VC-1Q

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 9:37 pm

Hey all,

Just after an opinion on the Joe Meek VC-1Q,

Cheers

Sammyg

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 11:40 pm

What are you comparing it to? I have one before the "Q" (the VC1). I like it on bass direct, don't really like on guitar (but many do), and vocals. I the one I have as a Noise generator called an "enhancer" generating harmonics up above the music it is recording. I used it on Cabasa to great effect, bringing it right up and out where I want it, but it sounds fake and bad on vocals to me. It is "highly colored", especially the compressor section-- maybe the latter is why I didn't like it on guitar.

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:20 am

I have the VC1Qcs and it is a decent unit with the classic Joe Meek compressor which has more value than any other feaure. It is better than the Mackie, but not really worth braggin about. I like using all the features on it dedicated to the snare, but bass and guitar can often fair well with it and hard rock vocals are ok too.

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 3:05 pm

It's not too bad. I like the EQ section and the compressor, although the comp is a little bit tricky to set. It likes to overshoot. I've never found a practical use for the enhancer/de-esser. I think the pre and DI sound descent but lack headroom compared to some of my other pres. I get around the low headroom problem by adjusting the input gain within protools.

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 10:03 pm

Thanks guys!

cheers,

Sammyg

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 2:19 pm

Hello Sammy,

I saw your post on PSX-100 and if that's were you're going, a JoeMeek VC1Q is not gonna do your PSX-100 justice. It's a noisy (needs a lot of gain) unit with it's own character. The enhancer/deesser is really bad. I've had 2 and sold them. Check out TC's Goldchannel!

blp

..pay more, cry once..

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 10:26 pm

the booklet that comes with that preamp boast about its headroom guys.You can really push the meters way over zero.but im kinda a rookie at this so maybe i dont know much

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:41 am

thanks again guys!

sammyg

Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 4:02 pm

I have a VC3 (the VC1's little brother) and it's not exceptionally noisy. It sounds great on bass guitar, my Beyer M260DX ribbon mic on many things and a 57 in front of a 4x12.

I also have a Gold Channel and it sounds bland on everything. Never awful and never wonderful, just eh.

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:16 am

Steve, I've the same one (VC3v2)...do you leave the enhancer alone like me, or do you use it?

regards,
Bob

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 12:41 pm

I used the enhancer on a bass track a couple of times. It helped the definition. But usually I find it too noisy and unusable. The VC3q has a 3 band eq, I wish I got that one instead.

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 2:52 pm

Got one, used to be my go to pre/channel until I bought something else Smile

...seriously, it is okay but not special, occasionally works great with certain singers on certain mics....I used it on a bass for some live off the floor demo recently and it sounded fine (usually use an Avalon U5, not this time though)...My go to is now a Toft ATC-2 and , to draw a comparison, I recently re-cut a singer I'd previously used the VC1Q on...no contest..I'm buying another ATC-2...and yes, I know there's better pre's, just really like the EQ section on the Toft, and the comp is pretty fair.
Botttom line...there's worse than the Meek, there's better...what a revelation...usually get what you pay for, but in this case Toft isn't much more.

Best of luck with your choice,

BW

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:30 pm

you can acess the compressor and eq onlyon the vc1q with another preamp going thru the insert

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:44 pm

I found the mic amp not very verstile good for some things like an aggresive vocal (used with the comp) the EQ and the comp is great almost worth the cost of the unit.If I wanted a channel strip with everything Id get The TLA 5052 or save save save and get an Amek

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:21 am

Quote:

Originally posted by bwindsor:
Got one, used to be my go to pre/channel until I bought something else Smile

...seriously, it is okay but not special, occasionally works great with certain singers on certain mics....I used it on a bass for some live off the floor demo recently and it sounded fine (usually use an Avalon U5, not this time though)...My go to is now a Toft ATC-2 and , to draw a comparison, I recently re-cut a singer I'd previously used the VC1Q on...no contest..I'm buying another ATC-2...and yes, I know there's better pre's, just really like the EQ section on the Toft, and the comp is pretty fair.
Botttom line...there's worse than the Meek, there's better...what a revelation...usually get what you pay for, but in this case Toft isn't much more.

Best of luck with your choice,

BW

I also have a VC1Q and am pretty satisfied with it but I've been thinking about getting a Toft ATC-2 as well.I'm really interested in hearing more about the Toft pres.How would you place them in a wide spectrum of pres? How would they compare directly to the pre on the VC1Q?

Thanks
Johnny

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