Buying a Mic pre and need some good advice

dav nagle

API 512C?


I have around a 1000 bucks, anyone have any advice please? I am doing an album and want something better than the Focusrite Octopre?

SSL XLOGIC ALPHA CHANNEL?



Well any advice would be so sound?


Cheers

Davinio

PaulBrewer

There's one way to make that decision! Try em!!

dav nagle

PaulBrewer wrote: »

There's one way to make that decision! Try em!!

Well would you look who it is! You can buy both of these for under a G ! I want something with a bit off swizzle to it!

studiorat

Gonna be more than a G' Dav. I'd hold yer horses for a bit and see then, remember you will still be going into a AD convertor unless you go for something with a digital out.

Meanwhile have a look at this: early bird infact look at all their products

If you really must though,
I thought this was a pretty decent box for the price here

Have that other for you this week too...

dav nagle

studiorat wrote: »

Gonna be more than a G' Dav. I'd hold yer horses for a bit and see then, remember you will still be going into a AD convertor unless you go for something with a digital out.

Meanwhile have a look at this: early bird infact look at all their products

If you really must though,
I thought this was a pretty decent box for the price here

Have that other for you this week too...

Hey Studio Rat,
I like the look of both, I need one within 2 weeks and then it is show time. Is the Portico 5012 any good because I am on to a guy here who is selling one? Cheers

Yours, (I am just a wee swizzle)
Dav

studiorat

dav nagle wrote: »

Hey Studio Rat,
I like the look of both, I need one within 2 weeks and then it is show time. Is the Portico 5012 any good because I am on to a guy here who is selling one? Cheers

Your fool
Dav

If the API came with an A to D convertor!!!!
With your rig, I'd go for something with a digital out, save you going through the 002 line amps after the mic pre. Dunno the Portico 5012, it's only new to the market, how come the thing is for sale in the first place?
A session in the studio would be a good opportunity to try a few different mic amps, maybe you could contact some different dealers to let you try different ones through out the whole session!!!

I dunno if you'll get a really big step up from what you are using for a grand either. What mic will you be using through the new toy?

Oh yeah! And it's one word Dav. studiorat, studiorat geddit!!! Sheesh!

dav nagle

studiorat wrote: »

If the API came with an A to D convertor!!!!
With your rig, I'd go for something with a digital out, save you going through the 002 line amps after the mic pre. Dunno the Portico 5012, it's only new to the market, how come the thing is for sale in the first place?
A session in the studio would be a good opportunity to try a few different mic amps, maybe you could contact some different dealers to let you try different ones through out the whole session!!!

I dunno if you'll get a really big step up from what you are using for a grand either. What mic will you be using through the new toy?

Oh yeah! And it's one word Dav. studiorat, studiorat geddit!!! Sheesh!

Sorry studiorat,

I will be using an SE Gemeni Dual valve condenser love bomb!! The guy that is selling the 5012 is spending mega bucks on an original neve 1073 at 4000. The guy selling the 5012 has used it on many ''big sounding'' albums and he claims his clients love the big sound. I will go in line in using 2 xlr's cables to my digi 002. It sounds like a good thing ?

studiorat

dav nagle wrote: »

Sorry studiorat,

I will be using an SE Gemeni Dual valve condenser love bomb!! The guy that is selling the 5012 is spending mega bucks on an original neve 1073 at 4000. The guy selling the 5012 has used it on many ''big sounding'' albums and he claims his clients love the big sound. I will go in line in using 2 xlr's cables to my digi 002. It sounds like a good thing ?

It's still going through a second mic amp that way. What convertor was he using on his big sounding album? The problem here is you will still be running a signal through the microphone amps that you are trying to avoid in the first place.

Don't believe the hype!

dav nagle

studiorat wrote: »

It's still going through a second mic amp that way. What convertor was he using on his big sounding album? The problem here is you will still be running a signal through the microphone amps that you are trying to avoid in the first place.

Don't believe the hype!

Yeah you right
He was using the Apogee Rosette 200 which again is more $$$ that I don't have . I might just have to settle for something like the channel 1

Brint

I use a Behringer Tube Ultragain Vintager Series (T1953), and it's sweet!



Got it from Turnkey UK a few years ago. They're only GBP£100 now!
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product/behringer-tube-ultragain-t1953/

dav nagle

Brint wrote: »

I use a Behringer Tube Ultragain Vintager Series (T1953), and it's sweet!



Got it from Turnkey UK a few years ago. They're only GBP£100 now!
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product/behringer-tube-ultragain-t1953/

Hey Brint ,

You are taking the mic right? Is this not a valve compressor? I am looking for a pre. These things are hardly professional?

Brint

dav nagle wrote: »

Hey Brint ,

You are taking the mic right? Is this not a valve compressor? I am looking for a pre. These things are hardly professional?

It's a tube pre-amp.

dav nagle

Brint wrote: »

It's a tube pre-amp.

Cheers for the info

studiorat

You should know this isn't a tube mike preamp. It's a chip-based mike preamp with a tube in it. The tube isn't operated like a tube, and doesn't sound like a tube. It's basically just a distortion pedal for microphones. It's what's called a starved plate design. Probably a few leds to make the valves glow too!!!

don't believe the hype

teamdresch

Save up a little extra for an API A2D?

PaulBrewer

teamdresch wrote: »

Save up a little extra for an API A2D?

A reasonable rule of thumb to maximise your signal chain might be to match your condenser mics value to your mic pre's value.

Has anyone heard, or own, the APIs? It's a brand I do have access to but haven't explored.

dav nagle

teamdresch wrote: »

Save up a little extra for an API A2D?

Thanks for the reply,

I am wondering why you recommend this unit (API A2D?)? It doesn't have optical out, would I have to s/pdif it out to my digi 002?


Cheers

PaulBrewer

Brint wrote: »

I use a Behringer Tube Ultragain Vintager Series (T1953), and it's sweet!



Got it from Turnkey UK a few years ago. They're only GBP£100 now!
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product/behringer-tube-ultragain-t1953/

I wonder why they're £100........... anyone any ideas?

dav nagle

PaulBrewer wrote: »

I wonder why they're £100........... anyone any ideas?

Now lets not tear this piece of rubbish apart!! Back to the subject!

dav nagle

Just destroyed my ornament:

teamdresch

I have an API 3124 (same preamps) and it's wonderful on just about everything.
From what I hear, the converters in the A2D sound very nice, so you'd be sorted.
Using SPDIF would probably be better anyway, at least that way you've still got your optical in/outs available - unless that's a problem with your setup.

PaulBrewer

dav nagle wrote: »

Just destroyed my ornament:

Probably sounds better now?

cornbb

dav nagle wrote: »

Just destroyed my ornament

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Probably sounds better now?

Hehe

dav nagle

cornbb wrote: »

Hehe

I taught it was a funny thing to do!! I have been meaning to destroy it for ages but it is a real honor that you all can see my appetite for destruction on Boards!!!!

Peace out

Dr.Swizzle

PaulBrewer

You should send it back for repair now.......:)

dav nagle

My 60% fat brain has come to the decision that the portico 5012 is the one for me. I will buy A/D converters at a later stage. Keep you pipes clean and thanks for all the contribution to everyone...


Swizzle me timbers...