An impromptu mic pre shootout.

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

Tonight picsail, b-magical and I did a quick mic pre shootout. Next week I start tracking vocals on 6 different records with 6 different singers. So I'm adding some new gear to attempt to have as good a variety as possible. I picked up an La 2a, Charter Oak mic (that hasn't arrived yet) and some new plug ins.

We demoed 3 A Design mic pres tonight. The API style Blue, Red and a Pacifica.

We set up th Pearlman and the E49 for one of my students Lori (who has an awesome voice). She sang a Perfect Circle tune acapella. The 49 didn't work on her, the Pearlman was much better. All pres were with no eq and no compression:

LTD-1
TG Channel
737
Trident S20
Presonus MP20
BAE312
A Design Red
A Design Blue
A Design Pacifica

I'll start by saying the Pacifica is one of the most beautiful mic pres I've ever heard. Here's my opinion:

LTD-1 - warm and a bit darker, was nice
TG Channel - lighter wieght sounding
737- small and weak
Trident S20 - not bad but kinda boomy and dark
Presonus MP20 - not bad either, better than some of the expensive stuff
BAE312 - very natural, really nice, it sounded like she was in the speaker
A Design Red - a little more anamated and brighter then the BEA, in a good way.
A Design Blue - a little scooped, more hi fi, similiar to the 737 but blew it away.
A Design Pacifica - Unreal! Beautiful! It was stunning on her voice. Rich, clear and bold. It had a unique thing with the top end, so creamy. It made her voice come to life.

Needless to say a grabbed a Red and a Pacifica.

picksail · 9th January 2006

I can see the Red module working very well for stacking backgrounds as it appeared to have an apparent 'scoop' on the mid section. It was really nice the last time we used it with a U87. I can see this one being very versitile and great to mix and match the pre with any complentary mic.

The Pacifica, well....geez....it reminded me of someone pouring warm white chocolate all over the vocal track. Absolutely stunning. Definitely my next purchase for sure.

I'm gonna use the Blue module on some snare tracks soon. That thing is SUPER FAST!!!
It really does a great job of reproducing those fast transients.

Honestly, these are all very versitle pre-amps and can be used in a variety of applications. I definitely can see using them ALL on various sources in any tracking session.

But I gotsta' gimme one o' 'dem Pacificas'. Peter left us with all these wonderful goodies.

Next time he calls I'll respond with, "Peter who?"

Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!!!

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Hey James was the pacifica a 500 series form factor. Or was it the Full rackmount unit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

Tonight picsail, b-magical and I did a quick mic pre shootout. Next week I start tracking vocals on 6 different records with 6 different singers. So I'm adding some new gear to attempt to have as good a variety as possible. I picked up an La 2a, Charter Oak mic (that hasn't arrived yet) and some new plug ins.

We demoed 3 A Design mic pres tonight. The API style Blue, Red and a Pacifica.

We set up th Pearlman and the E49 for one of my students Lori (who has an awesome voice). She sang a Perfect Circle tune acapella. The 49 didn't work on her, the Pearlman was buch better. All pres were with no eq and no compression:

LTD-1
TG Channel
737
Trident S20
Presonus MP20
BAE312
A Design Red
A Design Blue
A Design Pacifica

I'll start by saying the Pacifica is one of the most beautiful mic pres I've ever heard. Here's my opinion:

LTD-1 - warm and a bit darker, was nice
TG Channel - lighter wieght sounding
737- small and weak
Trident S20 - not bad but kinda boomy and dark
Presonus MP20 - not bad either, better than some of the expensive stuff
BAE312 - very natural, really nice, it sounded like she was in the speaker
A Design Red - a little more anamated and brighter then the BEA, in a good way.
A Design Blue - a little scooped, more hi fi, similiar to the 737 but blew it away.
A Design Pacifica - Unreal! Beautiful! It was stunning on her voice. Rich, clear and bold. It had a unique thing with the top end, so creamy. It made her voice come to life.

Needless to say a grabbed a Red and a Pacifica.

picksail · 9th January 2006

Nope. This was the two channel rackmount version that we had at this time.

RoundBadge · 9th January 2006

I'm mixing an EP that was tracked entirely on an old Quad Eight "Coronado" console..nice..
The Pacifica, Chandler germanium and Shadow Hills pre's all look like winners by all accounts I've heard so far

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by picksail

Nope. This was the two channel rackmount version that we had at this time.

Right on. I've heard great things about that puppy. I guess is it the P1 that is supposed to be close to that in the 500 series? I'd be into hearing one of those. thumbsup

picksail · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

Right on. I've heard great things about that puppy. I guess is it the P1 that is supposed to be close to that in the 500 series? I'd be into hearing one of those. thumbsup

That's what Peter tells us.

