List Here - All Lunchbox Modules In API 500 Series Format

[pan60]

Originally Posted by macr0w

It was simply blind faith but I just bought a API lunchbox based on all the awesome info in this thread. I did some vocals last night with the 512c and I am very impressed. I definitly can tell a difference from the isa 428 I have been using. I can't wait to fill this box out.

you gota to try the A-Designs P-1, very nice.
i have the hot's for the blue one's as well as one of the Buzz prea's.
and oh the comps that are coming!

[NathanEldred]

Originally Posted by pan60

as well as one of the Buzz prea's.

FWIW, the Buzz Elixirs arrived yesterday.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by NathanEldred

FWIW, the Buzz Elixirs arrived yesterday.

yea, i been looking at what can go on ebay today.

[JSVice]

I've been debating getting into the 500 series stuff for some time. It seems like a format that will never offer any benefits over a regular preamp of standard manufacture. I'm getting less headroom, no hope of ever getting tube pres, and the portability factor doesn't appeal to me. I'm taking it that the main appeal of this format is that you can mix and match from many different manufacturers. That's not a selling point to me either. What I want to know is, can I plug in a 500 series module and have it be comparable to my Vipre (I'm guessing no) or Great River. If I'm going to end up with an Octopre type unit, then I'll have to pass. BTW, look for an Octopre for sale here soon!

[Pohaku]

Hmmm. I'd hardly call API, A-Designs, Buzz Audio, John Hardy, Purple Audio, Mono Gama, and BAE Octopre equivalents. Some of these pres are simply not available in other than a 500 series format or are not available as single channels. In some cases using this format allows construction of a channel strip that would not otherwise be available. This may be attractive for some people and not others -- YMMV.

[Snatchman]

Well....I'm thinking that the "500" mic pres are an upgrade from the Octopre ( at least I'm hoping like hell since I'm getting some.. ). Especially, if you think about the Octopre cost around $ 600-700 for eight channels vs basically the same " ball-park cost for the 500 series pre card each. Now, add in the cost of the power supply and you in the "ball park" ( give a few more dollars) as the GR-NV single channel..! Well...I hope I'm ciphering this right...!.. ...YMMV

[mahasandi]

500 series has its place.

The sound quality of the modules in this form factor can be awesome.
I have outboard standalone pres , and i use them with 500 series pre's.
at this level its about color &choice not quality.

octopre?..........why did you get............tutt

[JSVice]

Why did I get it? I was in a pinch. I actually had a Presonus Digimax for a few days. Second worst purchase ever, right behind my AKG C1000. The Focusrite is a passable pre, since all I use it for is toms. Unfortunately, I think the more I do this, the more I think like Wittman. You don't need all these colors, you need something good. Maybe that's the root of my problem with the 500 series. I don't want to drop 500-600 bucks to get a new pre that has the only the most subtle color differences from another in that range. Differences that probably won't even be noticed or appreciated by anyone else's ears. Will these color differences make or break a recording? I'm going to have to guess no. I think I understand your point about how, at this level, it's about color, not quality. So let's hypothesize that I want about 4 channels of API 512 quality. What are my options outside of lunchbox land, and would that be cheaper than just getting the 512s?

I'm not trying to dfegad 500 series. I just want to decide if this is something that's worth the money for the quality level you get.

[Snatchman]

What about the 4 channel rack mount API mic pre? Also, if you find a 500 series pre that you like, why not just fill the rack with that one style pre. You don't have to get different "colors" . I 've actually thought about doing this myself.! And if in the end, you decide you don't like that senario, you can always sell some of the one style pres and get some with color!....

[Pohaku]

Depends what you want.

A four channel API 3124 ($2400) will be less expensive than buying 4 - 512c cards ($675 each) and a lunch box ($425). A no-brainer.

That may also be the case with some 2 channel rack mount units. For example, the A-Designs Pacific is $1800 for two channels. P1 cards are $800 and a 6 slot lunchbox is $425. For two channels, the dedicated unit is cheaper. But if you want 4 or 6 channels, the lunch box solution is essentially equal to or less in cost.

[max cooper]

When I was looking for a four-banger mic preamp, the least expensive "high-endy" one I found was the Daking MPIV

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by JSVice

Why did I get it? I was in a pinch. I actually had a Presonus Digimax for a few days. Second worst purchase ever, right behind my AKG C1000. The Focusrite is a passable pre, since all I use it for is toms. Unfortunately, I think the more I do this, the more I think like Wittman. You don't need all these colors, you need something good. Maybe that's the root of my problem with the 500 series. I don't want to drop 500-600 bucks to get a new pre that has the only the most subtle color differences from another in that range. Differences that probably won't even be noticed or appreciated by anyone else's ears. Will these color differences make or break a recording? I'm going to have to guess no. I think I understand your point about how, at this level, it's about color, not quality. So let's hypothesize that I want about 4 channels of API 512 quality. What are my options outside of lunchbox land, and would that be cheaper than just getting the 512s?

