Coil Audio - V-Piano Processing and (live) Cajon Samples

Sharing examples. (2) CA-286 with Telefunken solid silver plate EF86 selects (new from a 1951 dealer case-made for Valvo), both input transformer options and (2) CA-70. I am not affiliated with Coil Audio, just sharing as I do not do commercial work, have some nice gear and am in a position to make clear samples available.

I have really enjoyed both the 286 and 70 as preamps in testing and dialing-in what I like while processing subgroups. Later in May I will track a studio session with the Coils, in the meantime, I am processing tracks previously recorded with Pueblo Audio JR4 (which I also enjoy).

V-Piano Samples:

The Song: Unashamed, Piano Track
Pianist: Charlotte

The Gear: Recording - V-Piano>Pueblo Audio JR4>Lynx Aurora 16(n) 96/24
All files exported from Reaper 64 with matched peak levels.

1) Clean mix export of the raw V-Piano tracks from Reaper
2) Aurora(n) to CA-286, controls at Noon, Input: -6, In Trans: C110-HN
3) Aurora(n) to CA-286, controls at Noon, Input: -6, In Trans: C110
4) Aurora(n) to CA-70, controls at Noon, Input: -6

Coil Audio - V-Piano Processing Samples by Junior Music | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Cajon Samples:

I recently sponsored and recorded a free live event.

The Song: Revelation Song (live)(with bleed from monitors)
Cajon: David D

The Gear: Recording - Cajon>Beyer M160 Front, Coles 4038 Rear, both into Pueblo Audio JR4 preamps>Lynx Aurora 16(n) 96/24
All files exported from Reaper 64 with matched peak levels.

1) Clean mix export of the raw Beyer and Coles Cajon tracks from Reaper
2) Aurora(n) to CA-286, controls at Noon, Input: LN, Input Trans: C110
3) Aurora(n) to CA-70, controls at Noon, Input: LN

Coil Audio Subgroup Processing - Cajon by Junior Music | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Great samples!

The Coils really are doing a subtle thing here, but it takes the sound and gives it a "3d"ness. Especially the CA-70s.

It does a thing where... when I'm listening, when it's going through the CA-70's, each note has more depth and every keystroke sounds interesting. Without the processing, the notes seem to blend together and I lose interest in the sound. All around very quality sounding.

Would love to hear more samples but with a bit more extreme processing!

I'll try to run a few, more "extreme" 70 samples on Friday morning which is the only time I am back in front of the gear until Monday.

BTW, on the cajon tracks I thought the 286 was the clear winner. There is a nice crack that wasn't coming through in the original recording with the JR4s and it is not there on the 70.

Thank you for posting this good comparison.
I have been interested in hearing more comparisons that include Coil Audio.
Here we also use the Pueblo Audio mic amps.

I think that the Coil Audio sounds good in the Soundcloud playouts. They have an appealing tone with a noticeable tube modus. I can hear the differences between the 286 and 70 very clearly.

The Coil excerpts sound good until one switches back to the Pueblo captures. In comparison the Coil sounds muffled and not offering a full freq. response. Transients are also rounded off with the Coil.

Moving over to the cajon examples, I was disillusioned to hear an unacceptale level of gain hiss especially from the 70. The Coil units portray your percussive example as muffled and dull.

Tube preamps can offer a fantastic and quiet full range sound. Coil is an effects processor instead.

I bet that Coil would sound very good with vocals where it would round off and enhance the vocal sound by not presenting the vocal in all its nakedness.

NO WAY tube mic amps need to be dull.

All valid points. Based on the prior request I am going to post samples with no negative feedback for comparison. I love having the option to use NF to taste.

V-Piano to Coil Audio CA-70 Samples
Downloadable WAV 96/24
All files exported from Reaper 64 with matched peaks, WAV 96/24
Lynx Aurora(n) converter @ 96/24; noted as LA(n)
Simplified Chain, eliminated Mix Factory and (2) Burl B32s:
Reaper 64 > LA(n) > CA-70 > LA(n) > Reaper 64
CA-70: Input LN, Output 2:00

1) V-Piano - Vintage Piano 2 to LA(n)
2) LA(n) > CA-70, Settings at Noon > LA(n)
3) LA(n) > CA-70, No Negative Feedback, Low and High @ Noon > LA(n)
4) LA(n) > CA-70, Full Negative Feedback, Low and High @ Noon > LA(n)
5) LA(n) > CA-70, Settings 1 below > LA(n)
Negative Feedback 1:00, High -2, Low +2
6) LA(n) > CA-70, Settings 2 below > LA(n)
Negative Feedback 11:00, High -4, Low +4

V-Piano to Coil Audio CA-70 - Downloadable WAV 96/24 by Junior Music | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Listened to your new and good samples this AM.