The last time we used the P1 module for tracking guitars exclusively and it was a perfect marriage. Tonight we had a chance to incorporate the Pacifica in an impromtu vocal session. It was heavenly!!!!!!

From what I understand the only difference between the P1 and the Pacifica is the power supply included in the Pacifica rackmount unit.

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

Peter said there's a module version of the Pacifica that will fit in my Averill lunchbox and he said it sounds the same. He's doppin' it off tomorrow. I'm pumped that Pacifica was incredible sounding.

picksail · 9th January 2006

James, did we ever try out the 'Silver' module?

If not, we should.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

Peter said there's a module version of the Pacifica that will fit in my Averill lunchbox and he said it sounds the same. He's doppin' it off tomorrow. I'm pumped that Pacifica was incredible sounding.

Yea I'm gonna have to pick one or two of those up! Damn my lunchbox is already full!

picksail · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

Yea I'm gonna have to pick one or two of those up! Damn my lunchbox is already full!

Make room for them....seriously.

picksail · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

Yea I'm gonna have to pick one or two of those up! Damn my lunchbox is already full!

Make room for them....seriously.

(Sorry, I didn't mean to answer for James.)

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

No silver yet.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by picksail

Make room for them....seriously.

(Sorry, I didn't mean to answer for James.)

I guess its as good time as any to get another lunchbox

Although this time I might go with the Averill lunchbox over the API. stike

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

I've had my Averill for years with no problems.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

I've had my Averill for years with no problems.

I've had my API for 7 months with craploads of problems

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

I've had my Averill for years with no problems.

I'll be interested in hearing how you like that Charter Oak when you get it. I'm sure you be posting about it

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

Man, Michael brought one over a few months ago and I loved it. I wasn't in mic buying mode so I didn't move on it. Then I started doing session where I thought, that Charter Oak would probably be awesome on this singers voice. Then a few weeks ago he was in LA mastering at Bernie's and he needed to check a mic to make sure it was good to go before shipping and I sang through it and it was ridiculous sounding. So I called him last week and said 'let's do it'! So it is en route as we type. I will let you know.... You gotta come by the studio man. Call me.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

Cool. I know man I gotta come by your place. I still got it mind for some sessions too. I'm going to NAMM so I'll prolly see ya there and then perhaps the after party!

absrec · 9th January 2006

Anyone know how much is the Pacifica selling for?

superburtm · 9th January 2006

I believe it's in the $1200.00 arena for the s channel version. I think I read that in Tape OP. Somewhere close to that anyhow.

StoneinaPond · 9th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 'LA' Lugo

A Design Red
A Design Blue
A Design Pacifica

...I'll start by saying the Pacifica is one of the most beautiful mic pres I've ever heard....

James,

So glad to hear others praise this magnificent piece. Detailing and reproduction are just superb.

I would even venture that someone should try this as a location pre if there was a reliable power source and they didn't mind the weight.

My only quibble with your post (and a stupidly minor one at that considering what we are talking about,) is that it's A Designs, not the singular (A Design.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

I believe it's in the $1200.00 arena for the s channel version. I think I read that in Tape OP. Somewhere close to that anyhow.

If you can find it at that price, buy as many as your credit card will allow. You'll make a killing reselling them.

Mine was $1700, and even at that price, worth every damn penny!

My understanding is the P1, which is the card version of the Pacifica, will be available later this month. Just don't quote me.

**James Lugo** · 9th January 2006

OOOPS, A Designs....

I just woke up and the first thought in my head was, "man, Lori's voice sounding amazing through that pre last night". R U suppose to put thoughts in qoutes?

Anyway, that Pacifica is insane.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

If you can find it at that price, buy as many as your credit card will allow. You'll make a killing reselling them.

Mine was $1700, and even at that price, worth every damn penny!

My understanding is the P1, which is the card version of the Pacifica, will be available later this month. Just don't quote me.

[/QUOTE]

My bad. $1700.oo sounds more realistic but somehow less appealing

picksail · 9th January 2006

Seriously, that Pacifica is unbelievable.

Like I mentioned previously: ' ...it was like pouring warm white chocolate all over the vocal track.'

cdog · 9th January 2006

So did you guys like the Pacifica?

blackcatdigi · 9th January 2006

What happened to the DW Fearn???

