Daking MicPreIV – review
Generally speaking
The Daking MicPreIV is a 4 channel preamp/DI with pad, phase, line-mic, phantom-swich.The micpre offers 75! dB of gain. Plenty to drive even my RCA ribbon mic to the full level. As a unique feature it offers a separate mic/line input (XLR format).
Every channel features a metering and a gain pot. The construction is “MASSIVE”.
The Daking MicPreIV uses an external PSU, which operates all over the world.
TheĀ Daking Mic-Pre IV offers four channels of high performance, Class A preamplifiers in a single rack space unit with outboard power supply. Configured for four microphone inputs or four line inputs from XLR/TRS Neutrik combo jacks on the back, plus four line inputs (+10 to -50) or 1/4 hi-z instrument inputs on the front, the Mic-Pre IV utilizes all discrete Class A circuitry with transformer-balanced inputs and outputs. The new Mic-Pre IV from Geoffrey Daking & Co. is the latest example of exemplary audio quality and craftsmanship in the tradition of the great British console manufacturers.
The Daking Mic-Pre IV is a highly cost-effective solution for high-end preamps to be used in studio or live applications. Used standalone or in conjunction with a console, each input offers a stepped (5db) gain control using Daking’s signature aluminum knobs, a 20-segment LED level meter with +24db peak indicator, switchable mic/line or hi-z instrument, switchable +48V phantom power, switchable input phase and switchable 20dB pad.
The Daking Mic-Pre IV is housed in a robust all stainless steel enclosure with an outboard DC power supply in a separate housing, offering not only durability but immunity from noise and RF interference. The attention to detail extends to the internal components, which include gold bifurcated contacts on all relay switching. The supplied universal power supply can operate at any voltage for use worldwide.
Problems and technicalities
No problems occured. Plug and play. It’s really easy as that. I forgot the PSU in a recome-recording session and so I had to get back and pick it up. So for people with no-brian (like myself) it’s really a problem š
I read about people having problems with some channels who pass no sound after a certain period of time, so I was concerned, that the same thing will happen to me in the future. I contacted the distributor (TransAudioGroup) and they explained to me, that on some early units, there was a mounting problem with the channel-board, which is solved now.
Sound
Wow. I am not easy to impressive. But I was. The Daking Micpre4 doesn’t get much love on the internet and I really wonder why.
I put it on guitars (electric, heavy distortet), miced the 2×12″ cabinet with a ribbon and a sm57. What I heard was fat! Really. The lower midrange was extended, the highend was a bit blurry but very very nice. The highend started to shine on the guitars. I am usually struggle with digital recording/mixing and high gain guitar sounds, not this time. Also, I had an easy time blending the ribbon and the sm57 signals together. Usually I track 2 rythm-guitar-tracks each side and it stacked without problems.
Compared to my API/ShadowHills/Studer 9xx/Audient preamps, the Daking had a unique character. I never experienced this fullness in the lower mids.
Putting the Daking on drums is another story. They preserve the punch but are not as midforward as API. Think about a Neve-style preamp with not that much lowend but more mids. Character! is the right wording. The preamps really get the drums to shine in your mix. Enough punch to get the drums trough the mix, enough glue to make it sound like a drumkit. I think I want 16 channels of those Dakings on drums.
On bass (DI) the pre does ok. Nothing spectacular, a lot better thenĀ most DIs.
Conclusion
After testing the preamp on 2 projects it’s not a matter if you want to buy one or not. It’s more of a problem of how many you want to buy.
Hear more samples at http://www.transaudiogroup.com/audio-files (use the mic-pre-EQ samples. It’s the same preamp in both units).
Go for it.
TheĀ Daking Mic-Pre IV offers four channels of high performance, Class A preamplifiers in a single rack space unit with outboard power supply. Configured for four microphone inputs or four line inputs from XLR/TRS Neutrik combo jacks on the back, plus four line inputs (+10 to -50) or 1/4 hi-z instrument inputs on the front, the Mic-Pre IV utilizes all discrete Class A circuitry with transformer-balanced inputs and outputs. The new Mic-Pre IV from Geoffrey Daking & Co. is the latest example of exemplary audio quality and craftsmanship in the tradition of the great British console manufacturers.
The Daking Mic-Pre IV is a highly cost-effective solution for high-end preamps to be used in studio or live applications. Used standalone or in conjunction with a console, each input offers a stepped (5db) gain control using Daking’s signature aluminum knobs, a 20-segment LED level meter with +24db peak indicator, switchable mic/line or hi-z instrument, switchable +48V phantom power, switchable input phase and switchable 20dB pad.
The Daking Mic-Pre IV is housed in a robust all stainless steel enclosure with an outboard DC power supply in a separate housing, offering not only durability but immunity from noise and RF interference. The attention to detail extends to the internal components, which include gold bifurcated contacts on all relay switching. The supplied universal power supply can operate at any voltage for use worldwide.