Universal Audio 4-710D

UA makes some really good stuff. Good layout and good set up and not difficult to use.
Sounds like UA audio, great stuff but it has a specific sound and you have to have a taste and time to work with this unit when recording hot inputs. When using these units you have to be aware they are a bit authentic sounding in that you have to pick what you are going to use them on. If you use them on drums they sound great and on guitars. Vocals can be a bit more tricky. You have to find a mic that sounds right with the singer that your recording. You will find that they are a bit sensitive and you would not get turn it on and just hit go. There are a bit more tricky in that they are more colored so as you get your input you need to pay attention to the sound and what you are getting. Don't use any plug ins to start with nothing on the playback input track and get a feel for the active input. As you turn up the input you will find that there are defined differences in what your inputs or instruments are. On vocals it is bet harsh at 4.5K so dip that at least 3 db and you should be good to go. Also the pre has a bit of a bump in the lower frequencies 50 to 80hz so use a high pass filter.

UTILIZATION

There is not much to the set up. Plug in turn up the input based upon the instrument your micing and get to work.

SOUND QUALITY

Very clear sound but they do have a colorizing effect on the mid range. I have noticed this a lot with female vocalists no matter what mic I use.

OVERALL OPINION

They are a bit pricy and there are other pre amps like the focusrite 8 channel preamp ISA that I like. If you like a little color on the sound then I would get this one. Not as transparent as some of the other preamps.

The Universal Audio 4-710d is well worth the money spent. I have never had a bad experience with it and know several people that also use it and have no complaints about it. With 8 high quality 24 bit channels and a tube gain that wont get distorted easy when you decide to push it a little, you just can not go wrong. The price of the Universal Audio 4-710d is a bit pricy coming it at just under 2000 dollars. I have been using it since January of this year after purchasing it around Christmas time. The sound is truly great, all of your microphones will sound better instantly. I have recorded with the 4-710d with instruments (mainly drums) and it shocked me, and I was able to see why it cost so much.


UTILIZATION

Using the compressor on the 4-710d is very different and will take some time to understand. It took me about 3 months before I felt comfortable enough to use it all on my own without the need to pull out the manual. I had to use the manual a lot at first, it was well written and was not too bulky. The general set up of the 4-710d is simple, but getting to understand the unit will take some time and patience.


SOUND QUALITY

My overall recording sound has really went to a new level with the Universal Audio 4-710d. It has taken the quality of my microphones to new levels. Especially the drum microphones.


OVERALL OPINION

On the 4-710d you can really push the tube gain to the limit and not have to worry much about distortion like you do on so many other units similar to this one. The sound quality is full of color and if you learn to use the compressor the right way and use the manual , you will get an even better sound. Do not try to use the compressor by just messing around or trial and error. You will just be wasting time, get to know your manual so you can use it the right way. This is a must have, hat goes off to Universal Audio for the 4-710d.

4-channel model of the famous Twin-Finity 710. Each channel offers the same features as the latter, I will not dwell on them. Which differentiates them:
- Each channel can be recovered on an optical digital output, 8 channels
- In addition to the 4 channels, 4 line inputs on Jack 6.35 on the back (thus serving as a DI), recoverable from the optical output
- Has two optical outputs, especially when using sample rate exceeding 48 kHz.

UTILIZATION

Usage is very simple. I branch:
- Mics: sm58, RE20, GT20. With the Q knob that regulates the amount of use of analog circuits / lights, I always find appropriate settings,
- Low: using the Hi-Z inputs on the front. Very convincing for a Home-studiste like me!
- Guitar: troubleshoots and it all depends on the quality of the guitar, his microphones ..

Note:
- The apparatus comprises a protection system for ignition, avoiding peaks output, but ... not when it is turned off!
- Hi-Z inputs on the front panel has a switch that detects the internal wiring of a jack, which has the effect of the bypass came back: perfect, BUT this switch operates from the first position "down" the jack. This is frankly a detail but I'd rather be able to plug my jacks in the first position to act without this switch .. short! (Make me a PM if I was not clear ..)

I do not know if a manual is necessary ..

Another point, not least because it is the argument that made me spend nearly 2000 euros (still): I am in a home studio, and I wanted to avoid plugging / unplugging my appliances. Given the versatility of the 710, I turned to this model.
Then a simple calculation: I needed two 700 (approx.) x 2 + 1400, both the buy and 4-710 enjoy more of the A / D.

Finally on the use, let me say that this preamp also has two "channels" on each distinct voice (which I called channel before sorry!): An XLR line and an XLR microphone, with a select switch, which lets you toggle between the two.

Really handy in Home Studio that you can connect 4 microphones and 4 show two keyboards.

SOUND QUALITY

The preamp: nothing to say quality level. This is far from clear, we must take time to compare with other brands / models.

The D / A converter: I have little experience in this area, but I was no difference between those of my Fireface UFX and 4-710.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this pre amp for 1 year and am fully satisfied, both for the comfort it provides in home studio, as its sound quality.

My EXP: I come from far away (I can not even write it!): An ART preamp ... humhum, day and night. The same comparison is useless ..

Accuracy is very important to synchronize the clock (or sampling frequency) with other devices, including the sound card.

Insert Jacks 6.35
Between High impdance faade in jack 6.35

AES / EBU output
Word Clock
ADAT


Limiter and Intgr dbrayable.


In faade:
slecteur to use a VU-Maître of diffrent Manir:
_ Drive position, indicates the gain level envoy in pramp
_ GR position serves recalibrate the VU meter to 0, in time will help.
_ Mtr Out position, indicates the output level


A potentiomtre gain, volume, and a transistor to dose rate / lamp, that it is sometimes useful
to keep some of his "transistor", to maintain a dry on some lments.



Slecteur a "15dB PAD" channel, useful if you use microphones with impdance a little weak.
A slecteur "Alim Phantom" channel is not always the case, sometimes it's all common.
A slecteur to reverse phase
A slecteur "Low cut" is a 75Hz low-cut everything below will supprimbr /> A slecteur "Off / Slow / Fast" channel for the time raction the limiter
A global slecteur to enable / disable the limiter, convenient for a quick comparison before / APRS.


8 / 10 for limiting non-adjustable, but as usual Universal Audio knows calibrate its equipment then compensates.

UTILIZATION

Slecteur a mic / line

slecteur the mic / line is convenient, such as 4 pramplis mountains are constantly on the multicore XLR in the studio.
When I want to use one of pramp as a DI for bass, I plug the bass in faade and I select line, the XLR and dbraye m'vite any dcabler.
Such is the line between high-end! You enter an instrument in high impdance, no noise, no breath, no buzz.

the manual is not ncessaire the faade trs is clear.

Use 10/10

SOUND QUALITY

Trs trs is clean and dynamic sound of the Global Warming Manir fairly transparent.
It is warm, while respecting the original sound.
By working on the rglages always happens to draw a beautiful sound

OVERALL OPINION

about a year I use this prampli, I test a lot in other brands, Manley, Avalon ...
I would say that Universal Audio is one who respects the most original sound, I do not criticize other
trs that are also good but in other areas.
For my part I needed a BCAN diffrent easily adapted configurations,
but also a lot of musical style, a lot of instruments.


Remember that a prampli, not a qualiser.
For my part, I use it as an insert on my console to replace the original pramps,
as I use the legalization analogue of the table, perfect!


Report qualitprix, bah it's expensive, but so is the report cohrent
For the rating argus, will be difficult, is not what sells the stuff!


Overall rating: 9 / 10