Just recieved my N72, built by Rob

[T-rex]

Just wanted to drop a thread about my new N72 pre from Seventh Circle and Rob who built it. I wanted the N72 first but it's supposed to be the hardest to build so I had Rob Wolford build it for me and he did a great job. It's the same cost as getting it through Seventh Circle but quite a bit faster if Tim at Seventh is backed up.

As an added bonus he put the one module at the far end and did up a power harness for the other seven modules, so as I buy more or build (some of the A12's) I can just plug em in.

Once again, I am not affiliated with Rob in any way, but he gave me really top notch service and I wanted to give him a shout out in case anyone else needs an SCA pre built for them.

I found out about him on this forum so I thought I would post here. His contact info is [ rob @ robwolford dot com ].

[heyman]

How does it sound?

[T-rex]

Sounds great! Don't get me wrong I can't compare it to a real Neve and I don't want to get that whole clone thing going anyway.

The thing I will say from my initial impression is how versatile I think it is. I mean it sounds pristine, still colored but so clean and dynamic if you don't drive it too hard. But crank it up and pull down the fader and it thickens up and compresses the signal so nicely. If you have a really clean pre I think this would be the perfect compliment to it.

[CaliTone]

We put up an N72 against an LTD-1. Both my studio partner and I thought the N72 had a little more bottom end. The N72's are next on my list as I love that big fat sound for vocals.

[cletus]

Congrats on the N72! I've been chompin at the bit for months to get started on a rack of N72's A12's and J99's. I've been lurking on the SCA forum for a while. I think part of it is the excitement of building them yourself and the other part is they sound bitchin (so I've heard from many a reputable source, can't easily demo SCA stuff!). I told myself I'd wait and build my mic collection up cause I just bought some API's over the summer and only have a few mics right now. Now there's all these new 500 series pre's coming out and I have 2 empty slots in my lunchbox! For the value I don't think SCA can be beat though. Soon I will build some, very soon!

[T-rex]

How are those API's, I bet they sound amazing! Yeah if you have the API's then the N72's would be the ticket.

I came from the Tape Op board and it's kind of funny, when it went down and I started reading Gearsltuz I became obsessed with gear (imagine that). I really wanted an API lunchbox (and would still like one) but I had to face the reality that for what I am doing and the money I am making, I needed to be a little more financially smart about what I buy. I had heard for the money the SCA stuff can't be beat and now I fully agree. I will build some API type SCA pres here in the new year after I get a second N72 and they won't look as cool as having a Neve or API or Chandler in my rack but I feel like I can acheive the same results, and without having to sell my house!

[crypticglobe]

Cool T-Rex! Yeah... Rob is a bud of mine and he is really a Top-Notch guy and good Audio Engineer himself! Glad you went that route.

I have an 8 pack of SCA pre's with a pair of everything they offer myself and they consistently WOW people everywhere I take them.

If you don't want to build... just go through Rob. You will be very, very happy.

[desol]

Originally Posted by T-rex

How are those API's, I bet they sound amazing! Yeah if you have the API's then the N72's would be the ticket.

I came from the Tape Op board and it's kind of funny, when it went down and I started reading Gearsltuz I became obsessed with gear (imagine that). I really wanted an API lunchbox (and would still like one) but I had to face the reality that for what I am doing and the money I am making, I needed to be a little more financially smart about what I buy. I had heard for the money the SCA stuff can't be beat and now I fully agree. I will build some API type SCA pres here in the new year after I get a second N72 and they won't look as cool as having a Neve or API or Chandler in my rack but I feel like I can acheive the same results, and without having to sell my house!

Get a Ward Beck T1202...or maybe a Wheatstone...
Even for 12 N72's your looking at 5 grand...with no eq?

[wildstar]

Originally Posted by desol

Get a Ward Beck T1202...or maybe a Wheatstone...
Even for 12 N72's your looking at 5 grand...with no eq?

I haven't heard of Ward Beck. Should I have? Do you have a link, or know of somebody who carries it?

Just curious, since I'm assuming you think it's comparable to, and better than, the SCA N72.

Thanks!

I'm hoping to start my own SCA collection in the spring. Maybe I'll spend some snowy winter weekends practicing my soldering butchery on helpless AM radios and elderly VCRs.

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by desol

Get a Ward Beck T1202...or maybe a Wheatstone...
Even for 12 N72's your looking at 5 grand...with no eq?

Oh man... the N72's SMOKE a Ward Beck. And besides... they are practically impossible to find. The SCA's are new. You aren't looking at a cap job right from the get go.

Nope... sorry... SCA is still the best deal on a high end pre out there right now. I am telling you... I have brought these things down to major label sessions with producers and engineers that make the BIG bucks (and whom also happen to have great ears... not always synonomous ya know) and they have freaked out over the SCA's. Always choosing them over API, and often choosing them over actual Neve Modules and other similar pre's.

I can tell you have never tried one.

