mic pre recommendations

[Kevin Deschwazi]

TL AUDIO pa-1.

a 2 channel tube preamp.

I own it, and you wony believe how rich and warm everything through it sounds.

the BRITTS know their job when it comes to tube pre's

Actually that particular Brit has made some pretty naff tube gear imo (ivory series).

I have no experience with the more expensive ranges though and don't doubt that the PA-1 is very nice.

 

[nuemes]

You mentioned the Pacifica & M5; I have both. The M5 is better for acoustic guitar than the Pacifica, just slightly. If you weren't keen on the M5 the Pacifica will not likely be your cup of tea.

 

[Mike Keith]

If you like the sound of "loading" the mic with a lower input impedance you can do this with any mic pre.
Put the resistors in a XLR barrel connector.
Works the same way as a inline pad.

 

[Fishmed]

If you like the sound of "loading" the mic with a lower input impedance you can do this with any mic pre.
Put the resistors in a XLR barrel connector.
Works the same way as a inline pad.

Mike,

What all can you do with XLR barrel connectors to change the "color" of mic pres?

 

[Mike Keith]

Mike,

What all can you do with XLR barrel connectors to change the "color" of mic pres?

Having the "loading network" on the input of the pre has little or none at all effect on the sound of the pre, it changes the sound of the mic.
Just know if you choose this route the resistor network needs to be choosen for a pre input impedance, and also you need close tolerance resistors.
There are several ways to accomplish the "loading" of a mic/pre.
IM not a fan of this method, just wanted to mention that if somone wants to hear the difference for a Mic/pre combo that does not have this feature it can be done as an inline device.
Do you know a guy name Chris ?? that has a JH16 that lives in the Crestwood area?

 

[Fishmed]

Having the "loading network" on the input of the pre has little or none at all effect on the sound of the pre, it changes the sound of the mic.
Just know if you choose this route the resistor network needs to be choosen for a pre input impedance, and also you need close tolerance resistors.
There are several ways to accomplish the "loading" of a mic/pre.
IM not a fan of this method, just wanted to mention that if somone wants to hear the difference for a Mic/pre combo that does not have this feature it can be done as an inline device.
Do you know a guy name Chris ?? that has a JH16 that lives in the Crestwood area?

I'll avoid the preload, I was just curious of what all you can do with an XLR barrel.

I can't say that I do know Chris.

 

[Scott LaChapell]

This is true about the power on some racks and modules it seems. It seems like the larger racks should be OK, but the Lunchbox may not have a beefy enough power supply for stuff like the Chandler Module and the LaChapelles.

Hello xstatic,

I know this thread is a couple weeks old but I thought I'd chime in on this last point. The 583s will have no problems what-so-ever when used in the smaller API 6-bay lunch box (so long as it's not one of the very old types...) I have a new API 6-bay frame and run it full with three 583's for days without problems. The 583s consumes roughly 210ma total (105 per bay); API's VPR alliance allows for 130ma per bay (260ma for a two-bay module).

You will notice an increase in temperature due to the secondary power supply within the 583s and the 12AX7 tube but nothing of consequence.

... Just thought I'd throw that in

THANKS!

Scott LaChapell
LaChapell Audio
209-383-3486

 

[kojdogg]

Hello xstatic,

I know this thread is a couple weeks old but I thought I'd chime in on this last point. The 583s will have no problems what-so-ever when used in the smaller API 6-bay lunch box (so long as it's not one of the very old types...) I have a new API 6-bay frame and run it full with three 583's for days without problems. The 583s consumes roughly 210ma total (105 per bay); API's VPR alliance allows for 130ma per bay (260ma for a two-bay module).

You will notice an increase in temperature due to the secondary power supply within the 583s and the 12AX7 tube but nothing of consequence.

... Just thought I'd throw that in

THANKS!

Scott LaChapell
LaChapell Audio
209-383-3486

I'm hoping to pick up a 583 sometime this year-- I love the idea of it!

 

[xstatic]

Thanks for the info Scott. Good to see you here. I too hope to be able to add some La Chapell stuff to my rack. I have too many empty spaces begging for some more cards

 

[kojdogg]

Hello xstatic,

I know this thread is a couple weeks old but I thought I'd chime in on this last point. The 583s will have no problems what-so-ever when used in the smaller API 6-bay lunch box (so long as it's not one of the very old types...) I have a new API 6-bay frame and run it full with three 583's for days without problems. The 583s consumes roughly 210ma total (105 per bay); API's VPR alliance allows for 130ma per bay (260ma for a two-bay module).