I'm not trying to dfegad 500 series. I just want to decide if this is something that's worth the money for the quality level you get.

One of the reasons we jumped on the 500 Series bandwagon was so that people could obtain "the sound" of our preamps without spending a large amount of money. You are right, at only four channels, then maybe the format is not very cost effective, but once you go beyond that number, then the cost savings due to the global power supply starts to kick in.

And, we don't generally record every source with the same microphone do we, we have different types for different sources, the same can be said for mic preamps, how they pair up with different mics gives you differing results.

Tim.

[natpub]

Agree w/Tim. Also, a lot of us live month-to-month and like to buy cash, not run up a bunch of credit. With reasonable-price channels of pre, eq, and comp available and many more coming, 500-Club seems like a nice choice for long run. If you had a nice big box like the OSA 11 or two, you could add something every month or two for many moons.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by natpub

Agree w/Tim. Also, a lot of us live month-to-month and like to buy cash, not run up a bunch of credit. With reasonable-price channels of pre, eq, and comp available and many more coming, 500-Club seems like a nice choice for long run. If you had a nice big box like the OSA 11 or two, you could add something every month or two for many moons.

and get some very great prea's.
hopefully soon some comps!
and eq's are coming.
and you can put what 20 / 22 different or same cards in a six space rack.
oh and did i say great quality boutique pre's, comp's, and eq's!
i did not think i would like this form but i love it.
and as soon as their are a few offering different bucket's that will except cards allowing versus bussing and summing options, well some very tailored desks will be born.

[transfiguration]

Say I've been pricing these 500 series preamps out and these are the conclusions I've come to:

OSA MP1-A: $545

OSA MP1-C: $545

Brent Averill 312A: $600

OSA MP1-L: $625

OSA MP1-L3: $650

Purple Audio Bizz: $675

API 512: $675

Buzz Audio Elixir: $695

Shadow Hills Industries MONO GAMA: $795

A Designs Audio P1: $795

A Designs Audio EM Red: $795

A Designs Audio EM Blue: $795

A Designs Audio EM Silver: $795

A Designs Audio EM Gold: $795

I know there is the Hardy's coming out soon as well.

Did I miss any others...or any better prices elsewhere?

Best, trans

[natpub]

Originally Posted by transfiguration

Know of any place that list the ACTUAL COST of the various EM series of A Designs 500 preamps...Silver, Blue, Red, & Gold?

Best, trans

I dunno, but your list is very interesting, especially some of the jumps in prices as you go up the list.


On a tagent, that 500 series Daking EQ looks absolutely amazing.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by natpub

On a tagent, that 500 series Daking EQ looks absolutely amazing.

Agreed, as well as the new Avedis E27 EQ...

[tvanveen]

Originally Posted by transfiguration

Know of any place that list the ACTUAL COST of the various EM series of A Designs 500 preamps...Silver, Blue, Red, & Gold?

Best, trans

Front End has them for $795.

[transfiguration]

Originally Posted by tvanveen

Front End has them for $795.

Thanks, I've updated the post above to include links that point towards them.

Kind Regards, trans

[Peter Montessi]

A Designs Audio EM Gold: $850 list
Know of any place that list the ACTUAL COST of the A Designs EM Gold?

Best, trans[/QUOTE]


Hi Trans,

All of the A Designs Audio's EM-Series and P-1 are the same list price and street.

The EM-Gold has not been released yet but the pricing will be the same as all the other A Designs Audio 500 Series format units.

Thank you for your great effort in listing them.

Regards,
Peter Montessi
A Designs Audio
www.adesignsaudio.com

[True North]

Originally Posted by JSVice

You don't need all these colors, you need something good. Maybe that's the root of my problem with the 500 series. I don't want to drop 500-600 bucks to get a new pre that has the only the most subtle color differences from another in that range. Differences that probably won't even be noticed or appreciated by anyone else's ears. Will these color differences make or break a recording? I'm going to have to guess no.

For the most part I agree with a lot that you are saying. I wasn't a big fan of the 500 series chassis concept either until recently when I realized a key benefit of a 500 series chassis for those of us that don't use mixers.

I recently had an output on my ISA428 blow. I had to unrack the enitre unit and send it off to get fixed and than I was down 4 channels instead of one. If you have a 500 series mic pre and you have a problem with one of the channels you can simply remove the one channel for repair.

Originally Posted by JSVice

So let's hypothesize that I want about 4 channels of API 512 quality. What are my options outside of lunchbox land, and would that be cheaper than just getting the 512s?