[quantz]

crypticglobe,

you said:

"Oh man... the N72's SMOKE a Ward Beck. And besides... they are practically impossible to find. The SCA's are new. You aren't looking at a cap job right from the get go..."

which Ward Beck's are you referring to? the preamp modules such as the M460A/B/C/LA...pre/eq combo, the M470/A/D... pres, the M480C pre/eq etc...?

or are you referring to Ward Beck consoles? many here have said that the Ward Beck stock console 2 buss sucks, and that the EQs aren't the greatest, but that the preamps are really super.

which Ward Beck product/s is/are smoked by the N72? and, in what ways are the N72s better?

your input is appreciated as i was about to make an investment in a few Ward beck preamp modules.

all the best,
quantz

[desol]

broken..space..bar...

I'd..say..that's..a..little..bit..of...an..irresponsible..statement.

I..would..hardly..say...that.."anything".."nice"..SMOKES..anything..else...
do..you..mean.."smokes"..as..in...with..nothing...going..thru..it?..or..are..u..referring..to..the.."bottomend"...of..a..1073?
theres...alot..missing..inbetween..such.as..musicians...mics...rooms?...instruments??
the..Beck..460...module..was.."conceived/compared"..side..by..side..to...a...1081.

If..you..build..something...to..*compete*...with..something..else...it's..probably...safe
to..say...that...there's..a..couple..there....that..are..being...a/b'd(1081's)..
It's..pretty..silly..this..whole..."if..you..don't..have..a..1073..it..sucks..mentality"..
I've..heard..other..statements..from..dudes...claiming...retiring...some..of..their..expensive...33124's.....for..460's?..do..those..NEVE's..suck..too?
My..480's..are..rated...at...+/-...1db..@30hz...does...that...make..them..thin...sounding?...lol

stike

[desol]

Originally Posted by quantz

or are you referring to Ward Beck consoles? many here have said that the Ward Beck stock console 2 buss sucks, and that the EQs aren't the greatest, but that the preamps are really super.

The..eq's..sound..great....the..pre's..sound..great..too.....
what's..more..important..is..what..you..."DO"...with..them...
the..mics..are..also.."important"..and..most..of..all...the..TALENT.

stike

[crypticglobe]

I have been prompted for a clarification on my statement.

I have used several different Ward Beck products. I loved them! Great pre's, great EQ's.

I haven't re-read this thread.. but if I re-call the poster was asking for options to buying some Vintage Ward Beck gear. The reasoning behind my statement that the SCA stuff would "smoke" a Ward Beck pre is this:

SCA will cost less
SCA will give you everything you love of "Neve" type pre's (if you choose a N72) fir a LOT less cash.
SCA will be a NEW product. New worries of re-capping, etc... next year.

These are the main three reasons why I would say that SCA would "smoke" ward beck. I would happily make an entire record on either, but personally I chose SCA and I am so glad I did.

I know everyone wants a detailed review of an exact a/b test... but frankly I don't have the time right nor, the access to the Ward Becks I have used in the past. This was just my general thoughts. As always....

YMMV and JMTC....

[desol]

I..really..don't..think..that..was..your..original..connotation...but..that's..neither..
here..nor..there...and..thanks..for..replying..steve.

Actually..the..sca's..wouldn't..really..be..that...much...less?

If..you..like..using..multimic..setups..your..gonna..need..around..
10..or..12..mics..for..a..live..recording.....twelve..sca's..will..set..you...back..
4500.00..PLUS..the..amount..of..time...soldering...resoldering..."smoking"
a..few..parts....re-ordering..testing..etc..etc...and...yes...they..will...sound..great
WHEN...they're..done...and..yes..you..will..have..learnt..alot..in..the..process..

For..all..practical..purposes..you'd..be..better..of..going..with..OSA..then..at..least
you..don't..have..to..sit..over..a..soldering..gun..for..60..hours..pulling..your..hair..out..when..things.."don't"..go..according..to..plan..
SCA's..website..states..that..the..N72...is.."Recommended for experienced..DIYers"..so..if..your..green..chances..are..your..going..to..be..cursing..and..running..
into..problems..another..option..is..to..get..3..sytek..units..with..the..burr..browns..great..sounding..pre's..12channels..for..2..grand?
that's..pretty..good..?

Regardless..there..are..alot..of..pre's..that..sound..great..and..all..that..really..matters..is..what..kinda..magic..you..make..happen..with..them...

stike

[mikelevitt]

Man, can I buy you a keyboard? That must be driving you crazy...

But regarding the SCAs, I totally agree with Steve. I've got the 990TS, A12, and N72 versions, and I was astonished with them from the moment I plugged them in.

Absolutely top notch stuff, and a steal if you build them yourself. And while Tim is very conservative about telling you his kits are hard to build, actually they are easy as hell for the most part. Only tricky thing is attaching the transformer on the N72 - and it helps to have a scope to set the N72 up.

But compared to some of the other stuff I've built, like guitar amps and LA2As, these are a walk in the park. And beautifully made and designed. I can't say enough about them. They totally improved the sound of all om my recordings in a way that I absolutely could not have afforded without the kits. It is just incredible to have these awesome things available while tracking.

I've also used (a while ago) some ward beck pres, and they were nice, but did not slay me the way that the SCA stuff does. But they were very nice, as I recall...

