

If you have a 550A you want to sell send me a PM.

Can you tell us why you decided to go back to rack mount. What was the deciding factor?

[EvilE]

seriously, i'll take some stuff off your hands for the right price. MA5?!?! 550B?!?!? what cha got?

[NathanEldred]

Is it a one or the other choice? There is great stuff in both formats IMO.

[PlugHead]

Interesting.

Nice to read someone NOT totally caught up in this format.

Still have mine here, but slowly am considering re-prioritizing on this as well...

[ripper]

interesting. my studio is on the macro end. obscenely larger desk w/ its 3 HUGE ps's...
lots of 1,2 and 3 space 19" gear.

are you guys switching back because of ergonomics/ ease of operation, ability of parties on platform (that seems to be a shrinking issue?) or concerns over ps's?

for me, i get a bit frustrated w/ the squished up layout of many of the 500 series boxes i use and a couple racks of gear isnt such a big footprint. plus, to be frank, it LOOKS way more impressive to clients when they walk in my studio.

to some independent mix engineers, etc., this may not matter. to me as a studio owner, it does. if i was a "have rig will travel" engineer who records bands in "found" locations, i'd definitely go 500 series. for that matter, i'd ditch my 2" ATR as a front end for PT and get a Radar insteadthumbsup

[TonyBelmont]

Why are you jumping off the 500 series wagon... just looking to change things up?

[Dean Roddey]

I bought one of his P-1s, so I guess one man's Goodbye is another man's Hello :-) Didn't The Beatles sing about that? We knew they were great, but they also foresaw the coming of the 500 format.

[Ol' Betsey]

Originally Posted by bobwarren

I've enjoyed my time with some awesome gear, but I've decided to go back to the 19" rack system. I've had P1's, 512C, MA5's, and EM series pres and loved them all. The only exception is I'll get a couple MA5's again. I'm currently upgrading my converters, then I'm keeping or getting the following in 19" standard rack each with dedicated power supplies:
API 3124
A-Designs Pacifica
HR500 FOR (2) MA5's
True Systems Precision 8
UA 2-610

That should cover all the bases for now. The only rack system I'll get down the road will house a couple 1073/1084 from AMS-NEVE or BAE.

Let the over-excited purchasers backlash begin!

So let me get this straight...

You're selling your A-Designs P1's and Em's for an A-Designs Paciifica? And you're selling your API 512's for an API 3124? And you're buying back (if you've ever owned...) some MA5's to put into a rack?

Why don't you just say you want to spend all your money again and then add some? Gearslutiness at the extreme!

Don't blame the format, blame the impulse!

And anyway, my API rack IS 19"!

Oh but now we're splitting hairs about power supplies, are we?

(Having said that, I'd REALLY like to try out an MP2A...)

R.

[Brad McGowan]

I don't get what was wrong with any of those units to just buy them back again in a different shape with a different power supply. I had an API 3124 and then sold it to effectively replace it with 500-series DIY versions. I did a number of A/B tests before I sold it and came to the conclusion that the 500 series preamps I had created sounded spot on to my ears (if not better). Go figure. The 500 series is a cool space-saving idea that allows designers to skip the power supply. Other than that it's not anything special.

Brad

[pan60]

i have and use both 19'' and 500 format gear, i love both, but, as more and more gear is becoming available for the 500 format i find i am migrating more to it as a standard for me.
i like the size and versatility it the whole package.

500 format slutz!

[Brad McGowan]

Hey Pan,

So when can we expect to see ads appearing in all the trade magazines with you provocatively posed over a bed of 500 racks?

Brad

[andychamp]

Originally Posted by plexisys

(...)Can you tell us why you decided to go back to rack mount. What was the deciding factor?

I'm wondering about that, too.

It's never been EITHER 19" OR VPR500 for me, though the latter has a great bang-for-the-buck factor.

I can only imagine the 19" stuff might have a more "pro" appeal to potential customers.
Just like some of them HAVE to see a big console to feel at ease, regardless of whether it feeds a 2" tape, a PT rig or just stands there looking pretty with all those lights.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by andychamp

I'm wondering about that, too.
It's never been EITHER 19" OR VPR500 for me, though the latter has a great bang-for-the-buck factor.

I have yet to see 500 series modules that are less expensive than their rack-mount equivalents.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I have yet to see 500 series modules that are less expensive than their rack-mount equivalents.

How hard are you looking?

[Dean Roddey]

I have yet to see 500 series modules that are less expensive than their rack-mount equivalents.

MC-77 $1600 / Action $625
GR $1150 / $725
Pacifica $1000 per channel / P-1 $800
Brent Avril 312 $1030 / $680
Chandler Germ $1310 / $950

And of course there are various pre-amps and compressors in the $625 to $1000'ish range that don't have rack mounted variations but you probably would have trouble finding rack mounted pre-amps of similar quality at that price per quality.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Hey Pan,

So when can we expect to see ads appearing in all the trade magazines with you provocatively posed over a bed of 500 racks?