You will notice an increase in temperature due to the secondary power supply within the 583s and the 12AX7 tube but nothing of consequence.

... Just thought I'd throw that in

THANKS!

Scott LaChapell
LaChapell Audio
209-383-3486

I'm hoping to pick up a 583 sometime this year-- I love the idea of it!

Just wanted to note that I got a 583s and while it wasn't cheap (had to sell some stuff I liked to get it), it's totally worth it-- a great, huge, smooth sounding tube preamp. I tracked down a 50's square getter, longplate Mullard 12AX7 and a pair of 50's Raytheon Blackplate 12AX7s on Scott's recommendations only to find that my unit (a PotLuck Con demo) came with a nice Fisher 12AX7 already installed! Even still, I put the Mullard right in there and am very pleased with the sound. I've only tried vocals with it, but that will be my main use anyway (along with acoustic guitar). I'm looking forward to trying the DI with it for bass and electric guitar though.

The build quality is excellent and the LED switches are very cool and helpful. This isn't a "toob" preamp-- the tube runs at the proper voltage thanks to Scott's rather ingenious circuit.

I'd definitely recommend this to any of the few, but mighty 500 enthusiasts here on Home Rec.

 

[pohaku]

Just wanted to note that I got a 583s and while it wasn't cheap (had to sell some stuff I liked to get it), it's totally worth it-- a great, huge, smooth sounding tube preamp. I tracked down a 50's square getter, longplate Mullard 12AX7 and a pair of 50's Raytheon Blackplate 12AX7s on Scott's recommendations only to find that my unit (a PotLuck Con demo) came with a nice Fisher 12AX7 already installed! Even still, I put the Mullard right in there and am very pleased with the sound. I've only tried vocals with it, but that will be my main use anyway (along with acoustic guitar). I'm looking forward to trying the DI with it for bass and electric guitar though.

The build quality is excellent and the LED switches are very cool and helpful. This isn't a "toob" preamp-- the tube runs at the proper voltage thanks to Scott's rather ingenious circuit.

I'd definitely recommend this to any of the few, but mighty 500 enthusiasts here on Home Rec.

Intriguing. There have been very good reports on this pre. And I still have a few rack spaces available. Hmmmm

 

[kojdogg]

Intriguing. There have been very good reports on this pre. And I still have a few rack spaces available. Hmmmm

The only problem with that is that if you have the means, you'll probably want two
If you pick one up, let me know if you want a nice deal on a sweet Raytheon Blackplate

 

[JTC111]

Intriguing. There have been very good reports on this pre. And I still have a few rack spaces available. Hmmmm

I'm gonna need a bigger rack. I've been keeping my eyes open for a 10 or 11 unit 500 rack but in the meantime I bought a Demeter VTMP-2c and this morning I ordered a John Hardy M1 from Mercenary.
....and I have a couple of pres coming from the group buy.

 

[pohaku]

Well, I have one 6 slot rack and 2 x 4 slot racks. You can always add incrementally. The smaller racks are more portable as well. I always seem to be using stuff at someone else's location and an 11 slot rack is a bit unwieldy.

 

[kojdogg]

are you dudes mixing up racks and lunchboxes?

 

[Fishmed]

I'm gonna need a bigger rack. I've been keeping my eyes open for a 10 or 11 unit 500 rack but in the meantime I bought a Demeter VTMP-2c and this morning I ordered a John Hardy M1 from Mercenary.
....and I have a couple of pres coming from the group buy.

I think we are going to need some eye-candy once you have everything in.

 

[JTC111]

Well, I have one 6 slot rack and 2 x 4 slot racks. You can always add incrementally. The smaller racks are more portable as well. I always seem to be using stuff at someone else's location and an 11 slot rack is a bit unwieldy.

if someone wants to use my gear, they're gonna have to come here ...i ain't running no damn pizza delivery

 

[JTC111]

are you dudes mixing up racks and lunchboxes?

a lunchbox is where ya keep your food and a rack is kinda like this, right?

 

[pohaku]

are you dudes mixing up racks and lunchboxes?

A lunchbox is just a small rack with a handle. Mine don't, however, seem to contain any of the above pictured benefits.

 

[kojdogg]

a lunchbox is a small rack with slots that attach to connectors and in some cases a power supply, but yeah... a built-in cat would be awesome too