a 4 ch preamp: API vs DAKING vs ISA vs DAV

[monkeyxx]

I've owned the API and Sytek

both were great. however, I am very very picky about preamps. The API I had to swap in GAR2520 op amps and it became one of the most beautiful sounding preamps I had ever heard. The modern API 2520 to me sounded kind of "sharp" or "hard" at certain frequencies

the Sytek is transformerless, but, has a nice toughness to the sound, is somewhat aggressive with bright condensers. I got a lot of mileage out of it on all kinds of things but especially drums and acoustic guitar. It wasn't my favorite for vocals. Price on the used market is a steal.

The API is a bit aggressive to my ear on electric guitar, lot of folk love that, but it drives me crazy. I seem to like it on just about everything else, and have successfully recorded electric guitar tracks with it, anyhow. Currently I am preferring the Seventh Circle Audio N72 for electric guitar duties.

If you want the rock and roll, '60s, '70s type of sound I am not sure if that will come from the DAV, based on hypothesis not having used one. The Sytek might get slightly closer? I bet if you wanted a glossy glowing modern recording type sound the DAV might be perfect for that. I haven't used one, just want to emphasize the effect of a mic preamp on your recording's "tone." There is a reason people pick their favorites for different sources or styles.

Haven't used the Daking or the ISA but I would be eager to try both

You could also consider the Seventh Circle Audio rack with four channels of your choice of "neve-ish" "API-ish" "John Hardy-ish" "Millennia-ish" or "THAT corporation clean and neutral" as well you'd have room for the DI and compressors if desired. You save a lot of money building them yourself but you can also buy them pre-assembled. they are excellent, but not as feature-packed as some others. Some of the features are really great though like the full fader output attenuation control on the N72 for example

You could also get into the Classic Audio Products of Illinois stuff, but it might be harder to find those assembled. they are easy to build, though, and a crazy good value and sound great.

[wwittman]

Originally Posted by toneguru

What is a "hodge podge" to some is a welcome variety of flavor to others.

Indeed.
the misguided

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

Can you qualify your "no" pls ?

well, they sound different.
i have used both but its not east to describe the differences in words.....

the 1073 is darker and woolier, if those words mean anything to you.
it has a more colored sound to my ear.
thicker.

i dunno, not the same though.

[nemo2000]

I come back to this discussion, as I haven't made up my mind yet.
The Daking is top of the list now, but I'm still considering the alternatives.

These two machines have drawn my attention:
- Audient ASP008: it's 8 channels preamp at a ridiculous price (per channel);
- UA 4-710d: 4 channels whose pros are that each channel is solidstate and/or tube + a compressor in the 1176 style + the price

did anybody try these machines? how do they compare with the other pres mentioned in this thread (API, Daking, Focusrite, Sytek, DAV, etc...)?

[rhythminmind]

Clean 4 channel pre of the highest quality? Hardy M1 hands down. I haven't found something it can't track well.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Gearslutz App

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by rhythminmind

Clean 4 channel pre of the highest quality? Hardy M1 hands down. I haven't found something it can't track well.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Gearslutz App

never heard of.

[gehauser]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

I come back to this discussion, as I haven't made up my mind yet.
The Daking is top of the list now, but I'm still considering the alternatives.

These two machines have drawn my attention:
- Audient ASP008: it's 8 channels preamp at a ridiculous price (per channel);
- UA 4-710d: 4 channels whose pros are that each channel is solidstate and/or tube + a compressor in the 1176 style + the price

did anybody try these machines? how do they compare with the other pres mentioned in this thread (API, Daking, Focusrite, Sytek, DAV, etc...)?

I can compare the Sytek and the 4-710d as I have both. The Sytek has a fuller low end and more rounded high-mids and highs. The 4-710d (in SS mode) is crispier than the Sytek up top. Both have a balanced (not too strong, not too timid) mid-range, but you will probably hear more forward mids in the 4-710d. Of course the 4-710d can be used in tube mode also, which is nice, but I prefer the tube sound of my Solo 610 when I want tube.

