Sytek - Wow

[guinsu]

I finally got a chance to give my new Sytek 4 channel preamp a workout. I used it with the indie rock band I am in. First I ran the overheads, kick and snare through it, the other drum tracks went through my old Digimax. Then 2 tracks of acoustic and finally bass. Mics were SP B1, D112 and Senn 421 on drums, and AKG 414XLii on guitar and bass. I'll probably use the same mic for vocals, it works well with our singers voice.

I am really amazed at how much better the Sytek sounds over the Digimax, everything is much more real and detailed. I find myself useing words usually reserved for hi-end stereo reviews. This was the first time I ever did a recording and it sounded like a "real" cd and not just a local studio. And I was even using the A/D converters in my VF-16 which I never thought were all that.

I remember being nervous about ordering one, there were a few negative posts over at rec.org about it, so if anyone else has similar fears I will lay them to rest. Well worth the money I paid, hopefully someday I'll have a Great River or Sebatron to complement it and I'll be set.

 

[diogo]

hi...

my fears are the ones u had, exactly...all the negative feedback. the Sytek is probly gonna be my first serious pre, if i cant find any Audix 35102 with 2 assembled channels. then ill be looking to complement it with the Audix. but im pretty set on it. and its always nice to see a positive review on it. do u notice any significant differences on the BB channels?

 

[Mr. Moon]

I finally got a chance to give my new Sytek 4 channel preamp a workout. I used it with the indie rock band I am in. First I ran the overheads, kick and snare through it, the other drum tracks went through my old Digimax. Then 2 tracks of acoustic and finally bass. Mics were SP B1, D112 and Senn 421 on drums, and AKG 414XLii on guitar and bass. I'll probably use the same mic for vocals, it works well with our singers voice.

I am really amazed at how much better the Sytek sounds over the Digimax, everything is much more real and detailed. I find myself useing words usually reserved for hi-end stereo reviews. This was the first time I ever did a recording and it sounded like a "real" cd and not just a local studio. And I was even using the A/D converters in my VF-16 which I never thought were all that.

I remember being nervous about ordering one, there were a few negative posts over at rec.org about it, so if anyone else has similar fears I will lay them to rest. Well worth the money I paid, hopefully someday I'll have a Great River or Sebatron to complement it and I'll be set.

I also am diggin' my new Sytek 4 channel preamp!! ...Just got it less than a week ago and so far it is nothing but sweet! I have only used it to record some test tracks with an acoustic guitar and a couple of lead guitar tracks on one of our songs, but already I can tell it's a great addition to my studio!

-mr moon

 

[guinsu]

hi...

my fears are the ones u had, exactly...all the negative feedback. the Sytek is probly gonna be my first serious pre, if i cant find any Audix 35102 with 2 assembled channels. then ill be looking to complement it with the Audix. but im pretty set on it. and its always nice to see a positive review on it. do u notice any significant differences on the BB channels?

I haven't had time to compare the BB channels to the regular ones. I guess I'd have to record the same thing twice or use the same mic on two channels. Frlm what I hear this isn't a huge difference. I've been recording as much as I can on the BB channels and they seem to stack well adn aren't too colored.

 

[ozraves]

Some of the negative against Sytek comes from some guys who are miffed and tiffed that Mike Stoica does not send out eval units. He just doesn't do it. So, some people feel it necessary to say bad things in retaliation.

 

[xstatic]

I am really glad to see that someone on this board is enjoying the difference in mic preamps. There seems to have been a lot of talk around here lately about how a nice preamp doesn't even make that big of a difference. The sytek is a killer bang for the buck unit and I have always enjoyed them. Just to fuel the fire a bit though since you guys have experienced some nice changes, the sytek is probably not even a "high end" preamp. So just imagine what it will be like the day you get into a GML or a Martech preamp

 

[Mr. Moon]

Some of the negative against Sytek comes from some guys who are miffed and tiffed that Mike Stoica does not send out eval units. He just doesn't do it. So, some people feel it necessary to say bad things in retaliation.

When I was researching preamps, Gearsltuz folks seemed to like the Sytek pretty well. I then Googled for "Sytek mpx-4a" and was floored by the number of studios which include this preamp in their active gear lists. The fact that so many "real" studios were using them really impacted my decision to purchase one of them for my "semi-real" studio!

-mr moon

 

[SonicAlbert]

I've seen very few if any negative reviews on the Sytek from people that have actually used it. Anyone complaining because they didn't get an evaluation unit has obviously not used the preamp.

