Topic: preamp comparisons

[jnorman34]

i have been using a millennia media HV-3D (8 channels, 2-sp rackmount) with my c481s and dpa 4006s, and need to move to a much more compact location setup.  i would like some feedback on available preamp choices.  i havent looked at any preamps in a few years, and never really shopped for portable or semi-portable units.  i do know that Royer used sonosax units intheir mic testing lab, so i assume the sonosax is a good unit, but dont know anything about its sonic character - is it bright, warm, what?   i have used grace pres before (the 101s) and found them to be a bit bright for my taste (i work mostly with chamber music ensembles).  i am not familiar with the edirol units - are they prosumer or professional grade?  which mods work well with which mics, etc?  i am looking for something essentially neutral in the signal path, as close as i can get to the wonderfully transparent sound of my HV3.  any comments, suggestions, recommendations, thoughts are appreciated.

[Brian Skalinder]

How many channels do you need - 8, same as your current setup?
Budget?
What type of music - still chamber ensembles?
Do you know what portable ADC will you use?
What are your requirements for "portable"?  When I think of portable, I think of field portable, i.e. something I could schlep around in my bag all day on assignment (except that might get me fired as it has nothing to do with my real job!).  To some folks, a rack on wheels is portable.

FWIW, the Edirol units are definitely prosumer, not pro, but the Oade Bros do some upgrades that make them sound mighty fine for what they are.

The Sonosax SX-M2 is warm and colored to my ears, with a nicely rounded low end.  But not the choice if you want transparent, IMO.   For transparency, I'd say Grace V2/V3.  I've not worked with the 101s so I can't compare, but when I think portable, transparent preamp, I think Grace.

[Tim]

If you're looking for a little more warmth than a grace unit I'd suggest looking into the Oade m148. It has a very tube-like sound to it, very fluid.

It really depends on what you will be running behind it as it is a foxed gain pre at 20db, so something with variable gain is required. Doug Oade hand builds each unit though and if you wanted to buy new (around $1300) he should be able to work with you on the gain structure for your particular application. You can occasionaly find them used for anwhere from $900-1100 depending on age and condition, they are somewhat rare though.

I've run just about all of the common portable "taper" preamps and the Oade m148 is hands down my favorite. Very tube like in that his great clarity while still being a little softer and little more colored than the Grace pres (which I think also really like).

excellent mic choices, those dpa's are tremendous...

[F.O.Bean]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

[muj]

Broadhurst Gardens No. 1

[BJ]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

[nic]

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

depends on room acoustics, music, cap used and pattern. . .but that applies to any mic.

[F.O.Bean]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??

umm, not really

[grider]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

well I've run my 480's with a MiniMe, a V3, and with a UA5, and I the only pairing I would not recommend is the 480>MiniMe combo, the bass characteristics of the mics and the bass characteristics of the MiniMe make them a poor combination and produce lousy recordings

[Kevin Straker]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

I'll throw in a second for the psp2. A great little preamp. I wish I still had mine.

[stober]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

well I've run my 480's with a MiniMe, a V3, and with a UA5, and I the only pairing I would not recommend is the 480>MiniMe combo, the bass characteristics of the mics and the bass characteristics of the MiniMe make them a poor combination and produce lousy recordings Hey Chris your tapes from STS9 at bogarts smokes  480>mini-me   the bass sounds really nice as well as the highs.I like yor tapes over mine at this sho  4023>v3  I picked up to much of that room, I should I ran even closer but I forgot my stand at home and so I clamped  were you guys were . + tickets for that pull!

[silentmark]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

Yeah the 480's 

[F.O.Bean]

also, for warmth, the french preamps of the AETA psp-2 is nice and warm, they sound really good thru u89's IMO too

they also sound good w/ the 480's IMO

is there anything that doesn't sound good with 480's??   

Yeah the 480's

hater