Using a single channel pre for a stereo source or mix?

[Geddyleewannabe]

(heavy sigh) Alright, I'm to the point of considering getting the real thing...a vintage 1073. I can afford (although barely) one channel of this pre, but certainly not 2 channels.

I currently have 2 needs for a 2 channel pre...to run the right and left channel of my drum machine through a pre on its way to Protools, and running my 2-buss mixes through a pre.

Here is my question: Are there any problems, or potential problems with running the left channel through a single channel pre, and then going back and running the right channel through the pre?

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by Geddyleewannabe

Are there any problems, or potential problems with running the left channel through a single channel pre, and then going back and running the right channel through the pre?

Yes!!!

Regardless of how you run the drum machine in time to Pro Tools, the playback of your beats is not going to be sampe accurate from take to take (whether you sync your drum machine to Pro Tools and let the drum machine trigger the notes internally, or if you trigger the notes from withing Pro Tools via MIDI). There are other reasons why it won't work, but that is the first problem you would face.

[thejook]

Originally Posted by Geddyleewannabe

(heavy sigh) Alright, I'm to the point of considering getting the real thing...a vintage 1073. I can afford (although barely) one channel of this pre, but certainly not 2 channels.

I currently have 2 needs for a 2 channel pre...to run the right and left channel of my drum machine through a pre on its way to Protools, and running my 2-buss mixes through a pre.

Here is my question: Are there any problems, or potential problems with running the left channel through a single channel pre, and then going back and running the right channel through the pre?

It'll be annoying. I know you probably expected to hear this, but you *are* aware that you could probably find a solution that will sound as good as your one-channel 1073 that just doesn't have the "Neve" logo on it but will allow you to afford a stereo pair...

API, Trident, Helios, UA, or Chandler LTD-1. The Neve 1073 is one of the most overpriced (but amazing) Pre/EQs out there; I think almost everyone here will back me up on this. It's the best, but it's so much more expensive than things that are right up there with it that it really isn't justified. The market justifies itself, I suppose, but still.

[Raggedy]

Originally Posted by Geddyleewannabe

(heavy sigh) Alright, I'm to the point of considering getting the real thing...a vintage 1073. I can afford (although barely) one channel of this pre, but certainly not 2 channels.

Since you're still at the "considering" stage, if I were you I'd strongly consider something else. Besides the problems/difficulties (which it sounds like you knew were there, you just needed to hear it from someone else), I don't believe it's worth spending to your limit for one channel of vintage Neve. As has been said above, it IS pretty much the top of the heap, according to taste of course, but believe it or not, many of your favorite recordings were made without Neve gear .

I think you'd be happier with two channels of another world-class pre, a long list of which are within that price range. Your audio won't suffer, it'll just be different.

But, switching gears, if you're convinced that nothing but a true 1073 will do, why not run your drums mono? And do you need the pre to make up gain after a passive summer? If you track everything through the Neve, it might be redundant on the stereo bus.

[Cojo]

Originally Posted by Geddyleewannabe

Here is my question: Are there any problems, or potential problems with running the left channel through a single channel pre, and then going back and running the right channel through the pre?

Why not try to record your drummachine without the pre in to takes and se what happens?

/Cojo

[meteor]

It's very easy to fixate on a particular piece of kit that is going to "make all the difference" for your projects. Just about everyone who ever posts on the GS has to contend with this little quirk in human nature almost every single work day.

The thing is there are a myriad of other things that are equally and even more important. The first one being...




wait for it...




WorkFlow.



For the $$$ you would spend on single ch. legit 1073, you would still be crippled in your work process - thereby, erasing the advantages gained by a great signal chain.

You should absolutely take your budget and spend that much on a 2 channel setup (and there are many, many great ones to be had for that kind of $$$) of some sort that will likely be just as useful and effective sonicly. It would also have the added benefit of not being a raging PITA when the creativity is descending upon you like a cloud from Mt. Sinai and you are just trying to capture the fairy dust in you magic silken audio net.

cheers,

[squeegybug]

If you just want the preamp/line transformer sound and don't need the EQ.... maybe consider 1073DPA for around $2750. If that's the sound you want, it's 2 channels anyway. I don't think I would like using xx73-type EQ on mix bus, in my experience.

Steve

[lofi]

i think you gotta get yaself togheter a bit

you got caught into that "vintage gear" syndrome thing. whats your other gear ? mics, ad, da, comps, eqs, limiters, room, monitoring, cables, ergonomics... ???? ya know that chain snaps where is the weakest so ... dont loose your logic tutt