There
is a bit of confusion around about how to get the best out of
the pre-73 as it didn't come with a manual though this has now
been rectified with an online manual on the GA
website, Basically the 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
(anti clockwise) until you have a couple of green leds flashing.
The mic input is in two stages from the OFF position at 2-o-clock
anti clockwise to 10-o-clock. Then a second stage from 10-o-clock
fully anti 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 counterclock-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
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 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 the Pre 73 and 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.
