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PREAMPS: Focusrite Red 1 vs. Mackieby William Coakley 01/10/2001
Red 1, commonly called "the red box" is a high quality 4 channel mic preamp that usually sells for around $3,000.00. It has some useful features like phase reversal which is necessary for some applications. The ability to turn off the 48 volt phantom powering to any of the four mics independently is convenient. And, when you mount this unit in your rack, everyone knows it. With its beautiful polished bright Red cover and lighted VU meters it will be noticed by all.
The claim that its frequency response (on low gain settings) approaches 100K hz is quite impressive but keep in mind that microphone level signals will require much higher gain settings where that 100K hz band width will decrease significantly.
Some other features are impressive as well. I like monitoring audio levels with VU meters. Even though they don't indicate peaks very well, the way they move can tell alot about what's happening in the unit.
The 6 dB gain incremental gain control helps eliminate noise but creates problems for some of us who are used to continuous gain controls. Although most would agree that some noise is eliminated this way, the fact is that the average bear couldn't hear the difference.
The other issue is whether or not paying nearly a thousand dollars per channel for a preamp is worth it. There will be many continuing disagreements on this issue but maybe this will help. I sampled some pianos using two of the four Mackie preamps from a 1202 ($300) mixer. Comparing these samples to ones taken using the Red 1, I found the sound quality different but not necessarily 'better' in the Red 1. (Keep in mind we are only recording one note at a time). However, some noise could be detected with the Mackie pre's that I didn't hear with the Red 1. So after some careful consideration here's what I've found.
My preference, if I were recording multiple instruments or spectrally dense/dynamic material would be to choose the Red 1 since it should be capable of a cleaner sound. I would expect to hear each instrument with a little more clarity and also expect less noise. But if I were recording a vocal or another single instrument, I actually might prefer the Mackie pre's since they are a little warmer sounding. I recorded the same tenor soloist on an album using both Mackie and Focusrite pre's, and in some cases I prefered the sound of the Mackie pre's over the Red 1. The problem is knowing where each is going to have an advantage. But maybe this says it best: when in doubt, I always use the Red 1.
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