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API 512c Microphone Preamplifier

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API 512c Microphone Preamplifier

14 ratings | read 2 reviews

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17 Artists Use This
Jack White

Used on the room mics for *Icky Thump*, as stated by recording and mixing engineer Joe Chiccarelli in this October 2007 *Sound on Sound* interview. > “The Trident at Blackbird Studio D was used for monitoring, and also some guitar microphones, plus most of the room microphones. Some room mics went through an API 512, and a few through a crazy old RCA OP6 tube preamp. Most of the other close mics went through various Neve 1073, Brent Averill API 312 and Chandler TG2 preamps. Jack loves the sound of ribbon microphones, so we used a lot of them, on guitar amps, vocals, and as room mics: Coles 4038, Royer 121, AEA R84. I would have six to 10 room mics up, and would chose a stereo pair from them."
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Kevin Parker

In this video you can see two API 512 Mic Preamps to the right behind Kevin Parker inside the API Lunchbox
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Owl City

Owl City's studio has two API 512cs.
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Ray Toro

"Main Rack." Two 512cs can be seen on the top left.
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Jack Johnson

Used on vocals for *Sleep Through the Static*, as stated by mix engineer Robert Carranza in this May 2008 *Sound on Sound* interview. An image of the item can be found [here](https://dt7v1i9vyp3mf.cloudfront.net/styles/news_large/s3/imagelibrary/I/IT_Carranza_05-SQkaSw.BQxQkHgc9q1hWR_ufXhLr6eaS.jpg). > Regarding the signal chains, simplicity again ruled. "For vocals it was the U47 going into an API 512, into an LA2A with a dB compression at the most, straight to tape. I've learned in the past that you want to use no or very little EQ during recording, because if you later want to drop in a fix, you'll never match it. The drums were all cut through an API preamp. For bass we went through a Universal Audio 610, and guitar and piano went through the Neve 1073. That was pretty much the signal chain on everything."
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Olafur Arnalds

"When recording Arnarson, Arnalds put up two microphones: an AKG C12A and a Telefunken AK47 Mk II with an M9 capsule, both fed through API 512 preamps. "Then in the mix, depending on the song,” he explains, "I just chose which mic to use. I ended up using the Telefunken in three songs and the C12 on 'A Stutter'."
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Jon Foreman

As pictured at his Instagram account, he is spotted using this item for his work.
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Young Guru

"For crunchy punchy drums I go with API preamps, 512 are incredible."
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Meg White

Used on the room mics for *Icky Thump*, as stated by recording and mixing engineer Joe Chiccarelli in this October 2007 *Sound on Sound* interview. > “The Trident at Blackbird Studio D was used for monitoring, and also some guitar microphones, plus most of the room microphones. Some room mics went through an API 512, and a few through a crazy old RCA OP6 tube preamp. Most of the other close mics went through various Neve 1073, Brent Averill API 312 and Chandler TG2 preamps. Jack loves the sound of ribbon microphones, so we used a lot of them, on guitar amps, vocals, and as room mics: Coles 4038, Royer 121, AEA R84. I would have six to 10 room mics up, and would chose a stereo pair from them."
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Robert Babicz

This Facebook post, titled STUDIO 1 / ROBERT BABICZ, shows two API 512cs.
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Glenn Fricker

In this video at 0:20, four API 512C's can be seen on Glenn Fricker's studio rack.
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RAC

RAC in this video show his gears for everybody: 2:18
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Jimmy Edgar

Per Jimmy's 2016 Facebook post.
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Joakim

According to a list of equipment which is used in his studio, Crowdspacer, Joakim is also a user of API 512c microphone preamp.
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Jean Patton

In description of [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epd5yglBVFE), a 512c Microphone Preamp is listed among the gear used.
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Stacy Burket - Luzon

Artist posed video on Facebook - clone of 512c
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Dada Life

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2 API 512c Microphone Preamplifier Reviews

andreifossari

195

Can't beat the API sound !

+4

over 6 years ago
- 0 Comments
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bobguido7

116

API 512C

"Bass guitars love this preamp and it makes the insturment tight in the bottom and punchy in the midrange with it's very unique frequency curve. The opamp and transformer topology of this design is what makes it such a unique sound. If you want deep but tight bass to punch through a mix, this is the piece of gear you want for both your DI and amp/mic signal. It will allow you to hear every single note across the bass guitar's fingerboard with clarity and definition. For me, bass guitar will only ever go through the API 512C. The 512 is even punchier than the earlier API312 preamp. I prefer the 512C on bass guitars and toms to make them punch through a mix but also fit into the mix with less time wasted playing with an equalizer to try to make things fit. The Neve is too mushy and loose in the botttom end for a bass guitar and it's too scooped out in the midrange for the most resonanat area of the bass notes to sing through the mix. Bass guitar tracking is one of the few times where there is a better choice than the mighty Neve."

+1

almost 3 years ago
- 0 Comments
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