Api 512c, Chandler LTD 1, Sound Skulptor MP573 comparison test

[lucapane02]

few day ago i've built a sound skulptor mp573 pre.
here www.pinksoundstudio.it/Test%20pre.zip you can download a comparison test (on drums) between api 512c, chandler LTD 1 and sound skulptor mp573.
The test was made splitting the same signal into the three pre with gain set exactly the same with a signal generator.

this is the file guide:

BD was DW 22x18 bass drum with electrovoice RE20
api with pad on
ltd and mp573 regular gain with no output attenuation

BD2 same as BD but with approx 10db plus gain on ltd and mp573 and 10db of output attenuation (api was set as BD)

SN top snare drum with shure sm57
api with pad on
ltd and mp573 regular gain with no output attenuation

SN2 same as SN but with approx 10db plus gain on ltd and mp573 and 10db of output attenuation (api was set as SN)

T was DW 16x14 floor tom with AKG D112
api with pad on
ltd and mp573 regular gain with no output attenuation

T2 same as T but with approx 10db plus gain on ltd and mp573 and 10db of output attenuation (api was set as T)

OH was AKG 414TLII wide cardioid over the drum kit
api with pad on
ltd and mp573 regular gain with no output attenuation

OH2 same as OH but with approx 10db plus gain on ltd and mp573 and 10db of output attenuation (api was set as OH)

Hope this could be useful!

regards

Luca

[lucapane02]

i would like to here yours opinion...
Merry Christmas!!!

[Depressionman]

Can you compare one of these to stock Behringer,Mackie or anything low cost like M-Audio or any other low cost "crap"?
That would make much better example.
These guys sounds almost the same-if not same.

[Joekkel]

thanks for this shootout. i have to say, i'm really shocked, how close these pre's sound! my ears aren't really bad, i had no problems abx-testing the differences of classic apis vp26 against vp312 files, found in here. but once i set the levels correct between this 3 preamps (so the files almost null each other) i had no chance to hear any difference at all. the null test showed, that the biggest difference was in the hmf/hf-area, where the api had more energy, the other two less. api-mp573 and api-chandler cancelled each other about 25db. mp573-chandler cancelled 35db!

lucapane02, is it worth to you, to have these three "flavours" of preamps? do you hear and feel the differences? maybe my ears aren't trained enough.

i'll attach three level-matched loops from lucas recordings. numbers for blindtesting. do you hear the differences?

[Joekkel]

maybe someone should move this thread to the gear shoot-outs?