codamedia
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Learned a lesson in PreAmps
I've been a proud owner of the VS-100 for nearly 2 years, and since I use it within a home/project studio, I never have the need to record too many parts at one time. The 2 preamps on the VS-100 were always enough. My only complaint with those preamps was how high I usually have to run the sens controls, which makes me uncomfortable. Other than that - the sounds has been good and the signal has been quiet (which is all that matters). Over the past few weeks I have been looking at adding another preamp - and eventually decided on the ART Pro MPA II - which is a two channel. I take the balanced outputs from the ART, and plug them into channel(s) 3/4 on the VS-100 (note: I am using proper TRS cables to keep the signal balanced and at +4db). Now - I know the ART line is often snickered at by the Professional, but the Pro MPA II is their top of the line and is very flexible. I cannot justify spending more, and this fits my needs fine. (Full Retail is around $300). What Happened! The $300 ART embarrasses the VS-100 pre-amps. I simply cannot believe how much better everything sounds when it is coming in from the ART. It's as if a blanket was taken off the speakers. I thought I was just adding two more channels of pre-amps to my VS-100, but I got much, much more than I expected. (I don't even want to start to think about how good the $1500 - $3000 single channel pre's sound - ooops, I guess I just did, LOL) The VS-100 pre's will certainly have their place in my setup, just not likely on the lead vocals, or acoustic lead instruments. The point of my thread is not to bash the VS-100 pre's - it is merely to suggest that I underestimated the impact preamps can have - even consumer level like the ART. I really did not think adding a pre-amp would make this big of a difference - but I've learned my lesson.
post edited by codamedia - 2012/02/25 00:42:43
Don't fix it in the mix ... Fix it in the take!
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M@ B
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Re:Learned a lesson in PreAmps
2012/02/24 12:59:48
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Nice, glad you're enjoying your new gear. I've read some good things about some ART stuff. They have a two channel comp that a lot of people really like... i forget the model #. ----------- I have been using a GAP'73 preamp for lead vocal since around early last summer and have gotten some very good results (plugged into line input 3 on vs100). I recently picked up a CloudLifter CL-1 and have been using it with an SM7B and the VS100 preamp and I have been liking it. It's gives me an option with a lot less character than the GAP. I get a very strong signal into Sonar with the vs100 pre set only at 1 o'clock. Considering that the sm7 is a glutton for gain, that's actually pretty good. I'm now wondering what a nice "clean" pre brings to the table, something like a Grace 101 or similar?
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codamedia
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Re:Learned a lesson in PreAmps
2012/02/24 17:54:08
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M@ B: Sounds like you have already learned what I am just finding out  The ART compressor you mention is likely the VLA. It is the companion (same line) as the preamp I just got. I've heard a lot of great things about the GAP 73 as well - but nobody had one in stock here when I was searching. The FMR RNP looked really nice - but it was nearly twice the cost of the ART, and my budget just doesn't permit! I'm not familiar with the CloudLifter CL-1! I'll have to look into that!
Don't fix it in the mix ... Fix it in the take!
Desktop: Win 7 Pro 64 Bit , ASUS MB w/Intel Chipset, INTEL Q9300 Quad Core, 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, ATI 5450 Video Laptop: Windows 7 Pro, i5, 8 Gig Ram Hardware: Presonus FP10 (Firepod), FaderPort, M-Audio Axiom 49, Mackie 1202 VLZ, POD X3 Live, Variax 600, etc... etc...
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SilverfoxUK
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Re:Learned a lesson in PreAmps
2012/02/24 19:16:48
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codamedia
I've been a proud owner of the VS-100 for nearly 2 years, and since I use it within a home/project studio, I never have the need to record too many parts at one time. The 2 preamps on the VS-100 were always enough.
My only complaint with those preamps was how high I usually have to run the sens controls, which makes me uncomfortable. Other than that - the sounds has been good and the signal has been quiet (which is all that matters).
Over the past few weeks I have been looking at adding another preamp - and eventually decided on the ART Pro MPA II - which is a two channel. I take the balanced outputs from the ART, and plug them into channel(s) 3/4 on the VS-100 (note: I am using proper TRS cables to keep the signal balanced and at +4db).
Now - I know the ART line is often snickered at by the Professional, but the Pro MPA II is their top of the line and is very flexible. I cannot justify spending more, and this fits my needs fine. (Full Retail is around $300).
What Happened! The $300 ART embarrasses the VS-100 pre-amps. I simply cannot believe how much better everything sounds when it is coming in from the ART. It's as if a blanket was taken off the speakers. I though I was just adding two more channels of pre-amps to my VS-100, but I got much, much more than I expected. (I don't even want to start to think about how good the $1500 - $3000 single channel pre's sound - ooops, I guess I just did, LOL)
The VS-100 pre's will certainly have their place in my setup, just not likely on the lead vocals, or acoustic lead instruments. The point of my thread is not to bash the VS-100 pre's - it is merely to suggest that I underestimated the impact preamps can have - even consumer level like the ART. I really did not think adding a pre-amp would make this big of a difference - but I've learned my lesson.
Oh God, NOT the sort of thing I want to be reading... m u s t r e s i s t G A S.... ;) In fact on the topic of GAS, I was reading on GearSnobs (slutz) that anyone who wanted to obtain even a shred of credibility for having this unit did so by "immediately removing the default tubes and replacing them" with some that are made on the planet Pluto by pigme dolphins or something... Jesus. Where does it end?
post edited by SilverfoxUK - 2012/02/24 19:19:57
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Garry Stubbs
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Re:Learned a lesson in PreAmps
2012/02/24 22:24:57
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I have an ART MPA Gold preamp and it is simply stunning, cant imagine how much more I would have to pay to get an improvement...
https://soundcloud.com/garry-kiosk Sonar Platinum 64-bit: Q6600 8Gb Win7 64-bit: KRK Monitors: ART MPA PRO VLA ii preamp: 3 x 500Gb internal SATA disks: Superior Drummer2: GPO4: Realstrat: Saxlab: Rapture: Dimension Pro: Ozone 4: Edirol SPS-660: PCR-500 MIDI controller: Korg PadKontrol: Fender / Gibson / Yamaha / Ibanez guitars:Guitar Rig 5: Dual 22" Monitors: Mapex Drums, Sabian AAX cymbals: Alesis DM5 Pro Kit: SE Electronics and Shure Mics: Mathmos Lava Lamp (40W)
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Philip
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Re:Learned a lesson in PreAmps
2012/03/22 19:59:52
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+1 all.
I've become a fan of Pre's (for vocs and guitars) ... while not a live-or-die thing ... since my vox and guitars are *ordinary*.
... there's no turning back with my Portico Neve, Avalon, and Axe-Fx Processor (the 1st being solid state, the second tubes, the latter being a computer).
Clarity, beneficial colorations at the source, gain, de-essing, compression, and EQ are just some of the benefits I've realized with my pre-s.
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