Preamp A vs Preamp B - Discuss.

[Neeps]

Here's me in my studio (see pics in sig),

playing my Norman B20 acoustic,

that has just had a set of new D'Addario medium gauge strings,

with a .50 mm Dunlop tortex pick,

in front of two matched MSH-1 mics both approx. 10 inches from the 12th fret < 1/2 an inch apart.

One mic was sent to mystery Preamp A and the other mic was sent to mystery Preamp B . Both preamps fed into a Emu 1820m interface.

Both signals came in at roughly the same level. They were then normalised.

What do you think?

[timboZ]

My guess is they are the different preamp of the same model number.
They are way to close in sound to be 2 different brand pres. The slight difference that I can sort of hear may be from unmatched mics.

Not sure, didn't really hear that much of a difference to be honest. All I know is you got a great sound from the acoustic (which is obviously a very nice guitar) and I really liked the tune.

[ikijapan]

I agree, not too much difference.

[CIRO]

I was affraid to be the first to write, because I´m listening on PC speakers,with poor bass and higs (and mids... ), but cannot note any difference too.
Tomorrow I´m coming home, and will give a look again with better condictions.

Ciro

[Big Kenny]

all I get is "error on page", am I missing some kinda player?

[Neeps]

It's just links to mp3's try right-clicking and saving.

[Big Kenny]

Thanks Owl, worked. 2nd one sounds a bunch fuller to me. Nice by itself, not sure how it would sit in a mix

[Ford Van]

I think 2 has a more organic sound. Everything is a tad bit tighter sounding and has a nice bounce.

1 just seems a bit "loose" to me.

Both sound pretty good, but I would use 2 for just about any production compared to one.

[talontsiawd]

2 sounded a bit more thin up high but better in on the low end. It did sound a bit tighter as stated above but i personally think that either one works. The first had a bit more of a natural sound to me but the low end wasn't as defined. The differences aren't great at all, but enough to notice. I am undecided on which i like more.

[JuliánFernández]

I prefer the number 2 for sure... It sounds more "natural" and less boxy than the first one...

[scrubs]

I thought the transients were a little sharper on B. A was less defined. It could just be that B was pointed more at the treble strings, or as someone mentioned, the mics may not be exactly matched. Either one could work, depending on the situation.

[Stefan Elmblad]

This is a tough question actually, cause A would naturally be the usual go-to pre, and B would be the new joker in the studio. So I voted A.

[Neeps]

Originally Posted by Stefan Elmblad

This is a tough question actually, cause A would naturally be the usual go-to pre, and B would be the new joker in the studio. So I voted A.

Am I reading you wrong or are you basing your call on the psychology of preamp labeling? Or do you think that preamp A sounds like the go-to pre and preamp B sounds like the new joker.

[lapieuvre]

I found very little difference between the 2... Thought preamp A was a littlebit fatter

Thierry

[travelin travis]

I think I hear what Ford Van is hearing but in a different way. In comparison, A sounds open and B restricted. B sounds like the decay of the transients drops off faster. Maybe 'round' would be a good word. I think I'm hearing more detail in A.

[Herm]

I Like B also.

[XLR]

That's some nice playing, and captured well.

I like Preamp A. Smooth HF transients and natural tone. B sounds a little more jagged in the high end to me.

A good listen and glad I stopped by.

[MOFO Pro]

B for me... actually thought that A was a bit on the thin brittle side...

[amra]

Preamp B has a little bit more "sparkle" on the high end, for lack of a better term. It might be because it is a little louder, at least it seems like it is.

They must have been recorded at the same time, because at 16 seconds you can hear what sounds like a truck driving by...lol.

Nice acoustic guitar tone, either way.

[Neeps]

Originally Posted by amra

They must have been recorded at the same time, because at 16 seconds you can hear what sounds like a truck driving by...lol.

Yeah I need to get round to plugging that window.

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by amra

Nice acoustic guitar tone, either way.

Yeah!! Nice space for acoustic guitar, but from the sounds of it, you might have mess if you get loud in there... you install any treatment yet? (when I saw those cross irons on the ceiling, my eyes lit up... perfect for panels to capture reflections from the ceiling above and absorb from below... with out killing the room.

[travelin travis]

Barn Owl, I dig that song from your site. Good stuff man.

[Neeps]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

Barn Owl, I dig that song from your site. Good stuff man.

What song? The preamp test? That's not a song that's just me twiddling about. Or did you find something somewhere else.

I used to use this forum as Handsome Al but the years and the beers have taken their toll so I changed my user name to reflect my new look

The preamp test is part of a song written by my friend that has vocals and lyrics. The two guitar sections that I play here are really meant to be played ontop of each other. And probably it'll have fiddles, drums and electric guitars as well. Maybe I'll post it here if I ever finish it.

Keep the votes coming I'm not going to tell you which preamps I used until we've had at least 100 votes and some of the 'big guns' have had their say.

[tdukex]

I think "B" might sit better in a mix because of the high end "sparkle," but I also found it a little thin at the top for a solo acoustic sound, so I choose "A" for that.

There, I managed to have it both ways.