Pohaku · 9th January 2006

The P1 is a great card. The White Chocolate analogy is quite apt. Works just fine in my API lunchbox. I don't have a rack mount Pacifica to compare it to, but my understanding is that they are the same except for the power supply.

superburtm · 9th January 2006

My understanding fro one of Mr. Montessi's posts is that it is very similar to the pacifica but not exactly the same. I believe more than the PS is different. I could be wrong. It happens.

**James Lugo** · 10th January 2006

I just used the DI on the Pacifica. It's sick! That is a hell of a mic pre.

9th January 2006	#1
James Lugo Moderator Joined: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 6,997 Thread Starter	An impromptu mic pre shootout. Tonight picsail, b-magical and I did a quick mic pre shootout. Next week I start tracking vocals on 6 different records with 6 different singers. So I'm adding some new gear to attempt to have as good a variety as possible. I picked up an La 2a, Charter Oak mic (that hasn't arrived yet) and some new plug ins. We demoed 3 A Design mic pres tonight. The API style Blue, Red and a Pacifica. We set up th Pearlman and the E49 for one of my students Lori (who has an awesome voice). She sang a Perfect Circle tune acapella. The 49 didn't work on her, the Pearlman was much better. All pres were with no eq and no compression: LTD-1 TG Channel 737 Trident S20 Presonus MP20 BAE312 A Design Red A Design Blue A Design Pacifica I'll start by saying the Pacifica is one of the most beautiful mic pres I've ever heard. Here's my opinion: LTD-1 - warm and a bit darker, was nice TG Channel - lighter wieght sounding 737- small and weak Trident S20 - not bad but kinda boomy and dark Presonus MP20 - not bad either, better than some of the expensive stuff BAE312 - very natural, really nice, it sounded like she was in the speaker A Design Red - a little more anamated and brighter then the BEA, in a good way. A Design Blue - a little scooped, more hi fi, similiar to the 737 but blew it away. A Design Pacifica - Unreal! Beautiful! It was stunning on her voice. Rich, clear and bold. It had a unique thing with the top end, so creamy. It made her voice come to life. Needless to say a grabbed a Red and a Pacifica. __________________ Vocal Asylum & Hemispheres Recording - http://www.sslmixingonline.com/ http://www.HemispheresRecording.com - http://www.youtube.com/user/jameslugo Now affiliated with Sound Pure Pro Audio & Guitars / Boutique Amps Check out my first video tutorial release on Groove3: http://www.groove3.com/str/vocal-asylum.html

9th January 2006	#2
picksail Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 3,632	I can see the Red module working very well for stacking backgrounds as it appeared to have an apparent 'scoop' on the mid section. It was really nice the last time we used it with a U87. I can see this one being very versitile and great to mix and match the pre with any complentary mic. The Pacifica, well....geez....it reminded me of someone pouring warm white chocolate all over the vocal track. Absolutely stunning. Definitely my next purchase for sure. I'm gonna use the Blue module on some snare tracks soon. That thing is SUPER FAST!!! It really does a great job of reproducing those fast transients. Honestly, these are all very versitle pre-amps and can be used in a variety of applications. I definitely can see using them ALL on various sources in any tracking session. But I gotsta' gimme one o' 'dem Pacificas'. Peter left us with all these wonderful goodies. Next time he calls I'll respond with, "Peter who?" Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!!! __________________ Stewart Cararas IMDB Discogs Myspace Facebook Studio Twitter _________________________________ The new is necessarily abstract - Rudolf Borchadt

9th January 2006	#28
Pohaku Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 1,036	The P1 is a great card. The White Chocolate analogy is quite apt. Works just fine in my API lunchbox. I don't have a rack mount Pacifica to compare it to, but my understanding is that they are the same except for the power supply. __________________ Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.

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9th January 2006	#5
RoundBadge Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles ,Ca. Posts: 8,854	I'm mixing an EP that was tracked entirely on an old Quad Eight "Coronado" console..nice.. The Pacifica, Chandler germanium and Shadow Hills pre's all look like winners by all accounts I've heard so far

9th January 2006	#19
superburtm Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 3,602	Cool. I know man I gotta come by your place. I still got it mind for some sessions too. I'm going to NAMM so I'll prolly see ya there and then perhaps the after party!

9th January 2006	#20
absrec Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,138	Anyone know how much is the Pacifica selling for?

9th January 2006	#26
cdog Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,559 3 Reviews written	So did you guys like the Pacifica?

9th January 2006	#27
blackcatdigi Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: upstate, sc Posts: 1,739	What happened to the DW Fearn???

10th January 2006	#30
James Lugo Moderator Joined: May 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 6,997 Thread Starter	I just used the DI on the Pacifica. It's sick! That is a hell of a mic pre.