Coil Audio sounds pre EQ'ed for dullness.

I don't understand their philosophy when the company offers products with this kind of sound.

I would rather use Pueblo and EQ to taste as I require.

It seems like the Coil Audio company's goal is to offer a thick sound at all costs. Indeed the cost here is a really limited frequency response.

Again, Coil sounds pretty good on its own. Only when one switches back to a full range capture does its family sound become very apparent.

While I am of the opinion that it would be difficult to best the JR4's clarity, I do love the tone and range of tone of the Coils.

It is worth recalling that the original posting includes Coil CA-286 and CA-70 samples, the 286 being more "hi-fi", while this most recent sample is limited to the CA-70 as it was the subject of a request. Coil's website does a good job of explaining the design origins and goals of both.

I agree that the full range capture of detail is very desirable for many sources.

I also love the Coils and have just completed a few delicate vocal samples I will post.

For a May 19th session, I may create a system, with caveats to purists which will be documented, that will allow simultaneous capture to JR4, CA-286 and CA-70. Purists will denounce the caveat but, I have found it to be workable, especially given full disclosure. I have to use what I have while ensuring the session meets my goals.

Delicate Vocals to CA-70

Olivia and Charlotte Penrod - Vocals
Flea 49 to JR4
Lynx Aurora(n) 96/24
Exported from Reaper 64 @96/24 with peaks matched

1) Flea 49 > JR4 > LA(n) Exported from Reaper 64
2) LA(n) > CA-70 - No Negative Feedback, High and Low @ Noon
3) LA(n) > CA-70 - Negative Feedback, High and Low all at Noon
4) LA(n) > CA-70 - Negative Feedback 11:00, High -2, Low +2

Delicate Vocals to CA-70 by Junior Music | Free Listening on SoundCloud

You are killing it! Thank you for the samples.

I finally got my rack fully configurable and installed. I'm ready to start demo'ing a bunch of songs for my next album and would love to share samples here.

This is the only thing I have so far.

All tracks recorded with Coils.

https://soundcloud.com/supersecretso...-demo-05062018

Bass (Made in Mexico Fender P-Bass, Flat Wound heavy gauge, stock pickups) was DI'd into a CA-70 and then fed into a second CA-70 for that saturation sound. Slight compression added with Stam Audio SA-2A.

The Drums were recorded with a single Max Mod U67 microphone overhead running into a CA-70. The mic technique was super poor because there was a drum shield in the way, so I just tossed the mic overhead. Slight compression with Stam Audio SA-2A.

Vocals were cut with the same Max Mod U67 microphone, running into the CA-286 with slight compression from the Stam Audio SA-2A.

As you notice, all of the tracks are overdriven (which is what I was going for) and I'm very very pleased with how they sound. The distortion is very pleasant and I really like the preamps performed overall.

Hi Hudson-

Sorry you seem confused about our 'philosophy' as its rooted in almost 100 years of R&D. Dull? Limited freq response? Thats interesting - our output Transformer is pretty flat out from 2Hz (-1db) - 60k where its down -.5db. Same goes for our high nickel input. I guess maybe the variable negative feedback control is what is slipping you up here perhaps? Of course, many who do modern classical recording with solid state gear these days turn a blind eye to the excessive pile of cheap phase-shifting components their signal is running through before it leaves the preamp/enters the converter. Especially when it comes to transformer coupled SS gear. Our Coil input transformers are strapped for 150ohm on the front and direct to grid on the secondary - it doesn't get any more direct to amplifier than that as far as overall 'signal integrity' is concerned. (See: Maximum Power Transfer in DC audio circuits) If you are an AES member, there is a great paper written by Russell Hamm that everyone should read - or at least skip to the Conclusions section. Very illuminating - .
AES E-Library >> Tubes Versus Transistors-Is There an Audible Difference

We have many people using our amplifiers for orchestral scoring (variety of movies/TV spots) and we have some that are using them like Westhelion -utilizing gobs of harmonic distortion to suit his style. Its all subjective of course but some simple facts remain:Tube amplifiers differ from transistor/operational amplifiers because they can be operated in the overload region without adding objectionable distortion. The combination of the slow rising 'edge' and the open harmonic structure of the overload characteristics form an almost ideal sound- recording 'compressor'. Within the 15-20 dB "safe" overload range, the electrical output of the tube amplifier increases by only 2-4 dB, acting like a limiter. However, since the edge is increasing within this range, the subjective loudness remains uncompressed to the ear. This effect causes tube-amplified signals to have a high apparent level which is not indicated on a VU meter. Tubes sound louder and have a better signal-to-noise ratio because of this extra subjective head room that transistor amplifiers do not have. So the comparison between our amplifiers and a mfg like Pueblo is somewhat absurd as it is just plain subjective to the needs of the end-user. There are limitless tonal combinations with our amplifiers and those options do tend to overwhelm the conservative person from time to time. We always welcome your opinions and questions. Apologies for any redundancy -

Happy Recording!

