A-Designs Pacifica
MPN #Pacifica
Two-channel, solid state microphone preamp with two front-panel D.I. Hi-Z input
"Big Iron" Sound of the 70's - Unbelievable Bandwidth
The 1970s was a time of great change in pro audio. The introduction of solid-state electronics led to an explosion in development and a very different sound than the tube gear of previous decades. The recording console in a high-end 1970s studio was likely a Neve, an API, or a Quad Eight. These companies set the standards for audio quality " with a unique sound firmly imprinted on the popular recordings of the era.
Designed, built, and extensively "ear-tested," by long-time recording industry veterans, the A Designs Pacifica takes its sonic signature and name from the revered Quad Eight mixing console. However, the A-Designs Pacifica has a sound and character all its own. Praised by top professionals for having the depth of a Neve, the midrange of an API and the high-end of a Massenburg, the Pacifica has firmly established itself as the go-to preamp for an impressive list of Grammy-winning and platinum-selling engineers and producers.
The streamlined feature set of the Pacifica delivers exactly what an audio professional needs to quickly record high-quality tracks. Paying homage to the color scheme of the Quad Eight Pacifica console, the hand-crafted A Designs Pacifica sports a rich, cream-colored finish with solid feeling red metal gain knobs, a red +48V phantom power push button with red LED indicator, and grey push buttons for phase reverse and "20dB pad - all giving the Pacifica a look reminiscent of California girls, beach boys, and classic Woodies.
It also has two front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs, but - just like a classic Woody - it's what's under the Pacifica's hood that gives the Direct Inputs their distinctive sound. Unlike other preamps, Pacifica's DIs are routed through the input transformer, passing signal through two transformers for added depth and richer tone....and these aren't just any transformers! They're custom-designed input and output transformers built by Tom Reichenbach of Cinemag (whose father Ed built the transformers for the original Quad Eight desks). The output transformers are custom wound and share the same design as those found in the original Quad Eight. The input transformers, however, are pure, proprietary A-Designs.
Another major component of Pacifica's stellar sound is its extreme bandwidth, ranging from way down at 9Hz all the way up to 101kHz with <1% distortion! Along with the custom transformers, the linear response down below 10Hz provides the big, punchy sound for which the Pacifica has become a contemporary classic. It also provides harmonic content well above the range of human hearing, reducing in-band phase shift for more realism, along with the added benefit of delivering more harmonic information to work with...turning your EQ into a creative tool rather than a corrective one.
While some may believe the glory days of recording are over, Pacifica is living proof that they've never left us, and better days are still ahead! Put an A-Designs Audio Pacifica in your rack, and hear the difference.
Features
Two-channel, solid state preamp with two front-panel Hi-Z inputs.Captures the sound quality of the legendary Quad Eight Pacifica console with even more presence and high-end.Very warm and full tone without being dark; wide bandwidth with a sweet top end.Custom-wound Cinemag input and output transformers.Input transformer: A-Designs proprietary input transformer with unique winding.Output Transformer: A-Designs proprietary alloy using the same massive design as the original Quad Eight.72dB of quiet gain, great for use with ribbon mics.Unique D.I. design sends signal through the input transformer for two transformers in the signal path.
Specifications
Balanced XLR I/O
Phase reversal (each channel)
-20dB pad (each channel)
+48V phantom power (each channel)
Solid construction, handmade in the USA
Frequency response: 9Hz-101KHz
Input impedance: 1500 ohm
Gain range: 72dB
Noise (EIN): -128dB
Phantom power: Switchable 48V
Mic input phase: Switchable 0 -180
Instrument Input Jack 1/4"
Output: Balanced XLR
Distortion: Less than 1%
Power requirements: 100/120/230 VAC - 23W
Dimensions: 19'' x 1-3/4'' x 10''
Weight: 11 lbs
Shipping weight: 12.5 lbs
Write a review about the A-Designs Pacifica
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5.0
Paul Anderson
Kingston, Ontario
October 10, 2019
Detailed and Versatile
I bought mine from Studio Economik a number of years ago. Very simple control layout, and very high quality build. I might choose a different preamp for a lead vocal, depending on the voice, but I have yet to hear it sound bad on any source. Compared to the Vintech and API preamps I've used, I would describe the Pacifica as a bit more open sounding with very clear high and low end.
Read moreStacked vocals don't tend to sound as congested as can be the case with some other preamps.
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5.0
MFraser
Regina, SK
September 22, 2019
Great Preamp
The Pacifica offers tons of gain and sounds great on everything I've tried it on. Adds so much depth to any mic I plug into it and takes EQ and compression really well. This thing picks up all the low end you could ask for and is a nice fast preamps.
Read more The PAD darkens the tone a little bit and is a nice fit for overhead mics on a drum kit. Bass guitar is solid through this, mic'd or DI. Guitars - if you're tracking heavy electric, acoustic, or anything in between - you will not find a better preamp (your personal preference may be for something else, but this will be a top competitor everytime). The sound is fairly clean, but not entirely neutral. That said, from vocals, acoustics/electric guitars, to drums - the character of this preamp seems to compliment everything really well. Dynamic, Condenser and Ribbon mics all work extremely well with this pre.
Whether the Pacifica is your first 'higher end' preamp (above stock interface preamps anyway) - or you've used all kinds of boutique pres .... IF you don't like the Pacifica, YOU are doing it wrong.
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4.5
Derek
Barrie, Ontario
January 17, 2016
Great, very versatile preamp!
I purchased the pacifica a few weeks ago after renting if for a month earlier in the year from studio Economik. It has a very fat sound, but still very clear. I was originally interested in it for recording acoustic guitar, but it is excellent on heavy distorted guitars as well.
Read moreDo to it being so clear, you can multitrack heavy guitar (7 and 8 string as well) without to much worry of things getting muddy. It may not have as much "character" as some other preamps, but the pay off is a very clean mix. My only real critic, is the DI's. They sound fantastic, but it would be nice to have thru jacks as well to go to a live amp. As someone how reamps a lot, the DI is perfect, but not having a thru jack means that you will have to use some sort of amp sim to monitor the track, which I don't find very inspiring. Hardly a deal breaker though! Excellent unit!
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