Is anyone using a Sytek MPX-4Aii mic preamp???

gearboy · Post by **gearboy** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:19 pm

Just wondering. I found a great deal on one and have read countless wonderful reviews, but I have never heard one or used one. Wondering if anyone on here has used this preamp. The one that I am possibly picking up has the Burr-Brown op-amp option on Channels 3-4.

I'm picking it up to replace my Presonus Digimax LT, which I feel is clean but sterile. I'm presently addding Burr-Brown op-amps to my Presonus MP20 as well. Looking for some flavors.

Any insight is appreciated.

Jeff

oldguitars · Post by **oldguitars** » Wed May 24, 2006 12:48 pm

I used to have some, and i sold them to get some API's. They are really great sounding, very very clean and pristine. Very fast and accurate, but not sterile and boring. I wish i still had them as the would be a great alternate to my API stuff. I would say get them. They will blow away the presonus stuff.

Larry Sheehan · Post by **Larry Sheehan** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:37 am

I have one, and it is a good mic amp. One thing it it distorts very suddenly when driven to clipping and it's not musical at all. Just a gritty blatttt sound. So leave some headroom and you'll be fine.

I mention this because while in a whole different price league, my API and Great River pres can be driven to clipping and still sound good. Almost like they just max out.

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Sun May 28, 2006 2:14 am

The clean channels are great for acoustic guitars and drums. The Burr Brown channels are questionable. They seem to add high end 'fuzz' to vocals, and you end up needing a de-esser. (Could be the headroom thing. Or the fact that a C414 has a sizzly high end. Perhaps a flatter mic would sound better.) The Burr Brown op amps definitely add some beef to the tone.

jlafferty · Post by **jlafferty** » Tue May 30, 2006 9:07 am

I have a unit with BB's on channels 3 and 4. I like to use those for my overheads, tames the intense brightness just enough and adds a nice fatness to the toms and crack to the snare. I am using AT 4041's for OH mics.

I usually run Snare top and Kick inside through the Sytek channels 1 and 2. I enjoy excellent results. Mics there vary, but typically a 57 on top and either an ATM25 or Beta52 inside.

Bear in mind that the ouput at 0 detent is 12db. If you want no output, the mute switch is how to deal with it. I use inline mic pads set to -10 for my OH mics because the pre is too hot even at zero. Your mics may respond differently depending on their loading.

Jeff