The 4-710d has 8 ch. of good A/D (albeit a little crispy) and the "1176-style" compressors, which sound very good in my opinion, especially with the "fast" setting on vocals. The Sytek is basic and simple by comparison. All the value of the Sytek is in the sound, where a lot of the value of the 4-710d is in the added features, and less so in the sound. The Sytek is very low-noise, great for recording quiet sources, and my choice for acoustic stringed instruments, small ensembles, and choral groups. It would also be my choice for percussion where fast transients are involved. Of the two, the 4-710d would be my choice for solo vocals, but the Sytek does a decent job at close vocals too.

[UPRYZ]

These are all great preamps that will not do you wrong. I'd narrow the search down to those with the variable HPF (Daking, Focusrite...). It's such a handy feature.

[rhythminmind]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

never heard of.

[mattseidel]

+1 on the Daking, it's a great unit. I actually have a review up if it helps.

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by rhythminmind

come on, if I ask for opinions to this panel, that's because I still have things to learn...

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by mattseidel

+1 on the Daking, it's a great unit. I actually have a review up if it helps.

read it, thanks !

[rhythminmind]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

come on, if I ask for opinions to this panel, that's because I still have things to learn...

Misunderstood your original inflection. Thought you where writing the Hardy off do to never hearing of it.
Hardy rarely if ever advertizes, But I can honestly say his pres might very well be the best design made. Perfect balance of classic discrete/transformer circuitry & high bandwidth clean clarity. You would be hard pressed to find a user that's recorded with them have anything negative to say. We have many great pres to choose from but the M1 is my "desert island" pre.

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by robertshaw

API is better than Neve

Blonde is better than 42.

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by WunderBro Flo

Blonde is better than 42.

[George Necola]

Daking IV love here.

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9100 mit Tapatalk

[l.sicilian]

Daking = best value; 'nuff said.

For something different, the UA 4x710 is VERY good value too.

[WunderBro Flo]

I would think it is safe to say a 4 channel preamp with blending option between two topologies plus 4 channels of 1176 limiting plus 8 channels of AD conversion for less money than the daking is the definition of better value.

[mjtripper]

Doesn't seem to get much love in this thread but I think the focusrite 428 is a great pre.

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by mjtripper

Doesn't seem to get much love in this thread but I think the focusrite 428 is a great pre.

yes, indeed it was in the short list but it was disregarded in the following discussion...what I understood is that the 428 is a good pre but not so good as the other pres mentioned in the discussion. Honestly, having not the chance to compare all of them at work, I cannot give my opinion. That's why I opened this thread!

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by l.sicilian

Daking = best value; 'nuff said.

For something different, the UA 4x710 is VERY good value too.

Can you pls qualify your statement "for something different" ?
This is exactly what I'm trying to understand from this discussion...not really "it's a good / bad pre" but the different sounds and nuances provided by each pre, so that I can make my choice more accurate

[WunderBro Flo]

The biggest thing you can learn from here is that the judgements/answers are totally out of proportion when you ask people here if preamp x sounds better than y or z.
With all the pres mentioned here, usually 98% of all the listeners including pros with great ears and monitors cannot even tell them apart in level matched, blind, same take tests.
In other words: It does not matter remotely as much as you think it does.
My advice is to get the one with the best price that meets your feature needs. With the money you save you can buy gear that matters much more than the sound of the preamp, like mics (even cheap ones).

[JL.]

Originally Posted by mjtripper

Doesn't seem to get much love in this thread but I think the focusrite 428 is a great pre.

It is. I have used it over the Daking, But then again, I've used the Daking more. I do think the Daking will treat you well on more sources. But the Focusrite 428 will definitely be cheaper, and still a good buy. It's all opinion.

[monkeyxx]

Originally Posted by WunderBro Flo

In other words: It does not matter remotely as much as you think it does.

I respectfully disagree. I've only had one or two preamps that I thought was good on every source. I can also hear clear differences between them. Yes listening in your own room with your own gear is much more revealing than any online shootout.

[low_z]

Originally Posted by UPRYZ

These are all great preamps that will not do you wrong. I'd narrow the search down to those with the variable HPF (Daking, Focusrite...). It's such a handy feature.

Great point! Very useful for dialing in sound when recording live with bass players/drummers, less than ideal environments with LF rumble or ribbon mics.

I thought the Mic Pre IV had hpf too , but on closer inspection of the manual from Daking's website, I can't find that feature. It is on the Mic Pre One and Mic Pre One 500 though.

