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

[nemo2000]

I apologise for the question, that may be odd in someone's opinion, but I am looking for a 4 channels preamp.
I am already using a Neve 1073, and I would like to add 4 channels for a general use, in other words with a rather clean, not too coloured sound, but still at high quality.

I have these machines in mind:
API 3124+
DAKING MIC PRE IV
FOCUSRITE ISA 428 mkII
DAV BG n2 mkII

The prices are a bit different, but not so much, and for the kind of investment I am planning a 200-300 euros difference do not matter.

It's hard for me to try these machines so I'd like to get a few comments to orientate my choice.
Thanks

[Slikjmuzik]

Hey there, well, none of those are really considered clean pres. Of them all, I'd say the Focusrite, but IMO, not the quality that Daking and API are either. Honestly, if you want clean 4 channels and high quality, check out the Sytek unit. Many people consider it the poor man's API. I personally have the Daking IV Pre and I love it, but I've worked with the Sytek and I find it to be a fine unit indeed.

Sytek Audio Systems - MPX-4Aii Four-Channel Microphone Preamplifier

[nemo2000]

I had heard about Sytek, but didn't undestand it's of a quality comparable to the other high end machines, so it's good news...
About Dakin, is it more or less like API, I mean better for el.guitars and drums rather than vocals and acoustic instruments (I am quoting the commonly shared opinion)?

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

I had heard about Sytek, but didn't undestand it's of a quality comparable to the other high end machines, so it's good news...
About Dakin, is it more or less like API, I mean better for el.guitars and drums rather than vocals and acoustic instruments (I am quoting the commonly shared opinion)?

Well, the Daking and API are 2 different beasts. The only thing they have in common is that they are both transformer balanced. The Daking sounds good to me on quite a variety of sources, whereas, I personally only care for the API on specific sources...however, those sources I like the API on, I REALLY like it. The Daking uses Jenson transformers for input and output and the API uses it's own brand if I'm not mistaken. The 2520 opamp that API is famous for is where you get what most consider the desired tone of the API units. To me the Daking has a firm and tight low end and a presence in the upper mids, a sheen if you will. The API's push, to my ears is in the lower mids. Probably why they are popular on toms and guitars. Many like the the API's for overheads, kick, snare, but for those, I personally prefer the Daking. You'll have to make that kind of decision yourself however. There have been rooms where the natural essence of the room made me lean toward the API when tracking drums in those rooms. In my room, Daking all the way.

Horses for courses I guess...

[chevega]

dont forget the Sebatron VMP4000e. excellent tube pre that can go from pretty clean to somewhat colored.

[rogerbrain]

Rupert Neve Designs – Portico 5024 – Quad Mic Amp

portico 5024 shoiuld be on this list

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by rogerbrain

Rupert Neve Designs – Portico 5024 – Quad Mic Amp

portico 5024 shoiuld be on this list

isn't it very close to the Neve 1073 I already have in my studio?

[nemo2000]

any specific comment on the DAV BG?

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

isn't it very close to the Neve 1073 I already have in my studio?

Not at all, one is trying to be true to the very colorful 1073 that you already have, the other is quite modern with lower noise and more neutral frequency, but still transformer balanced as that's what Rupert Neve believes in with regard to topology.

[studio825]

Shiny box 4 channel is clean and very sexy.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz.com

[taherbert]

Originally Posted by Slikjmuzik

Well, the Daking and API are 2 different beasts. The only thing they have in common is that they are both transformer balanced. The Daking sounds good to me on quite a variety of sources, whereas, I personally only care for the API on specific sources...however, those sources I like the API on, I REALLY like it. The Daking uses Jenson transformers for input and output and the API uses it's own brand if I'm not mistaken. The 2520 opamp that API is famous for is where you get what most consider the desired tone of the API units. To me the Daking has a firm and tight low end and a presence in the upper mids, a sheen if you will. The API's push, to my ears is in the lower mids. Probably why they are popular on toms and guitars. Many like the the API's for overheads, kick, snare, but for those, I personally prefer the Daking. You'll have to make that kind of decision yourself however. There have been rooms where the natural essence of the room made me lean toward the API when tracking drums in those rooms. In my room, Daking all the way.

Horses for courses I guess...

In my mind, the API has guts and the Daking has teeth. They're both great.

[wwittman]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

I apologise for the question, that may be odd in someone's opinion, but I am looking for a 4 channels preamp.
I am already using a Neve 1073, and I would like to add 4 channels for a general use, in other words with a rather clean, not too coloured sound, but still at high quality.

there's no such thing, outside of marketing meetings and ads.


if you already have 1073's... buy more 1073's
that's the best choice.

otherwise, either API or Daking are great.
either is fine.

what's not fine is a hodge-podge of different mic pre types.

[rogerbrain]

Originally Posted by wwittman

there's no such thing, outside of marketing meetings and ads.


if you already have 1073's... buy more 1073's
that's the best choice.

otherwise, either API or Daking are great.
either is fine.

what's not fine is a hodge-podge of different mic pre types.

why is that? I kinda like my Hodge Podge

all the best - Hodge Podge Rog

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by taherbert

In my mind, the API has guts and the Daking has teeth. They're both great.

Very nice way to put it! I like that...and agree!!

