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Clean preamps
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Clean preamps
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.
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.
Eve Klein
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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...
Andy Evans
http://www.mud.net.au
http://www.mud.net.au
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Chinagraf - Valued Contributor

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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
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 Parodi
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It's the first watt that counts
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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
Eve Klein
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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! :)
Eve Klein
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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.
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.
Gian Parodi
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It's the first watt that counts
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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
M
Myles Mumford
Producer/Composer/Engineer/Sound Artist
Making records in sunny Melbourne
www.mylesmumford.com
Producer/Composer/Engineer/Sound Artist
Making records in sunny Melbourne
www.mylesmumford.com
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mylesgm - Valued Contributor

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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.
Pete Bird
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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.
Chris Hallam.
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Whatever floats your boat.
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Chris H - Forum Veteran

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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
==============
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
Jamil Khuri
Amusement & Audio Engineer
"it's not awesome unless its 240bpm with distorted 909 kicks!"
Amusement & Audio Engineer
"it's not awesome unless its 240bpm with distorted 909 kicks!"
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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)...
Eve Klein
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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.
Chris Hallam.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
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Chris H - Forum Veteran

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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.
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.
John Summers
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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
Jamil Khuri
Amusement & Audio Engineer
"it's not awesome unless its 240bpm with distorted 909 kicks!"
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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
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
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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.
- tony
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hey!!!! ....... all you need is a bit of advice from the experts:)
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html
http://www.ehow.com/video_4395370_recor ... -home.html
Chris Hallam.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
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Chris H - Forum Veteran

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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
- walding
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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 Hallam.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
https://soundcloud.com/hallamsound
Whatever floats your boat.
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Chris H - Forum Veteran

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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 :)
Ben Moore
Harvest Recordings
Website: http://www.harvestrecordings.com.au
Facebook: http://www.faceback.com/harvestrecordings
Harvest Recordings
Website: http://www.harvestrecordings.com.au
Facebook: http://www.faceback.com/harvestrecordings
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Ben M - Valued Contributor

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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... ;)
Eve Klein
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I'm renovating my bathroom at the moment. I'm thinking of modelling it on the PCM-70 Tiled room preset.
Andy Evans
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http://www.mud.net.au
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Chinagraf - Valued Contributor

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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!
Mike de Vrees
Purveyor of old stuff
Purveyor of old stuff
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