Avalon Mic Pre-amps

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Adzzz

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I'm upgrading and I'm undecided as to which mic pre-amp to buy first. It's a choice between the Avalon 737 and the Avalon 2022. I record a lot of vocals, guitars, bass, keys(sampler), bass guitar and sometimes live drums. I've heard the 737 used purely as a voice channel and it's just brilliant...but the 2022 has gotten some amazing reviews, and has 2 channels meaning I can run almost everything through it e.g. the sampler/keys (important for me - stereo LR) through it as well as stereo guitars, etc. I can't afford them both at the same time, but one will follow the other in the next 6-9 months.

The majority of what I record is rock/pop/top 40 charts orientated, Bryan Adams, Anastasia, Avril Lavigne styles. I'm recording with a Tascam TM-D8000 digital console and DA-38s sync'd to Logic. I have some nice outboard FX (Lexicon PCM81 & MXP-1), but the only dynamic processors I have are the onboard dynamics of the TM-D8000 (not so bad) and a Behringer Composer compressor. Monitors are Yammy NS-10Ms. Unfortunately, the only mic pre-amp I own is a Behringer Ultra-Gain Pro, which is good for next to nothing apart from maybe as a DI for bass guitar.

Next month, we want to start recording an album for a summer release. Bearing in mind that I can only afford to buy one mic pre-amp before starting the album here is...

My question:
Cosidering my current situation and music style, which pre-amp will better serve my uses right now?

I'd be really grateful to hear your opinions or suggestions

Adzzz
 
I have used both 2022 and the 737, and I loved the 2022 pre`s, they are pretty differnt from the 737 pre, as the 737 has a tube preamp....

For what I used them for(vox ,guitar) , I preffered the 2022

I loved the 737`s sweet eq though.....


Amund
 
go to( avalon design)'' and click on news to see who is useing what youll be surprized
 
i just picked up a U5 what a neat box .i haven't done any recording with it yet but it sounds nice .I didnt realize that many people use it .
 
A lot depends on the type of music that you are recording. If you have a female singer, do pop music, jazz, or country, then the 737 might be a good choice because of the built in compressor and the warmth you get from the tubes.

If you are doing metal and have a male lead singer with a lot of punch in his delivery, then the 2022 will probably give you what you want and will provide two channels.

Either one will deliver some good sound, so you won't regret which ever one you decide to get.

Just MHO :)
 
OK... if I've got this straight, you're looking for a unit that can do more than a couple of things in the analog domain, and sound absolutely killer while doing it?

The Avalon VT-737sm runs $1,750... the 2022; $2,500... the equalizer in the 737 is [in my opinion] worth the price of admission on it's own... the mic pre sounds lovely, the only potential weak link in the chain is the compressor.

With the compressor in the 737, it is either absolute heaven on a sound, or a new definition of hell. When it sounds good on a tone, it's a very sweet sounding compressor... when it's not going to work on a tone, you'll know in about 10-15 seconds.

The 2022 is without a doubt a lovely sounding mic pre... one of my personal favorites.

However... if you're in the budget range to consider a $2,500 unit... I would probably suggest a kind of 'best of both worlds' scenario... the Pendulum Audio "Quartet... which is only like another $150 more than the 2022.

The pre in the Quartet is in the same league as the pre in the 2022 [though it is a tube pre and the 2022 is a solid state pre... I didn't think this would be a big deal as the 737 pre is tube based as well]... very open, very classy sounding.

The equalizer, while far more limited in terms of function than the equalizer in the 737... but no less musical in nature, and perfectly applicable for most applications. It, like the EQ on the 737, can be switched to pre or post compression.

The compression part of the Quartet is absolutely outstanding sounding. It's exceptionally musical, it has a variety of available tones/textures/colors... I don't use de-essers a whole lot... but if you decide you need one, the de-esser in this thing is about as good as a de-esser can get.

What really sends this unit over the top [IMNTLBFHO] is that you can use the mic pre on one sound, the equalizer on another, and the compression section on a third... or use it as a channel strip. The flexibility of the unit is pretty much unparalleled.

I hope this aids your search.
 
mike@THE CAVE said:
i haven't done any recording with it yet but it sounds nice
Click to expand...
huh??? what is that - some sort of audio telepathy???????????

"I don't need to fuckin' hear it to see if it sounds good!!!"

:D :D
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
huh??? what is that - some sort of audio telepathy???????????

"I don't need to fuckin' hear it to see if it sounds good!!!"

:D :D
Click to expand...

I have some microphones still sealed in the box for him to use. They sound REALLY nice. A perfect match!
 
no what i was trying to say i was listening to it thru the headphones and it sounds good.
go to AVALON DESIGN.COM click on news and check out all the pros using it .
 
Got one!

Yep! Bit the bullet and got a 737. Sweeeeet!

Now a question:

What is the recommended technique for tracking vocals:

a) Avalon output (xlr) direct to track input (RCA) onTascam DA-38?

b) Avalon output to channel input on Tascam TM-D8000 mixer?

c) Insert Avalon into mixer channel via insert plug on mixer?

...or is there another recommended technique that I'm missing?

All your opinions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks,
A.
 
Are you using a digital connection between the TM and DA38s? If so I would use the board. If not I would go directly to the recorder.

It also depends on which convertors you like best and what type of monitoring options you need (more choices with the board and less latency issues).
 
I think i'm in love with that pendulum audio quartet.
Hey fletcher you accept sexual favors from men as a form of payment, correct?
 
ambi said:
I think i'm in love with that pendulum audio quartet.
Hey fletcher you accept sexual favors from men as a form of payment, correct?
Click to expand...

Absolutely... as long as those men have hired women to perform those sexual favors... and frankly, it's so hard to book seriously talented "professionals" in that field... it'll be better all around to just float the unit on a credit card and let us worry about the disbursement process :D [or perhaps more appropriately... :eek: ]
 
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