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5.18.2001 NEW STAR AT NPR's "JAZZ FROM LINCOLN CENTER" . . . TRUE PRECISION 8 PREAMP OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT: National Public Radio's "Jazz from Lincoln Center" recently upgraded their sound with forty channels of True Systems Precision 8 microphone preamps. Produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Murray Street Enterprise, the program is hosted by CBS News Correspondent Ed Bradley. Created by Jazz at Lincoln Center Executive producer, Rob Gibson, the Peabody Award winning show is entering its eighth season of cool ballads, hot mambos, and every style of swing in-between. Location engineer Sandy Palmer-Grassi and senior producer Steve Rathe spent several years searching for the perfect preamplifier. "At the beginning, we simply hired remote recording companies," described Palmer-Grassi, "but that became less cost-effective as our workload increased. Our choice of preamplifier is pivotal because we operate on a 'keep it simple and straight' recording philosophy. We start with a Decca tree using Neumann TLM 50 microphones. Then, we close mic to compliment the picture captured by the Decca tree. From that point, we rely on a great preamp, and mix straight to two-track with a DA-88 backup, avoiding processing." The pair heard the Precision 8 at AES 1999 and was impressed with the unit's capabilities. First, since space is at a premium in their mobile rig, eight channels of preamplification in a single rack space helps the system to be as compact as possible. They appreciated features like continuous gain pots allowing for subtle level changes with no clicks. The unit's versatile and comprehensive metering permits an engineer next to the preamplifiers to make adjustments far from the mix engineer via an M/S decoder on channels 1 and 2 without sacrificing mixer channels. DIs on channels 7 and 8 stand ready in case a situation arises that calls for them. Finally, the supplemental DB25 pin output connector interfaces with their DA-88 nicely, and balanced quarter-inch outputs allow for any repatching necessary in the control room. While the Precision 8 boasts a frequency response of 1.5 Hz to 500kHz, listening to anything through headphones on the show floor of an AES convention is less than ideal. Therefore, Palmer-Grassi and Rathe arranged a demo of the Precision 8 back home. "We played a piano through it and were floored. All of the transients were crisp and undistorted," recalled Palmer-Grassi. "It was accurate, dynamic, and warm. Our first thought was that we had mis-heard the price, but we verified it from True Systems' distributor, Neumann USA. That cinched it. In addition to getting the ultimate in fidelity and features, we'd be saving money that we could put into microphones!" Palmer-Grassi and Rathe had a wealth of microphone preamplifiers to choose from, and the prestige of "Jazz from Lincoln Center" was riding on their decision. True Systems' Precision 8 was the right choice in terms of sound, functionality, and price. www.sennheiserusa.com www.neumannusa.com |
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