Topic: preamp>r44

[deadheadcorey]

what preamps you like running in front of your r44?

i dig the "brick" in front of the r44 from what Ive heard

[jbell]

There are 2 V2's in the YS both at a great price!! 

what preamps you like running in front of your r44?

i dig the "brick" in front of the r44 from what Ive heard

[mepaca]

Sound Devices usbpre2

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Sound Devices MixPre.  Unlike the USBPre2, it has Lundahl transformers in it which some folks feel adds a little warmth.

[mepaca]

I have a mixpre also which I use for my remaining 2 channels

[acidjack]

USBPre2 has been my favorite out of Oade 248, various littleboxes, tinybox. Aerco on the way. Haven't tried the V2 or 3. If you don't mind the size, I'm sure they are good options.

The SD box is nice because you can run both it and the -44 from a single tekkeon. Less weight equals a happy me.

[SmokinJoe]

I tend to focus on "what pre should I run behind these mics?" more than "what pre should I run in front of this box?"  The real magic happens when the mics and pre fit like a glove.  I'm not saying the A/D makes no difference, but most of your "flavor" comes from the mics and pre and how well they go together.

[bhadella]

I tend to focus on "what pre should I run behind these mics?" more than "what pre should I run in front of this box?"  The real magic happens when the mics and pre fit like a glove.  I'm not saying the A/D makes no difference, but most of your "flavor" comes from the mics and pre and how well they go together.

100% agree.

[tgakidis]

I tend to focus on "what pre should I run behind these mics?" more than "what pre should I run in front of this box?"  The real magic happens when the mics and pre fit like a glove.  I'm not saying the A/D makes no difference, but most of your "flavor" comes from the mics and pre and how well they go together.

100% agree.

 

[acidjack]

I tend to focus on "what pre should I run behind these mics?" more than "what pre should I run in front of this box?"  The real magic happens when the mics and pre fit like a glove.  I'm not saying the A/D makes no difference, but most of your "flavor" comes from the mics and pre and how well they go together.

100% agree.

 

Yes, more than true.  Though I do think there is something to the idea of having a pre that can run off the same power source at the same time rather than doubling up on DVD batts.  Am I right that, for example, R-44 and V2/3 have opposite polarity, so you cannot run both off one DVD batt?

[bryonsos]

I tend to focus on "what pre should I run behind these mics?" more than "what pre should I run in front of this box?"  The real magic happens when the mics and pre fit like a glove.  I'm not saying the A/D makes no difference, but most of your "flavor" comes from the mics and pre and how well they go together.

100% agree.

 

Yes, more than true.  Though I do think there is something to the idea of having a pre that can run off the same power source at the same time rather than doubling up on DVD batts.  Am I right that, for example, R-44 and V2/3 have opposite polarity, so you cannot run both off one DVD batt?

I've only used a pre with my R44 once, and that was a friend's V2 > AKG C461B. It sounded great, but the 460s straight into the 44 do too. Actually, any of my mics straight into the deck sounds good to me. Personally I prefer carrying less gear, the R44 pres are fine. Maybe for a quieter show you'll hear a difference, but for loud shows I wouldn't bother with an external pre. YMMV

[acidjack]

^^ Mine is the Oade Mod version and yet I still insist on running external pres fairly often.  Really depends on the show and mics whether I think it's worth the bother, though.  With the 414s, I found I preferred the -44 internals to some of my external options.  But that's not always the case.  I think the Oade mod version is a good bit brighter and tighter, while the stock version is darker and a tad muddy.  Hence you have to be careful running a brighter pre analog-in to the Oade mod versions. 

That said, the SD box is lightweight and runs off my existing battery, so it makes it fairly painless to bring it along unless I prefer to use my smaller bag, in which case I'm usually running 2-channel with the M10 anyway.

[bryonsos]

^^ I agree, the stock does have a sound. In my words, I would say the pres lack some high-mids and favor the low-mids a taste. The highs are fine and the bass is full. I like it!

[acidjack]

^^ I agree, the stock does have a sound. In my words, I would say the pres lack some high-mids and favor the low-mids a taste. The highs are fine and the bass is full. I like it!

