The Next Legendary Mic Pre

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sonikbliss
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The Next Legendary Mic Pre

Post by sonikbliss » Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:11 am

Sorry to get your hopes up but I don't know what it is. :P

It seems that whenever anybody asks about mic pres people always drool over the vintage Neve's, API's, etc.. (And for good reason :D ).

My question is what are some modern design pres that you guys are digging and why? I know there has to have been some great design concepts since the classic Neve's, API's came out. And by modern I don't just mean a modern knockoff of the classics (although they're great, and I'm a proud Seventh Circle owner) but a new and revolutionary design that is destined for greatness.

I'm sure there's plenty of great new stuff out there and I'd like to fnd out what it is.

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Post by joel hamilton » Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:24 am

Sage electronics SE-1 mic pre. Discrete, super "gleamy" amazingness. Insane transient response. They have become my go-to pre's for Kick and snare on EVERY session. Totally great.

Manley mono "tube reference microphone preamplifier." (I have the VTL version from back in the day, but it is still made).
My go-to tube mic pre. Will get gnarly if needed, makes the transition from super clean to "tubey/drivey" really well. Super musical, high headroom, tons of gain. Awesome mic pre all around. Cool variable feedback design for gain "ranging."

Electro Harmonix 12AY7 mic pre: Like the manley, only 1400 dollars cheaper.
Amazing, simple circuit that I personally think history will show this is a classic being made right now. Simple, elegant design that works well for many things.

Millenia stuff is pretty amazing as well.

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Red Rockets Glare
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Post by Red Rockets Glare » Tue Nov 22, 2005 10:25 am

I think the Grace preamp will stand the test of time.

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JohnDavisNYC
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Post by JohnDavisNYC » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:03 am

i agree with joel. sage and the electroharmonix. especially if they make a rackmount version... something with a burly power supply in a rack case... something to last 50 years so it CAN become a classic. sonically it has what it takes, but it is built pretty shittily.

john
i like to make music with music and stuff and things.

http://www.thebunkerstudio.com/

sonikbliss
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Post by sonikbliss » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:19 am

Yeah, i've been wanting to check out that electroharmonix. That's the little stompbox one right?

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pandatone
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Post by pandatone » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:34 am

i have to agree the manley pre is really quite a peice..
what about the hamptone?

or is it based on some "tried and true" design. ?

panda

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trodden
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Post by trodden » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:37 am

sonikbliss wrote:Yeah, i've been wanting to check out that electroharmonix. That's the little stompbox one right?
would it be difficult to re-case those things? maybe two of them in a rack unit?

KennyLusk
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Post by KennyLusk » Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:45 am

I agree with Joel and Toaster about the electroharmonix 12AY7.

Sonically it's amazing, but I've had 2 new ones develop grounding issues really quick. Pisses me off.

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Post by joel hamilton » Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:47 pm

KennyLusk wrote:I agree with Joel and Toaster about the electroharmonix 12AY7.

Sonically it's amazing, but I've had 2 new ones develop grounding issues really quick. Pisses me off.
The rack version is going to be awesome.
That is all I can say. i probably will get into trouble for that already.

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Post by creature.of.habit » Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:57 pm

Joel,

is that something i need to know ( :wink: ) before finally buying the stomp version? im planning next week maybe...

now i dunno... :roll:

will it have 2 channels? cant u just spill a bit? lol

i know u cant...but damn, now im afraid to buy the stomp version...

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Post by starscream » Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:02 pm

The 12AY7 is really on par with the Manley? I've got to check one of these out.

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Post by starscream » Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:16 pm

The 12AY7 is really on par with the Manley? I've got to check one of these out.

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Post by joel hamilton » Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:29 pm

starscream wrote:The 12AY7 is really on par with the Manley? I've got to check one of these out.
Yes. Dont let the small size fool you. It is a simple, elegant circuit, so it doesnt take up too much space, especially in that "poking up through the box" case it presently resides in.

I put the EH pre up against an Ampex 601, and Ampex 602 (both completely rebuilt to original specs), the manley mono VTL reference, an ART tube MP, and a UA 2-610.

The manley was the only one that beat the EH on acoustic guitar with a custom C12 VR I have. really. The EH CLOWNED the UA. Big Time. Like not just subtle...

The EH is SO worth having in any recording setup. I have the prototype still (same as production model without the silk screening) and it is rocking.

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trodden
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Post by trodden » Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:34 pm

diogo wrote:Joel,

is that something i need to know ( :wink: ) before finally buying the stomp version? im planning next week maybe...

now i dunno... :roll:

will it have 2 channels? cant u just spill a bit? lol

i know u cant...but damn, now im afraid to buy the stomp version...
eggthactly why i've been holding off.... waiting.... waiting... waiting...

joel says the thing is rulz and believe him, then i hear so many noise/build issues.... so i'm waiting... and waiting...

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Post by KennyLusk » Tue Nov 22, 2005 2:21 pm

trodden wrote:
joel says the thing is rulz and believe him, then i hear so many noise/build issues.... so i'm waiting... and waiting...

Trodden, what other noise/build issues have you heard of other than my issue with grounding? I'm curious.

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