Basically the Golden Age Project pre 73 preamp has tons of gain
for every eventuallity but if you want quiet clean gain and
the smallest amount of coloration, always set the OUTPUT level
potentiometer on maximum (fully clockwise) and increase the
mic gain with the stepped MIC/ LINE gain switch until you have
a couple of green leds flashing. The mic input is in two stages
from the OFF position at 10-o-clock anti clockwise to 2-o-clock.
Then a second stage from 3-o-clock fully clockwise to give you
up to 80 db for low output mics such as big ribbons like the
AEA and Royer.
However if you want to hear the character
of the vintage design, turn the OUTPUT pot clock-wise and increase
the gain with the MIC/LINE pot. This will drive the input gain
stage(s) harder and provoke more character from them. For
even more character, you can also overdrive the output
stage through the output transformer but you will definitely
need a level control after the PRE-73 in order to reduce the
output to a useable level. It's simple really when you understand
that the LEDs are monitoring the output level. Anyway I won't
keep banging on about how great this little preamp is, read
what the guys who were lucky enough to get one of the first
batch think
JR
Max
Reinsch
Hi
John The Golden Age Project pre-73 just arrived on time just
like you said. I just tested it with an AT2020, SM58 and ECM8000.
(I've upgraded from the preamp in my Alesis IO2). I never imagined
the difference would be so startlingly amazing. I'm shocked
at the quietness and rediculous amount of gain with this product.
The increase in detail makes my very average mics sound totally
credible. I'm really f****d now as listeners of my music will
be able to hear my incompetence with so much clarity.I
guess I'm gonna have to get a real mic to go with this.
I'm really glad i placed my trust in your company.
Kind regards
Max
David
Otterburn
After only having the pre
amps on my Digidesign 003 Rack and a Focusrite Octopre, the
Pre 73 has absolutely blown me away! Its been ages since i used
a 1073 so i can't fully remember its sound but the Pre 73 definitely
has that 'open expensive' sound.
Ive recorded acoustic guitar (with an SE Electronics 2200a)
some electric guitars with an SM 57 on the amp, some DI Bass
and some vocals with an AKG C414 and they all just sound beautiful.
I'm so gutted
i didn't buy two of them! Put me on the list for the new stock.
Dave
Dan
Gautreau (Producer / Mixer)
I
have had some experience with Neve, namely the 1073 & 1081,
I also have some of the modern Rupert Neve Portico Modules.
Regardless of price, this is an amazing 1073 clone, I believe
the new Neve pre amps do not sound as good as this!! and they
cost 5X the price. Well worth having 1 or 2 of these in a tracking
room.
Best
Dan Gautreau
Tim Dorney
Basically I'm over the moon with
it, vocals sounded lovely with my AKG C12, was using a Drawmer
1960 before for that but the high's on this knocked spots off
it, the impedance switch changed the character in a really pleasant
way as well. Using it as a line preamp worked really well on
some clean semi acoustic, great warm tone to it. I want loads
of them now! At least a drum kits worth! Now can they add a
1081 eq? If they did those I'd buy a deskful. A total bargain.
Cheers
Tim
Adrian
Keefe
Well first off I like the Pre
73 very much. I bought it to give me some variety over my RME
preamps. The RMEs are good and clean but sometimes a bit hard
sounding when pushed. The Pre 73 gives me plenty of usable gain
all the way up to the top. I’ve tried it on dynamics (MD441,
SM57), condensers (KM184, Rode K2, DPA) and a vintage STC ribbon
mic and it hasn’t turned in a bad result. I record mostly
acoustic folk (guitar, mandolin, vocals, bass, percussion) and
the sound it gives is clean and present. Transient response
seems a little slower than the RMEs but that’s not a bad
thing, it’s useful to be able to take the edge off sometimes.
In terms of improvements
– none really at that price! Metering is basic but OK.
I’m experimenting with different gain structures –
a bit of info on how the thing is put together/one page manual
might have been useful.
I did notice it was sounding
a little bit noisy the other day after a long session –
however it could have been a cable or mic issue and I haven’t
had time to investigate yet.
Best regards
Adrian
Jules Rawlinson,
Sound Designer, Edinburgh
"So far I've pressed
the Pre 73 into service on a few spoken word sessions with Rode
NT1A and AKG 414 mics and find it's adding some silky depth
and colour that isn't there on my Fireface 400, Motu Traveler
or Mackie 1202 inputs. It's warmer than the very transparent
and clean FF400 mic pre, and is also very quiet. I wanted a
'character' pre as an alternative to those mentioned, and I've
certainly got that at a bargain price!"
Kamil
Sajewicz
My
English is not very good so feel free to edit it:
I've been
using Golden Age Project Pre-73 for two couple of weeks and
I have to say, that it is one of best preamps I've ever used.
I can put it in the line with focusrite Red-7 and Avalon M5
in quality terms - of course each has different vibe, but when
I choose between them, I don't feel that I will loose quality
choosing Pre- 73 - I will gain different colour. It is fantastic
on female vocals (soft) and male and female voice-overs - it
gives warmth and "British" vibe to it.
My favaourite mic for this preamp is Michael Joly Oktavamod
MK 319 with premium electronics ,so I guess it would work fine
with other FET mics as well.
I used it recently on female rock vocal recodred with Nuemann
103 and Motu Traveler regular preamp as a reamp - 20dB line
boost -did good work as saturation for it.
I'm thinking
about purchasing another one, but I heard the rumours that each
Pre-73 may sound different, so I'm not sure if the could work
as a stereo pair.
Cons -
Third stage of amping is over-saturated for me, which makes
the 50 - 80dB boost hard to use in close miking situations
best greetings,
kamil
Jon
Marsh
Hi John,
I love my Pre 73's! I found that it warmed up out my kick drum
and sounds a lot smoother than the Focusrite (Octo Pre) i normally
use and Vocals sound nice and lush.
I was recording distorted guitar yesterday (through cranked
Marshall & Orange amps) and they sound fantastic,I won't
be going anywhere near my EQ and compressor plug ins.
The Pre 73 is my go to pre amp now, the only problem is that
i don't have enough to track an entire drum kit through! My
other pre amps are Focusrite Octo Pre, SPL Gold Mic, RME Quad
Mic and the built in pre's on my MOTU 828mkII.
Jon
Lee
Conway
Hi John,
I've spent a little time on both the Golden Age project Pre
73 and R1 active ribbon mic now and I'm very pleased. I tried
the mic first, into my API 512C and then into Fireface 800,
purely because that was set up at the time. It sounded exquisite.
I've never used a ribbon mic before but it definitely sounded
different to my usual set up, but in a wonderful way. More roomy.
A little light strumming on the acoustic sounded delightful,
You have to move it around a bit but. when you've got your spot,
though, it really sounds alive. Bit of reverb and then one mighty
big smile-lush.
Obviously I can't chip in on the whole Pre 73 compared to Neve
1073 debate as I've never even seen a Neve 1073, let alone used
one. All I know is that these bits of kit are stunning, especially
when you consider the price. Give it time and another one might
have to go by its side. Thanks for the splendid service and
offering these awesome bits of kit,
Best regards,
Lee
Bas
Bron. Producer / Composer / Singer Amsterdam
Great pre, great service, incredible price.
Another point is the DI, it sounds better than
some who cost more, for just the DI!
cheers,
bas.
