VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

petenewman · Contributor II Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 50

Anyone have an opinion on the Universal Audio LA-610.
I have one on loan for a few days and it sounds great so far. Smile

Just wondering if a higher priced pre like a Focusrite Red 7 would be worth the extra investment?

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Do you have the Signature Edition that comes in all black? If not, then look into just upgrading the tubes - it's a great unit.

Which mics are you using with it?
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petenewman · Contributor II Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 50

Yes Lance...it's the full black edition.

As for my mic...it's a Rode NT2000. Sounds great with the new pre but

I'm thinking of upgrading to a U-87...or maybe a MK416. Smile

Hart · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

Either should make a very sweet paring with the 610. I say should instead of would because I've not tried that combo personally.

On Edit: of course the UA unit will color whatever mic you put with it. That may not always be desirable. Depends on the work you do and what your clients want. Just something to keep in mind.
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject:

I just started using a GML 2032 preamp that I'm pairing with the Telefunken AK47 and really love it!!!!
I'm going to sell my U87 ai and Manley Voxbox soon on Ebay or here if anyone is interested.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Aw Pete, don't give in to the U87/416 temptation. Look at Gefell, Brauner, Lawson etc...

Or keep the nice mic you have!

Or, consider a top dynamic for specialty stuff (loud, singing, long narration, up close whispering)...

Enjoy the Signature LA-610!!!
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

Didn't like the compressor on the LA-610, but the preamp isn't bad.

I've got both a pair of remakes (M610) and originals. Different sound from each, but with the right tubes, both a kick a$$ IMO. As someone else stated, they're definitely colored, so that may not always be what you need. Actually, in most cases, it's not what I need, but I'll often use it for spots that need that kind of sound (25% or so of the work I do).

For the cost, you could do worse, but there are cleaner preamps out there which for the cost, are more versatile IMO (Hardy, Avalon, GR).

Lance... don't you be dissing my U87s Wink

(seriously though, he's right... lots of good mics out there once you get past the $1500 price point; plenty of good ones below that too... just use what sounds best to you)
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Ah, I'm not dissing your U87 (or Philip's). Smile

However, here's to Neumann-Sennheiser making even better mics in response to the fine competition they're getting in their market now.

I listened to Gnarls Barkley tonight at background volume tonight. Ceelo sang through a 103 on that. Funny what strong performances do to a mic (Imogen Heap used a 103 and sounded stellar on it as well).

Yeah, I know, singing isn't spoken word...I don't like most sE mics for VO at all: but the songs I've heard with them are tremendous (Amy Winehouse, etc...)
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:14 am Post subject:

A mic's a mic. I have my favorites, sure... like everything else, but it's the talent which makes the difference.

I've only had two occasions where the client didn't want to use a U87. They'd never heard me on it, and they weren't engineers, but they'd read on a board or two that the mic wasn't as good compared to other mics.

My response was to ask what kind of mic they wanted. "RE-20" was the reply in one case. No problema, I have one in mothballs (so to speak; never actually store them in mothballs), so I rigged it up alongside a U87, since I usually use two mics when recording. RE-20 sounded too "wooly" (i.e., not very clear in the mids) for the read, so I sent over the track recorded with the U87. They liked it just fine, and asked what kind of mic it was. "U87" was the response.

No more discussion needed.

I love how people get opinionated on gear which they've never tried (not saying that's happened here, just letting the mind wander... no adderall taken today Smile

)

Anybody feel free to diss my U87. I have more than a few of them to choose from if one's feelings get hurt.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Great story, Yoda...funny stuff.
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Jeff McNeal · Guest

If your LA-610SE serial number is 201, then I hope you got a great discount on it, because that's the one I tried for 30 days before returning it to Sweetwater. It just didn't do it for me, but if you're happy with it, then keep it and enjoy it. Only 500 will ever be sold, worldwide.

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:44 am Post subject:

Has anyone got any experience with the Avalon M5? I'm getting the upgrade bug again. Was thinking about a 737...but considering how many engineers want it "unprocessed" I might just go for the stand alone pre and do all of my processing in PT when needed.
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Edo · Guest

Chuck, the M5 is an awesome piece of engineering... it is by far the most silent pre I've ever heard. Worth every penny. I'm not using it anymore since I got the 'upgrade bug' like yourself some time ago. cool

brianforrester · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:02 am Post subject:

mmmmm... Avalom M5.... there's a minor amount of spittle seeping from the right side of my mouth.

Had a chance to pair it with my TLM 103 and I fell in love! Serously, it keeps a smile on my face through those tough times. Clean, clear, rich, never tells me that I need to lose those 15-punds and yummy! aaaahhhh I love that pre

Then it went back in its box and off to the rightful owners place; it was just a favor from a friend so I could see if I like it. YUP I liked it!

All I needed was for him to leave the cheque for $1500 when he left and I would have been set.

I've had lots of advice on pre's in the past, all of which has been very useful, but for my money, on my voice and in my space, the Avalon M5 is the big boy that I'm holding out for; anything else will be just another upgrade.

Excuse me while I shake myself out of my M5 induced dreamland.

BTW. if anybody is being foolilsh enough to let one of these baby's go, I've got dibs (yes before you Chuck... and just because I said so! Wink

)
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Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:07 am Post subject:

I've heard quieter preamps, but Edo is right. For the price, it's a very well designed, and quiet preamp.

A lot of folks on this board have used it with great success. If you're using a piece of gear, and booking with it on a regular basis, then there's no better seal of approval in my book.

On the other hand, if you need celebrity status, the M5 is still the primary preamp for Joe Cipriano, which is more than good enough for me.
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