Topic: Apogee Mini-Mp > Sony SBM-1 Opinions?

[hammerhorror]

Hi,

I am looking for peoples opinions on running this combo: Apogee Mini-MP > Todd R Mod (line stage upgrade) SBM-1.

I already own the modded SBM-1 and thought this may be a good sounding combo. If anyone has any experience w/ the Mini-MP and thinks they know how this would sound together please let me know.

The mics I have to use with this combo are DPA 4061's, Studio Projects LSD2, and Peluso CEMC6's.

Looking forward to your reading your opinions!

[bluegrass_brad]

Totally off the subject, but does Hammerhorror allude to the old production company Hammer that made all those old school horror films?

[hammerhorror]

Totally off the subject, but does Hammerhorror allude to the old production company Hammer that made all those old school horror films?

Yes it does. I am a horror film junkie. Hammer Studios made some of my favorites.

[grider]

the only recording I have ever heard with the MiniMP is STS9 from 6-23-04, its on archive and I believe you can stream it

[baustin]

Hmmm....

I've got a MiniMe right now. Its a good unit, not the best sounding pre out there. I will say I have NEVER heard a MiniMP, but I understand the pre's are supposed to be identical. IMO, I would consider something else based on the size of the unit alone. The MiniMP is about 4 times the size of the Sony and there are equal if not better sounding units for the same price that are more compatible with the SBM-1.

I say look else where.

-B

[hammerhorror]

I will say I have NEVER heard a MiniMP, but I understand the pre's are supposed to be identical.

I read here on another thread that the pre's in the Mini-Mp are supposedly better than the Mini-Me and are NOT the same. I cannot confirm that this is true though.

[baustin]

still, based on size alone, i'd recommend something smaller. a sonosax, psp2, mp2, hell you could probably pick up a used v2 for the price of a mini-mp.

-b

[Daryan]

The mini-mp is by far the best stand alone pre I have used, and I have used them all fwiw.  PM me with what you would like to know about it, and I will do my best to help.  The pres in the mini-me and the mini-mp are not even in the same atmosphere as far as sound or build.

[rockumal]

The pres in the mini-me and the mini-mp are not even in the same atmosphere as far as sound or build.

Huh, I always thought they'd be about the same

[Daryan]

Not even close.  The mini-me pres are warm, fat, and tubby as hell.  The mini-mp's are drier, crisper, and far more detailed.  Unless you have used one, it would be hard to know I would imagine, as I know of two that have existed around these parts, and I sold mine.

[THE NIZ BIAAAAACH!]

The mini mp is a completely differently sounding unit then the mme.  It has a completely different pre section, it has the identical pre to the track 2, which is a studio unit.   As far as the combo goes I'm not the man to ask because I really dont like the sound of the sbm-1, I think any thing infront of the sbm1 still sounds like an sbm1 with negligable difference.  The mmp is however very bright and it enfasizes(sp) the mid to high and has a fairly tight bass response (imho). I used to run one for about 6 months had to sell because of money problems but i would still run it if I had it.

[bagtagsell]

If I win the Apogee gear give away, I'll run some comps.   

[lyle]

I've used a AD-20, DMIC-20, V2, and now have a V3 and Mini-MP. First I used the V3 alone, then tried the MP (I use the MP because it has an M/S switch on the front for easy changing between a M/S stereo Mic and standard 2mic stereo). The best sound I found was the Mini-MP>V3. It picks up the detail and presence of the V3 but adds a much tighter bottom end. Now I am just using the Mini-MP and sold the V3. I did this mostly for convenience since both preamps sound great in their own way and chose the MP sound. The V3 A/D really weakens the bass response (makes its loose and falbby) and anyone that has actually compared analog out vs digital out of the V3 could tell you this.  I opted for the MP alone for a much better bass sound (punchy, deep, and tight). Detail is still excellent but not as nice as the V3. V3 has a bit more presence. I am running the MP into a MT2496 analog  at 24/96. Sounds excellent! As I stated though there's is some give and take each having their own great sound. The two together was the best to my ears. BTW/ my playback system is extremely nice. McIntosh AMP, Vienna Acoustic Beethoven speakers, B&W Sub.

[Brian Skalinder]

The V3 A/D really weakens the bass response (makes its loose and falbby) and anyone that has actually compared analog out vs digital out of the V3 could tell you this.

Ooh, uh, yeah. I'm going to have to go ahead and sort of disagree with you there.

[Evil Taper]

I'm gonna have to jump in and ask why would you want run anything into the sbm-1 when you have 24 bit capabilities?  I'm thinkin the sound from a decent 24bit ADC on the mini-mp is at least as good as an sbm-1.  Full resolution at 24bits on a tad bit less friendly ADC should still blow away an sbm-1 rig running at 16bits.  Then again I might be talkin outta my ass, maybe someones done a comparison?  For what it's worth though, Andy from team MI ditched his oade w-mod sbm-1 for the stock Edirol R1 adc.  In the 10+ years since the sbm-1 was designed there may have been a few advances in ADC circuits in high end recorders.  JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

[Nick Graham]

In the 10+ years since the sbm-1 was designed there may have been a few advances in ADC circuits in high end recorders.  JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

True, and there's no doubt been a ton of progress made in the portable pre-amp dept. since the Oade M148 was introduced...yet people still want that sound. If you like the sound of an SBM1, go for it....

[Brian Skalinder]

it [Mini-MP] has the identical pre to the track 2

Not true.  Per Chris Lawson at Apogee support:

The Mini-Mp and Trak-2 share some of the design philosophy. But are totally different in parts and implementation. What they have in common is a transimpedance input stage with dual DC servo's. However, because of cost and powerconsumption the Mini-MP circuitry is not as elaborate as the Trak-2. The Mini-MP is designed around an off the shelf Instrumentation amplifier while the Trak-2 circuitry is designed with an assortment of very high quality individual opamps. Other differences are the digital gain control of the Trak-2 and the fully balanced signal path from input to output (with active common mode rejection circuitry, so "the problem" is never passed on to the next device).

[marc0789]

In the 10+ years since the sbm-1 was designed there may have been a few advances in ADC circuits in high end recorders.  JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

True, and there's no doubt been a ton of progress made in the portable pre-amp dept. since the Oade M148 was introduced...yet people still want that sound. If you like the sound of an SBM1, go for it....

and lots of people prefer turntables and analog records to cds, dats, 24 bit HD recordings.....advances don't necessarily mean better to everyone's ears. There are quite a few analog GD recordings that hold up really well to me.

[setboy]

I'm gonna have to jump in and ask why would you want run anything into the sbm-1 when you have 24 bit capabilities?

how do you know he can do 24 bit? not all of us can


Raphael

[Evil Taper]

Well since he's getting a Microtrack and already has a 670, the guy has 24 bit capabilities.  I hear ya though, get the sound you like.  Just jumping in to give him something else to think about since ALOT of folks are ditching the sbm-1 now that the new recorders sound sweet on their own.

[setboy]

Well since he's getting a Microtrack and already has a 670, the guy has 24 bit capabilities.  I hear ya though, get the sound you like.  Just jumping in to give him something else to think about since ALOT of folks are ditching the sbm-1 now that the new recorders sound sweet on their own.

ok, i didn't know he had the 670 and was getting a Microtrack.

[Evil Taper]

werd