Genghis
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Preamp Recommendations?
Hi everyone, I'm thinking of picking up a second mic preamp to complement my UAD LA-610 Mk II. I've been looking at Warm Audio Tonebeast, one of the Golden Age Project Preamps, or maybe just saving up some more money and picking up a Great River. I see a lot of good about the Warm Audio, and I already have there take on the 1176 compressor.
Budget is currently in the range of the Tonebeast, but if I save a little longer maybe the Great River would be an option. Anyone have any thoughts on how these would compare and differ from what I currently have. interface I use is RME FireFace 400, so I have those two pres as well.
Thanks,
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brconflict
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 14:05:55
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Genghis
Hi everyone, I'm thinking of picking up a second mic preamp to complement my UAD LA-610 Mk II. I've been looking at Warm Audio Tonebeast, one of the Golden Age Project Preamps, or maybe just saving up some more money and picking up a Great River. I see a lot of good about the Warm Audio, and I already have there take on the 1176 compressor.
Budget is currently in the range of the Tonebeast, but if I save a little longer maybe the Great River would be an option. Anyone have any thoughts on how these would compare and differ from what I currently have. interface I use is RME FireFace 400, so I have those two pres as well.
Thanks,
Aside from the cheap knobs of the GAP-Pre73 and mine had a hardware failure in the output module, it's a great pre. I've used it next to a Treu Precision 8, Audient ASP008, API512c, and Chandler Germ500. It does quite well, considering. I use it often for vocals, guitars, and bass. For drums, I lean toward the API, and True pre's for their transient-handling. Great River is quite good, but expensive for a home studio. I've come close to buying one in the past, but they were great middle-of-the road as far as character goes. Very versatile! For warmer character, the Summit 2BA-221 is great! The UA 710 Twinfinity is also one of my favorites. It's quite transparent for the tube side, where the Summit is more for coloring. The GAP-Pre 73 is slightly more lush than the other two (to my ears). I did a shootout of these three and kept the GAP-Pre73 and Summit. But if I could only have one, I'd have chosen the UA.
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
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AT
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 14:58:52
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The TB is a great pre - one of the most flexible out there. It can go from API-style forward to nasty to pure distortion. It is a WA12 with choices. The only caveat is that I use my TB in WA12 mod most of the time, or cleaner by disengaging the transformers, so most of the time that extra capability and cost are wasted. But it can be a lot of fun.
Other than the wa12/TB the other smart and cheap choice is the Focusrite ISA One. Lighter touch than the Warm stuff but still with some transformer heft giving a cleaner, more modern sound. Good stuff tho it doesn't saturate so nicely. It reminds me a lot of the RND Portico, tho not so "big." The new Neve stuff just sounds right, like Goldilocks. You can find some of those around that price, used, maybe.
Any of those units will work well in contrast to your interface pres, which aren't transformer-coupled (I think). The transformer stuff is a good change up to the rather sharp IC pres. Gives you more variety, which is the point, more than one sound being superior to all other forms of amplification. Whatever you choose should work, even in comparison to the tube UA. Solid State reacts differently.
good luck
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http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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SF_Green
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 16:12:25
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I have the FF 800 and the Pre's there are nice and clean, and I went with the GAP Pre-73 for a warm colored tone and like it a lot. To be honest I didn't audition others so I can't say how it stacks up against the competition.
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Mosvalve
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 17:57:24
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I bought the TB12 Tonebeast for it's versatility and really like it. I also like the GAP73. Liike AT said the WA12 is the Tonebeast without the extra's. I think this video does a good job comparing the Warm WA12 and the GAP73 and hope it helps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgxYMhD4pnY
BobV ASUS Prime Z370-P - Intel Core i7+ 8700K 3.7GHZ 16GB Memory, Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU, Windows 10 Pro 64bit, , Sonar Platinum 64bit, Motu 828MK3 Hybrid, Warm Audio TB12 Pre, Warm Audio WA273 Pre, AEA RPQ 500 Pre, Warm Audio WA76 Compressor, Presonus D8 Pre, Tonelux EQ5P 500 Eq, Kush Electra 500 Eq, Lindell PEX 500 Eq, Yamaha 80M monitors with HS10W Sub, and a bunch of other good stuff. I have a Roland Juno-106 that's looking for a new home. PM me.
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Genghis
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 19:10:33
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Thanks for all the input guys. Between AT's comments and a couple of videos I caught on YouTube off of Mosvalves link, I went ahead and ordered the ToneBeast. After the one you linked to it started up one that compared the ToneBeast to the GAP. A lot of talking, but it did give you an idea of the flexibility of the ToneBeast.
I do a lot of hard rock and/or metal, so I think it will probably fit my style well and give me another good color option. I had the ISA Two, which I'm not sure is the same as an ISA One only with dual channels, but I ended up selling it a few months back. Sometimes not so sure I should have sold it, but alas, was looking for more color options. This should give slightly more variety when I'm layering my guitar tracks as well.
Thanks again!
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olemon
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 19:37:58
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☄ Helpfulby SF_Green 2016/09/16 00:34:55
I have to believe that most studios would welcome a UAD 610:)
post edited by olemon - 2016/09/15 20:30:21
https://www.reverbnation.com/scottholson Platinum, Studio One 3 Pro, Win 10 (x64), AMD FX-8350, ASUS M5A97 R2.0, 16GB, RME UCX, Digimax DP88, Faderport 8, Revive Audio Mod Studio Channel, Vintage Audio M72, Summit Audio TLA-50, KRK Rokit 5 G2 Monitors, Guitars "If you wait till the last minute, it only takes a minute."