Mike

[desol]

Thanks..for..replying..mike!

And..yes..the..keyboard..thing..is.driving..me..nuts..
but..i..feel..more..for..the..folks..reading..this..mayhem

Again..i..come..from..the..school..of.."get..some..good..pre's..and..use..them"
Whatever..your..choice..the..wardbeck's..are..a..discrete..classA..transformer..design..which..has..proven..many..times..to..sound..good..to..many..people..
End..of..story.

SCA..OSA..AVERILL..API..DAKING..TRIDENT..HARDY..ADESIGNS..WARDBECK..MILLENNIA..PRECISION8..QUADEIGHT..ELECTRODYNE..SPHERE..AURORA..WUNDER..GREATRIVER..NEOTEK..DEMETER..TELEFUNKEN..SIEMENS..AUDIX..MCCURDY..STUDER..VINTECH..MANLEY..AMEK..SSL..FOCUSRITE..SHEP..SEBATRON..CALREC..TUBETECH..SYTEK..CHANDLER..EMI...just..tell.me..when..to..stop...i'm..getting...sick.

The..whole..thing...is..just..ridiculous..
My..dad..can..beat..up..yer..dad.lol



PS...I..missed..one............NEVE

[Baz]

Dumb question, but who's "Rob?"

[desol]

lol...i don't know. Good question.

[cletus]

Still have'nt got mine but am looking forward to it the moment funds permit!

[cubasefreak]

Hi,

I'm interested in building a preamp like the SCA, also I am interested into a compressor to compress the peaks whjile recording,

Where should I buy this SCA's kits? Any recomendation for a stereo compressor very welcome.

Thanks you in advance.

[cubasefreak]

Hi!

Where should I buy the SCA pre kit? Please recommend me a compressor for tracking work.

Thanks in advance.

[Tone Laborer]

Originally Posted by desol

If..you..like..using..multimic..setups..your..gonna..need..around..
10..or..12..mics..for..a..live..recording.....twelve..sca's..will..set..you...back..
4500.00..PLUS..the..amount..of..time...soldering...resoldering..."smoking"
a..few..parts....re-ordering..testing..etc..etc...and...yes...they..will...sound..great
WHEN...they're..done...and..yes..you..will..have..learnt..alot..in..the..process..

I wonder if brother got a new keyboard yet?

[cletus]

Originally Posted by cletus

Still have'nt got mine but am looking forward to it the moment funds permit!

Jesus! Where the hell did this thread come from? It's damn near three years old. Almost two years ago I posted this and still have'nt got me no SCA's . I should be getting the chasis and one N72 middle of this month though. I just ordered a bunch "recomended tools" and am still stoked on building these things even after all these years.

Originally Posted by cubasefreak

Hi!

Where should I buy the SCA pre kit? Please recommend me a compressor for tracking work.

Thanks in advance.

www.seventhcircleaudio.com They don't make a compressor kit so you better get yourself an RNC or something to tide you over. Good luck!

[not_so_new]

Yep, old thread.. somehow still relevant.

So I have 7 A12's and I couldn't be happier with them. They really rock.

Lots of folks seem to think the N72 is about as close to a 1073 as you can get with a 1272 and lots of people like the N72 a little more than vintage Neve's that might have some maintenance issues etc.

Also SCA just upgraded the N72 from what I hear, I have not gone out there to the site in a while.

Anyway, I just don't have the time to build a N72 now but that is next on my list. Anyone know if this "Rob" guy is still building SCA stuff on the side now?

[cletus]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Anyway, I just don't have the time to build a N72 now but that is next on my list. Anyone know if this "Rob" guy is still building SCA stuff on the side now?

Yeah he is still building em for people. I just contacted him last week about an N72. Price is $100 for the assembly and would be built cheaper and faster than if you ordered assembled through SCA. Nice guy too!
rob @ robwolford dot com

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by cletus

Yeah he is still building em for people. I just contacted him last week about an N72. Price is $100 for the assembly and would be built cheaper and faster than if you ordered assembled through SCA. Nice guy too!
rob @ robwolford dot com

Thanks.

So did you have to order the kit from SCA and then send it to him or do you just order the whole shooting match from him and he takes care of everything?

Oh and I know that the N72 was just "updated" is yours the new version? Just wondering if Rob was doing the new kits yet.

[chet.d]

You send him 1/2 up front and Rob takes care of the ordering, building and shipping.
My 2 N72's will be here in a day or 2. I know they've been specked out, burned in and will arrive (barring any shipping issues) in top shape. Seems to me, it's hard to go wrong with these pres built by a qualified guy like Rob...he is indeed a pleasure to deal with and talk to.

[R'shonn]

Has anybody tried that contact yet? I sent him an email, the other day and havent got a response yet. I'm interested in having him assemble n72 a12 and j99.

[chet.d]

Originally Posted by R'shonn

Has anybody tried that contact yet? I sent him an email, the other day and havent got a response yet. I'm interested in having him assemble n72 a12 and j99.

I think that's the right email. If he doesn't get back to you, PM me and I'll get you the email I have that he uses.

Got my N72's yesterday. Very nice. They really are that good imo.