VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Well by golly, I have BOTH the dbx286A AND the GAP-73 (with "TT mod"). When I find the time, I'll record both pres through my Gefell M930 (very much like a TLM-103 but better), and you can decide which you prefer. I'll vary the output, impedance, etc on the GAP-73.

For poops and grins, I might include my Summit 2BA-221 as well. I've been thinking of doing my own thread "What a Difference a Preamp Makes." So this is the kick I needed. Give me a few days though.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

DBX 286A - turn every knob (except input/output;depends on mic) to 9:30 and it will sound excellent.
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dwpthe3rd · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:02 am Post subject:

whalewtchr · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject:

+1 what Mike Sommer said.
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billelder · Guest

DB, I thought you used the Symetrix 528? I know I haven't been in evidence for a while but I must have missed the switch.

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

I used the Symetrix with my fabby RE 20, and it sounded great.
I'm using the Sennheiser 416 now and the dbx is the perfect counterpart to that mic for me.
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dwpthe3rd · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:28 pm Post subject:

As the thread title suggests.... In search of the Holy Grail... always seeking improvements, eh? For me the 528e works well for a bit of downward expansion along with a smidgeon of eq - and that's it. Preamp duties for my AT4033 better served by my Allen & Heath Zed14 mixer than the Symetrix.

I just wonder whether the dbx 286a would be an inprovement over the A&H. Won't know til I try it and not worth the $200 pop to find out. Over the years I've amassed a closet full of 'guess I was wrong' experiments. Gasp

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Deirdre · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject:

We call that "a closet full of fail".
Seems more hilarious that way— until it gets to be "a barn full . . ."
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SilverSurfer3001 · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the delay - kinda forgot I posted here. It appears that my original question with answered with "none of the above."

I may have to check out a dbx.

Mr Sommers to answer your question: I don't particularly need a new pre-amp, it's just when things start getting a wee bit slow around me, I get a case of the creeping gear-itis, and this particular attack involved pre's.

I think my current set up is passible. A couple of folks have commented om the "intimacy" of my delivery - and trust me I don't have a delivery style that can be described as in any way intimate, so I spose the current chain is doing okay. But since you asked, I am running a Adobe Audition for PC, into a Firewire 410 DAW, that connects into two really cheap pre's: the first pre being a Samson C-Valve with Tube Synthesised modeling that feeds into a Rode NT1-a, and the second being an ART Tube with the cheapo tube trashed and replaced with a GrooveTube GT12AX7-c that feeds into an EV-RE20 (as made famous by JJ at Fiverr "this here mic"). The Rode is isolated in a sound treated closet - but is far from sound proof (crawlspace house with hardwood floors dontchaknow...) - while the RE20 resides atop my desk in the office with very minimal treatment aside from a few bass traps, an isolation screen and movable auralex screens (homemade) behind me to keep bounce down in the office space.

Sad you asked now, aren't ye?

If you're still interested I can send you a couple of samples in a bit...
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:04 am Post subject:

G.A.S. or "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" can be a very serious problem.

If you do make a preamp upgrade, you may want to do an interface upgrade too- if not now, at least at some point down the road. As we move along and we begin to have a greater understanding and hear things in our audio, we naturally want to upgrade, and that is a good thing.

Going for another "cheep" up grade would not be an up grade. With that said the DBX is a good piece of gear that will go a long way, and would be better than what you have at the moment, at an affordable price.

The DBX will feed the the hungry RE 20 and is more than enough for the NT1-a.
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

My dbx286a versus Golden Age Pre-73 with TT Mod shootout

Okay, I've just recorded 4 different types of reads (authoritative, warm & fuzzy, energetic retail, and straightforward narration). I used my Gefell M930 (very similar to the TLM-103).

First, I recorded the dbx286a flat, with all processing bypassed. Second,, I recorded using Bill Campbell's suggested settings (everything at 9:30 setting). Third, I recorded the GAP-73 with "TT Mod" with the output dialed back to 11 o'clock. Fourth, I recorded the GAP with the output cranked up a bit to 2:30, making it darker. Finally, I recorded the GAP with the output at 2:30 and the Low-Z engaged.

Afterward, I normalized each individual read at -1.72 db to try and make all the levels even as much as possible. I tried to approach the mic the same way each time, but I'm sure I wasn't perfect at it. I'm also pretty sure someone will say this is far from a scientific comparison (and they'd probably be right), but it's the best I know how to do and I hope it is helpful.

Here is a link that will take you to my Box.net site, where you will be able to either download the WAV file: http://www.box.net/shared/j7q3ac2k8s863vnu6m9c

...or use the nifty built-in audio player (it's an MP3 at 128 mono): http://www.box.net/shared/uyo3g1d94hlhbltaoc2f
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:38 am Post subject:

I immediately hear a harmonic difference - much more pleasing and refined.
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Which pre are you talking about Mike? You've praised both the dbx and the GAP-73.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Not that they were my settings, but the processed 286 sounds a little smoother in the upper midrange area.

I really wanted to like the GAP, but it sounds a little ragged.
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Voxman · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject:

I agree with Bill. Use to have a 286a but found it just didn't have that detail that my Apogee Mini-Me pre's gave. I'm actually looking at getting the GAP but this audio example puts them both in quite similar light, I find it hard to believe. The 286a always gets a good plug here, what about the 286s, is there a difference apart from the colour....woops may need another thread here.