As I understand it the preamps are the same from many years ago, but the converters have been upgraded with their new models.
Put another way, they weren't very forgiving. Run them pretty cool and you don't have this problem.
Good point. The "sound" of the non AI may or may not have been due to the design of the preamps.
I will say this. The SL (NON AI) reacted horribly to having the gain stage pushed. Get even a slight tickle into the red and you would swear you had blown your speakers with a lightning strike
The truth of the matter is that preamps today are pretty good across the board. IC's exist that are quite good at giving you an exact signal copy of the input on the output, just at a higher level.
There ARE preamps that are non-linear in a ear-pleasing way. These preamps tend to be praised since they are easier to get good sound out of.
The MIDAS preamps in specific are frequently referred to as "warm". They also appear to have some compression built in as you get close to the limit lights. People tend to push them and get a nice sound from doing it.
I got it before you confessed to your plagurismThe Cult of Midas® notwithstanding, running anything digital to the point of red lights is foolish and unnecessary.
The Midas warmth is distortion. I prefer to not let my occasional desire for such things to dictate my mix's gain structure and therefore get my distortion kicks above the waistline, sunshine*.
* borrowed from "One Night in Bangkok"
I was in the service in Hong Kong when the song was first released. It was a dance floor packer back then.
I did a walk in yesterday and the groups old SL had all kinds of gain staging issues that I assume had accumulated over time. Some channels were jacked up and did not sound good. Next show I will take a pic of the FOH graphic for some real interesting discussion.I got it before you confessed to your plagurism
I agree with your other statements though. Running a digital system into the red is simply going to be bad ju ju in most cases.
