preamp porn

[jtn191]

Sorry if the title offends anyone...but it's accurate imo
The studio at my school got some new preamps, thought I'd share!

500 series 1073


Grace M501, we've had this for a while but I got to see the guts when I moved it


Neve 517

[lincolnic]

Those Shadow Hills preamps are killer, especially on room mics for drums. Really aggressive midrange. How do the 500-series 1073s compare to their big brothers?

[stecykmi]

what's that form factor called exactly? how does one typically record with a setup like that? use them as a front end for some sort of ADC and then process the tracks in a program like ProTools or Ableton?

[jtn191]

not sure exactly if this is what you're asking, but:

they're "500 series" modules. The benefit is that they're really small and can be unplugged from the "lunchbox" and moved somewhere else. You need a "lunchbox" or other rack unit which has all the power & I/O connections. In our setup, you'd typically patch from mic into a patchbay, then to Lunchbox slot # or go into the front input. You could then patch to a compressor if you wanted to compress on the way in. Then go to the A/D converter, and then go into the PT interface.

I assume the 1073s are identical to the larger versions. I haven't used them much yet, but have noticed: both Neve models have a ton of gain, are very low noise, clipping is not very noticeable...everything just gets warmer

[raulduke]

Wow there is some seriously impressive outboard there; I assume you are at a recording/audio engineering college?

I LOVE the look/vibe of the Chandler stuff.

[lincolnic]

Too bad the 500-series 1073s don't have the EQs on them as well. That's where they really shine.

[jtn191]

They do sell the EQ as a separate 500 module. Guess it's a matter of size/marketing

[sam_c]

They look cool. 

Im just finishing up a hairball audio 1176 compressor clone.  Id have never been able to attempt it without coming here first and learning about pedal building/schematics etc.

[Jargo]

There's always these....

http://www.seventhcircleaudio.com/index.htm

http://www.fivefishstudios.com/

http://www.soundskulptor.com/index.html

http://www.fivefish.net/diy/SSL4000Compressor/default.htm   this is a two page description of an SSL Buss compressor build.

I have a PCB for this and I cannot wait to get it started - great stuff - BTW, I have heard and used this clone and A/B'd it against a real SSL (console) and it's virtually identical - All the girth and warmth are there!!!

enjoy!

[lincolnic]

Jargo, where'd you get the PCB for the SSL compressor? I really want to build one for my studio (and they've already expressed willingness to chip in for the cost), so if you could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

[stecykmi]

not sure exactly if this is what you're asking, but:

they're "500 series" modules. The benefit is that they're really small and can be unplugged from the "lunchbox" and moved somewhere else. You need a "lunchbox" or other rack unit which has all the power & I/O connections. In our setup, you'd typically patch from mic into a patchbay, then to Lunchbox slot # or go into the front input. You could then patch to a compressor if you wanted to compress on the way in. Then go to the A/D converter, and then go into the PT interface.

interesting! what kind of A/D converters have you used? you need a preamp because most A/D's don't have one of their own for setting levels, correct? are high quality A/D's available for consumer-level budgets?

[jtn191]

we have the SSL XLogic Alpha-Link which replaced the Apogee, which now resides in the other studios. Yeah you need preamps to boost the mic level to line level. A lot of interfaces are combo preamps/D/A interfaces but often you're sacrificing some aspect. So you can get sufficient quality D/A in any old audio interface--IMO it's the least noticeable part of the signal chain...but Aphex makes D/As that look like they're in that range.

[lincolnic]

So you can get sufficient quality D/A in any old audio interface--IMO it's the least noticeable part of the signal chain...

I think you'll find that your opinion of this will change as you gain more experience.

[jtn191]

Ha I knew that line would start an argument. In my opinion, microphones and then preamps will always color the sound more than a D/A converter because of physics and the nature of signal degradation. It starts at the source.

It's like saying a guitar, strings, pickups, and amp affect guitar tone more than the cable. Does cable capacitance change tone? yes, but it doesn't vary as widely as with those other variables.

and I meant "sufficient" to mean "consumer-level"

[atreidesheir]

I wish we could source those Portico knobs.   Those preamps make realize how software dependent I have become.  I do not use my rack recording gear anymore.  I am remembering it sounded pretty nice.  I need more time to see if my memory is accurate this week.