API 312's

[Michael Jones]

Is ANYONE here using these pre's:

After you get the powered rack, the $550/chnl price point seems like a no brainer for this classic pre, and you can build a rack full of them over time.

 

[Track Rat]

A lot of folks love 'em for drums.

 

[Michael Jones]

Yeah, that's what I hear too. I was wondering if anyone here had any first hand experience with them?

 

[Shailat]

I have used the 312

Look into 312 or the 512.
Ask him if you can get the original API transformers that sound better then the Jensen or others.

The great thing about them is that they can take any and I mean any !! load and still produce a healthy signal. They dont distort easly so a lot of people like them for the harder stuff like Kick, snare, bass some percussion...etc...
The fact that they dont distort easly can also mean for some people not a interesting color like the Neve,RCA stuff...not to warm. But extremly solid sounding and reliable like a work horse !!. Havn't hade a problem in 10 years of work.

Althoug I'm personaly not the Greatest fan....other engineers swear by it as the #1 pre.

 

[Michael Jones]

I have used the 312

Althoug I'm personaly not the Greatest fan....other engineers swear by it as the #1 pre.

Shailat - thanks a bunch for your input!
Is there something in particular that you don't like about them?
What do you prefer for drums?

 

[Shailat]

Shailat - thanks a bunch for your input!
Is there something in particular that you don't like about them?
What do you prefer for drums?

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a great pre. I just prefer at this stage of my life pres that distort in a way that pleases me and gives me a distinct color. The API doesnt distort that easly (thats a good thing . I once had a monstorus active bass play through a few pres from the lower grade level and I couldnt get a decent sound with out distorting to practicly a unusable sound. Pluged it into the API and it was like a babies ass.....smooth and healthy. Took it on like it was nothing. I could have sworn it was talking to me saying "is that all ?!?!?! is that your best shot ?!!!hit me again.....

I use from drums a Quad 8 for the kick (which I think is one of the greatest peices of gear out there) and for the snare I use a Neve and for OH's I use a RCA BA31 (which can be brought for $800 a pair racked) and are my secret weapon

To buy an API is to buy a solid pre that can be used on anything. You wont be sorry.

 

[Michael Jones]

Cool.
Thanks again.

 

[hrn]

Are the Brent Averill's of the same quality as original API's? I'm looking for some great pre's too.

Anyone having some information about MCI or Demeter pre's?

MCI 600, Xless 500
Demeter HXM-1

Prices....available as mono/stereo pieces....

And the last and most important question. Where can I find the best bargain on this stuff?

....gosh...thats alot of questions... :-`)

Hans

 

[Michael Jones]

Are the Brent Averill's of the same quality as original API's? I'm looking for some great pre's too.
Hans

The original API's are 1970's vintage.
Brent uses the original API 312 card, but recaps them, and sets them up for a rack that he sells too. You can have them with the original transformer, or with a newer Jensen or Rickenbacker transformer I believe.

I don't know anything about the others you mentioned.

 

[hrn]

Michael,

What about this then: http://www.apiaudio.com . It does not seem to be only vintage.

Hans

 

[Michael Jones]

I guess I should have qualified that.
The 312 cards that Brent Averill uses are 1970's vintage. (I believe)

API still makes equipment, and their 3124 series is an updated version of the 312 in a 4 pack series.

Take a look at their "Legacy Console!"

 

[hrn]

Michael,

I had to take some pills to calm down ............Legacy Console - is it made to God or what??

Someone will be lucky I guess, really hope they're into music as much as most of the Lo-Fi guys are. It would be a terrible waste otherwise.......

I'll try to get a tiny piece of that desk to my studio. And when I get it I will be happy as a newborn christian!

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

 

[Michael Jones]

Here's some more info on the API pre's:

-"The API 512c Mic/Line Preamp/DI ($825) is a single-channel module based on the original, 1967-vintage API 512. Designed around the API 2520 op amp, the 512c fits into 2, 4 and 10-slot API-powered racks, as well as API Legacy and Classic Consoles. For convenience, rear panel XLR mic and ¼-inch, hi-Z, unbalanced line inputs are duplicated on the front panel. There are front panel switches for polarity inversion, 48V phantom power, -20dB mic/line input pad and mic/line input switching. Metering is via a 7-segment LED (with VU ballistics). The continuously variable gain control dishes out 10 to 65 dB of gain for mic signals, and 14 to 50 dB for line/DI signals. The 512c will take up to +30 dBu before barking."

Source

 

[hrn]

Michael,
I think two 212L's and another two 512c's (for the DI's) could be a great start. Wonder if the electricity power connections comes with it. Maybe I have to get a $$$$ rack too to get this...

What do you think?

Hans

 

[Michael Jones]

That sounds like a great set-up! If you're looking at getting them from the API site, you have to buy the racks too.

I'm looking to build a 6 pack of the 312's from Brent so I can cover a drum kit.

 

[hrn]

Michael,

At Brent, do you need racks with your setup there also? Guess so. In that case maybe the racks are suitable and we can choose from them.

I wish I knew the best way to go.....Brent or the new API. Anyone with experience?

Listen to my three mic drum setup at:
www.hagen.nu
--> Free downloads
---->"1. Om jag fick" , "3. Älskling snälla", "4. Vuxenpsyk"

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

 

[Michael Jones]

Michael,

At Brent, do you need racks with your setup there also? Guess so. In that case maybe the racks are suitable and we can choose from them.

I wish I knew the best way to go.....Brent or the new API. Anyone with experience?

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

I have a different pair of pre's from Brent. The Audix 35102's, but he's not offering those anymore.

My experience with him and his equipment is that anything he does is golden!

But, yeah, to answer your question, either one would need a powered rack.

 

[hrn]

Michael,
I'll have to have another thought....and try to get some more information.

Check my last post for a sample of a three mic drum setup. Two ADK 51's as overheads and an AKG D112 at the kick (quite far away from it).

I will go to bed now, 24:45 here in Sweden. Hope we can continue the discussion and that more will join.

Hans,
www.hagen.nu

 

[littledog]

I've got the 3124 and love it, pretty much agreeing with all of Shailat's points.

Kick, snare, OH's toms, electric bass, percussion, piano, horns, elec. guitar - those are the types of things I usually use it for.

Lead vocals? Probably not.

I've never used the Averill versions.

 

[Michael Jones]

Littledog - Like it on piano do ya?
That stands to reason - nice clean pre with plenty of gain.

I think I'm going to go with the Averill version. It lets me get a foot in the API door without having to make the monetary committment to 4 channels all at once.
And it'll be easier to build into 6 channels over time.

I was trying not to buy anything until the new place is finished, but if I pick up a pair now, I could learn their intricacities in the current studio, and be all set to go with them once the new place is done.
We'll see.