I did a little Mic Pre shootout. Chandler TG2, API 512c, Neve 1073DPA

[Mesa4x12er]

These were all recorded with same cab, same mics and position, same everything. Just reamped this 3 times using a different pre each time. There is no processing. No HP/LP EQ, compression, nothing. Which do you like best and why? These are in no particular order btw.

Clip 1 - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8643460/1.mp3

Clip 2 - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8643460/2.mp3

Clip 3 - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8643460/3.mp3

 

[amarshism]

Dislike the first one the most. Think I prefer 3 to 2. Who said mic pres hardly make a difference lol

 

[Fama]

...I can't hear any difference tbh. I'm on Sennheiser 595's, so no monitors here.

 

[JeffTD]

Gonna guess:
1 - Chandler
2 - Neve
3 - API

I like the tightness of 3 but I also think 2 would work really well in something that didn't need tightness but benefitted a different character than 3 provided. 1 was a bit loose at first but the chording part sounded better than in number 2.

 

[Tachy]

I like the 2 and 3 clip, probably in that case the 2 is the more balanced, the first clip is the chandler?

 

[barricade]

Gonna guess:
1 - Chandler
2 - Neve
3 - API

I like the tightness of 3 but I also think 2 would work really well in something that didn't need tightness but benefitted a different character than 3 provided. 1 was a bit loose at first but the chording part sounded better than in number 2.

+1

 

[drew_drummer]

I cannot hear any difference either.

 

[Lasse Lammert]

How hard were you driving the preamps? Really makes a HUGE difference with some preamps

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

I don't hear a lot of difference at all. I'm gonna say 1. Neve 2. Chandler 3. Api. The first is just a bit cloudy, the latter two are pretty much equal to me.

 

[Ermz]

Dislike the first one the most. Think I prefer 3 to 2. Who said mic pres hardly make a difference lol

I took a brief listen earlier and this was my impression, more or less.

3 sounds most likely to be the API. Seems to have the most sizzly highs and tight lows.

Definitely prefer them in this order: 3 > 2 > 1

 

[ratsapprentice]

I can't hear much of a difference

 

[drew_drummer]

The problem is, you've got distorted guitars, which contain a lot of frequencies that will mask the effect of driving the preamp. Using a kick drum recording would be much more revealing imho.

 

[amarshism]

How can people not hear a difference? It's night and day here.

 

[Ermz]

Distorted guitars are some of the easiest things to hear the effect of different preamps. They're steady-state signals, and relatively full range across the low and mid-spectrum.

 

[Jaymz]

I prefer 2 and 3 no doubts...I would assume 3 is the API 2 is the Neve and 1 is the TG2. Wagers fav pre for guitars is the TG2 right?

 

[El_Gato]

I'll take a listen later on my monitors but if you still have the pre's, you could do some different takes with 2-3-4 different settings on each one. You know, more less drive, input...

Thanks anyway, I appreciate it.

 

[CubanDude]

Yep, 3 is the most transparent imo..

 

[zver]

the 3rt is the best and there is biiiiiig deference betwen them

 

[crillemannen]

Do not have a clue which is wich. Just listening on cans over here. Number 1 seems to be the brightest, gonna guess API, number 3 is Neve, seems a bit darker and smoother. Clip 2 seems to be a bit in between the other two.

I like number 3 the most, Clip nr 2 on second place and Clip Nr 1 finish last as it is the fizziest and brightest of them.

Btw.. A friend of mine is buying the new Neve 500 series, I'll see if i can arrange a shootout then.

 

[~BURNY~]

Do not have a clue which is wich. Just listening on cans over here. Number 1 seems to be the brightest, gonna guess API, number 3 is Neve, seems a bit darker and smoother. Clip 2 seems to be a bit in between the other two.

I like number 3 the most, Clip nr 2 on second place and Clip Nr 1 finish last as it is the fizziest and brightest of them.

I would have said the same as you but I suck at guessing which is wich when it comes to gear so you're probably wrong.
Honestly, while I can clearly hear the difference (on my new awesome monitors), there's nothing that can make or break a guitar sound here imho. So it's always weird to me when someone comes in and claims "oh my god, the difference is huuuuuuuuuuuuge, almost as biiiiiiiig as my e-weeny!!!!!"...
@zver: No offense

2 seems a bit quieter btw.