RECORDING January 2023 - 49
Old Dog, New Tricks
The effects of the 3:1 transformer
switch on its own can be a subtle thickening,
which is also dependent on the
impedance and loading of the microphone.
When you add in the ability
to push the input harder into the output
(and the transformer) and then bring the
signal down with the level control (akin
to an output fader), you can introduce
even more weight and drive.
This drive can be subtle saturation up
to a full, warm, fuzzy overdrive. The latter
can be fantastic on effected vocals,
electric guitar amps and drums, as well
as on direct-injected (DI) bass and keyboards,
especially a Mini Moog or a
Fender Rhodes piano.
Gain
As with all API preamps, the 3122V
has gain for days. Prior to the introduction
of high-gain preamps and inline
signal boosters, it was a popular
choice for low-gain ribbon and dynamic
mics. I was only aware of the preamps
noise floor when attempting to use the
3122V with a Shure SM7B for
spoken word work, where I needed the
unit all but at full.
On the flip side, I rarely use an API
preamp without its -20dB pad engaged,
especially with modern condenser
mics-this thing is loud!
With the 3:1 switch out and the output
level knob at unity, there is zero audible
difference in the sound and tone
between a 512C and the 3122V.
Since this is our drum issue, I will say
that in a multi-API setup, I used a pair
of 512C preamps on kick and snare,
with the API 3122V on overhead duties
in a Glyn Johns style mic setup with the
3:1 button in. This added an excellent
gentle level of drive and presence of
the kit, and the results were nicely vintage-toned
and stunning.
Conclusion
The API 3122V is possibly the most
versatile solid-state API preamp yet
(I had to throw that in as the API Select
T12 tube preamp is also a versatile
powerhouse). This is short of the
312-based preamps in a full-fledged API
THE BOX Console. However, that may
be the key to this preamp's sonic versatility
because the API 3122V behaves
and drives more like a console thanks to
the high-pass filter and output control.
The 3:1 transformer tap and VU metering
is the icing on the cake.
Price: $2,085.25
More From: apiaudio.com
http://apiaudio.com
http://pearlmanmicrophones.com
https://www.abbeyroad.com/
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/
RECORDING January 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of RECORDING January 2023
Fade In
Fast Forward
Roland SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad
Session Log with Marc Urselli: Trasfrontera Japan, taiko drums, Kaoru Watanabe and Anna Sato
Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Hitmaker SDX
PreSonus Studio One Version 6
Hugh Padgham: Behind the Gates of the Hitmaker
LEWITT BEATKIT PRO
Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion
Studio 101 with Joe Albano: An Intro to Drum Recording
sE Electronics T2
Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX
API 3122V
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Steve Gadd
Plugin Outlet: Strymon BigSky Plugin
Panda Audio Future Impact v3
EFNOTE 3X & EFNOTE 7
Readers’ Tracks
Fade Out: New (Year’s) Studio Resolutions
RECORDING January 2023 - Intro
RECORDING January 2023 - Cover1
RECORDING January 2023 - Cover2
RECORDING January 2023 - 1
RECORDING January 2023 - 2
RECORDING January 2023 - 3
RECORDING January 2023 - Fade In
RECORDING January 2023 - 5
RECORDING January 2023 - 6
RECORDING January 2023 - 7
RECORDING January 2023 - Fast Forward
RECORDING January 2023 - 9
RECORDING January 2023 - Roland SPD-SX PRO Sampling Pad
RECORDING January 2023 - 11
RECORDING January 2023 - 12
RECORDING January 2023 - 13
RECORDING January 2023 - Session Log with Marc Urselli: Trasfrontera Japan, taiko drums, Kaoru Watanabe and Anna Sato
RECORDING January 2023 - 15
RECORDING January 2023 - 16
RECORDING January 2023 - 17
RECORDING January 2023 - 18
RECORDING January 2023 - 19
RECORDING January 2023 - Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Hitmaker SDX
RECORDING January 2023 - 21
RECORDING January 2023 - 22
RECORDING January 2023 - 23
RECORDING January 2023 - PreSonus Studio One Version 6
RECORDING January 2023 - 25
RECORDING January 2023 - 26
RECORDING January 2023 - 27
RECORDING January 2023 - Hugh Padgham: Behind the Gates of the Hitmaker
RECORDING January 2023 - 29
RECORDING January 2023 - 30
RECORDING January 2023 - 31
RECORDING January 2023 - 32
RECORDING January 2023 - 33
RECORDING January 2023 - LEWITT BEATKIT PRO
RECORDING January 2023 - 35
RECORDING January 2023 - 36
RECORDING January 2023 - 37
RECORDING January 2023 - Soundware Showcase: Spitfire Audio Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion
RECORDING January 2023 - 39
RECORDING January 2023 - Studio 101 with Joe Albano: An Intro to Drum Recording
RECORDING January 2023 - 41
RECORDING January 2023 - 42
RECORDING January 2023 - 43
RECORDING January 2023 - sE Electronics T2
RECORDING January 2023 - 45
RECORDING January 2023 - Solid State Logic SSL CONNEX
RECORDING January 2023 - 47
RECORDING January 2023 - API 3122V
RECORDING January 2023 - 49
RECORDING January 2023 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Steve Gadd
RECORDING January 2023 - 51
RECORDING January 2023 - 52
RECORDING January 2023 - 53
RECORDING January 2023 - 54
RECORDING January 2023 - 55
RECORDING January 2023 - Plugin Outlet: Strymon BigSky Plugin
RECORDING January 2023 - 57
RECORDING January 2023 - Panda Audio Future Impact v3
RECORDING January 2023 - 59
RECORDING January 2023 - EFNOTE 3X & EFNOTE 7
RECORDING January 2023 - 61
RECORDING January 2023 - 62
RECORDING January 2023 - 63
RECORDING January 2023 - Readers’ Tracks
RECORDING January 2023 - 65
RECORDING January 2023 - 66
RECORDING January 2023 - 67
RECORDING January 2023 - 68
RECORDING January 2023 - 69
RECORDING January 2023 - 70
RECORDING January 2023 - 71
RECORDING January 2023 - Fade Out: New (Year’s) Studio Resolutions
RECORDING January 2023 - Cover3
RECORDING January 2023 - Cover4
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