universal audio 610 vs. 2-610 Dual Channel preamps

[Walter Tore]

Hi All: I picked up a almost new 610 preamp yesterday for $500. I was wanting to hold out on my savings until I could afford a 2-610 dual channel, but couldn't beat that price. I will be using it on my vocal/harp mic with either a akg414, beyrdynamic M500, or rodeNT1A. I am just begining to mess with it, and am wondering how much of impact the eq on the dual channel model can have vs. the 610 which has no eq and in general how it stands up to the dual channel overall. The local guitar center has the dual channel, but they don't have it hooked up. I can't understand why they have all this gear in racks and you can't try it out-pretty bad customer focus to say the least. Thanks. Walter

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[MCI2424]

well, technically, no EQ is more pure as it should never be needed. It is one more thing in the signal path to distort the sound. Since you are never supposed to use EQ on the basic tracks of a recording, why have it at all?


Or, if you like EQ on the basic tracks, why not have it?

[That Guy]

I've owned a Solo 610 and currently own a UA 6176 (610 w/ Hi-Low Shelving and LN 1176). I don't really care for the 610 preamp that much. Some times it works for me as a bass DI (often a second bass DI) or backing vox through a ribbon mic. I imagine it might really shine on a harmonica depending on the mic. You can definitely get by w/o the EQ section via mic placement, a good source or during mixing. If anything, if I use the EQ section on my 610 it's to cut freq's.

[monkie]

Originally Posted by Walter Tore

The local guitar center has the dual channel, but they don't have it hooked up. I can't understand why they have all this gear in racks and you can't try it out-pretty bad customer focus to say the least. Thanks. Walter

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That's one of the reasons why I don't want to buy gears there anymore. I had a UA LA610 which I bought from GC with a bad experience. We just recently had a discussion about Guitar Center's employees. Check it out: http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=267390

Cheers

[Walter Tore]

thanks for the replies! I have used it so far with a beyerdynamic M500 ribbon mic, AKG414, and a RODENT1A. I was hoping it would work well with the M500. I have been using that mic through an altec lansing 1592A mixer. That is a sweet combo for my vocals/harp (same mic at the same time). The altec has started popping like crazy thus is out of commission till repaired. Through the 610, I have to crank the gain and output to max. The sound is a bit thin to my ears. The 414 allows for the the full range of the controls, but sounds a bit flat. For the heck of it, I ran the Rode through it last night, and I like this one the best. It is very clear and deep. Go figure. Walter

[kojdogg]

try changing the impedence settings on the 610 when using the ribbon to see if it helps. one of the problems with cranking the 610 gain is that it distorts so easily. also, a lower signal (with the beyer and 610) isn't necessarily an unworkable problem if you're recording at 24 bit and have a relatively clean signal otherwise. also, the 610 benefits from a 12ax7 upgrade as iirc, they use jj's stock (great for guitar amps, okay for recording preamps). if they're still using nos ge jan 6072a's you can leave that stock.

[Walter Tore]

Originally Posted by kojdogg

try changing the impedence settings on the 610 when using the ribbon to see if it helps. one of the problems with cranking the 610 gain is that it distorts so easily. also, a lower signal (with the beyer and 610) isn't necessarily an unworkable problem if you're recording at 24 bit and have a relatively clean signal otherwise. also, the 610 benefits from a 12ax7 upgrade as iirc, they use jj's stock (great for guitar amps, okay for recording preamps). if they're still using nos ge jan 6072a's you can leave that stock.

thanks for that info. I record at 32 bit float, and have used the lo-z switch because it gives more gain. The tag on the back says it was made in 2007. I opened it up and the tubes are: JJ tubes- EC081 on the rear and ECC 83S on the front. I am totally ignorant to tubes. Would it be worth upgrading to a NOS or new russian tubes? Thanks! Walter

I have a fender 12ax7 tube and a mesa spax7-a here at home. Which socket does it go in?

[omtayslick]

Originally Posted by Walter Tore

The sound is a bit thin to my ears.

That's interesting. I've heard the 610 described a lot of ways, but thin isn't one of them. I've only used one once myself.

Walter,
I know that you were using the EH tube pre a while back. I'd be interested in hearing your take on that vs the 610.

[Walter Tore]

Originally Posted by omtayslick

That's interesting. I've heard the 610 described a lot of ways, but thin isn't one of them. I've only used one once myself.

Walter,
I know that you were using the EH tube pre a while back. I'd be interested in hearing your take on that vs the 610.

Maybe thin was the wrong word. Maybe it should be a bit fuzzy? With that mic I had to crank the gain and output all the way. I am going to try again and adjust my headphone mix when recording. I put it side by side with the EH preamp. The EH didn't have the depth of the 610 when used on a oktava 012, AAKG414, and RODE NT1A. I am happy to have this preamp. It, along with 2 UA cards I bought used and some those plugins, has vastly improved my recording sound, at least IMO. Walter

the songs entered today, the first 4 are with the RODE NT1A mic on the vocals harp going through the 610.

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[kojdogg]

Originally Posted by Walter Tore

thanks for that info. I record at 32 bit float, and have used the lo-z switch because it gives more gain. The tag on the back says it was made in 2007. I opened it up and the tubes are: JJ tubes- EC081 on the rear and ECC 83S on the front. I am totally ignorant to tubes. Would it be worth upgrading to a NOS or new russian tubes? Thanks! Walter

I have a fender 12ax7 tube and a mesa spax7-a here at home. Which socket does it go in?

yeah upgrade those tubes. any of the usual suspects-- nos/anos telefunken smooth plate, mullard longplates, raytheon or rca blackplates, amperex/bugle boy, valvo, siemens, the fisher, adzam, mazda etc. for 12ax7's. nos/anos ge or rca 6072a's.

either the fender or mesa would likely yield little improvement or would be worse.