Lunchbox Preamps

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guitar zero

guitar zero

c = b#
You're recording vocals, acoustic and electric guitar and bass. Which mic pre's for the lunchbox would you rather have? And no, you can't have both, but you can have any mic you please.

Great River MP-500NV or The API 512C.
 
based on my experience with lunchbox pres (i don't have either, but i have an avedis ma5, which is neve-ish like the gr and an osa mp-1c which is kind of api-ish) i don't think you could go wrong with either.
 
I have APIs, A-Designs P-1s and a Purple Audio Biz. I've not used the GR, but of course, it comes highly recommended. The GR is a more flexible pre than the API with its impedence and transformer loading switching features, as well as having both gain and output attenuator controls for gain staging.

For the uses you mention I think either would do well. Of the two, if it was my first 500 pre, I might start out with the GR simply because of its flexibility. The only downside is that it takes up 2 spaces in your lunchbox.
 
pohaku said:
I have APIs, A-Designs P-1s and a Purple Audio Biz. I've not used the GR, but of course, it comes highly recommended. The GR is a more flexible pre than the API with its impedence and transformer loading switching features, as well as having both gain and output attenuator controls for gain staging.

For the uses you mention I think either would do well. Of the two, if it was my first 500 pre, I might start out with the GR simply because of its flexibility. The only downside is that it takes up 2 spaces in your lunchbox.
Click to expand...

I disagree with the GR being more flexible. The 512c is good on everything it might not be amazing but it will work with what ever you need it to do. the GR will have a different flavor added to the mix. as you can see people differ and the real answer is you cant go wrong with these pre's. Their both good pres but the 512 will be more natural sound that the GR.

i have both and use the 512 way more than the GR.

+ to the MA5 if you can find someone who can sell you one. their all on back order but that should soon end.

hope that helps a little
 
Thanks for your replies, that helps. Thanks also for the MA5 tip. That looks interesting. I've never been fortunate enough to hear what a Neve, or Neve clone sounds like. Some day (sigh).
 
jvvi said:
I disagree with the GR being more flexible. The 512c is good on everything it might not be amazing but it will work with what ever you need it to do. the GR will have a different flavor added to the mix. as you can see people differ and the real answer is you cant go wrong with these pre's. Their both good pres but the 512 will be more natural sound that the GR.

i have both and use the 512 way more than the GR.

+ to the MA5 if you can find someone who can sell you one. their all on back order but that should soon end.

hope that helps a little
Click to expand...

Well, actually, I use my P-1s more than my 512s. All of them are good. If it makes any difference, used 512s are usually more plentiful and cheaper than the others.
 
i am staying far away from those lunchboxes.

they run lower voltages than stand alone pres. i don't consider them up to the standard of a stand alone pre.

i am not going to sacrifice convenience for sound. ever.
 
Rodger, for some of us (at least me) the lunchbox would be a significant upgrade. Are you saying that I can get better sound quality FOR THE SAME $$ OR LESS?
 
Rodger Hartlett said:
i am staying far away from those lunchboxes.

they run lower voltages than stand alone pres. i don't consider them up to the standard of a stand alone pre.

i am not going to sacrifice convenience for sound. ever.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why all those records made with API consoles sound so terrible.:D
 
pohaku said:
Well, actually, I use my P-1s more than my 512s. All of them are good. If it makes any difference, used 512s are usually more plentiful and cheaper than the others.
Click to expand...

I was not talking smack about the P-1 i just thought the Q was for the 512 vs the GR. I'v never used the p-1 personally but only hear good things. Thats on my list to buy.
 
Rodger Hartlett said:
i am staying far away from those lunchboxes.

they run lower voltages than stand alone pres. i don't consider them up to the standard of a stand alone pre.

i am not going to sacrifice convenience for sound. ever.
Click to expand...

what do you think of this

a-Designs_Console1.jpg
 
Rodger Hartlett said:
i am staying far away from those lunchboxes.

they run lower voltages than stand alone pres. i don't consider them up to the standard of a stand alone pre.

i am not going to sacrifice convenience for sound. ever.
Click to expand...

Have you actually tried any lunchbox pres or are you just repeating things you've read on the internet?
 
Hmmm i haven't put my hands on the great river yet. I have a Eisen Neve'ish' module and a couple of 512's. I'd say the 512's see alot more use than the Neveish one but not so much as the P-1's. Basically they all excell in one place or another.
 
Actually I believe the Lunchboxes use a +/-24v Dc supply which is Higher than most standalone preamps (+/-15v).....Also the performance of a Solid State preamp really doesn"t depend on the Voltages they are run on....A Higher Voltage would allow for more headroom before clipping but a preamp only needs to put out 1v or 2v before it is at line level which in most cases is far below Clipping.....


:D
 
Minion said:
Actually I believe the Lunchboxes use a +/-24v Dc supply which is Higher than most standalone preamps (+/-15v).....Also the performance of a Solid State preamp really doesn"t depend on the Voltages they are run on....A Higher Voltage would allow for more headroom before clipping but a preamp only needs to put out 1v or 2v before it is at line level which in most cases is far below Clipping.....


:D
Click to expand...

Considering that most people here are feeding converters, not tape machines, +/-15V is adequate. With an amp that can get within 1V of its rails, that's +20dBV, where most converters will clip somewhere around +17dBV. Nobody's tracking that hot, right? ;) And I see from the API specs that it clips at +30dBu, which is more than plenty.

So, what's the beef here?
 
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