Which API 500-compatible module?

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Rocket Boy

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There's a lot of options out there... This will mainly be used for acoustic guitar and vocals. I want something open but not too transparent... Some flavor of API500 would seem to be the best value for getting into pro-level pre's. So what would you suggest?

I was considering an OSA rack and one of their pre's to start. Probably the MP1-L, then the C and the L3 if I went the OSA route. I mainly was leaning that way due to cost, and the fact you get 100 dollars off an OSA rack if you get an OSA pre with it. But if these arent going to give me the best sound, why waste my money? I've also heard concerns about other modules not working well with OSA racks but if it's not going to affect the sound I might be willing to try them anyways since they are much less expensive. So the companies that make compatible racks and modules are... API, Purple Audio, Buzz, OSA, Shadow Hills, BAE, A-Designs and I'm sure more.

So basically... if you've used any or preferably a few of these- what do you think is going to give me the best sound/value.
 
I've not used the OSA gear so I can't give you a first hand comment. It is less expensive than any of the other brands. I have a couple API 512c boards, an A Designs P-1, and an A-Designs Red pre. I also have a couple API 550b EQs and one API 525 compressor. Of all the 500 series pres I have, I like the P-1 the best. It is a bit more forward than the API, but in a very smooth way. Not edgy. Great highs and upper mids. I'd actually like to get another so that I can run pairs of mics with them. I got mine on the trial offer last Thanksgiving when A-Designs asked Gearslutz members to try them and answer a survey about them. So they were pretty well discounted if you participated. I think new ones run about $795 or so at street. Keep in mind that if you only want to get a pair, you should also consider simply getting the A-Designs Pacifica, which for 2 channels is a better deal. If you are really looking at getting more than 2 channels of 500 series, than the investment makes increasingly more financial sense as you share the cost of the rack and power supply over more modules.

The APIs are great though. Eminently usable and very rock and roll. And they turned up used more often than the other pres since there are more of them out there. I think I ended up paying @$600 each for mine in pristine condition. The cheapest price I found new ones for whenI was looking a year ago was @$640 or so. If you want 4 of them, the API 3124 may be a better deal.

If you get a lunch box, get a 6 slot box unless you get a really good deal on a 4 slot one. It will improve the economics of the arrangement if you can spread 6 modules over a single rack and power supply.
 
BTW, there's a 6 slot box with an API 512c and 550b up for sale on the Gearslutz board for $1600 asking price. Seems like a pretty fair deal. Essentially you would get the 512c for about $600, the 550b for about $700 and the box for $300 - all of which see to be pretty average used prices for those pieces (and maybe even a bit cheap for the lunchbox).
 
Personally, I would avoid the OSA stuff. The L3 is worth getting, but the others in their range just don't seem to have that special something that so many other 500 series modules have. If the Buzz 500 series sounds like the rest of their line, it is certainly worth it. Very detailed, fairly clean, extremely dimensional. The Shadow Hills gamma's seem to be pretty valued, and I have not heard the Purple ones or the A designs 500 series stuff. I do love the API's though. They are drum and heavy guitar monsters:D
 
hrm well that's about 800 less than it would be new... but i kind of wanted the full on rack mountable :p
 
Ah, you're such a slut! And I mean that in the most positive sense :D
 
The 512c will definitely give you punch. Especially on drums (kick,snare,toms) and a miced guitar cab. The Pacifica I heard (not a 500 series card,do they make those yet?) seemed to be more fidelity oriented to me. (overheads,vocals,acoustic). I have heard good things about the Purple, but havent heard any first hand. The mix and match capabilities make the lunch box way more flexable than a just a dedicated pre.
When you start to step up to level of API and the others, you probably cant go wrong no matter what you get. Just a matter of taste.
 
phaqu said:
The 512c will definitely give you punch. Especially on drums (kick,snare,toms) and a miced guitar cab. The Pacifica I heard (not a 500 series card,do they make those yet?) seemed to be more fidelity oriented to me. (overheads,vocals,acoustic). I have heard good things about the Purple, but havent heard any first hand. The mix and match capabilities make the lunch box way more flexable than a just a dedicated pre.
When you start to step up to level of API and the others, you probably cant go wrong no matter what you get. Just a matter of taste.
Click to expand...


