ISA220 is driving me nuts

[octatonic]

Hi all,

I really hate these threads, so apologies in advance, but I am stuck.
I have an ISA220 that is just SUCKING for distored electric guitar.
The tone out of the amp is excellent, but the ISA is very toppy- it is fine for vocals but not doing it for the axe work.
Looking for, you guessed it, as cheap a solution as possible- Mic Pre mainly- compression/EQ is optional.

Any suggestions?

I had considered getting an API lunchbox and throwing an OSA MP1 in there as this can be expanded upon with more modules as I can afford it.

Is this wise?
What is the resale like on API/OSA gear if this doesnt work?
I am in the US next week for a few days and can pick it up but won't be able to do that much of a test, just an in store.
We don't get a lot of this gear in Switzerland so going to have to take a bit of a chance.

Any help is much appreciated.

James

[max cooper]

I was gonna post something asking everyone to stop paying so much for used API gear so that I can actually get a deal one of these days.

Especially 500-series preamps

[wreck]

Agreed..
Sometimes i think the ISA220 is really great, and other times i think, why do i have this peice of junk.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by richmondjames

Hi all,

I really hate these threads, so apologies in advance, but I am stuck.
I have an ISA220 that is just SUCKING for distored electric guitar.
The tone out of the amp is excellent, but the ISA is very toppy- it is fine for vocals but not doing it for the axe work.
Looking for, you guessed it, as cheap a solution as possible- Mic Pre mainly- compression/EQ is optional.

Any suggestions?

I had considered getting an API lunchbox and throwing an OSA MP1 in there as this can be expanded upon with more modules as I can afford it.

Is this wise?
What is the resale like on API/OSA gear if this doesnt work?
I am in the US next week for a few days and can pick it up but won't be able to do that much of a test, just an in store.
We don't get a lot of this gear in Switzerland so going to have to take a bit of a chance.

Any help is much appreciated.

James

If you're talking about the pre, I haven't noticed that it was toppy. Usually the focusrite blue stuff is not overly bright. As a matter of fact usually duller than api

[XHipHop]

what mic(s) are you using?

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

If you're talking about the pre, I haven't noticed that it was toppy. Usually the focusrite blue stuff is not overly bright. As a matter of fact usually duller than api

Focusrite Blue, or the ISA series?
Blues being the high end mastering Focusrite gear.

Maybe toppy isnt the right word- it was harsh & lacking in girth.
Lacking clarity with the guitar tone- just seemed like a bad match.
I have borrowed a Groove Tubes vipre from another producer and it is great, a bit expensive for me at the moment, but lovely and warm sounding.

James

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

what mic(s) are you using?

Hiya,

I tried a 57 and a 609.
I tried the 57 on and off axis.

I know the amp pretty well (Fender Prosonic combo)- it just went down to Protools a little lacking in body.

JR

[Tone Laborer]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I was gonna post something asking everyone to stop paying so much for used API gear so that I can actually get a deal one of these days.

Especially 500-series preamps

I seen 3124's go on ebay for within $250 of the new price. Not enough savings to jack with ebay for me. One of them was right up the road from where I live, and I seriously considered making a move for it, but the price was just too close to a new one.

[DAWgEAR]

I've got an ISA 430 II. It has a bit of a midrange emphasis and is a bit thin on the low end which, when I am not liking it, is what I dislike. It cas sound exciting, but sometimes this excites the wrong frequencies. Other times, it's exactly what I'm looking for.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by richmondjames

Focusrite Blue, or the ISA series?
Blues being the high end mastering Focusrite gear.

Maybe toppy isnt the right word- it was harsh & lacking in girth.
Lacking clarity with the guitar tone- just seemed like a bad match.
I have borrowed a Groove Tubes vipre from another producer and it is great, a bit expensive for me at the moment, but lovely and warm sounding.

James

ISA I have a 220 and 2 110's. I havent much used the pre in the 220, the 110's are pretty fat. Darker than my API 512

[SLy_drums]

Hi James,

if you want to try API gear in Switzerland, i work with a studio engineer that own four API 512c pres and two 550b EQs in his studio in Geneva, all racked in an API lunchbox. I live in Grenoble, France, and work occasionally with him. He is very nice and he'll let you try the gear without any problems.
I don't know a lot about the ISA serie, but the 110 always has good feedback. I don't know the 220.
I personnaly have an API lunchbox with only a 512b pre. It's absolutely great !! A little more darker than the 512c. Works fine for guitars (big sound man !).
PM if you want the e-mail adress or the phone number of the studio.