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anonymous 13 January 2004

What is your 1 or 2 favorite (or goto) microphone preamps for recording vocals?

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AudioGaff Tue, 01/13/2004 - 17:33

When you have a few to choose from it becomes harder to choose which is best or favorite. It depends on vocalist, song style and arrangement, as well as which I mic I'll use. For me it would be better to ask what mic pres get used most often. Then I would say: Focusrite Red-7, Neve 1272, AMEK/Neve CIB, Vintech X81, API 512, Manley Tube, D.W. Fearn VT-1, Neotek MicMAX.

anonymous Tue, 01/13/2004 - 17:33

I use out-of-the-ordinary stuff, but I'm able to get distinct sounds that are more catered to the song. I've been using Aphex 1100's that have been retubed with NOS tubes for my smoother, fatter stuff and had wonderful results. Then for more aggressive I use the Ward Beck 460's, which is more WYSIWYG. Two different flavors that I've been quite happy with.

anonymous Wed, 01/14/2004 - 07:15

Don't have as many to pick from as Gaff, but agree that it depends on the vocalist and mic used. Just got a Great River MP-2NV that I've been running a Brauner Phantom C through that I like very much. Also have an ISA428 that's nice for some things with certain mics. For big phat tube attitude I'll reach for a Peavey/AMR VMP-2.

anonymous Fri, 01/16/2004 - 19:43

Of course the vocalist and music context influence the decision. On a recent project I've had excellent results tracking with either a Lawson L47MP or a Soundelux ifet7 (in V mode)> Universal Audio 2-610> Universal Audio 1176LN reissue> Cranesong HEDD 192 (for it's AD converters). I've used the Neumann M149> Avalon AD2022> Summit Audio TLM-50> Apogee AD16, The 737sp is also quite good for some applications.
I just got a pair of Vintech X73i's. Can't wait to run them through the paces. So many choices, so little time.
Just as a side note, recently used a RODE NTK through the Universal Audio 2-610> 1176LN chain on acoustic guitar- slammin'. Haven't tried it on vocals yet though.

KurtFoster Tue, 01/20/2004 - 21:27

While I had the review unit here, I found myself reaching for the JLM TMP8 most. Ahh, but alas, I had to return it ... (sad face) .. but I just learned that a new one is headed my way as soon as they start rolling off the assembly line.. (JOY!) .

Since then, I have been having an affair with the Great River MP2NV ... this is a killer pre.. but a bit thicker sounding than the JLM... The TMP8 has more of a "prestine" quality.

This last Sunday, I tracked 3 vocalists in the same room on different tracks using the Sebatron vmp 4000e and a pair of ATM 4033's and an AKG 460. Great results.

"It's all good"

Doublehelix Wed, 01/21/2004 - 05:04

Originally posted by Skeetch:
Don't have as many to pick from as Gaff, but agree that it depends on the vocalist and mic used. Just got a Great River MP-2NV that I've been running a Brauner Phantom C through that I like very much. Also have an ISA428 that's nice for some things with certain mics. For big phat tube attitude I'll reach for a Peavey/AMR VMP-2.

Hey Skeetch...

I am about to invest in a new mic pre unit, and as has been discussed in other threads, I am looking seriously at the ISA428...

When you say "nice with some things with certain mics", can you be a bit more specific? I'd love to hear your opinions on this thing, since I am within a week or two of making my decision...

Thanks!

KurtFoster Wed, 01/21/2004 - 14:21

Originally posted by mikE@THECAVE:
can anybody compare the Sebatron to some of these other pres mentioned here on vocals.I have the SEbatron and am wondering what other pre might compliment my arsenal.I was thinking a Neve type like the great river will give me more variety.

Mike,
I could try that for you ... what pres? I have a GR MP2NV here currently as well as my 9098s and a Presonus M80 ... hopefully in a few weeks I will ahve another JLM.

What mics do you want on this comparison?

