Chameleon Labs 7602 - any experience with this?

[metalhead28]

I have searched the board and found a good review from Warhead from a while back, but I was just wondering if anyone has anymore to say about these pre-amps now that they have been around for a little while and perhaps some comparisons have been made. I have yet to hear anything bad about them, anybody have anything there? I am hoping to invest in at least one nice pre-amp (yes, nice to me would still be under $1000 ) and I will be using it for primarily electric guitar and vocals. If anybody has some real good evidence to steer me in a different direction I would appreciate that as well, although I'm not trying to start a "what's the best pre-amp" thread.

Thanks!

 

[makes]

chameleon labs 7602

Hello,
I purchased the 7602 from Guitar Center on a trial basis.

Heres what I've found
I used it on a male vocal and a female vocal for spec ads, (I do jingles for TV/Radio) I also used it on a snare drum for a ballad. Where I used brushes on the drum and it sounded very good on that. The EQ was clean and very useful.

I'll post the jingles examples at the link below.

The pre is nice, the sound is clean and can get a little dirty if you push it.
Im still learning about EQ but I think this one sounds pretty good.
I rented a NEVE 1073 last week for a female vocal, so I know what those sound like. If I had unlimited funds I would get the NEVE. But the 7602 performs very well on its own. I dont think the vast majority of the listening public would know the difference.

For the price, it's a very very nice piece.

Check out the demos and see what you think.
I ran the vocals thru a 4033 and a disstressor (very light compression)

peace,
Makes

www.houseofloud.com/specadd1
www.houseofloud.com/specadd2

 

[gaetadog]

Hey Makes. How different was your 7602 from the 1073 (in what ways)? I'm very interested in this product, but have no way to AB the two. Is the contruction of the unit acceptable (does it seem rugged)? I remember seeing it the last time at GC the last time I was in your neck of the woods, but don't remember how the knobs felt. There's not a lot of info out there on the unit and you post was the first I've seen. You may be the only person on the planet that owns one : ). Any feedback you might be able to give me would be great. Thanks.

Gaetadog

 

[makes]

chameleon 7602

Howdy,

The 7602 is built pretty solid. The controls are smooth, the unit itself is very heavy. It looks like it was built by hand, not on an assembly line.

I like the fact that it comes with the power supply, rack mount ears included.
Right out of the box I quickly set it up and dialed in a pretty nice sound using an AT 4033.
The jingles I posted are the first 2 uses I had for it.

The 1073 I rented was a NEVE racked by Boutique Audio. The sound from that piece is amazing. I used my AT 4033 on a female vocal, there was this presence I have not heard from any other mic pre I've ever used. I guess thats why they get the big bucks for them.

Having said that, I have 4 OSA mic pre's (which are also very nice on vocal), 1 UA M610 and 2 Presonus MP20's.
I also have a Distressor and a couple of DBX 160's. The 7602 holds it own as far as build quality and performance, for the price. I like it better than my MP 20's and maybe even the M610.

Before I purchased this unit I was in the market for an EQ, I just purchased an API 550B for my lunchbox. Sadly the 7602 will be going back to GC. Im looking at a few other needs for the studio before I get another mic pre.

If you are thinking about getting a really good low cost pre, I wouldnt hesitate to recommend the 7602. I have in the back of my mind that I may be letting go of a gem.
I compare it to wanting a german engineered automobile but going for the Lexus or Infinity instead.

Id like to check out the wunder audio version of the 1073, the PEQ1.
It certainly is a beatifully made piece. After I win the lotto I'll get a rack of them

All the best.
Makes

 

[makes]

chameleon and other pre's

Let me add this food for thought,
only a year ago I was recording with an Alesis studio 32 console and a Joe Meek VC3. I was reading Tape Op like a mad man and dreaming of all this High End gear. The recordings I was making sounded pretty good to me and a few others, like my mom.
This past year has been good to me, I bought several cool pieces.

Here's the scoop on the High End pre's from my experience thus far.

I have an engineer friend that would tell be about Calrec, API, NEVE etc etc and how these products will impart some "character" to the particular instrument your recording. I didnt fully understand that until I started renting some gear to find out for myself. Again I had been using an Alesis or a Mackie and a Joe Meek.

With Makie or Alesis and even my MP20's there's really no coloring of the sound. It's a basically sterile sound. In some situations this is a good thing.

When I plug a mic into one of my OSA's or my M610 it makes me sound better than I am. Im not a singer by the way, just using myself as an example. These High End pres give something exciting to the sound. Each one its own thing.

The 7602 has some character. It adds something cool to the mix.

I have sat up many late nights A/B ing the pres I have and theres just no comparing the OSA's, M610 and the 7602 to the Presonus MP20 or the poor Joe Meek, the Alesis and the Mackie.

Save your money and get a killer mike pre!!!

Makes

 

[Middleman]

Completely agree. If you want to compete with the sonics the big boys use, you have to record with decent pres.

 

[gaetadog]

Thanks Makes. I think I'm sold! Probably buy a pair of them after the first of the year. Just bought a house and finished off my home studio, so I'm a bit strapped for cash right now. Maybe when I'm down in Nashvegas in Nov-Dec. I'll hit the GC in Berry Hill and price them out.