I had three vocalists and a pianist recording on Saturday and asked them to take an extra ten minutes to select their preferred preamp from among the Pueblo JR4, CA-286 110 High Nickel, CA-286 110 and the CA-70. Mic was the same Tele 251 E.

The selections were instant and unanimous when we got to the one they loved.

Piano was CA-70, All vocals were CA-286 110.

These are my favorite recordings to date and I loved that the vocalists and pianists could tell an immediate difference and fell in love with a specific tone for their recording. Inspiration made it a great day.

Adding a link so you can hear the 286 110 on young female vocals (just a touch of M7 Vocal Shimmer from Plates 2). I am just posting mp3s for now.

(WAY OT: these young ladies are 13 and 14 and raising money for an October mission trip to Peru via a CD. I started recording 6th, 7th and 8th graders from my SS Class a few years back and we all improve a bit each month. It is wonderful to hear their confidence grow and to see them raising thousands of dollars in three or four weeks for a great cause. Middle-Schoolers can do anything with a little encouragement!)

https://soundcloud.com/junior-music-...trip-cd-memory

this!

Hello Coil Man,

Thank you for your post. Please notice that in my post I said that the Coil preamps sounded good in this test. Then, what I said is they sound dull in comparison to the Pueblo —here in THIS INSTANCE AND THIS TEST.
And wouldn’t you agree that they do sound dull IN THIS TEST?

No need to lecture me in a patronizing manner since I’m very familiar and experienced with a wide variety of Tube mic amps. I know Russ Hamm personally and of course I have read his paper and digested and talked with Russ about his conclusions.

Here I use Edwards Audio preamps, Tube-Tech, and Fearn—all great Tube mic amps. I also use Pueblo mic amps among other solid state builds.

When I listened to the Coil mic amps posted here in THIS comparison they sounded rolled off, dull, dull and thick in comparison to the solid state contender. So that is the basis for my comments.

Further, I have written to you about the technical mistakes on your web site but they remain unaddressed and not corrected.

Your snide remarks in your response tell me a lot about your life outlook. I won’t be a customer any time soon, baby.

All I know is that these Coil's do this 3D thing that other preamps don't. They have this... depth and richness. It's very subtle but it really brings the music to life and gives every note this subtle movement and breath. It's not volume, it's not EQ, it's depth. They sound 3d.

It's akin to what a real U67 does vs. the clones that try to model a u67 by using a tuned capsule but not using a negative feedback circuit or a tube. A real U67 has this 3d character that clones just don't have unless they have the correct circuit and tube, which most don't.

What I also love about these preamps is that you can absolutely saturate the **** out of them and they sound FANTASTIC. Completely saturated and just sound amazing. It's an indie artists dream. But, the best part is when you dial them in just right on a vocal and they just barely start to saturate on the driving parts... it's perfect.

10/10 would buy again.

So glad to hear that you are enjoying them Westhelion.!

Very 'pleasant' sound to the Coil, but I agree it sounds dull and blanketed. For me maybe a great option to have on the palate to give a nice, fat, rich, mellow tone to a vocal, or drum track, but here I'm missing the excitement of transients, and harmonics on the piano. I only imagine that would then be the case on many acoustic instruments when recording with the Coil. Also the noise/hiss in the the Coil tracks make it a drag to listen to, and probably obscured a lot of detail. Something must have been off in the process here along the way, as I can't imagine they would put out a product with that much noise. So much for drawing conclusions based on files...

Coils on everything here and a nice list of mics. No noise issues:

High End Vocal Mic Samples

I had heard samples on the Coil YouTube channel w/o noise, so something went wrong somewhere on the former files I was commenting on. On your tracks the vocals sound beautiful. Rich and round. Was the piano run thru the Coil too? I still think there a thickness, and rolled of top end, and transients, that may flatter some things (like vocals here) but may be limiting on other things... Everything this is a tool, and the Coil seems a very HQ one at that. As always, guess it depends on the vibe/flavor one is going for.

All links severed, departing GS