API lunchbox w/512C or Great River,Chandler?

h-man · 27th November 2006, 04:47 AM

Hey guys- I'm looking to finally get serious about my recording setup. I'm going to finally have a room solely dedicated to the purpose of recording and want to step up my gear in a more serious direction.

I currently have 2 FMR RNP's w/RNC's and my best mic is an AT4033. I have your usual loads of 57's, an SM7, Oktava MC12's (matched pair), and Oktava 219.

I will be purchasing a Blue Baby Bottle (scored a deal), and I want to get either the Shure KSM44, or the Mojave Audio MA 200 to step up the mic collection a bit. I'm running all of this through an 8 channel RME ADDA converter into PT6.4. Up to this point, I have really tried to use McDSP's analog channel to manipulate the clean tones I have gotten with the RNP's, but this is getting a bit old.

So, what do you think I should go with for the pre? A lunchbox and a 512C or the Great River single channel pre, or something else? I will be recording primarily rock with acoustic and electric guitars. I really want to at least create one great chain for vocals and overdubs. At least I will have 5 channels of preamps to build upon. I really love the RNP's, but want to get with the rest of you peeps on this board. haha. I need to start somewhere and my time has come.

Feel free to suggest an all around LDC mic too, if you'd like. I need all the help I can get. Thanks everybody.

max cooper · 27th November 2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h-man

I currently have 2 FMR RNP's w/RNC's and my best mic is an AT4033. I have your usual loads of 57's, an SM7, Oktava MC12's (matched pair), and Oktava 219.

Actually, your best mic is an SM-7.

h-man · 27th November 2006, 05:00 AM

Max- good point, that is my best mic. I'm hoping to up that one soon.

max cooper · 27th November 2006, 05:06 AM

You can always have better mics, but you could do a whole record with what you have, depending on how many things you need to record at once.

How much budget you got?

h-man · 27th November 2006, 05:22 AM

Well, I'm thinking of at least five channels of pre's. I'm a minimalist on drums and need to record 3-4 tracks max. I usually use my MC's as overheads, a Beta 52 on kick, and a 57 on snare and mix it in with the OC's. I say five tracks because I like to record the bass and drum tracks together to keep the groove intact. I can overdub the rest. I layer the guitars and keyboards later and mix to taste. I'm building a studio in my moms new house and we are in the process of soundproofing it properly. Hopefully, I will have a nice room to start and really start to improve my mixes.

I'm just really lost as where to start with the pre's and new LDC. I was thinking the the API lunchbox and 512C because I would still have 5 spaces left in the rack. That way, I could pay $650-$700 for each module that I wanted to add. I just don't have much experience with API's, but I have heard they are a great starting point and the way to go for DI'ing a bass. I have about $2000 to start and will definitely be adding to the setup as time progresses.

My mom is an active musician and she is already hooked on the idea of recording. Hell, she dropped a ton of cash on a new Roland Fantom 88 key, the soundproofing, and more. I figure she will definitely be down to add into the preamp and mic collection. So, I want to get a nice foundation to work with.

My head is spinning from reading and researching. Just so you know, for curiosities sake. I'm a first grade teacher and I'm going to be doing a record of all the songs I have written for my students. The whole record is going to be fronted by this character I have created over the years. My kids go bonkers for these songs. I told myself that it was something I had to do. If nothing less, I would like to do all of my preproduction and then shell out the cash to go into a "real" studio. Who knows, maybe I won't have to after I finish it.

What would you do?

Pohaku · 27th November 2006, 06:18 AM

If you want to start off with only purchasing a single channel and think that you will eventually want the other 5 channels, I'd be inclined to go the lunchbox/API route. If you buy used, you can get the lunchbox (@$350) and one 512c module (@$600) for a bit more than you would pay for a used single channel of Great River. Additional modules will typically run you less per channel going forward since you don't need to purchase the power supply and casing over again. The 512c is a great all purpose preamp with plenty of gain for your SM7. There are now lots of other modules that fit the lunchbox format, beside API. Of those currently available that I've used, I like the A-Designs P-1 in particular. Be careful about the aggregate power requirements of the modules you want. The current and older lunch box power supplies are limited and some non-API modules will put a significantly greater drain on them.

h-man · 27th November 2006, 06:21 AM

I'm trying to pick up a used A1 Pacifica that popped up for sale. We shall see what happens. Thanks for the tips on the lunch box. I guess if worse comes to worse I can throw some A- Designs modules in there.

foldback · 27th November 2006, 06:34 AM

One of the best features about the API preamp is the resale value. If you get a good deal on it when you buy it and keep it in mint condition you'll probably get 85 or 90% of your purchase price back when you sell it.

The "total cost of ownership" of many pro pieces is actually lower than a lot of semi-pro gadgets.

A Royer ribbon would be another helpful and colorful sound you don't currently own. I don't know about the RNP as to whether they have enough gain.

s.d.finley · 27th November 2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h-man

I'm trying to pick up a used A1 Pacifica that popped up for sale. We shall see what happens. Thanks for the tips on the lunch box. I guess if worse comes to worse I can throw some A- Designs modules in there.

I'd say if best comes to best....pop in some A-Designs, the P1 is a great deal, useful on a wide variety of sources. Check into custom modules by Eisen. You can drive cost down by assembling them yourself. Not for the faint hearted tho....

Even the Eisens assembled arent that expensive.....

BTW....I have an OSA MP1C for sale...check the GS classifieds!

h-man · 27th November 2006, 07:06 AM

S.D. not to familiar with old school audio, those pres did look cool though. I'm just getting into the idea of lunch boxes and racks, so I'm a bit green. I will keep researching and keep your OSA's in mind. Thanks man.

