Mic preamps

[Ihsahn1981]

Hi.

Im using this x-mas to drool over all the equipment I want
Right now Im using a Focusrite Saffire Pro 10 as my interface and preamps. The preamps are alright for most things, but I really think that having two "superchannels" would be a step up in recording quality.


I have been looking at these two:

http://www.vintech-audio.com/273 main page.html

http://www.vintagedesign.se/2008/010101.htm


I was wondering if anyone here has tried any of them.
Maybe you can recommend me something else thats good?

Now I do record some metal stuff, but Im not really a metal guitarist and the guitars I record is usually DI into an ampsim anyway.
What I do record most of the time is bass guitar DI and acoustic guitar (both regular and classical) and vocals.

So bearing that in mind, any opinions are welcome.

 

[Eschatologist]

I've heard some really good heavy guitars done on the Vintech Dual 72, of course you've said heaviness isn't your focus....but just throwing that out there!

 

[noarin]

if you're using DI's a lot; most of us can recommend the Little Labs Red Eye unit. It has a very good DI sound and you can reamp with it as well.. have a look at them, better DI signal will improve your tone; especially when quad-tracked.. can't help you on mic preamps.. sorry

 

[LSD-Studio]

vintech for the win(tech?)

 

[Black neon bob]

loltech.

Just checking the webtech for that pre-amp,over here, it's pretty hard to findtech.

 

[Metaltastic]

Hahaha @ -tech, but in all seriousness, I've heard the Dual 72 is good but EXTREMELY colored - I dunno, it seems like it tries to capture the coloration of a 1272 but with none of the subtlety, so I'd be afraid that I wouldn't end up liking the coloration it imparted (which of course would be irreversible). The 273 might be better, I dunno - I think the best bet is to go with a lunchbox and 500-series modules, though, since you only have to pay for a power supply once and there are SO many options for 500 series modules (by companies such as API obviously, Brent Averill, A Designs, Purple Audio, Great River, Chandler, Shadow Hills, etc.)

And a MASSIVE +1 to the Redeye, the transformer (and thus the DI) in it kicks ass, and of course so does its reamping functionality

 

[Gomez]

For recording heavy guitars, I love the API 512c.

 

[LSD-Studio]

For recording heavy guitars, I love the API 512c.

well. I'd totally agree that API's are the best preamps you can get for heavey guits...
but I thought was was obvious

 

[Ihsahn1981]

Hahaha @ -tech, but in all seriousness, I've heard the Dual 72 is good but EXTREMELY colored - I dunno, it seems like it tries to capture the coloration of a 1272 but with none of the subtlety, so I'd be afraid that I wouldn't end up liking the coloration it imparted (which of course would be irreversible). The 273 might be better, I dunno - I think the best bet is to go with a lunchbox and 500-series modules, though, since you only have to pay for a power supply once and there are SO many options for 500 series modules (by companies such as API obviously, Brent Averill, A Designs, Purple Audio, Great River, Chandler, Shadow Hills, etc.)

And a MASSIVE +1 to the Redeye, the transformer (and thus the DI) in it kicks ass, and of course so does its reamping functionality

The Lunchbox is very tempting but for two good channels it would be too expensive at this point.
Well, I guess it depends. Maybe if I buy secondhand gear or something.

All these options!!!!
Wish I had a chance to try out some of this stuff before I bought it.

 

[Gomez]

well. I'd totally agree that API's are the best preamps you can get for heavey guits...
but I thought was was obvious

Yep... but... they are really nice.

I tried the Neve 1073 for heavy guitar too a few months ago. I liked it (mainly on vocals) but I think I'm happy with the API... and it's cheaper!

 

[Skinny Viking]

Yep... but... they are really nice.

I tried the Neve 1073 for heavy guitar too a few months ago. I liked it (mainly on vocals) but I think I'm happy with the API... and it's cheaper!

Bingo! I 2nd that good sir ...

Neve 1073 is pretty damn good on heavy guitars ... but its killer for vox

 

[Gomez]

Bingo! I 2nd that good sir ...

Neve 1073 is pretty damn good on heavy guitars ... but its killer for vox

It sounds HUGE. But it didn't have that mid range thing that the API has.

 

[Ihsahn1981]

What about the Great River MP-500NV?
And the Shadow Hills Mono Gama?

Anyone ever tried them?

 

[Gomez]

I tried the great river and I thought it was good, but I was a bit disappointed as there's a lot of hype about them. They're good, but I was expecting more.

 

[SoundSpiral]

I have a TUBE-TECH MEC 1A and it is one of the best preamps I have ever had the opportunity to use. For vocals it is something to die for. But I haven't had the same results with distorted guitars. It is nice for that as well but not like WTF-level good. I have a feeling that something more transparent would be better. I'll have to look into that API 512c. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Gomez]

I have a TUBE-TECH MEC 1A and it is one of the best preamps I have ever had the opportunity to use. For vocals it is something to die for. But I haven't had the same results with distorted guitars. It is nice for that as well but not like WTF-level good. I have a feeling that something more transparent would be better. I'll have to look into that API 512c. Thanks for the idea.

You won't regret it, they kick arse for snare and many other things too.

 

[Skinny Viking]

ok this may be a little outside of the usual suspects but I have to say, UA 2-610 is something I've been using a lot lately at one studio ... really sounds great on heavy guitars as well as acoustics ... and pretty damn sweet for vocals also, might be something else to look into

 

[Ihsahn1981]

ok this may be a little outside of the usual suspects but I have to say, UA 2-610 is something I've been using a lot lately at one studio ... really sounds great on heavy guitars as well as acoustics ... and pretty damn sweet for vocals also, might be something else to look into

The 2-610 was actually the first unit I considered.
Its a bit too expensive for me though.

 

[Skinny Viking]

well, by itself the API looks to be like $800 for single channel and any lunchbox is gonna run you like $1600 or so ... if you were looking for a 2 pres ... the UA is selling for like $2000 ....

is it possible our shitty US dollar value could be of help to you at the moment?

 

[Ihsahn1981]

well, by itself the API looks to be like $800 for single channel and any lunchbox is gonna run you like $1600 or so ... if you were looking for a 2 pres ... the UA is selling for like $2000 ....

is it possible our shitty US dollar value could be of help to you at the moment?

Unfortunately no. One USD is like 7 NOK. A few months ago it was only 5
And then there is the shipping costs + norwegian VAT.

I dont know though. I havent decided on anything yet.
Im gonna try and borrow a 2-610 and see if it is what Im looking for.

Btw, is there any point in trying out the SOLO 610? Im pretty sure I can borrow one of those. Would the results be comparable? Except I would only have one channel to work with.