Fast, clean, high gain, is what i want.

Ryan Silva · Post by **Ryan Silva** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:43 am

Looking into a clean uncolored stereo pre-amp, for percussion, acoustic and more importantly drum overheads.

This is what I was looking at (haven?t heard any of these):

GML-8302
Manley- Dual mono Mic Pre (catchy name)
Grace- 201

So as you can tell my price range is between 1500-2500,

Fast, low noise, high gain.

Any thoughts

AstroDan · Post by **AstroDan** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:15 am

Sytek.

Ryan Silva · Post by **Ryan Silva** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:31 am

I hear about those so much on TOMB, and the price is right, but will it outperform my current go to stereo pre (trident s20)?

Also how important is an external PS for keeping the operating noise to a minimum?

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:31 am

For me personally I'm a huge fan of the Great River MP 2nv. Guy in my band has it and it's our go to pre for recording anything in stereo. I know it's exactly transparent....but it's simly amazing.

I have a pair of summit audio 2ba-221's that I use for stereo micing. I love them because the have really clean solid state gain that you can tube saturate if you want. Plus a variable impedence and high pass filter. Also, you can get a pair for under $1000.

I've also heard great things about the Sebatron 2000eVU, but haven't had a chance to use it.

ulriggribbons · Post by **ulriggribbons** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:04 pm

that's what the Si was designed for

http://www.shinybox.com/studioe.php

jon

Ryan Silva · Post by **Ryan Silva** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:10 pm

Shameless plug

Wow $500 for a 500 series. Not bad.

ulriggribbons · Post by **ulriggribbons** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:22 pm

Totally shameless. When you've got the right answer, don't be shy.

You should see my sharkskin suit

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:28 pm

There's a Bryston stereo pre that I use quite often at a local studio. I don't know the model # or price (I'm so helpful) but I do know it's very clean and transparent. It's my go to for room mics and overheads.

rty5150 · Post by **rty5150** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:44 pm

AstroDan wrote:Sytek.

sytek again!

rich

dsw · Post by **dsw** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:27 pm

True. Stereo for $1600 or 8 ch for $2600.

My fave.

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:19 pm

Buzz Audio. Either the Elixirs or the MA 2.2. Exactly what you described. The GML sounds cool but doesn't have polarity switches on the front panel and the Manley isn't what I'd call fast or high-gain. Also, GML's customer service is kind of lame. I've liked the Grace stuff that I've heard, but I don't think I've ever had first-hand experience with it.

The Buzz stuff is pretty spectacular. I got an MA 2.2 to review for the magazine a few years ago and really liked it. I wasn't in a position to buy a piece like that at the time, but a little while later, they came out with the Elixirs. I bought a pair maybe two years ago and have been using them frequently ever since. They're very similar to the Syteks, but sounds little "bigger" and handle low-frequency source material much better. The DI also sounds terrific.

I also like the Millenia stuff (HV3, etc.).

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

joninc · Post by **joninc** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:34 pm

hmmm -- a lot of what qualifies as "fast" and "clean" would be transformerless stuff - which can also sometimes be described as "sterile".

a lot of "color" pres can be run more conservatively and be considerably less coloured but still have some heft and meatiness to them....

great river nv
api
even the germanium with the feedback knob off...
sebatron
isa

are you going for pristine and clear?

are you an audiophile?

what kind of records do you love and make? rock? classical?

are you recording to digital? for me in digital land - i find the fast clean stuff can also come off "hard" and to my ears - i did some recording to radar a few years back with millenia pres and found it too biting on some sources (esp electric guitar). might be fine fine on the rooms but a little harsh on overheads and brighter sources. if i was on tape maybe i'd want to go in more clean as the tape will color depending on how you hit it etc... also depends on if you are using bright mics or darker stuff/ribbons etc.

it might be perfect with ribbons - might be shrill with brighter condensors.

there's a lot of variable but since you haven't tried any of these - it's hard to say whether you will actually like them or not.

more description please....

T-rex · Post by **T-rex** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:56 pm

I can't compare to the Millenia stuff, but if you get a chance to audition the Sytek they are really great. Clean, super fast but not sterile sounding. Yes, you have a lot more cash to spend than the Sytek, but for fast and clean I really enjoy it on overheads.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:18 am

May I humbly suggest the Audio Upgrades High Speed mic preamp.
,0002% IMD, 400 v /us slew rate, -133 db EIN at 50 ohms, 200 ma output current. It's a direct coupled transformer less design favored in Hollywood for foley, classical in Europe and pop/rock/jazz everywhere.
$1500 for stereo, made to order.

Back to your regularly scheduled plugs.

capnreverb · Post by **capnreverb** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:55 am

John Hardy

Message Board

Fast, clean, high gain, is what i want.

Fast, clean, high gain, is what i want.

Who is online