di/pre suggestions for tracking analog synths

[disco2k3]

I'm a producer that relies heavily on old synths (jupiter, juno, moog, dx7) to make dance records.

I want to capture the full glory of bass/pads/effects coming out of my synths. Right now they're going directly to a Spirit 328 and remains digital from that point. I'm getting a nice 2 channel AD converter, so I'll have that aspect covered.

I'm interested in hearing what other people use when putting synths to disk.
Specifically what DI/preamp combination.

What little I've heard of API stuff sounds good and the evil twin sounds intriguging, what about all those fancy tube DI boxes, then what pre to match?!

Any suggestions?

[C.Lambrechts]

digidesign PRE. 8 channels of excelent mic pre / line and DI inputs . works both standalone and with PT HD.

[NathanEldred]

The Groove Tubes DITTO's are very nice. It's got a soft sound with a bit of a midrange emphasis (but aren't sloped in the top or bottom by any means).

[David R.]

I've had great results going through a Pendulum MDP-1. It even doubles as a mic pre!

Sometimes I put a mono bass through a Mesa Boogie Studio Pre (guitar pre-amp) to 'grit' it up.

To me, that is the fun part.

[ozraves]

This might help you out:

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/session4.htm

I've been doing some synth work lately with an old Korg Poly 800. Everything I've used has done pretty good. I think my personal preferences have been the A Designs MP-2 and the Great River MP-2NV. But, I've liked putting the synth through pres/DIs by Grace, FMR, Millenia, Speck and Sebatron. I'd be very happy with any one of them.

I want to get my hands on an A Designs REDDI.

Steve
www.mojopie.com

[robmix]

I do this all the time with a variety of external pre's with built-in D.I.'s. I use a Manley dual mono tube pre for things that need a little hair, a Great River Mp2nv and Neve 3405 for that classic, warm and wide sound and some focusrite ISA and 428 pre's for straight clean stuff. Next on the list is a Cranesong Spider.

Rob

[Frost]

I would like to second all on the Robmix post above. Love my manley to make a synth track sittucked in the mix with a little warm color. Love both my ward Beck and the 2nv for classic thick but not as recessed synths. I also like them both better on bass.
Frost

[Albert]

I use Groove Tube DITTO's, and also have a Jensen passive stereo DI, the IsoMax. I use the Grace 201 for my preamp. If you use a great preamp that is somewhat uncolored, you can put different DI's in front of it for getting a variety of tones.

I'm not a big fan of the Evil Twin, and I've heard them. They aren't being made anymore anyway. Another tube DI I've liked on synths is the ADL 300G stereo unit.

I went through a whole DI shootout for my keyboards in January this year, and then over the summer a bass player friend of mine did the same thing for a bass DI. So I've heard a ton of DI's this year. Some live up to the hype and some don't. Believe it or not, the DITTO is one of the best sounding DI's out there right now, at any price point.

Although I haven't heard them yet, the A-Designs and Pendulum look to be worthy of checking out, as far the tube stuff.

As far as getting a glorious sound, you may be able to get that with a passive transformer DI like a pair of Jensens, along with a great preamp. I find that the passive transformer DI's can sound huge. The key is having a great preamp.

[e-cue]

Originally posted by Albert
Although I haven't heard them yet, the A-Designs and Pendulum look to be worthy of checking out, as far the tube stuff.

Both are extremely powerful tools. The Reddi is my 'goto' DI. It's open, musical, and has the best frequency response. The Demeter would come in a close second for my choice. The Pendulum is also great, but would be pricey if you don't plan on using the features other than just the high z input.

The Brett A API 312's work great with the Motif line of keyboards. I a/b'ed them against a plethal of other DI's, and the API took the cake on that one application.

[disco2k3]

Thanks so much for the replies.

I'm glad that I was affirmed in my thinking. I was getting excited about some of the di boxes mentioned, and now I'm really looking forward to see how they drive.

It seems that many like to run their synths through a di/preamp box.

I understand the advantage of running a short cable length to a di box and then running the bulk of the cable length to a preamp, but that theory seems to go the window when using a di & preamp in one box.

So for example if I run one of my synths through an mp-2nv does the signal get brought down to mic level in a di section in the box and then put back to line level in a seperate mic preamp section in the same box? Or is it just adding less gain than the box would apply to a mic level signal with the same stuff? Is is something to do with impedance? Honestly I don't understand the whole concept?!?

Another somewhat related question:
I can get plenty of signal out of my Jupiter, enough that I can plug it into my mixer at unity gain with no added trim, will there be benefits from using a di to a preamp or di/preamp combo?

I'm a novice when it comes to this, and would appreciate a little technical expertise. Knowing how this all works won't make my mixes sound better, but it will certainly give me a little more piece of mind when I plug "Synth A" into "Box B".