Avalon VT-737sp opinions?

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:41 am

I mentioned in my other thread that I have a chance to score a very lightly used unit for $1500. That's about $500 cheaper than the best price for a new one I can find. Would this work well for tracking electric guitars and/or rock vocals. My music is pretty much hard rock... marshalls... balls out voals sort of like Plant or Coverdale. Thanks so much.

oldguitars · Post by **oldguitars** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:10 pm

I think they are great for most stuff. They are very very smooth, so if you are looking for a little "edge" then they probably won't be what you are looking for. I mostly use them for super polished/smooth RB and pop vocals and slick acoustic guitar sounds. I used one on a dimed vox ac15 once and it was good, not amazing, but good (i prefer api for big crunch gtrs). I would see if you can borrow one first. Actually, i would suggest a pair 1272's for the sound you are looking for (or a vintech x73-yummy!). The only thing is that you wouldn't get the EQ/comp (well, the x73 would give you a kik ass EQ)

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:15 pm

I've never used the VT-737sp. It appears to be the de facto choice for hip-hop production. I don't say that to influence you negatively or positively. Just an observation. Certainly, a lot of rap vocals are loud and forceful.

$1500 sounds like a good price, especially if the box is in good shape with minimal mileage.

To consider: You can get a new LA-610 for the same dollar amount. That'd be a more old school rock n' roll choice.

Another option might be a Vintech X73i coupled with a FMR Really Nice Compressor. That'd give you a reputable Neve clone with EQ and a reputable clean compressor (that's surprisingly inexpensive). That'd take you a little just under $1600.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:50 pm

chrispick wrote:I've never used the VT-737sp. It appears to be the de facto choice for hip-hop production. I don't say that to influence you negatively or positively. Just an observation. Certainly, a lot of rap vocals are loud and forceful.

$1500 sounds like a good price, especially if the box is in good shape with minimal mileage.

To consider: You can get a new LA-610 for the same dollar amount. That'd be a more old school rock n' roll choice.

Another option might be a Vintech X73i coupled with a FMR Really Nice Compressor. That'd give you a reputable Neve clone with EQ and a reputable clean compressor (that's surprisingly inexpensive). That'd take you a little just under $1600.

Yeah, or the 6176 as you mentioned. I'm trying to squeeze the most out of my budget, so picking up nice clean unit like this might be the ticket. I already own the FMR RNC by the way. I suppose if I do end up with this unit, I can try it and probably get all my money back from it. Decisions... decisions...

jmoore · Post by **jmoore** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:28 pm

oldguitars sort of stole my thunder, but for your application I think that you might do better going with something like and API or a Neve. The API is very agressive and lends a great edge to guitars, bass, drums and vocals. I don't know if you've considered building your own preamp, but the Seventh Circle Audio preamps are great. I've got the J99 which is a clone of the John Hardy Twin Servo (actually uses John Hardy's opamps), but they also make a Neve and an API clone. I haven't heard those two, but they get absolutely amazing reviews, and can be had at an unbelievable price. By means of comparison, you can get a chassis, power supply and any combination of 4 API or Neve clones for $1600, as opposed to a used Avalon for $1500. Now, obviously the Avalon is a full channel strip, so I'm not exactly comparing apples to apples, but since you've already got a nice little compressor this might be worth looking into.

If you have any interest in going this route, I'd recommend going to the forums at gearslutz.com and tapeop.com and reading some reviews.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:36 pm

Hmm... this just in from someone whose opinion I respect... my good friend Jim Watson. He suggested the Millennia Media HV-3C. In fact it's what he used to record the guitars on "The Way It's Goin' Down" which you can hear at my personal site on the Music page. I got lots of compliments on those guitars, so I think I may just try and duplicate Jim's chain.

I'm also considering going with a Avalon U5 for bass DI. It's not mega bucks, but I'm trying to change my thinking and buy the most I can afford (even if it hurts!) so that it is something that I won't be tossing away in the future.

So far it looks like my list will be:

Event Precision 8s
Millennia HV-3C Pre Amp
Avalon U5
MOTU HD 192 (with possible mod)

Microphones TBD...