I'd still like to see a comp of the stock -44 vs. the 680.  I'm sure the 680 is eating into -44 sales a lot given the price differential.  I have my own opinions about the quality difference w/r/t the build and ease of use, but I would be curious to see some more controlled testing of the sound.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I'd still like to see a comp of the stock -44 vs. the 680.

Between you, hi and lo, and I we could make that happen.

[hi and lo]

I'd still like to see a comp of the stock -44 vs. the 680.

Between you, hi and lo, and I we could make that happen.

We already have too many 'planned' comps and, believe it or not, too few opportunities to get them all done. If only I could bring a pack mule to a show.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

^^ Yeah, agreed.  Not to mention, the time needed to mix it all down.

[dorrcoq]

^^ Yeah, agreed.  Not to mention, the time needed to mix it all down.

You guys don't have like, jobs or anything too, do you?

[cashandkerouac]

^^ Mine is the Oade Mod version... I think the Oade mod version is a good bit brighter and tighter, while the stock version is darker and a tad muddy.  Hence you have to be careful running a brighter pre analog-in to the Oade mod versions. 

i agree.  when i first got my R-44 with the Oade concert mod i was running my Aerco MP-2 between my Sennheiser MKH8040s (or MKH8050s) and the R-44.  it lived up to expectations and i liked that sound (i've always been extremely happy with my MP-2).  but i tried running the Sennheisers straight into the R-44 and i was just as happy. 

acidjack's comment makes a lot of sense.  the Sennheisers have an extremely flat response curve and they pull a lot of bass.  with the "bright and tight" sound of the Oade concert mod it pairs wonderfully with the Sennheisers... no external pre necessary in my opinion.  i'll be using my Aerco MP-2 with my M10 as a second rig.  the Sennheisers > MP-2 > M10 sounds awesome. 

[picklemic]

Wow guys, digging this thread. So I was thinking of getting my R-44 modded, but my Akg 522 MS is a bright mic to began with. So a bright  mic and an enhanced mic pre with extra highs doesn't sound like the right mod for me. So does anyone have an opinion on the difference between the Oadee mod and the Bus mod?

[acidjack]

Wow guys, digging this thread. So I was thinking of getting my R-44 modded, but my Akg 522 MS is a bright mic to began with. So a bright  mic and an enhanced mic pre with extra highs doesn't sound like the right mod for me. So does anyone have an opinion on the difference between the Oadee mod and the Bus mod?

Oade will actually return your emails when you ask him about doing it.   

I didn't have the option at the time, but if I were looking to improve the sound with my -44 now, I'd just get a USBPre2.  That way you get a really clean HQ pre, headphone amp, digital interface, and machine that can let you sync 2 44s.  I realize it costs more than the mod, but it's a piece of gear that I find to be really versatile and useful for a lot of different purposes.

As to the 'brightness' of the mod, don't get me wrong, it's a pretty subtle difference.  It's nowhere near the level of brightness imparted by a pre like the Oade 248.  I just noticed that with DPA 4021s, in particular, they gave them a nice little extra sparkle and the recordings sounded tighter. With my MK41s, I didn't always like the sound as much as I do some of my other pres. 

[picklemic]

I own a V-2 & V-3, I was just more or less if their is much difference between an oadee or bus mod. I like to run my mic without the Grace once in a while.

[cashandkerouac]

my experiences with Chris Busman and Doug Oade were both excellent.  even though my Busman modded DR-680 didn't work out, Chris really tried his best to help me through it.  he was very responsive and i would not hesitate to do business with him again.  Doug Oade has also been wonderful.  i've never had a problem with my R-44, but Doug's communication is great.

as for the comparison between the Busman mod and the Oade mod, i cant say.  my Busman mod was on the DR-680, and my Oade mod is on the R-44... they are two totally different machines.  however, both Chris Busman and Doug Oade do great work.  you've got two wonderful options. 

[tapernateva]

I am running a sd442 into my r44 with km140s and km150s as mikes this way I can matrix them on the fly or get a sbd feed and run 6 channels into a 4 channel deck

[twoodruff]

I am running a sd442 into my r44 with km140s and km150s as mikes this way I can matrix them on the fly or get a sbd feed and run 6 channels into a 4 channel deck

interesting, love to hear results.