You could try a 3124 - however if something goes wrong you have the same problem as noted above

[JSVice]

TrueNorth - I finally gave in and got a 6 space API box. No way to really know if it's right for me until I try it I suppose. It'll probably get mostly 512 modules more than anything else. I've got a Vipre, Trident, Great River, RNC and of course the pres on the Fireface (that don't really see any action). Now add API to that and I don't really think that a studio my size needs any more preamp choices. knock wood.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by natpub

I dunno, but your list is very interesting, especially some of the jumps in prices as you go up the list.


On a tagent, that 500 series Daking EQ looks absolutely amazing.

Is the Daking actually available yet? I don't think I have even seen a photo of it. I think there has been a Daking module made for the Tonelux sytem.

[uncle duncan]

"I don't want to drop 500-600 bucks to get a new pre that has the only the most subtle color differences from another in that range. Differences that probably won't even be noticed or appreciated by anyone else's ears. Will these color differences make or break a recording? I'm going to have to guess no."

There is a huge difference between a OSA L-3 pre and a A-Designs P-1 pre. One is big and beefy, the other is clean and punchy. Put the same mic through each pre and you've got two completely different mics. This is the beauty of the 500 format. You get more colors to work with, which CAN make or break your return business, depending on the sophistication of your clients.

[Isle of Weight]

you can A designs EM-PEQ !
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=75636


pultec for the 500 series
now that's sweet!!!

AA

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Isle of Weight

you can A designs EM-PEQ !
http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=75636


pultec for the 500 series
now that's sweet!!!

AA

sweet!

[natpub]

I will be testing the Buzz Elixair, A-Designs P1, and ShadowHills MonoGama over the next 2-3 weeks. The related retailers on this board have been more than kind and of superior objectivity in assiting me in doing so. I must also thank Brent Averill Enterprises for their amazing and rapid assistance on the rack (Rock-n-Roll Mark!!)

As such, I wont exactly be "shooting" them out. Rather, I plan to carefully evaluate each unit by recording and stacking many tracks in many situations. Our room, conversion, and microphones are up to the task, I believe. At least, I am content, and that is enough. Ive learned (especially in the past few weeks) to seek my own satisfaction, not the approval of a few anonymous names on a web site. That said, I would definately be dumber than I am, which is pretty dumb, without the amazing help of GS and this community!

What we seek is a very specific solution, so it would not be very useful to try and say X or Y is better or worse. All three designs are clearly high end.

That said, I am Very excited to have the chance to be among the first to track with the Elixir, P1, and SH. They appear simply phenomenal to me, and we definately wanted something new, not the same old sounds.

Tune in during later July/early Aug, for our main VOX mic evals. Again, we will be seeking relatively NEW sounds and gear.

This should be FUN!


KT
Austin

[ddageek]

The 500 series gives you so many options right now without breaking the bank!
in many cases you can get a rack mount equvilant but you have to take the risck of multiple channels! Here try one don/t like it hell you can move it out on ebay without to much of a loss!
it also takes up less realestate 11 units in 3spaces pres average 2 ch per rack space!
no wall warts!
Plus so many options !
once i fill my lunch box its time for a osa 11 space! (or 2)

[Duardo]

A four channel API 3124 ($2400) will be less expensive than buying 4 - 512c cards ($675 each) and a lunch box ($425). A no-brainer.

When you figure, though, that most places are offering a free Lunchbox when you buy 4 512's (or four or any API modules) then the price difference is much smaller...and when you figure in that with the lunchbox you have the option of adding two more modules I'd say it's not a "no-brainer".

I don't want to drop 500-600 bucks to get a new pre that has the only the most subtle color differences from another in that range. Differences that probably won't even be noticed or appreciated by anyone else's ears. Will these color differences make or break a recording?

If your choice or preamp alone makes or breaks a recording then something else is wrong. But that doesn't mean that the differences are necessarily subtle, or that good preamps aren't a worthwhile investment.

-Duardo

[Mark Warren]

Originally Posted by EisenAudio

Introducing the DIY500 from Eisen Audio!

Build your own discrete, transformer-balanced microphone preamplifier, which fits all 500 Series lunchboxes and racks!



Choose from over 20 discrete op amps, more than 50 input transformers, and at least 12 different output transformers. Pick your own combination for a limitless variety of tonal colors!

A complete kit, as well as finished units, will be available in the near future when we've finished our design. In the meantime, you can design/clone your own with our Minimal Kit or have us build a custom module specifically for your application. Questions/comments are welcome!

Found this over in the new products forum - Another 500 Series mic preamp - DIY kits!!!

Well if this doesn't add at least 1,000 different new 500 series pres to the list! I mean the possible combination of parts that are available is mind boggling!!