You know though...there's something in the Dakings that to my ears sounds punchier. While I will say the API is meatier in a certain frequency range, the Daking just feels more flexible to me on more sources for some reason.

[Spook]

Check out the new Harrison Linage great stuff!!!!

[Peacock]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

any specific comment on the DAV BG?

I personally really like the DAV the most. All are good. The DAV has a nice rounded and smooth highend. For our experience its proven to be the best overall pre we own and its really unique sounding and a one of a kind pre.

[The Listener]

Originally Posted by Peacock

I personally really like the DAV the most. All are good. The DAV has a nice rounded and smooth highend. For our experience its proven to be the best overall pre we own and its really unique sounding and a one of a kind pre.

I can second that, but when I had API3124+ here, it had the same no-bullshit tool feel as DAV.

Anything you put into it came out very very fine.

Can't go wrong with either of those - I think API is more forgiving for abuse and hot input, DAV distorts ugly when it does - when you make a user error - some singer surprises you with extremely loud shouts, etc. It gets too ugly with DAV when that happens.

I would say - if you do more rock, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, etc. kind of acoustic recording then API, if more classical, jazz, ethno - DAV - but they both can work well for anything IMO.

I will probably get that API one day, I really liked how well it worked. And a very solid piece of gear, too.

API is just a tad more "colored" than DAV, but still feels neutral for my taste. DAV is also rather "euphonic" for a clean amp.

[robertshaw]

API is better than Neve

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by wwittman

there's no such thing, outside of marketing meetings and ads.


if you already have 1073's... buy more 1073's
that's the best choice. otherwise, either API or Daking are great.
either is fine. what's not fine is a hodge-podge of different mic pre types.

Well, I understand you say "once you find a pre you like, stick to it and don't go for different models"....which is not what many pro studios do, as in many cases there you can find a full range of all the best pres.
It sounds like telling me - as a keyboardist - "once you've got a moog don't look for anything else....", well, there's the virus, the prophet 5, and on and on...
don't you think it's a bit extreme position? (if I correctly got your message).

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

Well, I understand you say "once you find a pre you like, stick to it and don't go for different models"....which is not what many pro studios do, as in many cases there you can find a full range of all the best pres.
It sounds like telling me - as a keyboardist - "once you've got a moog don't look for anything else....", well, there's the virus, the prophet 5, and on and on...
don't you think it's a bit extreme position? (if I correctly got your message).

Exactly, I've definitely experienced a 1073 not being what I liked on certain voices...even swapping mics.

[bleen]

Originally Posted by studio825

Shiny box 4 channel is clean and very sexy.

Indeed. Don't overlook the Si4. Tons of gain, very clean, but not "boring" - it sounds like what you've put the mic in front of.

[l.sicilian]

I don't know if it's been mentioned in this thread already, Daking is closer to the Trident A Range sound.

So if you like the sound of the recordings made at Trident Studio in the 70s, Daking is the choice + it's great value.

[JL.]

I think the Daking is great. I like it for drums, overheads, and it's great for bass. I've used it for guitars also, I prefer guitars going through a Neve/or Neve style though, but the Daking still sounded good. It has a punch to it. And it can be an agressive pre amp. Maybe that's what the guy meant above when he said it has teeth. Either way I love mine.

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by JL.

I think the Daking is great. I like it for drums, overheads, and it's great for bass. I've used it for guitars also, I prefer guitars going through a Neve/or Neve style though, but the Daking still sounded good. It has a punch to it. And it can be an agressive pre amp. Maybe that's what the guy meant above when he said it has teeth. Either way I love mine.

guys, many comments on this thread, so many thanks
I'm going to seriously consider the Daking (my "personal" retailer agrees).
I have to say that in my experience the Neve 1073 is great on el. guitars too, I mean those pumped to make a wall-of-sound... and on male voices and acoustic guitars is just "wow"....
I love this piece of gear, definitely! So I want to buy something I'll love the same way

[king2070lplaya]

If you want clean, ad you wanna save about a G, definitely go for the DAV. That piece is pretty as hell, clean with a nice bottom.

If you want color, the others all offer their own flavor. I've used all of them, though never at the same time. They are certainly all comparable, so you will probably want to test them all a bit before committing to one permanently.

For clean accurate pickup, though, DAV is incredible quality and a huge value for the price.

[weelunka]

I was in same situation and went for DAV. Ive seen only praise on this board and elsewhere and for the price its nobrainer imho

[neirbod]

Originally Posted by Slikjmuzik

Honestly, if you want clean 4 channels and high quality, check out the Sytek unit. Many people consider it the poor man's API.

I have both the Sytek and the API 3124. Both are great for what they do, but are very different units. I have heard the Sytek called the "poor man's Millenia" as both are very clean, uncolored pres that are frequently used for classical work. The API is fantastic on many sources, but is quite colored. Either one would be a good option depending on your needs and budget, but they are not similar at all.

[toneguru]

Originally Posted by wwittman

what's not fine is a hodge-podge of different mic pre types.

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

PS. I have owned the Focusrite ISA110, 1272's and the api 3124... I sold the Focusrite.

[skybluerental]

Originally Posted by nemo2000

isn't it very close to the Neve 1073 I already have in my studio?

no.

[nemo2000]

Originally Posted by skybluerental

no.

Can you qualify your "no" pls ?