Blind Preamp Shootout / VP26 Versus MP32 / Drums
The following is a blind preamp shootout between the CAPI VP26 with GAR2520 opamp and the Antelope MP32.
Three familiar mics were used on a drum kit: Beta 52A on kick, SM57 on snare, and C414 XLII overhead. Each mic was split into two mic level signals using one of three RapcoHorizon PB-8 Isolated Press Boxes. These split mic signals were routed in parallel to three of each preamp and level-matched using phase cancellation in the analog domain. The six preamps were recorded in Pro Tools using a MOTU 16A converter/interface. To ensure that levels were matched as precisely as possible, each recorded track was then loudness normalized to -28 S Max LUFS, using Nugen Audio's LM-Correct 2 audiosuite plugin.
Each of the three performances by drummer Nathaniel Aguilar is played ten times to allow the listener to A/B the preamps in five different mix configurations.
Which preamp sounds better, A or B?