Thanks for all your input. It was helpful, even if I didn't go with some of the suggestions I'm thankful for the ear of people I respect.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:05 pm

James Steele wrote:Hmm... this just in from someone whose opinion I respect... my good friend Jim Watson. He suggested the Millennia Media HV-3C. In fact it's what he used to record the guitars on "The Way It's Goin' Down" which you can hear at my personal site on the Music page. I got lots of compliments on those guitars, so I think I may just try and duplicate Jim's chain.

I'm also considering going with a Avalon U5 for bass DI. It's not mega bucks, but I'm trying to change my thinking and buy the most I can afford (even if it hurts!) so that it is something that I won't be tossing away in the future.

So far it looks like my list will be:

Event Precision 8s
Millennia HV-3C Pre Amp
Avalon U5
MOTU HD 192 (with possible mod)

Microphones TBD...

Thanks for all your input. It was helpful, even if I didn't go with some of the suggestions I'm thankful for the ear of people I respect.

Cool. Dig in, man.

The Millennia is supposed to be super-clean and detailed. I know it's praised for acoustic recording.

Here, check out this preamp comparison chart. Limited, but good for rough gauging stuff:

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/micpregraph.htm

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:23 pm

chrispick wrote:Cool. Dig in, man.

The Millennia is supposed to be super-clean and detailed. I know it's praised for acoustic recording.

Here, check out this preamp comparison chart. Limtied, but good for rough gauging stuff:

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/micpregraph.htm

Thanks for that info. In my early reading about the Millennia HV-3C it has an interesting option for a DPA (formerly B&K) 130v power or something. Supposedly with one of DPAs mics designed for this power source it's completely transformerless. Sounds very interesting... don't know if it would be worth it on guitar, but probably pretty sweet on acoustic sources. Of course, seems like you might hear a flea burp with this arrangement:

http://www.mil-media.com/docs/products/bk.shtml

This is all very fascinating stuff. My goal will be to get the guitar tracks and probably bass as well into the digital realm as cleanly as possible and then FTP up to Jim for mixing. Although I still want some better montors and hopefully can get some goodies to make decent mixes within reach. I'm trying to make sure I have really good tracking going on. Jim may come down and help me dial it all in... amp, pres, mic everything and then up goes the yellow "police line don't cross tape." No touchie until all the tracks are in the can.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:02 am

The vT737 is a popular unit that has it's own signature sound. Personally, it's not a favorite of mine for several reasons and to be politically correct, I won't say them publically

With that said, I don't think it's ideal for what you're doing. Instead, I would STRONGLY suggest considering something along the lines of a Vintech X73i which is a NEVE re-issue of the original 1073. The regular X73 is more money because they are using the same pots and controls, designed to look like an original 1073. But the X73i was designed to have the same sound, but built more affordably. You're talking $1350 plus $225 for the power supply BRAND new. Why this box? EDGY!!!! It's mid-range is wonderful, paired with something like a Soundelux U195/iFet7 or a good tube mic and you're talking warmth, presence, and detail all rolled into one. The X73 has basic EQ, no compresions....but having an EQ and Compressor built-in means nothing if it's not equally as good as the pre which is why there is another unit I don't personally like so much.

Another alternative, and possibly the best for you, would be the Great River ME1NV. This baby is $1,100 brand new for a single channel pre based on that classic NEVE sound and for the style of music you do, again I think it would be ideal. And hey, WAY cheaper!!

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:09 am

Oh another option to consider, I recently just bought both a Summit Audio TPA200B and just ordered a Presonus ADL600. Both are 2-channel tube pres that sound INCREDIBLE!! The ADL600 has a nice lush tube warmth sound, but very clean on the top-end that is sweet-sounding. I plan on using this on guitar cabinet with a Royer R121 through one channel and a Sennheiser MD421 through the other. The Summit is a little darker sounding, but great on heavy guitars for certain. I'm using it primarily for Kick and Snare, but it easily could work on guitar cabs, vocals, etc.