Item Reviews for:
Subject
Best Value!
calaverasgrande from Oakland CA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
All of teh knobs and switches feel very solid.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
I am stunned that the highpass actually works on teh DI input! This is a simple feature that rules! Yet I have never seen another pre that does this. The support for both optical and RCA digital outs is great. Also the inclusion of AD conversion (all the way up to 192/24) is unheard of at this price point.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
I havent even cracked teh maual. It is very easy to use, however I am an experienced sound engineer. Some features, such as mid-side are advanced techniques.
Sound
How is its Tone?
It has very good tone. Not great. This isnt a summit or neve or API. However, it beats the pants off of anything in its price range.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
only owned a week so far. cant say
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
This is a sleeper. This unit is literally raved about on pro audio boards. Buy one before ART gets wise and doubles the price. It is actually very quiet for a tube pre, the conversiosn sounds decent, and the extras are great. The only pther pres I have that beat this cost a LOT more.
Subject
AWESOME for the $!
Studioman from Mantua, OH. USA
Quality
Would you consider this product to be made well? How dependable?
It looks AWESOME in the rack, you gain 2 channels of inputs (assuming your interface has SPdif in). It seems REAL nice for the $... My guess, nothing below $600 is as nice as this unit. My opinion, you must spend $700 or more to get something truly nicer, and then still you may want to add this pre for a multitude of reasons.
Bottom line, if you looking for something that has SPdif outs, this unit is perfect, for this reason alone! Then add the front instrument inputs, the added depth/fullness, this is your ticket for the $... Looks MUCH nicer than it actually is! The massive monitoring deal is nice & looks impressive.
Features
What do you consider to be the best features of this product? What features would you add to this product if you could?
SPdif output! My main reason for wanting to try this unit.
The front inputs are really sweet too!
The recorded tone is really strong, using a Beta87a, and Rode NT1000.
Ease of Use
How easy is this product to use? How easy is the product to use with other products? Did it take long for you to learn to use this product? Was the manual helpful? How playable do you consider this product to be?
Simple to setup, easier to use. The front instrument inputs are cool, plug into them, it automatically disconnects the XLR inputs. SPdif out is the ONLY way to go. The converters in this unit seem REALLY nice.
Sound
How is its Tone?
Nice full sound, using the above said mics for my testing.
Reliability
How has it stood up over time?
Im sure it will be fine for years to come.. At least I hope!lol
Overall
Your general opinion of this product.
I ran comparison tests, this is now my nicest pre, particularly using the converters on this hardware unit.
It just has a full sound to it for a budget pre.