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Genghis
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/15 23:49:51
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olemon
I have to believe that most studios would welcome a UAD 610:)
Oh yeah, keeping that too... just looking for a second channel that will be a different flavor. :)
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timidi
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 13:30:45
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 16:22:13
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☄ Helpfulby SF_Green 2016/09/16 19:56:55
Mentioned this in another thread... Just recently picked up a Neve Portico II channel-strip. It's somewhat costly, but the mic preamp, 4-band EQ, and compressor are all world-class. The Portico II mic pre alone makes a HUGE difference. When auditioning various mics, it felt like I had upgraded my entire mic collection. Mics that sounded a bit strident with mediocre preamps suddenly sounded very focused. ie: The Miktec CV4 connected to my Fireface UFX's onboard preamps sounds ok... but not overwhelmingly good. There's a hollow character that I don't particularly like. Connected to the Portico-II, the CV4 sounds super focused and well balanced. It's a night vs. day difference. I'm having major G.A.S. for a second (for stereo recording and post processing). Might have to sell a kidney... 
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Genghis
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 18:31:33
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I saw that other thread Jim... if it was in my budget I'd do it... and still might look into it next year or so. Kind of in a position where I'd like to get something fairly soon within my budget and that Warm Audio ToneBeast intrigued me a lot. (And to a somewhat lesser degree the GAP Pre73, but I ended up going with the ToneBeast.
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Mosvalve
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 19:46:46
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Jim Roseberry
Just recently picked up a Neve Portico II channel-strip.
If I could justify this unit it would be sitting in my rack today. Maybe next year.
BobV ASUS Prime Z370-P - Intel Core i7+ 8700K 3.7GHZ 16GB Memory, Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU, Windows 10 Pro 64bit, , Sonar Platinum 64bit, Motu 828MK3 Hybrid, Warm Audio TB12 Pre, Warm Audio WA273 Pre, AEA RPQ 500 Pre, Warm Audio WA76 Compressor, Presonus D8 Pre, Tonelux EQ5P 500 Eq, Kush Electra 500 Eq, Lindell PEX 500 Eq, Yamaha 80M monitors with HS10W Sub, and a bunch of other good stuff. I have a Roland Juno-106 that's looking for a new home. PM me.
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Sixfinger
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 21:01:08
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If human beings are good at anything....it's justifying. :)
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Mosvalve
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/16 22:40:11
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Sixfinger
If human beings are good at anything....it's justifying. :)
You are sooooo right
BobV ASUS Prime Z370-P - Intel Core i7+ 8700K 3.7GHZ 16GB Memory, Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU, Windows 10 Pro 64bit, , Sonar Platinum 64bit, Motu 828MK3 Hybrid, Warm Audio TB12 Pre, Warm Audio WA273 Pre, AEA RPQ 500 Pre, Warm Audio WA76 Compressor, Presonus D8 Pre, Tonelux EQ5P 500 Eq, Kush Electra 500 Eq, Lindell PEX 500 Eq, Yamaha 80M monitors with HS10W Sub, and a bunch of other good stuff. I have a Roland Juno-106 that's looking for a new home. PM me.
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Genghis
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/21 20:20:59
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I got my ToneBeast today and wired it up with the WA76 and did some heavy rock/metal vocals. Probably need to spend some time trying the different options, but my first impression pushing things a bit with the x731, vintage cap, and steel transformer are pretty good. Boosted the gain enough to get some nice crunch to my vocals and compressed it a moderate amount on the way in with the WA76. Really happy with it, especially for as little time as I've spent with it. Once I get to know it better I think it will work out very well.
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Mosvalve
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/21 23:21:37
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I have the WA76 as well. Nice comp. I'm glad you like the Tonebeast. I'm sure you will find it very versitile
BobV ASUS Prime Z370-P - Intel Core i7+ 8700K 3.7GHZ 16GB Memory, Intel HD Graphics 630 GPU, Windows 10 Pro 64bit, , Sonar Platinum 64bit, Motu 828MK3 Hybrid, Warm Audio TB12 Pre, Warm Audio WA273 Pre, AEA RPQ 500 Pre, Warm Audio WA76 Compressor, Presonus D8 Pre, Tonelux EQ5P 500 Eq, Kush Electra 500 Eq, Lindell PEX 500 Eq, Yamaha 80M monitors with HS10W Sub, and a bunch of other good stuff. I have a Roland Juno-106 that's looking for a new home. PM me.
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AT
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/22 00:13:28
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There is a lot of ground to cover with the tone beast.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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musicroom
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Re: Preamp Recommendations?
2016/09/23 11:42:48
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Adding my 2-cents even though you have your Tone Beast. I had one of those and from my perspective, it's well built, great sounding and very versatile. Customer support is top shelf. I also really like the Neve 511 for the high value / sound quality / price point. Using Front End Audio's Rack Attack option, one can get a Neve 511 bundled with a Fredenstien Bento 2 for $684. Still a lot of money for a single channel preamp, but wow - end of preamp search for me. + 1 @ Jim / Neve products. I've never enjoyed my microphones more either. No buyer remorse - none. I may get another one since I have an empty 500 slot staring at me. I need it, I know I need it... :) One more thought, the ISA One as AT mentioned is another post I can +1 from owning one. They can be found used for a decent price. Plus you can use the ISA One for a really good DI and a Mic Pre at the same time. But I see you had the ISA Two, so you know what they sound like. FWIW, I'm keeping mine unless I give in to the want of another 511. All the best and enjoy the Beast!
Dave Songs___________________________________ Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM / RME Babyface
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