Another modern alternative is to use the clean interface preamps, then use a service like Access Analog to get the hardware mojo you desire.

I actually sold some of my hardware when AA came of age and I currently use them as a tracking stage for my music.

 

The original ISA 430's were transformer based preamps like the 110's, I loved mine and only sold my last ISA 430 after my Requisite Pal Plus got all the tracking work. I often recommend the ISA 430's to younger musicians looking for a killer bang for the buck tracking strip. Not much out there can hang with the ISA 430's for the prices they go for.

Yep, the mic and mic placement is the single biggest sound factor in audio. Boosting that signal does come next tho...

 

this right here is the best argument on why Jim Lill should actually be named Lil' Jim in the audio engineering world

 

sorry jim, my bad brother, great vid!

 

You really need to be on red to hear a preamp? What does it have to do with the video? By that are you afirming that he didn't get the character because of lack of overdrive? In my experience a 1073, a V76 and 2520 op-amps have night and day differences on normal operating levels. I'm sorry about the fact you can't hear it.

 

Confidently post your verified ABX test and we’ll gladly believe you.

 

That's not going to help anyone who can't hear it - food for thought.

There's a (now very) famous quote, widely attributed to Mark Twain, but which historians suggest actually originated with French-born actor Yul Brynner, who himself credited it to the French writer Jean Cocteau:

"Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."

I'm not at all implying anyone here is an idiot, but using the quote to extrapolate the uselessness of providing ABX samples to those who (proudly claim they) can't hear the difference. WTF for?

And I'm not implying they're bad musicians either, just that some people have golden ears (mixing engineers), and some even might have platinum ears (mastering engineers). I've been told I have golden ears by experienced engineers, but I'm pretty sure I don't have platinum ears - and that's okay. There's a reason some Sommeliers win 1st prizes, just as there's a reason some chefs get 3-Michelin stars.

In audio however, short of a Grammy (or multiples thereof) and platinum plaques on your studio wall to STFU the aforementioned ear challenged, said ear challenged feel entitled (emboldened no doubt by the anonymity that an alias provides) to question yours (ears) - and demand to post ABX tests.

It just so happens that my man J.J. - fellow autistic producer - had done this some time ago, and posted it earlier today - as did I (his YT video).

• Watch the video here, or on his Instagram or Facebook page.

Hope that closes the chapter - or conversation. If that doesn't, I refer you back to Yul Brynner, or Mark Twain, or Jean Cocteau.

 

One need not disprove claims when the lack of proof leaves them unproven to begin with.
Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence.
One cannot prove a negative claim (the non-existence of bigfoot). But the lack of evidence is enough to exert claim of non-existence.
eg: Where's the beef?

The first rule of audio testing is: You do not talk about audio testing.

 

I posted links that tested this convo 25 years back... so the professional testing was done and the evidence was delivered in high quality many years back. Simply do the research.

 

Hi @Leivo, I listened to your tracks; the one with the moving CD creates a nice effect. I really like your pieces—they are multifaceted, inventive, clear, and richly orchestrated. I can hear every instrument, and the vocal clarity is good.