I would like to buy a good mic pre with digital outs, help?

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:33 am

I have a Presonus Firepod (or FP10 as they are known now). I would like to find several options for a noticable upgrade over the Presonus preamps. I would like to mention that for the price the presonus preamps sound very good. In order to use the presonus as the audio interface to the computer I will need a preamp that has digital outputs (S/PDIF) so I can bypass the presonus preamps. I have only found one pre amp so far that has this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ART-DMPA-Pro-2-Channel-Mic-Pre-with-Digital-Outs?sku=180629

I don't know how much better this will be than what I am currently using. Can anybody help me out on this? I am open to alternative solutions, also.

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:53 am

There's the API A2D. I haven't used it, but its got the API 312 preamps (2 of them) and S/PDIF out.

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:52 pm

Neuman is coming out with a Digital TLM 103. Haven't heard it yet (becasue its not out yet....) , but I have heard the digital 180 series stuff and it is STUNNING.

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:45 pm

Check out the dbx 376/386. I believe you can add the channels to your FirePod using S/PDIF without going through the PreSonus preamps.

I would call this a good home studio solution.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:30 am

If your not just looking for digital inputs for use of 10 inputs instead 8 I am fairly certain you can bypass the preamps on channels 1 and 2 using the line-ins on the back. I think I may have read this in the manual some where. This would mean that you could use any preamp that you like.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:39 am

I really think that if you can't get the sound you want with your current system, it ain't the equipment? So, if you need that ultimate sound and digital input, I'd dump what you currently have been using & just purchase yourself one of the digital Neumann microphones currently available. You just need the digital interface into your laptop.

Seeing as how you cannot get the sound you want from your current equipment, you might consider more music lessons? Maybe engineering lessons? How about just more experience?

I make good recordings on bad equipment and great recordings on good equipment. I don't have to tell you what my recordings sound like on great equipment. So I won't.

"Human inadequacies are only amplified by good equipment."
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:33 am

I don't think you will see any real difference until you spend bigger $$$.
It also depends on what you are looking to record with it. Preamps aren't necessarily just "good" or "bad", it depends on what mic you are using, what you are recording....etc

Personally, I would buy it just for the education. Try it out on different tracks and see where it works, even if it's not actually "better", the different tones could help your mix. One of the first things I bought when I started recording was an Art tube MP and I still use it regularly.
Sometimes a new toy can inspire you even if its not premium gear.

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:05 am

Spase wrote:

There's the API A2D. I haven't used it, but its got the API 312 preamps (2 of them) and S/PDIF out.

I got a chance to borrow one a little while ago. I didn't want to give it back!

I've heard good things about the Aphex 207D for something on a budget.

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