Best first set of preamps???

[Ernest Buckley]

Originally Posted by FlyingPanda

Hello people, I'm in the market for some preamps, gonna use them on everything for a while, I would prefer to have atleast 4 good pres and have narrowed it down to API 3124 and Universal Audio 4-710D, however I am happy to hear any other suggestions...

I don't need the conversion of the 4-710 however the idea of a tube/transistor knob and a basic limiter sounds interesting... On the other hand the API's are a sure thing to just do what I want.

Which would be better and why?

I record a variety of different genre's but mainly focus on styles that are vaguely rock related...

I think you answered your own question.

[NEWTON IN ORBIT]

Between two I'd go w/ the API's. Reason being is that they can still be clean and modern enough, and at the same time do the classic rock thing as well.

Not that the UA can't clean up, but even you state API's are a "sure thing". For rock, I agree.

Tough call though. If you like the sound of stuff that used to come out of Sunset Sound for example, both UA and modified API's were used. Amazing records.

Still, I don't think either would be my pick if limited to only one model of preamp. Both would work, but I'd probably choose something else.

A few years ago, maybe, but my tastes have changed a bit.

Without tape nowadays, I'd go with Neve, Helios or Telefunken, and the opposite, like Hardy Twin Servo or M1. If I had the money of course.

Kinda the two ends of the spectrum. A no compromise approach to what the UA box you are considering is aiming for I guess.

Just my opinion.

john

[alexevans917]

I worked on a record a couple weeks ago where the API unit was used for nearly everything. It's definitely a bit colored, and has a pretty hefty midrange, but it sounds great! For this project (a really roomy folk record), the API added a cool flavor.

[JL.]

API hands down. Great on drums, great DI. Just solid. You could also look at the Daking pre IV. Great unit also, much like the API set.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by JL.

API hands down. Great on drums, great DI. Just solid. You could also look at the Daking pre IV. Great unit also, much like the API set.

Both API and Daking are easy choices, with the API being punchier and more aggressive. You're not going to regret either, though, and you could spend a career with just one and forget about preamps after that.

[Slikjmuzik]

API and Daking both great, but if I had it to do all over again, my first would definitely be a Pacifica.

[FlyingPanda]

thanks for the help people, I did some more look in to the UA 710, the transistor/tube comparisons aren't really as night and day as i thought they would be, I've used API a lot and like how it just does the job without you having to think about what effect you want...

Any other preamp suggestions by people?

For the record I'm not much of a Neve fan, they sound good but I find they are rather expensive for something that other brands do just fine and to be honest I don't go out of my way to use them...

[_Mark]

Neve VS SSL Channel Strip
Two good ones in my thread here. Same situation.

[mowmow]

If budget isn't an issue, I'd get
Millennia STT-1
GAP73
ISA TWO

STT-1 has very clean solid state and tube channel whose warmth can save cheap condenser mics. It's very versatile. And it has very good EQ and natural sounding opt compressor.
GAP73 is colored and round.
ISA TWO is clean but some what colored and variable impedance can match up many mics.
These set will be able to provide from clean to colored sound and be ready for many situations including stereo situation.
All the other pres can go through STT-1 to use excellent EQ and comp and the tube mode can warm up even in line mode.