KurtFoster Wed, 01/21/2004 - 15:13

Mike,
We have all heard the Redd 47 .... on beatle records.. but i haven't heard it in person.. perhaps after I finish with all the stuff I have here I will ask for one. But I have requests from SPL and a couple others in line first. Keep on me about the Red 47. I will try to get to it later this year.

It will probably be couple of weeks before I can get a comparison of the GR vs the Sebatron on vocals recorded... You didn't say which mics you want me to use. A pair of AKG 451's, 460's or the Studio Projects C4's would be the best. I also have a matched pair of ATM 4033's we could try.. otherwise I will have to record different performances in different passes.. .

anonymous Wed, 01/21/2004 - 17:15

Originally posted by Doublehelix:

Originally posted by Skeetch:
Don't have as many to pick from as Gaff, but agree that it depends on the vocalist and mic used. Just got a Great River MP-2NV that I've been running a Brauner Phantom C through that I like very much. Also have an ISA428 that's nice for some things with certain mics. For big phat tube attitude I'll reach for a Peavey/AMR VMP-2.

Hey Skeetch...

I am about to invest in a new mic pre unit, and as has been discussed in other threads, I am looking seriously at the ISA428...

When you say "nice with some things with certain mics", can you be a bit more specific? I'd love to hear your opinions on this thing, since I am within a week or two of making my decision...

Thanks! So far, I've used it on vox, acoustic guitar, snare, Roland V-Session kit, guitar and bass DI, and mic'd guitar amps. Of the lot, I like it best for stereo mic'ing of acoustic guitar, specifically with a pair of Studio Projects C4's. It's not as colored as the Great River but with the C4's it retained the tonality of the guitar while adding a nice bit of "flavor" to the tracks (I'm not real good at describing these things so bear with me). Before I went to a Radar, I was going into a Roland VS1880 and it made quite a difference using the 428 on the front end. Everything sat better in the mix even after stacking several ISA tracks. The same has held true going into the Radar.

I've been experimenting with a Brauner Phantom C through the 428 for vox recently and it's been great. Again, not as fat or colored as the GR so if I need to stack a lot of vocals it's easier (for me) to do that with the 428. It's also got some features I've found to be most useful:

- 4 selectable input impedances. Gives a couple of interesting tonal variations on things like '57's

- continuously variable HPF. Very handy especially if your favorite mic doesn't have a HPF on it or if the HPF on your board isn't quite giving you what you need.

- the digital I/O card is nice for going in to your favorite DAW or HD recorder. I haven't been using this as much since getting the Radar, but it's nice to have. I'm not terribly fond of the soft limiter - to my ear it seems to make it difficult to drive adequate levels into the recording medium (note: this could be related more to pilot error than a real limitation of the unit).

- analog insert points on every channel. I used this more before getting a Ghost, but still find uses for them on occassion.

Overall, it's a very versatile preamp. IMO, it would make a great addition to anyone's front end.

Doublehelix Thu, 01/22/2004 - 05:48

Thanks Skeetch! My thoughts have been to get the ISA428 now, and then add a more colored pre next year, like the Great River or (hopefully) a pair of API's.

You mention that you used it on a snare, but not the rest of the kit. Any reason for that? One of the reasons that the ISA428 appeals to me is that I can get 4 pres in a single unit, which makes sense for mic'ing drums...snare, kick and 2 OH's (then the close mic'ing of the toms would go through my Presonus unit).

Thanks again!

Fruition2k Thu, 01/22/2004 - 06:51

John (David) Hinson who built mine and the ones on the Marquette site, he's in the process of building a batch of 20 currently. Bought mine back when I was looking for a V72 4 years ago and discovered the REDD on RAP. Been THE best pre I have ever used including solid state, class A, discrete etc...
I'll post pics and internal pics if anyones intersted.

