• Hardware
  • Which pre amp should I get? (p.4)
2014/02/05 17:56:37
musicroom
AT
A lot of people rave about the Eureka - I haven't used it myself.  It is a channel strip, so you have a lot more tone-shaping capability and that should keep you busy for a while.  And a transformer, which makes a lot of difference.  If you get a good deal on It great.  If you like it, keep it.  If you outgrow it you should be able to get your money back later.


 
 
I ended up taking the Eureka back. Nice sounding, but not close enough to be a main pre for what I want it for.  I pickuped a ISA One and looking forward to trying that. After I have the ISA up and running, I'll decide whether to add another pre down the road. Maybe one that is more of the tube sounding type (Warm Audio / 610 Solo).
2014/02/06 11:08:42
AT
The warm preamp is more vintage sounding and not tube-based.  In my experience, it is the transformers not tubes that give most of the sound people talk about.  And, of course, the old tube stuff used transformers, too.  The ISA is a solid, middle of the road preamp to my ears, and for the price comes w/ a lot of extras you may or may not find useful - headphone, preamp and DI at once, inserts.  It rounds out a sound a little w/ the transformer.  I prefer the warm to it, but perhaps not for vo work.
 
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2014/02/06 12:23:24
Jim Roseberry
I've mentioned this before...
My fiance' is on the Morning Show for the local Classic Rock station.
As such, we often get calls to cut/re-cut VOs for the station and clients.
In fact, while typing this, she just called... and they need a spec spot... and they need it immediately. 
 
We use an EV RE-320 into a GAP Pre-73
The RE-320 is a modern spin-off of the RE-20.  Similar sound but with more articulate upper-mids
Sounds absolutely perfect with no processing...
 
We auditioned a *lot* of different mics before settling on the RE-320
Many LDC, SM7-B, RE-20, etc... and the RE-320 bested them all for this purpose.
2014/02/06 17:15:06
AT
Glad to hear your views on the Re-320.  It seems like the real deal, but one always wonders.
 
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2014/02/06 17:54:58
Dave Modisette
Jim, thanks for the review of the RE-320.  An RE-20 has been on my wish list but they never seem to show up for bargain prices unless they look like they're beat to pieces.  I might look at the RE-320 as well.
2014/02/07 09:57:53
The Maillard Reaction
The RE-20 is a great example of a mic that needs a good preamp match to open up and sparkle.
 
I have an old Ampeg radio booth mixer preamp and it has the plug in "can" input transformers. I forget the specific labeling, but I remember when a mentor brought over a particular transformer can and we plugged in to the Ampeg preamp's socket for that channel. It was sort of amazing to hear the RE20 come alive and sound lively. It sounds reserved and safe when you run that mic through a Mackie and it sounds hi-fi and articulate when it runs through the preamp is was made for.
 
:-)
 
Here's some too-much-info for folks who like this sort of stuff:
 

2014/02/07 10:42:49
AT
Mike,
 
I still like the RE-20.  Reminds me of monster, monster, monster trucks, sans echo.
 
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2014/02/10 15:39:16
Jim Roseberry
AT
Glad to hear your views on the Re-320.  It seems like the real deal, but one always wonders.



Prior to hearing it, I had doubts that the RE-320 would be equal to the classic RE-20.
After listening side-by-side, I have no qualms about the RE-320.
Very similar character to the RE-20... with a presence boost in the upper-mids and hotter output.
With the Ndym magnet, these differences are exactly what you'd expect.
2014/02/10 20:48:58
musicroom
Nice microphone Jim! That coupled with the Gap Pre-73 should make for a full sound. You just put that microphone on my list of wants...
2014/02/10 21:04:30
musicroom
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