The BG No2 MKII, however, has a hpf button set at 68hz at 12db per octave. I wish that feature were on the BG501 (which I love)! The trade off is no DI/line input on the No.2 (the BG1U has one though), but that feature is included on the 1073 I think.
I have heard that if you order straight from D.A.V, Mick can customize certain aspects of certain models (how's that for ambiguous).

I really dig the way the BG mic amps open up darker sounding ribbon mics, not to mention they are fairly quiet pres too. I have not used a Daking on a ribbon (or at all for that matter), so I can not comment, but I'd guess they sound pretty awesome!

In my limited experience, I find my BG501 and my 512c to be quite different, though both wonderful; they serve different uses for me and I wouldn't trade one for the other sonically with my mic selections. I should add that especially with ribbons, HPF is missing in my chain and I have to apply ITB.

Could you audition some pres alongside your 1073 in a session? That would likely be really helpful. If you ordered two units from a dealer, they might gladly take one of them back and still make a nice sale!

[l.sicilian]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

Can you pls qualify your statement "for something different" ?
This is exactly what I'm trying to understand from this discussion...not really "it's a good / bad pre" but the different sounds and nuances provided by each pre, so that I can make my choice more accurate

The Daking has got balanced transformers on the inputs + outputs, you get that sound. I don't think there is anything like it for the money. Think Trident A range, although not a clone, but this is what they went for. Quality...

The UA gives you the tone blending option + some dynamic processing and extras... No transformers. Quantity...

I think they both cost about the same. Yet they are VERY different.

I used to have both, and I suggest you get one each of the single versions and see which one you like best.

If I was to choose 8 x pres in this price bracket, I'd get both, the Daking and a UA, because they complement each other very well, or you could possibly buy 2 x Dakings and 2 x UA singles, although the Daking solo has only got the transformer on the input, but you get the filter.

Daking = punchy and thick.
UA = sweet and friendly :p


I am not one of these guys who think that you need to spend more to get the right tools, but those two would be my choice, it's great value.

It also depends on what you already have. Personally, if I had to pick one only, it would be the Daking.

[Seb RIOU]

Don't know if you mentioned any budget, but the GML 8300 is a game changer.
Completely different from Neve or Daking, API or whatever transformered input class A preamp. Where those preamps (which I love) enhance and breathe fire in your recording, the GML just lets you hear the mic you use, but to an extense you can't imagine before hearing it. Or rather "not" hearing it. Then you instantly work on the source (performance, acoustics, mic placement) where with another preamp you would start to listen to "the sound". Difficult to explain but clear as day when happening !

[low_z]

nemo2000, what have you decided to do? Curious where all this feedback has lead you. Don't leave us hangin'

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by low_z

nemo2000, what have you decided to do? Curious where all this feedback has lead you. Don't leave us hangin'

yep, sorry, I haven't had the chance to access the internet for a while, so I 'm back now. never thought to leave you hanging...
I made my decision. I bought the Daking mic pre IV.
The reasons are mainly two:
- the excellent and unanimously shared judgements from all those who posted here, and
- a very favourable price that I got from my retailer (a 25% discount)

After all, I just want to focus on the composing side and the Daking seemed to be the right compromise to have a pre with a "universal attitude" .

I think and hope this thread will be useful to many musicians, as the choice of a pre is critical for all those who want to mess with the recording jungle!
so I thank you all for the contribution and the passion that kept the discussion alive!
music is life

[l.sicilian]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

yep, sorry, I haven't had the chance to access the internet for a while, so I 'm back now. never thought to leave you hanging...
I made my decision. I bought the Daking mic pre IV.
The reasons are mainly two:
- the excellent and unanimously shared judgements from all those who posted here, and
- a very favourable price that I got from my retailer (a 25% discount)

After all, I just want to focus on the composing side and the Daking seemed to be the right compromise to have a pre with a "universal attitude" .

I think and hope this thread will be useful to many musicians, as the choice of a pre is critical for all those who want to mess with the recording jungle!
so I thank you all for the contribution and the passion that kept the discussion alive!
music is life

Thanks for keeping us updated. Glad you went for the Daking, great choice.
I think this is the kind of preamp that you should keep for life.
Definitely the best value IMO, as far as preamps with transformers are concerned.