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gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:02 pm

Who here has some API mic preamps in the 500 series format??? I'm all ears!

I am considering unloading a bunch of gear (outboard, preamps, etc etc) to buy a lunchbox and a single channel of API 512. I'll add another channel every 6-12 months until it is full, and the 500 series allows me to add a different flavor or two into the lunchbox down the line. Brilliant, if you ask me. Also checking out the Pacifica, the Brent Averill 312, etc etc.

So, who out there is very happy with their API stuff???

Jeff

OldTimey · Post by **OldTimey** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:26 pm

if no one replies here, try gearslutz. they love 500 series stuff over there!

mmmm pacifica....drool.

also great river is selling 500 series modules now! AWESOME!

Tonio · Post by **Tonio** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:28 pm

512 is the go to for rock drums and gtr? so I hear.

I have a 6pack lunchbox and 2 P-1's (A-design), mmm mm good stuff. It hasn't failed me on anything I've thrown at it. It brings out the mic characteristics to the max !! Especially with dynamic mics!! The pad gives you a different color , or adding a attenuator on the output while pushing thei nput can give you some of the iron goodness!!
I want to fill the lunchbox with some more, but the funds just aren't there for my lowly home jobby

Couple of the PEQ's or Comps would be great too!!

T

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:59 am

API makes a great sounding product, it certainly has some punch and depth. If you decide to go for their product, it's well worth it.... just curious, what will these be used on? The only thing I worry about with the modular pre-amp designs is that it ties you into THAT mic-pre as opposed to having a variety of different sounds. For example on drums, man I love that Presonus ADL600 on my kick and snare as well as overheads, but NOT on Toms. For that, I've been using the Focusrite Red series.....well, was...

API is quite popular on drums, I do love them on toms...but not kick and snare or overheads the way I do my ADL600's. For acoustic guitars, a nice tube mic with an API or NEVE sounds very good...but put a Royer on it on electric guitar and it can be a little too much in your face, again that's where a nice tube pre is more preferred. So again, I just warn of filling up on too much of the same thing......

Resonant Alien · Post by **Resonant Alien** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:02 am

The lunchbox/500 series rack approach gives you a TON of mic pre varieties for a reasonable price. Once you make the initial investment in the lunchbox/rack, the pre modules themselves are very reasonable compared to traditional rack-mount units because you don't have to keep buying the chassis and power supplies - like once you have the API 512c and lunchbox, you can add a channel of Great River for $750, $300 less than than the single channel rackmount GR.

The API 512c is an awesome pre. With the lunchbox, you can get a channel of that, add a channel of A-Designs P1 to get the Pacifica flavor, add a channel of Great River, add a channel of Purple BIZ. That's 4 channels of very different and very good pres for around $800 / channel. There are a ton of pre flavors and options in the 500 series, so you can really get a lot of different sounds. You're not limited to the "API sound".

As you can tell, I love the format. It gives me a lot of options in a small space, and for a reasonable price.

Besides that, even if you only want a single channel of API 512c, and want to buy some other non-500 series stuff, you don't have to buy more modules, and you're still around $1000 / channel.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:33 am

BradLyons wrote:The only thing I worry about with the modular pre-amp designs is that it ties you into THAT mic-pre as opposed to having a variety of different sounds.

Ummm....

Oh... and...

And then I'll consider a channel of Tube something and maybe a B.A Neve channel down the line.

I no longer have a space and track most of my stuff on the go. I have the Sytek to cover drums and two channels of 500 format something will fill out everything nicely. Combined with the Sytek that gives me three pairs of different flavors (Say, Purple Audio Buzz x 2, Sytek x 2, Sytek BB x 2) and then I have two more channels of Black Lion modded preamps on the face of my modded 828mk2 in case I need 8 channels simultaneously. I can honestly say that I won't. Most of the tracking that I've been doing lately has not involved live bands, or bands set up in the room for live recording. Most of the tracking has been overdubs.

The 500 format gives plenty of choices for high quality modular preamps. Sure, nothing tube like the ADL600 or a UA610, but I can always pick these up down the line if I want. I'm just thinking of a life-long investment in my music and engineering here, and I am ready to move onwards and upwards from the MP20 and the "under $500 for two channels" of 2-dimensional mic preamps.

It'll take me 2-3 yrs to fill that 6-space rack. I could easily get by with one channel of API for guitars at this point. Two would be great for kick and snare (Sytek could fill out the rest of the kit... I use six mics, sometimes only four).

I want a mic preamp that'll make an SM57 sound completely insane. I record mostly "Indie Rock" stuff and whatever comes my way. I think that the 500 format is going to give me tons of choices for $600-$800/channel, and I'm totally cool with that.

Check out the Biz:

http://www.purpleaudio.com/Press/BizTapeOp.html

This thing looks sick sick sick.

I'm going with this rack and power supply:

Extra protection racked up, kick-butt power supply. I think that I am going to order it with two channels of BA 312 preamps, then pick up two channels of Biz preamps over the next year or vice versa. Still trying to figure this all out.

Jeff

OldTimey · Post by **OldTimey** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:16 am

tonelux! and chandler too!

good luck jeff!

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:32 pm

Jeff,

I'm sorry, what I meant by variety is Tube v/s Solid State v/s Ultra clean.... etc

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:45 pm

BradLyons wrote:Jeff,

I'm sorry, what I meant by variety is Tube v/s Solid State v/s Ultra clean.... etc

No worries, Brad.

Yeah, tube... I'll pick up something after I fill that 500 series rack!

Resonant Alien · Post by **Resonant Alien** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 9:05 pm

gearboy wrote:
BradLyons wrote:Jeff,

I'm sorry, what I meant by variety is Tube v/s Solid State v/s Ultra clean.... etc
No worries, Brad.

Yeah, tube... I'll pick up something after I fill that 500 series rack!

LaChapell is building a tube pre for the 500 series format.

For clean, go with the Buzz Elixir.

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gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:47 am

Tube for the 500 series! It just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?

jmoore · Post by **jmoore** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:15 am

I can't offer an ETA as to when these might be available, but Tim @ Seventh Circle Audio has said on his forum that he is working on a 500 series alternative. He has said that the power supply and chassis will be a marked improvement over the API units. I don't know what that means or if it is just marketing, but I think I'm going to wait and see what he puts out before I take the plunge.

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:14 am

Is he talking a rack system or preamp module?

I would be down with SCA putting out 500 series modules. Being able to DIY channels of API clones would be great if they fit in that format. I've thought long and hard about going with SCA or Hamptone but I'm a bit away from feeling like I'll have the skills to build those. I need to start with some Direct Boxes first!

Jeff

jmoore · Post by **jmoore** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:53 am

He is talking like he is going to be building a rack, power supply and modules. It is my understanding that they will be completely cross compatible with other 500 series racks, power supplies and modules. He has also said that his would not be DIY kits. Apparently the small form factor would make it far too difficult for most DIYers.

I obviously don't know if how they will stack up to other 500 series modules, but I built a J99 about a year and a half ago and I am a believer in Tim's products.

Resonant Alien · Post by **Resonant Alien** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:54 pm

gearboy wrote:Is he talking a rack system or preamp module?

I would be down with SCA putting out 500 series modules. Being able to DIY channels of API clones would be great if they fit in that format. I've thought long and hard about going with SCA or Hamptone but I'm a bit away from feeling like I'll have the skills to build those. I need to start with some Direct Boxes first!

Jeff

Check out http://www.eisenaudio.com/diy500/ $350 for a kit to roll yer own 500 series pre - you can even select xformers and opamps.