Avalon AD2022 Preamp

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Rick Shepherd

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Well, I took a big step forward and ordered an Avalon AD2022 preamp. Wow, I am still in disbelief, but I did it. Anyway, I can't wait to try it out and post some samples of different setups for all of you to hear and compare.

The thing is, this will be my first preamp, so I don't have any preconceptions or anything to compare it to up to this point.

So far, this is what I have for a signal chain:

AT 4033 --> AD2022 preamp(soon to arrive) --> E-MU 1212m sound card in PC -->out to a soon-to-add good amp to power my Daedalus W-803s as monitors, like a Hafler p3000(discontinued product. So I think that will set me up good for recording.
 
cool, Im saving up to get a good of a preamp as the avalon, let me know how it works out..
 
Good move Rick. You're assembling some great gear. Next, mics and converters.
 
Wow, $2,600 that's a bunch. I've always wanted an Avalon but don't have that kind of bucks.
Well if your going to do something you might as well do it right. Good luck and let us know how you like it.
 
Can anyone recommend some high quality XLR to 1/4 inch patch cables to go from the AD2022 to the sound card inputs? I know of another option, go from the 2022 to a multichannel mixer using XLRs, and then from the mixer to the sound card using 1/4 to 1/4 balanced cables. Are these options right? Also, I am wondering what the Taylor Guitar ES acoustic pickup system will sound like plugged directly into the 2022, any thoughts on this?
 
Great decision. I've got an AD2022 and I love it. It was my first high end pre. You need to try a 57 through it...the Avalon will make it sound like a U47! Well, not really, but its a big difference.

You will notice a difference with the AT4033 also. Some mics really shine with it though. Most dynamics sound way better, and my high end mics really fit well with it. It's got an impedance knob on it which is a nice option. It's also cool to experiment with the output knobs. The avalon has a ton of headroom, so it's almost impossible to clip the preamp...you can clip your soundcard, but probably not the Avalon. I like to crank the output knobs down and crank the input knobs up as much as I can. This adds a subtle increase in the fullness and bass of the sound source. If you are going for extreme openess, then leave the output knobs about normal.

You probably will not want to degrade the signal by going through a mixer. I would get some good cables (mogami/monster, etc.).

I don't know what the ES system sounds like, but I have a Taylor with the Fishman system. The avalon will definitely sound better than a Mackie mixer, but with my piezo fishman pickup, the avalon is a little too "true" to the sound. I had a Joe Meek that had a slower transient response that sounded better as a DI for the acoustic than the avalon did. The avalon was more accurate, but that's not what I needed for the piezo pickups. That being said, the ES is supposed to be more natural, so it might be a good fit. You will still probably get a better sound by micing the guitar though.

I hope you enjoy it! :D
 
My AD2022 is the core of my studio. Plug an AKG C414 into it, stick it on the 12th fret of that Taylor, and you'll forgrt about plugging the thing in.-Richie
 
Thanks, I will take that under advisement, also, I will prefer to use a mic on the guitar, so I may just pick up a SM57. Eventually, I will get a matched pair or at least a good acoustic small condenser mic for the guitar. I was amazed at the difference just replacing my cheap sound card made in the quality, let alone a high-end preamp. Thanks!
 
I don't think the SM57 will impress as an acoustic guitar mic, plugged into an AD2022 or anything else. You've got an AT4033, though- that will work just fine.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
I don't think the SM57 will impress as an acoustic guitar mic, plugged into an AD2022 or anything else. You've got an AT4033, though- that will work just fine.-Richie
Click to expand...

Actually....I might disagree.

Not really though, its just that you'll get a lot closer with the avalon and the 57 then you can with a different pre and other mics. Richard's right though, most condenser mics will smoke the 57 at acoustic. The new 414's sound nice on acoustic.
 
I agree, I noticed that the AT4033 reproduces acoustic guitar very well from what I have heard so far. I hope to upgrade to a higher-end mic eventually, but I have heard that the 4033 is very nice with the 2022.
 
Rick Shepherd said:
Can anyone recommend some high quality XLR to 1/4 inch patch cables to go from the AD2022 to the sound card inputs? I know of another option, go from the 2022 to a multichannel mixer using XLRs, and then from the mixer to the sound card using 1/4 to 1/4 balanced cables. Are these options right? Also, I am wondering what the Taylor Guitar ES acoustic pickup system will sound like plugged directly into the 2022, any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

buddy when it comes to cables and recording I always buy professional hand made cables, my fav are canare or mogami and neutric plugs. I have a taylor 310 ce I cant wait as in about two days my avalon DI is coming woooo hooooo! will let you know, I have heard great things about it I mainly bought it for bass but hey I dont have the best room for micing my guitar nor do I have a good noise floor so I have chosen to go the DI.
 
One other thing that puzzles me:

I will run vocals through one channel and guitar through the other channel, so I will have two XLR to TRS cables that need to go into the computer sound card. My problem is, I only have left and right inputs into the card, so how do I deal with this? Do I need to send the signal through something else first before going into the sound card? Do I need to get a different sound card with multiple channel inputs? BTW, I have the EM-U 1212m with the daughter card that has left and right 1/4 inch inputs and outputs.

The only thing I can think of is going ahead and sending the channels from the preamp to left and right inputs, and then set up the recording either for stereo or pan the left and righ inputs to center in the mixdown. I don't know.
 
You should be able to send each 1/4" input to it's own channel with it's own pan.
 
No problem- Assuming that your soundcard supports balanced inputs, you use an XLR to TRS for each channel, that's a TRS for each channel. I think you are confusing balanced outputs with a stereo output. If your soundcard only has unbalanced inputs (unlikely), you use the unbalanced XLR outs of the Avalon, XLR to TS. Note that good quality unbalanced XLR to TS cables can be hard to find. Also note that the Avalon has *no* insert points, which can be a pain in the arse.-Richie
 
I assume you mean that I can set it up to record in stereo in the software (Cubase VST), and then send each left and right input to its own channel (1 and 2)? Is that how it works?

As far as the cables are concerned, I assume (again) that they would need to be balanced XLR to TRS? Can someone tell me which ones I need, balanced or unbalanced?
 
Rick Shepherd said:
I assume you mean that I can set it up to record in stereo in the software (Cubase VST), and then send each left and right input to its own channel (1 and 2)? Is that how it works?

As far as the cables are concerned, I assume (again) that they would need to be balanced XLR to TRS? Can someone tell me which ones I need, balanced or unbalanced?
Click to expand...

1) Yes

2) What kind of sound card are you using? Balanced is best, but the Avalon has both balanced and unbalanced outputs on the back (both are XLR's). It will depend on what your sound card takes.

You can usually go balanced into unbalanced anyway though. It just negates the benefits of balanced when you do that.
 
I called Guitar Center today trying to get and astimated arrival date of my AD2022. The sales guy there called their Avalon representative and the order had not been processed yet after one week. Also, they said that it was very difficult trying to get ahold of Avalon, they were not returning messages left on voicemail. Finally, they got ahold of Avalon and found out that they were really behind with all their oders right now, so I am holding my breath, waiting to see how this all works out.
 
Fuck GC. Call Fletcher at Mercenary Audio. He may or may not have an AD2022 in stock, but he'll answer the phone and give you a straight answer.-Richie
 
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