Turtlerock Forum

Hey Y'all,

I know everyone is going crazy for coloured preamps at the moment but I'm trying to find a *nice* very clean and precise preamp for classical recording to pair up with an Apogee AD converter.

Mostly I'll be using it to surround mic opera and small string ensembles in spaces with plenty of reverberation. I've been eying off a Milllenia HV-3 or an Earthworks 1024. Has anyone here used either preamp, or have a different clean preamp they love?

I need a minimum of 4 channels, but I'm interested in the state of "clean" preamps more generally too...

Cheers!!

Eve.

OMG - I was just about to post the same topic, but I only need 2 channels for voice over recording. Fast, transparent and preferably transformerless...

JLM Audio has some nice clean pres.

If you want them in the 500 series format get the Dual 99V500
http://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/index.php? ... roductId=3

or as a rack kit (or they can build it for you)
http://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/index.php? ... oductId=33

Gian wrote:JLM Audio has some nice clean pres.

If you want them in the 500 series format get the Dual 99V500
http://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/index.php? ... roductId=3

or as a rack kit (or they can build it for you)
http://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/index.php? ... oductId=33

I've always liked the idea of the JLMs but assumed they were more suited to rock performance (based on nothing but the people I know who've used them and what they record).

How do they respond to high SPL sources?

- E

Chinagraf wrote:OMG - I was just about to post the same topic, but I only need 2 channels for voice over recording. Fast, transparent and preferably transformerless...

Excellent! :)

the 99V pres are very clean as are the Baby Animals and depending on what opamp you put in them can give you different tonal qualities.

Why dont you ring Joe and ask him (07) 3891 2244 he is very happy to discuss

The gain settings are good so can respond well to any signals.

Have had great success using the Grace m802 preamps, as well as the JLMDual 99v rack that I built for string quartets and orchestral recording. Other pre's I like for classical recording are my pair of siemens 276's which are the opposite in terms of build than what you are talking about. Discrete and transformer i/o but high gain and very rich sounding. Used the cranesong dual channel but wasn't impressed, not bad but not great either. Also used the new LAWO gear whilst I was in New York and that stuff is awesome, cleaner than clean but not bright or harsh just reality louder. I find mic choice and placement is way more important than preamps in classical recording. In terms of JLM gear they also have the 'clean' version of the baby animal that might be worth a look.

M

I've got a Buzz Audio MA2.2 http://www.buzzaudio.com/products/ma2.2.htm for sale ($1800) that would suit the VO requirements well.

Putting a word in for the Amek 9098 dual mic pre. In the applications you are after these are stellar, and not too expensive.Shouldn't be too hard to find on the 2nd hand market.

Looking for the same thing myself.

Was thinking of Focusrite RED.

I am surprised nobody mentioned the GML range - though they are a bit pricey in Australia

An astounding clean ( non sterile ) preamp, with a crystal top end, and fast transient response is GML.

A sonically stunning and reliable premap.

Mike

Clean Pre's
==============

Big Boys...
--------------
Millenia
GML
Millenia
DAV: Broadhurst Gardens
John Hardy M1 et al.
Avalon (not that channel strip one....the other one with numbers)


Not So big boys
-------------------------
Grace Designs
NPNG

Chris H wrote:Putting a word in for the Amek 9098 dual mic pre. In the applications you are after these are stellar, and not too expensive.Shouldn't be too hard to find on the 2nd hand market.

Funnily enough, I did my last big classical studio session on an Amek desk and was besotted with the results. (Using DPA & Neumann mics)...

eek! wrote:

Chris H wrote:Putting a word in for the Amek 9098 dual mic pre. In the applications you are after these are stellar, and not too expensive.Shouldn't be too hard to find on the 2nd hand market.

Funnily enough, I did my last big classical studio session on an Amek desk and was besotted with the results. (Using DPA & Neumann mics)...

I used to have an Amek Recall with 8 of the Neve 9098 mic pre modules, the rest were the standard recall modules. I found the 9098's to be great on every thing i used them for. I don't go for the different pre for different instruments approach as a rule, more like as an exception. The Amek pre's were great for vox followed by a good valve compressor.

1. I've got two 9098 channel strips in the for sale section (I'm pretty sure they're 9098 - I'll check tonight).

2. I second any Grace pre for absolutely pristine classical recording. I use the Lunatec V3 (dual mic/line pre with stellar built-in AD, MS decoding, etc), and am seriously thinking about the new m103 channel strip.

I haven't seen Avalon mentioned yet.....

Their pres are very clean yet have a hi fi (ish) sound.

Just saying......

Avalon are very nice, Great River are nice and clean also, both sound great.

walding wrote:I haven't seen Avalon mentioned yet.....

Their pres are very clean yet have a hi fi (ish) sound.

Just saying......

avalon are in my list

In my opinion, best clean pre giving awesome bang-for-the-buck would be a Sytek MPX4aii.

Doesn't have a bunch of crap you don't need, just 80db of clean gain, phase invert, phantom and mute.

Also on a per-channel basis, I reckon it'd be as cheap as they come.

Chris

Might also be worth looking at Toft's offerings from Mixmasters/Front End Audio.

The pres in my nagra are very clean, might have have a few to many other bits for what your after thou. Great for on site classical recordins as well as voice over stuff.

hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html

Chris H wrote:hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html

Quote from how to record a electric guitar,

" these days there are lots of effects to make the signal better (cue footage of garage band)


BWahhahahahahahahahahahahhaahahahahahhaahahahahhahaa

Still we all had to start somewhere,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Right

I have a Grace 101 which is very clean and clinical, I can sell if anyone is interested, don't do much recording these days....

walding wrote:

Chris H wrote:hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html

Quote from how to record a electric guitar,

" these days there are lots of effects to make the signal better (cue footage of garage band)


BWahhahahahahahahahahahahhaahahahahahhaahahahahhahaa

Still we all had to start somewhere,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Right

i thought the bass players technique is the highlight of the session??????

Chris H wrote:i thought the bass players technique is the highlight of the session??????

Those fingers are groovin! Reminded me of a spider making a web. Or chickens scratching around for food.
Man those expert ideas were life changing. Thanks Chris :)

Chris H wrote:hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html

Well we all strive for that great bathroom reverb... ;)

I'm renovating my bathroom at the moment. I'm thinking of modelling it on the PCM-70 Tiled room preset.

Chris H wrote:hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html

She's got one of those new be!@#$%^& mixers that mix with nothing plugged in! Not even power!... must be zero point energy or something!