Mega preamp party

[pieter]

Guys,

I've organized a mega preamp shoutout party in my studio.

Invitees are:

API 3124+
Vintech X473
Canesong Spider
Chandler TG2

I will have a drummer and singer available. Any advice on specific things I should consider when comparing the gear?

Note that all preamps will be ran through a ProTools HD system with 96 I/O.


Pieter

[Jason Poulin]

try to shoot a GR MP2 NV and an Avalon VT737 in there...

would make quite the shootout!

Jason

[pieter]

I'm located in Belgium and I can tell you, no Great River dealer closer than 5000 miles !

I coudl manage the Avalon though. note that I already own a Universal Audio 6176.

[Ckevperry]

The only tru way to compare is double blind. You HAVE to have NO idea which preamp you are listening to keep any biases out. And level matching down to .1dB if you can is critical as well.

[LateRiser]

Hi,

Interesting choice of candidates! I live in Belgium as well and could bring a Phoenix Audio DRS-2 and Langevin DVC to the party. PM me if you're interested!

[dtobocman]

I think an acoustic guitar with a mic 12" out on the 12th fret will reveal a lot about the preamps.

A source that really plays up the differences in preamps is a Fender-style electric guitar amp.

Bass DIs are worth a listen too.

Sorry, but my suggestions are guitar-oriented.

Be sure to feed all of the preamps with a dynamic or ribbon mic once in a while. Some preamps sound best when their fed with a low output mic. In fact, try a few mics on each preamp -- impdence matches and mismatches will improve or degrade the sound of the preamp. Some mics and preamps just marry well too.

Nice array of preamps you've got goin'. Go easy on that beer.....Belgian beer...yummmmm.

[pieter]

Choices choices !

I recorded a pretty heavy funk band (drums, bass, guitars, horns, vocals) as well as a simple voiceover through the following preamps:

- Vintech X73, X81, 473
- API lunchbox with preamp EQ and Comp
- Universal 6176
- Chandler TG 2
- Cranesong Spider
- Joemeek VC6Q (just for a laugh and to check how much difference a decent preamp can make)

It immediately struck me that I wouldn't be able to fault any of them.

The one that will probably end up in my rack though is the Spider as it does both the transparent and fat thing very well. I found that it was often possible from the Crane Song to approach the sound of the Vintech or API whether the opposite was not always the case. Therefore this baby wins my versatility award. Moreover, it has all the other stuff like superb convertors, very good limiters and the ability to mix down through it which I found nothing short of amazing.

The Vintech 473 would be my second choice as it's a pretty cost effective package to get 4 great preamps with limited but very musical EQ.

I would be happy to hear what you guys think ?

[natpub]

The one that will probably end up in my rack though is the Spider as it does both the transparent and fat thing very well. I found that it was often possible from the Crane Song to approach the sound of the Vintech or API whether the opposite was not always the case. Therefore this baby wins my versatility award. Moreover, it has all the other stuff like superb convertors, very good limiters and the ability to mix down through it which I found nothing short of amazing.

The thing is, there doesn't seem to be a way to access the converters without going through their pre's. If you could bypass the pre's and use all your other's too, then I would give Spider the "verstility" award for sure.

I haven't seen one, so maybe there is a way. Also, it seems like it only has one bus insert rather than individual channel inserts??


nat

[pieter]

You also have individual inserts per channel. Also there's a line in on each channel so you could even patch other preamps in there.

You see: versatility award