Davedog Thu, 01/22/2004 - 16:02

Okay...Here's my thoughts on this.....I had a very nice list that was going to reside in the studio in this next year.My choices were to be the Sebatron 4 chanl....a Vintech x73i or an 81i..At least 2 channels of John Hardy...That should do me just fine as I have a Ghost for everything else and for doing a lot of tracks at once.I have no problemat all using the Ghost pres....I run mine real hot on the voltage and the pres become creamy and fat...NOW I HEAR THEY MAKE THE ABBEY ROAD PRES! 5$3@!*&75545456(*((!!!!.......
Understand ....I think that the Beatles recordings are the best.There is air,clarity,dimension,tone,edge....everything I think a recording should have.And there are lots of classical recordings from that time era that came from that studio and these sound incredible... am I looking for 'rich and robust'..........ARENT WE ALL???!!!

SO...All my choices go out the window....crap.

Okay...well I would like one of those REDD47 units...and I guess I'll still be happy with a couple of John Hardy pieces.....

Fruition2k Thu, 01/22/2004 - 17:05

Hi Davedog,
I understand your frustration, I went through it 4 years ago until I stumbled into the REDD 47 that John (David) Hinson was recreating from his complete set of REDD 51 schematics. At Abbey Road from about 1964 till '68 or so the REDD 51 sat in studio 2 which about 90% of all Beatles stuff was recorded in. The other 2 studios had REDD 37 which carried TAB-Telfuenken V72 "S" models. Most people think it was the V72S that was used entirely, but as time went on and John did the research,..even talking to the retired techs who installed the desks, it turned out to be the REDD 51-REDD47 combo that was actually used theough the majority of the sessions. In Mix magazine Emerick stated studio 2 was where they worked almost all the time. Once I found out all these facts my choice switch from looking for V72's to getting the REDD he had now been working on.
He took the design and using the absolute best components possible...he stated then parts alone were exceeded $1200 for one unit! Well I sold my Coles 4038 and an AKG stereo mic and had to get it and now its the best thing I ever bought for recording...ever! After recording for 18 years I have never been more satisfied with one peice of gear, coupled with the Neumann M269 here its hard to describe...silky sweet, clearest mids you can imagine and tight low end for days. One thing I will say the better the mic and mic pres,
the less eq I touch. I hardly ever need to do severe eqing, just a slight cut here or there or sometimes not at all. Oliver (Tab-Funkenwerk) is making the V72 "S" versions and they are also incredible.
I can email a few pics to those interested...dont think I can post them here, no URL site.
Cheers...

anonymous Mon, 01/26/2004 - 05:01

Originally posted by Fruition2k:
John (David) Hinson who built mine and the ones on the Marquette site, he's in the process of building a batch of 20 currently. Bought mine back when I was looking for a V72 4 years ago and discovered the REDD on RAP. Been THE best pre I have ever used including solid state, class A, discrete etc...
I'll post pics and internal pics if anyones intersted.

Please post many pics!!

Fruition2k Tue, 01/27/2004 - 17:30

Heres a few of my Redd 47, first batch John made.
So much to discuss, I think John will post all of it soon on his own web page. Its under construction now but will be johnhinsonaudio.com.
Abbey Road is currently having John recreate serveral REDD peices for them. I must say he's a great guy and my future plan is to buy a 2 channel unit, w/line - mic switch and hi-z input. This one doesnt have the hi-z option, wanted the purest path possible. Pictures arent the clearest..sorry..
-enjoy-

Link removed
Link removed
http://img17.photobucket.com/albums/v51/redd47/Redd_47_b.jpg

robb007 Sun, 02/01/2004 - 13:05

I think my last post for some reason did not appear? Anyway if my choice was as not to use some Neve Mic pre, I would be easily persuaded to use one of Dan Kennedys Great river NV series I was very very impressed I don't like the idea that the unit cannot be rack mounted {single unit}but the sound really impressed me .The Avalon 737 can sometimes do a wonderful job of adding some bright dimension to say a very dull sounding vocal.Just a Canadian west coast opinion. :c: :c:

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