I have always loved the tones from the song "Jolene," After reading about opamps I decided to build the Gar1731s. I am placing them into my console on the line in amps, the master section and a few mic pres. I did a little digging and found out RCA Studio B- where Jolene was recorded had a custom built Console that had only 1731 for the pre, line and eq. So hopefully Ill get a small amount closer to that warm sound I am after. Now a tape machine must find its way to my room. I also read that RCA Custom console was one of four. One of them made its way to the west coast and is on many famous recordings. The RCA Console used API Transformers. I Luckily have a Console with API outputs on the Master. I Also have some Peerless 30s transformers to play around with and about 40 OEP and VTX. Good video I'm waiting on some more parts and Ill be hearing these in person. Its going to be hours of work I have a 4O channel Audio Arts Wheatstone. Its the most simple console I could find and thus a black canvas. Thanks for the Sample! -Cory
Huge API and Melcor fan here. In my opinion, these are the best preamps for drums and bass. Sometimes, Neve 10XX or 31105's on overheads give the cymbals a nicer sheen but API on all the other drum mics gives the focus in the bottom that makes the punchy tiger. I wish I had an entire rack of API's for tracking drums. The EMI TG preamps are also really great on drums but API have the perfect transient response for drums.
I have a racked set of 8 of GME-20’s I haven’t been using lately. 1731’s, Recapped, and huge wow factor. Killer stuff. Anyone interested hit me up. Love these and those pre’s…wish I still had the pre’s…
I’ve been researching the Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip and the preamp is based on a Melcor preamp. With the Pultec EQ it’s looking really interesting..
There was a bunch of acquisitions in the 60's 70's and 80's.. Quad eight. electodyne, Sphere. Melcor, API, ATI.. all made amazing colourful pres EQs in the USA.. North American rivals to Neve and german equivalents.. SSL is a totally different beast, aiming for functionality and clarity.. Those old 4000s were massive as were the power supplies and computers.. (I helped decommission one at the TV Network I work at about 18? years ago.. 4-5 full racks (floor to ceiling machine room 8 foot tall 19 inch) housed the computer, amps, dual 8" inch floppy drives and our Lexicon 224 in our old equipment rack room).. Interestingly by the time I started working here, 20 years ago, the 48 channel SSL was being used as a Stereo monitor controller for Pro Tools.. I even watched as smaller Neve mini mixers were replaced by Yamaha 0V1;s in all the edit suites.. (I still kick myself for not begging my manager for one.. easy to install direct outs for the 8 channels.. ) There are many interesting pieces of vintage gear stored away in lockers deep in the basements of this building.. Will never be used, and decommissioning (though pieces do sometimes leave) is an involved process due to corporate oversight.. Might need to do some wandering around down in the cellars during the lockdown.
Wow, thanks soo much for this. Amazing story. Yes, SSL, and new digital soo different than this old simple stuff that sounds wonderful. Please do some searching and get back to me/us
Warm Audio WA12 MKI was based upon Melcor. Individual units vary tho, I have a couple, and one is wooly with massive low end and another is crisp and bright.
I have a racked set of 8 GME-20 EQ’s. Ian from TreeAudio did it. They’re awesome. Took a lot of work but was able to come with the 1731’s and service all modules. Hit me up if you’re interested in all the documentation I was able to find, including the schematics for the 1731.
Love this! 👌 Building out some pres and deciding on transformers. Thanks for sharing!
I have always loved the tones from the song "Jolene," After reading about opamps I decided to build the Gar1731s. I am placing them into my console on the line in amps, the master section and a few mic pres. I did a little digging and found out RCA Studio B- where Jolene was recorded had a custom built Console that had only 1731 for the pre, line and eq. So hopefully Ill get a small amount closer to that warm sound I am after. Now a tape machine must find its way to my room. I also read that RCA Custom console was one of four. One of them made its way to the west coast and is on many famous recordings. The RCA Console used API Transformers. I Luckily have a Console with API outputs on the Master. I Also have some Peerless 30s transformers to play around with and about 40 OEP and VTX. Good video I'm waiting on some more parts and Ill be hearing these in person. Its going to be hours of work I have a 4O channel Audio Arts Wheatstone. Its the most simple console I could find and thus a black canvas. Thanks for the Sample! -Cory
Thanks soo much for the info! Great to know. Good luck with your project. Love it
Huge API and Melcor fan here. In my opinion, these are the best preamps for drums and bass. Sometimes, Neve 10XX or 31105's on overheads give the cymbals a nicer sheen but API on all the other drum mics gives the focus in the bottom that makes the punchy tiger. I wish I had an entire rack of API's for tracking drums. The EMI TG preamps are also really great on drums but API have the perfect transient response for drums.
I have a racked set of 8 of GME-20’s I haven’t been using lately. 1731’s, Recapped, and huge wow factor. Killer stuff. Anyone interested hit me up. Love these and those pre’s…wish I still had the pre’s…
I agree, killer on drums!
I’ve been researching the Black Lion Audio Eighteen Channel Strip and the preamp is based on a Melcor preamp. With the Pultec EQ it’s looking really interesting..
Sounds great! Thanks for watching
There was a bunch of acquisitions in the 60's 70's and 80's..
Quad eight. electodyne, Sphere. Melcor, API, ATI.. all made amazing colourful pres EQs in the USA..
North American rivals to Neve and german equivalents..
SSL is a totally different beast, aiming for functionality and clarity.. Those old 4000s were massive as were the power supplies and computers.. (I helped decommission one at the TV Network I work at about 18? years ago.. 4-5 full racks (floor to ceiling machine room 8 foot tall 19 inch) housed the computer, amps, dual 8" inch floppy drives and our Lexicon 224 in our old equipment rack room)..
Interestingly by the time I started working here, 20 years ago, the 48 channel SSL was being used as a Stereo monitor controller for Pro Tools.. I even watched as smaller Neve mini mixers were replaced by Yamaha 0V1;s in all the edit suites.. (I still kick myself for not begging my manager for one.. easy to install direct outs for the 8 channels.. ) There are many interesting pieces of vintage gear stored away in lockers deep in the basements of this building.. Will never be used, and decommissioning (though pieces do sometimes leave) is an involved process due to corporate oversight.. Might need to do some wandering around down in the cellars during the lockdown.
Wow, thanks soo much for this. Amazing story. Yes, SSL, and new digital soo different than this old simple stuff that sounds wonderful. Please do some searching and get back to me/us
Warm Audio WA12 MKI was based upon Melcor. Individual units vary tho, I have a couple, and one is wooly with massive low end and another is crisp and bright.
I'm in love with your sound! Your mixes sound so big and full!
Thank u
I have a racked set of 8 GME-20 EQ’s. Ian from TreeAudio did it. They’re awesome. Took a lot of work but was able to come with the 1731’s and service all modules. Hit me up if you’re interested in all the documentation I was able to find, including the schematics for the 1731.
music.apple.com/us/album/innocent-single/1497965483
Who’s did the Melcor box for you? Thanks!
I bought it already made. It was a one off by a tech/musician that bought the guts on eBay.
What song is playing at the end?
music.apple.com/us/album/innocent-single/1497965483
A project i did last year
For sale maybe? That's what Ive been looking for!!!
Hi, not at the moment. I mean for 5,000 maybe..
What do you like about them? Why are u searching?
They have a great "growl" to them, it seems. Also that op amp has nice high end that's not piercing.
@@One979 cool! Haven’t used them much at all yet.. favorite applications?
First
Hi, thank u