seb pre good investment?

Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 8:28 am

i currently own a Q10 soundcard (8 mic preamps) that sounds ok. I could get a really decent recording out of it. The thing is, i would like to get 2 channels of better sounding pre's. Was thinking of the 2000e. The only recording i do with more than 2 mics are drums. This means i would have 2 overheads in good preamps and the 4 other mics in decent pres. All other recordings (guitar, bass, vocals) would run through the Sebatron. Vocals, acoustic guitar and overheads: SP B1. Bass: Sm57 and Shure Beta 52e. Electric guitars: Sm 57. If i run my new preamp through the Q10 inserts, do you think i would get a really good improvement in my sound. Should i be upgrading my mics instead or do you think the mics i will be using with the 2000e would match up well? this is a big investment for me (1800 CAN$ at least). Is it really worth it. I've only been hearing good things about this pre.
Thanks for your help

Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 12:02 pm

what style of music are you recording??

Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 1:32 pm

Hi RadioOliver,,

What are your monitors like?
... your rooms?

I'd have a quick look at other aspects of your recording setup ,,
firstly to confirm that the subtleties of improving the front end are going to be recognised.

If you believe you've got pro level monitoring and the rooms don't need excessive treatment , then sure the pre would be a good choice.
Tracking and mixing will be a lot easier , and the overall fidelity of the recordings will definately improve.
In fact i'd continue on to say that with the small range of mics that you do have , the seb's only going to make them sound huge compared to the thin bees whistle of preamps you currently have in the Q10.
It will be like a whole set of new mics anyway.

..... another good investment is a good coffee machine..... Cool

Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 6:00 pm

The vmp 4000e has been great for me, even with less expensive mics. It was like getting a whole new mic collection. A bonus for me was how much better it made my more expensive U87 sound as well .... like butter.
Very Happy

As an investment, the vmp 4000e is probably the only piece of gear that I have (with the exception of guitars and basses) that has appreciated in value over the past two years ... when I got mine, retail was at $1450, plus shipping and customs charges ($130). I would bet that if I tried to sell it today for $1600, I could get that in a heartbeat (no I don't want to sell it!).

Kurt Foster

Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:07 am

ok well...
i track and mix in the same room, its about 15 feet by 30 feet. Ceiling is a bit low (7,5 feet approximately). Wood Floor. I have B&W 601s goin through a nad C320BEE amp. I record rock music. I would need a little treatment cuz i can feel the bass gettin sucked in the corners...but from what you've been saying, i think I would definetly see an improvment in sound. Do you know how much it would cost to ship to Canada (montreal)? Should i get the 4000 for drums (dont really have the money) or do you think the 2000 would be enough (only the overheads would get good preamps)?
thanks

Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 11:25 am

Where did Sebatron.ca go to?
Is Chris no longer the Canadian dealer for Seb? Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 12:39 am

Chris and i had a minor fall-out regarding pricing and territories.
Which is unfortunate 'cause he is such a great guy.

Quote:

Do you know how much it would cost to ship to Canada (montreal)?

There are a couple of options , you can PM or contact me on
Sebatron@Sebatron.com
I can quote you direct on the current deals.

Quote:

Should i get the 4000 for drums (dont really have the money) or do you think the 2000 would be enough (only the overheads would get good preamps)?

Also consider the 2000e on kick and snare,
it will actually make them more in yer face and easier to deal with when mixing.
I'd say try some takes with the seb on overheads
then the seb on kick and snare.... and compare the two.
You may find the latter setup more appropriate for the sounds you're chasing. Cool

Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 7:00 am

hi radio,

i'm in Toronto, when i ordered my unit

the extra charges where,,,

GST ......7% X price of declared value after conversion

DUTY ......6.5% X "" "" '''

brokerage fee ( best handled by fedex) minimal

and PST because you're consumer... unless not applicable in Quebec

other then that , i'm quite sure you'll luv the Sebatron line

Sanity

Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 4:57 pm

Sebatron wrote:

Chris and i had a minor fall-out regarding pricing and territories.
Which is unfortunate 'cause he is such a great guy.
Cool

Too bad about Chris and the Canadian dealership.
I guess Canadians will just order direct.

BTW Seb I really love my vmp-4000e.
Thanks for making such a cool sounding box of goodies.
Very Happy

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 3:56 am

Quote:

BTW Seb I really love my vmp-4000e.
Thanks for making such a cool sounding box of goodies.

Thanks Dudge.
I'm sure the cool sounds will only inspire you to create more. Wink

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 7:07 pm

The Sebs are very versatile IMO and a great value.

Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:37 am

I use Sebs on drums all the time, every time a winner.

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 3:19 am

IME, the Sebatron pre's sound best with low end material that you want a decent sustain on. That seems to be where I like it the most. If you want a Van Halen drum sound on the cymbal (which I hate- a lot of psssssssssss) try them with a pair of AKG451's. I've been doing much more "rock" music lately and I recently used one with a Shure SM-7B on floor tom that was monsterous. It also paired nicely with a D12e, but I seemed to prefer it in "flat" mode and rolled off some of the subwith a Nigbhtpro EQ3D (the 1 space). There's a lot of different colors from the pre's, but they come from the same crayon box. The Seb stuff HAS it's applications and once you use them in different places, you should quickly be able to determine where it's right (or maybe wrong) for you.

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