Mic Preamp Test : API, SSL, Vintech, Great River, Focusrite

[crowsclaw]

There is 5 different preamps which I bought or borrow. I reamped today using these. Which do you like?
There is no processing. No LP/HPF, No EQ and No Compression.

http://www.crowsclaw.info/preamp.zip

 

[Scottxx]

API A2D !!

Great great sound.

 

[Trevoire520]

You should have put it up as a blind shootout man. I'll have a listen later though.

 

[PhilTheBeard]

Api!! and the vintech sound the best to me

 

[The-Zeronaut]

i really liked the SSL and the API

 

[egan.]

This gets brought up often in these threads but both the API, GR and Vintech sound extremely different when driven hard (possibly the others but I have no direct experience with them) so it's tough to judge without sitting there with them.

 

[aviel]

i can barely hear any difference...

 

[::XeS::]

The differences are very very very subtle. Anyway the Api has the classic punch and (little) scooped sound with the lows having the typical "thump".

 

[Trevoire520]

Finally got round to listening to these. To be honest the differences are REALLY small. I would more more than happy to record using any of them. Would have been interesting to hear a stock interface preamp alongside these aswell.

 

[GuitarHack]

Finally got round to listening to these. To be honest the differences are REALLY small. I would more more than happy to record using any of them. Would have been interesting to hear a stock interface preamp alongside these aswell.

Here you go then, Firepod Pre V's API A2D. Prepare to be underwhelmed maybe:

Firepod (Internal Clock):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24344836/Firepod Internal Clock (Guitars Only).mp3

Firepod (API A2D Clock):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24344836/Firepod Clocked with API (Guitars Only).mp3

API A2D (using as much preamp gain before clipping converters, Pad OFF):
EG, Low Preamp Gain, minimum so-called colouration
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24344836/API MIN Preamp Gain (PAD OFF) (Guitars Only).mp3

API A2D (using as much preamp gain before clipping converters, Pad ON)
EG, High Preamp Gain, maximum so-called colouration
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/24344836/API MAX Preamp Gain (PAD ON) (Guitars Only).mp3

Not trying to hijack the thread, but since the question was asked, thought I would reply. Thanks to Fragle for the guitar tracks. Let me know if you want them removed.


EDIT: Levels might not be matched too close.

 

[Ermz]

^ The difference across the mid-bass, and overall transient clarity is quite large. I've been forced to mix guitars tracked into a Firepod for a recent project, and it was absolute hell. There is no punch and definition left after that preamp is done with them.

 

[Trevoire520]

Damn, that's really such a small difference. There's a bit less mud in the API tracks but other than that there doesn't seem to be much in it at all. I've listened to some other tests where I've heard bigger differences mind you.

 

[GeertSamuel]

some people seem to forget a lot is that a lot of cheap preamp might sound good to the ear, but as soon as you layer them on top of eachother it gets muddy, to bright or just not glue as well together as a $1000+ preamp. Just saying this because of the "firepod" preamp discussion.

If I had to get something on this shootout, I'd go with the Api, SSL or Vintech. The Great River and Focusrite seem to have a bit too much "air" in there.
My list would be:
1 API (really in your face)
2 SSL (again, nice up front in your face)
3 Vintech (maybe a bit too slick, but still great)
4 Great river (wouldn't use this on guitar, think this one sounds very nice, but to "airy")
5 Focusrite (doesn't sound bad or there isn't perse something wrong with it, but to much "air")

Owning any one of them would already make me happy anyway.
First preamp I still want to score is an Focusrite Red, rented it twice for sessions and just fell in love with it.

 

[Joelegend]

There seems to be a huge diffirence with guitarhacks samples. Wierd to explain, but i dont hear it that much, more like feel it. For some reason i get chickenskin from his api samples. Where do these come from? The samples? Band?

 

[crowsclaw]

There seems to be a huge diffirence with guitarhacks samples. Wierd to explain, but i dont hear it that much, more like feel it. For some reason i get chickenskin from his api samples. Where do these come from? The samples? Band?

These are my performance!

chain:Gibson Les Paul Studio Baritone > DI > Interface & PC > Reamp V2 > Maxon OD820 > Peavy 5150 > Audix i5 > Mogami 2549 > preamp > Interface

 

[nervirasme]

These are my performance!

chain:Gibson Les Paul Studio Baritone > DI > Interface & PC > Reamp V2 > Maxon OD820 > Peavy 5150 > Audix i5 > Mogami 2549 > preamp > Interface

Which cab??

 

[crowsclaw]

I use Mesa 4x12 Rectifier Standard Slant!