Focusrite Red 8 Dual Mic-Pre

Class has a preamp transistors
2U rackmount
XLR across a transistor preamp

UTILIZATION

This could not be simpler to use the same point there is no instruction manual in the box, +48 V, phase inversion and gain pots, no more.

SOUND QUALITY

About the sound, the first finding on this preamp, it has no shine, no transient short, the opposite of what I was looking close to home neve preamps, makes it was designed by Mr. Rupert Neve.
It took me a long time for him to find applications in the strings.
I finally found the good in everything related to jazz, blues.
it works on some, it works well on battery rooms with excellent cons on a bass drum or a low (by plugging the line out of a good amplifier to the input of the red line) on double bass, cello anything that pat down of the audio spectrum.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought this preamp about six months ago because I was looking for a device with the brightness to save my Steinway piano.
I did not get the possibility to try it because too few sold where I live but he came highly recommended by friends and advice through various forums.
This preamp requires a very special rigor for selecting the source and the microphone, but once you tame it works very well.
I find that even when his reputation is disproportionate and I do not buy another.
The ratio quality / price is not ideal, I possess such a UA 2-610, much cheaper and more versatile, but hey, when you buy this kind of material, it finds the character and color rather than transparent .
I think AC is still a 7 / 10
A few special

Preamp 2 channel class A. ... XLR connectors

UTILIZATION

simple: power, channel 1 changeover phase, 48V power supply, gain knob ... No fuss, the effective and what look ...

SOUND QUALITY

The heart of the action ... It is a great preamp, different from the elegant Avalon or SSL, different from the "attack" Neve ... He has, and it is quite surprising, a real personality that we must seek with the microphones ... Let me explain, all the microphones do not suit him ... It is really terrible with static or dynamic lights VERY well made (Beta52A, 421 for example ...). When he found the good buddies, it's happiness, the sound is full of detail and precision, without any concession.

OVERALL OPINION

As mentioned earlier, choosing a microphone is essential. As this preamp is very precise on the bottom of the spectrum will make the best with tube microphones, the lower midrange warmth. The microphone that fits like a glove for me is the AT4060 Audio-Tachnica home. All instrument a little "slender" (flutes of all kinds ...) appear above, the accordion is a very good depth, good bite in the brass ... The female vocals on this couple are divine ... Live, move and bass kick in is fairly sound, who can afford it, because the animal is not given, but she has things to say ...
This is not a preamp "basic", it is quite specific, distinctive acoustic instrument, but the detail he gives sound, accuracy on the bottom are doing well once "married" a valuable and endearing.
A choice for complementary which is already equipped preamp more "universal" and needing a companion to the charms specific to the quality / fair price, with a very "searched".
Player on the flute ... For micro