Pohaku · 27th November 2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h-man

I'm trying to pick up a used A1 Pacifica that popped up for sale. We shall see what happens. Thanks for the tips on the lunch box. I guess if worse comes to worse I can throw some A- Designs modules in there.

A Pacifica would be great. Has bigger transformers than the P-1. And the price on the listing is hard to beat. P-1 modules run @$799 new - so you'd be ahead with the Pacifica at that price. I'd be interested if I needed more channels (I've got 14 good channels including a P-1, which is probably more than enough for a home project studio - but who's counting

)

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27th November 2006, 04:47 AM	#1
h-man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 86	API lunchbox w/512C or Great River,Chandler? Hey guys- I'm looking to finally get serious about my recording setup. I'm going to finally have a room solely dedicated to the purpose of recording and want to step up my gear in a more serious direction. I currently have 2 FMR RNP's w/RNC's and my best mic is an AT4033. I have your usual loads of 57's, an SM7, Oktava MC12's (matched pair), and Oktava 219. I will be purchasing a Blue Baby Bottle (scored a deal), and I want to get either the Shure KSM44, or the Mojave Audio MA 200 to step up the mic collection a bit. I'm running all of this through an 8 channel RME ADDA converter into PT6.4. Up to this point, I have really tried to use McDSP's analog channel to manipulate the clean tones I have gotten with the RNP's, but this is getting a bit old. So, what do you think I should go with for the pre? A lunchbox and a 512C or the Great River single channel pre, or something else? I will be recording primarily rock with acoustic and electric guitars. I really want to at least create one great chain for vocals and overdubs. At least I will have 5 channels of preamps to build upon. I really love the RNP's, but want to get with the rest of you peeps on this board. haha. I need to start somewhere and my time has come. Feel free to suggest an all around LDC mic too, if you'd like. I need all the help I can get. Thanks everybody. __________________ Don't be a puppet on strings!

27th November 2006, 05:00 AM	#3
h-man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 86	Max- good point, that is my best mic. I'm hoping to up that one soon. __________________ Don't be a puppet on strings!

27th November 2006, 05:22 AM	#5
h-man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 86	Well, I'm thinking of at least five channels of pre's. I'm a minimalist on drums and need to record 3-4 tracks max. I usually use my MC's as overheads, a Beta 52 on kick, and a 57 on snare and mix it in with the OC's. I say five tracks because I like to record the bass and drum tracks together to keep the groove intact. I can overdub the rest. I layer the guitars and keyboards later and mix to taste. I'm building a studio in my moms new house and we are in the process of soundproofing it properly. Hopefully, I will have a nice room to start and really start to improve my mixes. I'm just really lost as where to start with the pre's and new LDC. I was thinking the the API lunchbox and 512C because I would still have 5 spaces left in the rack. That way, I could pay $650-$700 for each module that I wanted to add. I just don't have much experience with API's, but I have heard they are a great starting point and the way to go for DI'ing a bass. I have about $2000 to start and will definitely be adding to the setup as time progresses. My mom is an active musician and she is already hooked on the idea of recording. Hell, she dropped a ton of cash on a new Roland Fantom 88 key, the soundproofing, and more. I figure she will definitely be down to add into the preamp and mic collection. So, I want to get a nice foundation to work with. My head is spinning from reading and researching. Just so you know, for curiosities sake. I'm a first grade teacher and I'm going to be doing a record of all the songs I have written for my students. The whole record is going to be fronted by this character I have created over the years. My kids go bonkers for these songs. I told myself that it was something I had to do. If nothing less, I would like to do all of my preproduction and then shell out the cash to go into a "real" studio. Who knows, maybe I won't have to after I finish it. What would you do? __________________ Don't be a puppet on strings!

27th November 2006, 06:18 AM	#6
Pohaku Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 937	If you want to start off with only purchasing a single channel and think that you will eventually want the other 5 channels, I'd be inclined to go the lunchbox/API route. If you buy used, you can get the lunchbox (@$350) and one 512c module (@$600) for a bit more than you would pay for a used single channel of Great River. Additional modules will typically run you less per channel going forward since you don't need to purchase the power supply and casing over again. The 512c is a great all purpose preamp with plenty of gain for your SM7. There are now lots of other modules that fit the lunchbox format, beside API. Of those currently available that I've used, I like the A-Designs P-1 in particular. Be careful about the aggregate power requirements of the modules you want. The current and older lunch box power supplies are limited and some non-API modules will put a significantly greater drain on them. __________________ Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.

27th November 2006, 05:06 AM	#4
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	You can always have better mics, but you could do a whole record with what you have, depending on how many things you need to record at once. How much budget you got?

27th November 2006, 06:21 AM	#7
h-man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 86	I'm trying to pick up a used A1 Pacifica that popped up for sale. We shall see what happens. Thanks for the tips on the lunch box. I guess if worse comes to worse I can throw some A- Designs modules in there. __________________ Don't be a puppet on strings!

27th November 2006, 06:34 AM	#8
foldback Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 680	One of the best features about the API preamp is the resale value. If you get a good deal on it when you buy it and keep it in mint condition you'll probably get 85 or 90% of your purchase price back when you sell it. The "total cost of ownership" of many pro pieces is actually lower than a lot of semi-pro gadgets. A Royer ribbon would be another helpful and colorful sound you don't currently own. I don't know about the RNP as to whether they have enough gain.

27th November 2006, 07:06 AM	#10
h-man Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 86	S.D. not to familiar with old school audio, those pres did look cool though. I'm just getting into the idea of lunch boxes and racks, so I'm a bit green. I will keep researching and keep your OSA's in mind. Thanks man. __________________ Don't be a puppet on strings!

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