Which Pre amp focusrite red 1 or isa 428

[Greene]

If these were the only two to choose from wich would you pick? Why?

[Mixchump]

Neither. If you ever get a chance, listen to a U87 plugged into a Neve 1073, then an API, then a Grace Designs or GML Mic Pre, and then listen to the Focusrite stuff...

Personally, I've never liked any of em. Not the ISA-110, or any of it's successors...

Just another jaded personal opinion.

Cheers, eh?

[mahler007]

I admittedly have not had much personal experience with either, so I'm not the best judge, but as an LE/002 user, I've had my eye on a 428 for quite some time...

From what I've *read,* the pres in the 428 aren't *spectacular,* but they're supposedly a couple notches above the pres onboard the 002. The cool thing about the 428, however, is the optional A/D card, which is reported to be somewhere around the Digi 192 interface in terms of conversion quality. The best thing about it is that it's 8 channels, so you could get the 4 channels of Focusrite in addition to 4 other (potentially much nicer) pres into PT via the 002's ADAT connection.

I guess it all really comes down to what you're looking for. I don't think (from an audiophile's point of view) that you could really compare the "quality" of the Red series Focusrite to the 428. If you're looking to get some really nice pres, and the optional A/D card isn't important to you (and I can't really imagine that it would be, if you're an HD user) then i would probably go with the Red 1 or check out some of the other options that Mixchump listed above. The 428 is, I think, an awesome "bang for the buck" option for people like myself who are not really in the realm of the pros, but other people may have a different, more informed opinion based on real experience. Like you, I would love to hear from them on this issue!

On a side note, I did spend a lot of time one day with a buddy listening to the 3D Audio "Preamp Shootout" CD. I have to say that like Mixchump, I wasn't really all that into the Red pres or the vintage 110's. There were some other pres that i thought were MUCH nicer sounding- The Millennia, Buzz Audio, Great River, Cranesong and Earthworks were my favorite, but this is of course based on comparisons done with a guitar and the same mics. On different instruments with different mics, I could imagine that I would have a totally different impression...

Finally, I have to say that while some pres certainly did stand out, nothing really sounded "bad" (with one or two exceptions), and once you get to a certain level, it has to do a lot more with character and response than it does with perceived "quality." along those lines, I'd do a side by side comparison with the Red 1 and the 428 and decide for yourself...

I don't know if that's of any help, but there it is... It'd be cool to hear about what you ultimately choose once you do, and why...
Good luck!

-Andrew

[mixer]

no question ,the red series...

[AINSLIE]

I owned a Red 1 - fantastic box ... thats the one IMHO ... A

[JohnJay]

Owned Reds 1, 2 & 3 and an ISA 110 in the 90's. Now have 428 with ADC card. Like the audio quaility just as much and the features are definitely better with the 428. It does a great job of heating my room, too.

I haven't done an A/B comparison test on them. However I have a friend who has both and likewise finds them similar. You probably hear his work everyday on TV.

Of course this is subjective, but now I have a bunch of TAB Funkenwerks and Great Rivers sitting around doing nothing because I like the 428 more on large capsule tube mics.

Focusrite did themselves & their reputation a great inservice by putting out the green & platinum series. They were a complete different topology. Overall the ISA (including the 428) and Reds are quite good.

[RobMacki]

I'm happy with my 428. I've wanted to compliment it with a Red 3.
But I'll most likely look for something vintage.

[WildHoney]

I like the ISA 110 a lot with certain mics, so if the 428 is really the same pre, I'd say it's a good bargain.

[roberts]

Red One on all the vocals for Mutt Lange & Shania Twain on the CD "Up"
I really like the ISA 430 & 428 I got them both I have used the RED 7 a lot but for me the 430/428 was a step up.

[kurt]

428 is a very flexible & usefull box. Have a 5012 Portico & dual Rostec connected to PT thru it. Some voices are better thru Neve or Rostec but generally U87 thru 428 is as good or better. Never heard bad sound from it.