I was in a heated discussion with my engineer today. The conversation started out as a difference between two microphone preamplifiers that are set up in his mobile racks.

We were sending long sustained guitar cords and vocals through microphones and DIs to hear the difference in the sound.

To me, there was a slight difference with the Pacifica with a small mid range EQ bump that I didn't notice in the Millenia. However the change was so small that the effect could be redone in post.

My buddy disagreed and claimed there was a HUGE difference between the two.

So we broke out more preamps and started playing. In the end, I just felt like an idiot because apparently there is some huge astounding difference between them that for whatever reason I can't hear or notice.

I tend to liken what I do towards cooking. The mixture of equipment ever so slightly changes the final "flavor" of the recording. However unlike spices which can be over done, equipment only ever so slightly changes the effect of the sound.

This slight change in recording is what bugs me. I can't hear it and I know that most people listening to music can't too.

One time I had my buddy listen to two recordings in an attempt to hear the difference between a lossy and lossless codecs. I threw a file in that was completely identical to its partner (checksum was completely identical!). And he claimed there was a difference.

I like what I do, but I can't stand it when I have a salesman/engineer trying to convince me of a drastic difference between equipment when I can't hear it!

So thanks again peachparts for being my soapbox. I appreciate it!

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

DI?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

(direct input)

I know the type too...Their trained ears can hear those 22khz dog whistles and detect a 0.5 cent difference between bass tracks Anything they don't touch is unlistenable!

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

You're both right. This kind of perception based opinion has gone on throughout music and recording history. Neuman vs. Sennheiser . . . JBL vs. Altec . . . was it live or was it Memorex.

Oh, ah, well. That's just bass ackwards. You shoot for the sound you want, not what sounds, "better." So stick your mike on the guitar amp and tweak it until the both of you feel that's what you're going for. If it's nothing you like then use the line input. Record your settings and see if you still like it the next day.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

This thread doesn't sound as good as the last one. Sounds tinny.

Too much cowbell?

Best way to judge preamps is a day with one and a day with the other. Rapid A-B comparisons diminishes your ability to accurately describe the nuances which you are seeking.
That and the right engineer can get a better sound out of a lesser preamp, so regardless of what gear you are using, you can always disparage the other persons abilities if they start winning the pissing contest about equipment...

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Sounds like someone with golden ears, best left to their own devices.

They WILL hear a difference when there is no way of recording it. If it can't be measured, there is no difference, period.

This is an argument you can't win.

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83 SD

84 CD

...and why audiophile companies can thrive selling 99.999% oxygen-free pure copper high-end cables that cost more than the average sound system!

Kind of like the vintage Gibson "Les Paul" ('58 I think) that has a unique sound tone due to a manufacturing defect whereas the bridge pickup transformer has one more additional winding than the other!!!

Who hears this stuff!???

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

^ LOL, the only folks who can hear the differences are the ones selling the stuff, or making money off the companies that sell the stuff.
Some of the audiophile rags.

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83 SD

84 CD

Tut tut you're not suggesting it is all emperor's new clothes are you?

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Elitism will never die as long as there are morons in need of ego-bolstering . . . .

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Moi?

Surely you jest.

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83 SD

84 CD

I take offense at your remark and as soon as you admit I am right I just might be benevolent enough to forgive you for even considering you are qualified enough to post this to me!