Brad

i am all for it!
i just figure one one wants to see some old ray haired fart like me provocatively posed over anything.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I have yet to see 500 series modules that are less expensive than their rack-mount equivalents.

than you are not looking: )~
also even on some of the units that are more, it is easier for some to get enough money together for a single channel then get another later then it is to get a 19'' rack version.
and some want multiple flavors.

personally, if your not in the 500 format, your just jealous.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by Dean Roddey

MC-77 $1600 / Action $625
GR $1150 / $725
Pacifica $1000 per channel / P-1 $800
Brent Avril 312 $1030 / $680

And of course there are various pre-amps and compressors in the $625 to $1000'ish range that don't have rack mounted variations but you probably would have trouble finding rack mounted pre-amps of similar quality at that price per quality.

I guess I should have expected to have my arse handed to me given my post

I don't shop preamps, and I guess that's where the savings are.

To Pan's post: The variety aspect is certainly nice. The only times I've considered 500 format is in the context of filling one of those things up with a bunch of DIY Eisen Audio preamps or that S & M Audio EQ.

[lrieves]

a quality preamp is a quality preamp, and if he wants to spend his money on 19" units, that's great. in no way is that going to affect the quality of your recordings at the end of the day. the 500 format is great, but is equally restricting. to each his own. now, how many more units do you have for sale???

[heathen]

Same here, I just sold all my 500 series gear too, I found the cables going to my LB always getting in the way, I found with a lot of the pre's they had a less than forgiving amount of headroom.

But there are some real gems, the api 525's are superb, the Buzz gear is pretty good too, but the JLM stuff is amazing.

I may buy another LB and fill it with JLM pre's, as they really have the goods. I and another friend Gearslut here (aearth) tested the JLM 99v's against a Mercury m72, now the m72 is amazing and the 99v came up very close in quality, totally different sound but with a similarly usable quality, same with the JLM tg500. Mic's used were Blue Kiwi and a U87ai.

Also in the same test were an ma5 and buzz elixir which both sounded less than flattering compared with the others.

These are just my and Nic's (aearths) observations while sitting around and talking some bs and having a play with different combo's, we both just preferred the same things on the day.

I prefer 19" gear too or even just getting good vintage gear racked up into 19" frames, I've been collecting some vintage gear at 1/2 the price of most 500 gear and it sounds 3 times better.

After all this rant, 500 gear (eq's and comps) will 99% of the time sound better than the best plugins if you have good converters and it is very portable and easy to set up for someone on the move.

Just a little overpriced mostly and they don't hold thier value.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Why are you jumping off the 500 series wagon...

Yep he will miss the MA5s and also see a change in the 512s vs 3124, I prefer the 512 over the 3124, the A/B test is in my Library prove every time i have to question one or the other.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by pan60

than you are not looking: )~ ...........


personally, if your not in the 500 format, your just jealous.

lol pan, thats funny.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

lol pan, thats funny.

had to do it: )~

[Tone Laborer]

Having both 500 and 19" is the only way to fly.

[A LaMere]

Originally Posted by Tone Laborer

Having both 500 and 19" is the only way to fly.

Yep... I really don't understand the need to limit oneself to one or the other either.. but that's just me. To each his own I guess.

Certain pieces in the 19" format really shine... as do items like the 525 and 512 pre from API.

In any case, best of luck with the tonal decisions!

[AllAboutTone]

I use both as well, in fact 3 different ones but 500 is my favorite, i use Hardy's because they are not made in a 500 format and i use a couple custom racked Studer 089s and they were pulled from a 1960 console.

[Matt Hepworth]

Well, I bought his MA5's.

To be perfectly honest I'm always thinking about going rack instead of 500. 500 Series is cool in that it's cheap and easy to try new pres, but it's really not convenient if you're not using it where portability is a concern. Yes, it does only take one outlet in the power conditioner, but it's not something that's easy to wire up to the patchbays and such without some cable spaghetti going on on the control room floor.

If Avedis made a 2ch rack mount MA5 I'd dump my lunchbox, too. In fact, just today I was thinking of dumping the P1's and my other MA5 and getting a Pacifica and an Aurora GTQ or whatever it's called.

I really don't see the sweetness to the 500 that I did when it seemed like such a good way to save a few hundred dollars. But, like I say, it is cool to be able to try new pres by popping 'em in the lunchbox instead of trying to make room in the rack.

BTW, somebody should buy my 500 Purple Biz in the classifieds. ;-)

[Brent]

Originally Posted by glitch

Well, I bought his MA5's.

To be perfectly honest I'm always thinking about going rack instead of 500. 500 Series is cool in that it's cheap and easy to try new pres, but it's really not convenient if you're not using it where portability is a concern. Yes, it does only take one outlet in the power conditioner, but it's not something that's easy to wire up to the patchbays and such without some cable spaghetti going on on the control room floor.

If Avedis made a 2ch rack mount MA5 I'd dump my lunchbox, too. In fact, just today I was thinking of dumping the P1's and my other MA5 and getting a Pacifica and an Aurora GTQ or whatever it's called.

I really don't see the sweetness to the 500 that I did when it seemed like such a good way to save a few hundred dollars. But, like I say, it is cool to be able to try new pres by popping 'em in the lunchbox instead of trying to make room in the rack.

BTW, somebody should buy my 500 Purple Biz in the classifieds. ;-)

Let me know if you sell those P1's

[Dean Roddey]

Take a P-1 500 series and A/B that with a Pacifica. Guess who would win in sonic quality?

And they are both suppposed to be the same...

Actually the P-1 has a slightly smaller transformer in order to fit. But I doubt very seriously anyone could tell you, listening to a produced song, whether you used one or the other on a given track.