Topic: [comp] V3 vs. AERCO > 722

[it-goes-to-eleven]

MSMW
December 9, 2006
Vic
Chicago, IL

MG210 DIN > preamps switched at setbreak > 722 24/96

Gain on each preamp was 20dB, 722 at 0.
Post was done in wavelab, 192K resample & UV22HR
Gain was added to equalize RMS avg levels at -14dB for the comp.

Mics were boomed in front of the balcony, DFC, with about a 3' bogen extension.  25' of silver teflon quad to the rig.

I did not intend to run the hypers DIN. Clamp space was quite crowded. I wanted to tweak the config before the show started but it was getting late and I felt it would have been rude to the other tapers to mess with the mics at the last moment.  I also wanted to tweak at the setbreak but that would have blown my comp so I just  left'em.

I selected the tracks based on fairly similar content.  The first set track is from late in the set and the second set track early to minimize the impact of PA tweaks.

[carlbeck]

I think this one is obvious but let's see how the results pan out.

[ts]

I think this one is obvious but let's see how the results pan out.

me too

[spyder9]

"A" has the bigger soundstage, but can be real fatiguing over time.  Highs are a bit chirpy.  Bass sounds like a big tear-drop.  "A" is much more faster, much more "live" response to it.  Needs to be matched with warm mics, like Neum 184.     

"B" does not sound as musical as "A".  "B" sounds very flat when compared to "A", not as detailed.  "B" would be great for headphones.  Very smooth overall sound.         

My guess is "A" is the Aerco.  Thanks Brian!

[Jamos]

I listened to both samples and if I had to pick one to enjoy in my living room, it would be source A.

I'm not sure if it would be fatiguing over time or not, but from the short samples, it definitely sounds fuller and portrays a little more depth to my ears.

Not ever having used either preamp personally, I'm guessing that A is the Aerco.  B is probably a little more transparent, which I think is a strength of the V3...but in this case a little "color" helps.

They both sound good though!

[Busman Audio]

I like A and believe it to be the Aerco. It has a better soundstage and sounds more musical. The B source is pretty flat and uninspiring.

[easy jim]

I'm with everyone else here.  A for Aerco.  Mmmm good.

[anechoic]

listening to the flac examples on my Genelecs which I have mixed on for 15 years now I hear ex. A as having more of a smear in the midrange leading to a blurry soundstage...ex B. sounds clearer to my ear and less muddy across the stereo field
just my 0.02

[gratefulphish]

It is somewhat difficult because the sound source is not the same. There is more high end guitar and keys in most of A than B.  Overall, A sounds brighter, and more defined, except toward the mid low-end.  OTOH, B sounds more transparant, but seems to lack the definition of A, but some of that may be due to less soloing during that clip.

[kskreider]

GP that is the first thing that I noticed was both pieces represent totally different passages as the source. 

Unfortunately, I voted willy nilly and said "A" before listening on the 580s.  In reality I prefer "B" due to the lighter low end.  I think that people are calling a heavier mid-low range "musical".  I never really liked the boomy sound of a heavier low end.

[spyder9]

I call it "musical" because I can hear the separation of the highs, mids, and lows in "A".  "B" is not that defined.   

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I hemmed and hawed a fair bit over which tracks to use in the comp.  I felt early first set tracks were off limits due to the expected PA changes.  I wanted to use the 2nd song of the first set but didn't for that reason.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

SPOILERS FOLLOW!























A= AERCO
B= V3

[carlbeck]

Yep, pretty much how we all picked it I bet 

[anechoic]

interesting that A was the Aerco and B was the V3
which begs the question
the V3 uses the INA163 opamp
does anyone know which opamp the Aerco uses?
just curious
 

[thegreatgumbino]

Great comp!  Finally got around to listening to this and really enjoyed the sound of both rigs.  Although, my ears preferred the upfront sound, deeper bass, and the sound stage of the Aerco track, but at the same time I enjoyed the laid back sound of the V3.

[Myco]

I recorded Gov't Mule this past weekend at Mtn Jam. On Friday I used a MG200>V3>ACM HD-P2 config, on Sat. I used a MG200>Aerco MP-2>ACM HD-P2 config. Listening to both shows I definitely see the difference between the V3 vs. the Aerco. The V3 has more defined highs, but the Aerco gives much better bass response. You can really feel the thump of the bass drum and the bass with the Aerco recorded show. Overall I like what both pre's bring to the table, but I just got the Aerco new last Thurs. so I'm biased towards using it more over the course of the summer. Once I go indoors for the season maybe I'll use the V3 more depending on what I'm recording. The Aerco is definitely a "rock show" type of pre, the V3 would be great for quieter type music IMHO. This is just a preliminary opinion though because I've only used the two together during one weekend for the present.