And it is refreshing to read of someone who took the plunge and spent some extra money to get a better product than the usual low end stuff you see being discussed around here. The higher quality makes everything easier: easier to get a good sound and easier to mix (and better too).

 

[chessrock]

Just to fuel the fire a bit though since you guys have experienced some nice changes, the sytek is probably not even a "high end" preamp. So just imagine what it will be like the day you get into a GML or a Martech preamp

There are quite a few records that I like a great deal, that either a Sytek was used on, or a Neotek console. Don't remember ever saying to myself: "That probably would've sounded better if they had used a GML."

I think they're high end enough.

 

[Stefan Elmblad]

I think they're high end enough.

Agree. You would have to have some serious stuff in your studio before the Sytek becomes your weakest link.

 

[xstatic]

I wasn't intending to say anything bad about the Sytek at all. It's a good solid preamp. it's incredible when you consider what it costs. I don't believe in the statement "high end enough". I think that people should make decisions based on a combination of skill level, needs, wants, and budget. A GML is certainly not for everyone. For those people though that a GML does fit, the sytek probably won't cut it. However, in in the best of racks, a Sytek can still fill a couple of slots without being obsolete. Thats what I do love about gear like that. It grows with you. A dmp3 will not. If you don't think you could use something like a GML, then you aren't ready for one. My point was basically that the search never ends if you are progressing and love what you do. In some ways that sucks, and in some ways it's really cool. I don't regret spending a lot of money on my equipment. In fact, i can't wait to spend more. I love it that much

 

[Teacher]

I I don't believe in the statement "high end enough". I think that people should make decisions based on a combination of skill level, needs, wants, and budget. A GML is certainly not for everyone. For those people though that a GML does fit, the sytek probably won't cut it.

Justin Timberlakes vocals on the BEP "Where's da luv" australian remix was tracked thru a Sytek.

 

[chessrock]

Justin Timberlakes vocals on the BEP "Where's da luv" australian remix was tracked thru a Sytek.

As were the Pixies albums ... the Breeders and the list goes on (if you count the Neotek consoles).

I just think you're suffering from some major lack of perspective if you look at something like an SSL or a Neotek console ... or someone who's got Syteks and say: "Nope, I can't track through those. Not good enough. I need my special foofy-foo mic pre." There's just so many other things to worry about in life. I mean you may as well just go and check to make sure the connectors used in the patch bay are "fooo foo" enough for you. At some point, you just have to get busy making some recordings.

I mean, even if you're Justin Timberflake ... just shut up already and sing. Whether we track this through the Sytek or the GML, you still get to go home and have sex with Cameron, so what's your problem? ?

 

[scrubs]

I mean, even if you're Justin Timberflake ... just shut up already and sing. Whether we track this through the Sytek or the GML, you still get to go home and have sex with Cameron, so what's your problem? ?

So, if I buy a Sytek, I get to have sex with Cameron Diaz? Wow, that beats any beer commercial promise all to hell. Sign me up!

 

[chessrock]

So, if I buy a Sytek, I get to have sex with Cameron Diaz? Wow, that beats any beer commercial promise all to hell. Sign me up!

Yes. As a matter of fact, you get to have sex with the wife / girlfriend / husband / boyfriend of everyone who has ever used a Sytek at some point.

... Which kinda' begs the question: Would you do it? I mean knowing Steven Tyler has had supermodel wives ... and Justin's been with Britany and Cameron.

But also knowing there would be some pretty nasty ones in there, too ... would you do it anyway?

 

[scrubs]

Yes. As a matter of fact, you get to have sex with the wife / girlfriend / husband / boyfriend of everyone who has ever used a Sytek at some point.

... Which kinda' begs the question: Would you do it? I mean knowing Steven Tyler has had supermodel wives ... and Justin's been with Britany and Cameron.

But also knowing there would be some pretty nasty ones in there, too ... would you do it anyway?

Yeah, probably still would.

 

[vangore]

yup me too.

 

[xstatic]

All right guys, I give in. Sytek is the one and only great preamp, if you have one there is no need or want to ever have any other

 

[Big Kenny]

Almost as nice as my Phoenix

 

[scrubs]

All right guys, I give in. Sytek is the one and only great preamp, if you have one there is no need or want to ever have any other

Well, now that you're finally willing to admit that, the healing can begin.