The A-Designs P-1 card is the 500 series version of the Pacifica, although I understand that slightly different transformers were used because of space and voltage limitations. Allegedly a slight difference in sound as a result. The P-1 still sounds great -- I haven't heard the rack model Pacifica. There are three other 500 series cards from A-Designs, which appear to differ mainly based on the transformers used. Red, Blue and Silver. I find the Red to be pretty comparable to the API, but just a bit thicker.
 
Check out the SCA stuff.
http://www.seventhcirclestudios.com/SCA/SCA.htm
I'm currently building 4 of the A12's (API clone) and 2 of the N72's (Neve clone).
Michael Wagener is currently using them on the new Skid Row album and reportedly likes the A12's better than the real API....for what it's worth.
If you want, I can build them for you.
 
I was looking at SCA... but it sort of leaves me only being able to use SCA stuff and I don't really have any experience putting together electronics like that.
 
I've heard the API pre is good for drums and electric guitars... how does it work for vox and acoustic guitars?
 
I just got the API 6B linchbox, and a A Designs P-1. I'm like estatic :D
At first I was like hmm, whats the big deal. Then I started recording using different mics, pretty much the same drum line/patterns. I took a track of the P-1 vs a Grace 101, and a Spirit Sx mixer. Well of course the Grace will
give a good representation of what you're tracking. Then I comparing to the P-1 ..

man no comparison. I still haven't found a sweet spot for the gain structure, but I got it as close as I could. The P-1 has a forward detail, and a open high end without being harsh, and the lows are tight with some mojo. The low mids is where it is especially nice. It just cuts through in a mix, hardly any eq is needed. Just a smidgin and your on your way.
It has a tone thats just what you expect from a recording that you've heard
from your favorite recordings. Like a finished sound.

As far as the OSA rack, I heard they aren't as robust as the APi's-something to do with the power supply being flakey or not passing enough juice.

Gotta get me another P-1 ,and maybe a silver.

T
 
API's work great for vocals and acoustgic as well. They work great for all sorts of things. Basically, they are a quality solid preamp. For things besides drums and electrics though, there are other things that I have that I prefer. None of the "clones" seem to really capture that aggressive API thing like the real deal. If you want that API sound, get an API and forget about the knockoffs.
 
Honestly. I'm not sure I know what the "API" sound is except through other peoples descriptions. I like the idea of the expandability of the 500 series modules. So - basically i still don't know what i want. I don't want my first one to be a one trick poney and I don't want to invest in anything that will at some point not be useful and good. I've heard great things about the OSA pre's and not great things. I'm torn on that mainly, because of the price and the people who like them seem to really like them. Alot of people seem to really like all the 500 series :/
 
API preamps are not much more than some of the OSA ones. I was less than impressed with the OSA stuff (except the L3). I may have been a little let down due to all the hype that surrounded them. However, the API (in the same rack) was noticably different than the OSA A and C modules, one which ( i don't remember which) is supposed to be the API type preamp. I know that for me the extra $100 or $150 for the API preamp is more than worth it after having compared them.
 
Relatively speaking, I think the APIs are the third least expensive 500 series pre after the OSA modules. I was actually surprised when I was pricing them that the pres were substantially less expensive than the 550b EQ and 525 Comp (I bought a pair of the eqs first). Street for them now seems to be @$675. That's cheaper than A-Design, and Shadow Hills (@$795). Averill pres are $599. The Purple Audio Biz is $675. I haven't seen pricing on the Buzz or the Hardy units yet. The OSA modules run from $545 to $650 with the DI option (included in the API modules and Averill modules). So the price spread isn't huge between the API, Averill, Purple and the OSA modules (particularly the more interesting OSA modules). In addition, the API and Averill modules will hold their value somewhat better I think. I picked up a pair of the API pres used for @$600 each when you could find them new for $640 at Primal Gear. Atlas does aggressively promote them with the discount if you buy OSA modules and a rack at the same time, so there is that cost advantage, although it is only $100 unless you are buying at least 4 modules.

You might see what kind of price Primal Gear or Mercenary or one of the other vendors would cut you if you bought a 6 slot lunchbox and a card at the same time. Or you could take your time and look for used gear at a somewhat better price. For example, someone just sold a Purple Biz card for $575 over on GS. I have 2 - API 512c cards, 2 - 550b cards and one 525 card in two 4 slot lunch boxes - all of which were bought used, either off of e-bay or various BBs. I have 2 of the A-design cards, but I got those on the special intro deal when they were looking for user reviews when they brought them out. It's a workable approach if you have some patience.
 
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