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A-Designs Audio PACIFICA Description
What we're going do is go back... WAY back!
...back into time... to the early 1970s, when the recording industry was starting to bloom with the new technology of solid state. (Dig?)
Hit products were pumped out as fast as hit record--one after another. There was a creative industry within the audio world. It was, without question, a golden age. Some companies that emerged during that period were Neve, API, and
Quad Eight. Although it's been decades, the benchmarks they set are still held as industry standards today.
Little is known about Quad Eight, though many feel that they were the best in their field. While debating is usually best left to the history books, A-Designs took up the challenge to take a closer look into the past and decide on its own.
With much research, interviews, and listening, we came up with a product that we feel needs to see the light of day again. With Quad Eight Ventura, Coronado and Pacifica console preamplifiers for reference, we closely examined the design and composition of the heart and soul in the consoles of these great pieces. After much design, A/Bing, and beta testing, the result is a solid state, single space, rack mounted, microphone pre amplifier from the "glory days."
Cloning being what it is (same old same old), we decided to head outside the box and make the tribute something other than the legacy. We added our own touch to bring it to present day applications of the recording world.
And so the new A-Designs PACIFICA was born.
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A Designs
Pacifica Review /
See
All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
Based on the old Quad Eight consoles
of the 1970’s era, the
Pacifica has found its place in the “instant classic” arena. In a market of
crowded preamp offerings, this one sits in a unique place. Very simple design,
extremely well built and heavy duty, the
Pacifica could likely survive
a direct hit during a war. You get variable gain (up to +70dB), phantom power,
a pad and phase reversal. The DI is mounted on the face of the unit. Very
simple and elegant in its looks, and the cream face with burgundy highlights is
different for sure.
The
Pacifica has a tight low end
response, not a boomy sounding pre for sure. The midrange is smooth, yet
somehow delivers the punch of a snare, tom or overheads like crazy. The upper
midrange is where the
Pacifica shines, bringing a presence that isn’t overly “bright” to sources,
which gives them definition in the mix. I find it has a largely finished sort
of sound to it for things like electric guitars and drums. For bass guitar,
again that smooth but present midrange is what helps define things in the mix.
Conclusion: With its unique sound,
if you don’t already own one I’m sure it would sit nicely next to what you
have, and give you a different sound to reach for. It remains a #1 reach for
many for a reason, it makes mixing easier when you have defined tracks to work
with.
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