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anonymous 11 May 2005

Hey

What you guys think would be the best choice?

To have Apogee buddle good preamp and good a/d converter ( I meant, mine-me :) ) or just leave the a/d's job for the audio interface for now ( m-audio delta 66) and use the money to get better pair of mic preamp amps ?

Mini-me would cost me about 1,200 dollars new in USA. My budget is a little higher than that, about 1,600 dollars. I live in london so I would prefer something small ( 1RU). I dont want to drive the attention of 'duty TAXERS" and also I have to consider the shipping costs. My plan is actually getting it shipped to a friend's place in new york who will then post it as being a broken equip or gift to the UK. 8) So I can use british pounds to buy in dollars!

Suggestion of pres on this budget are welcome as well. I'll be recording mainly vocals, acoustic guitars and small percusive instruments. ( style may vary). I like API's 512, their are small...I could buy a pair of them :D

thanks in advanced,
pedro.

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Comments

maintiger Wed, 05/11/2005 - 16:14

the mini me's are cool but they don't sound anybetter than the original rosetta and those can be had for about $500-600 or so on ebay-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41784&item=7321403233&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41784&item=7321743206&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

then you could get your 2 ch api as well

John Stafford Wed, 05/11/2005 - 19:23

Peex
I have a Mini-Me (that reminds me that I have to coounter one of my earlier bitchy posts about Apogee tech. support. It turned out to be rather good).

Anyway, I like the pres a lot, even though I only intended to use them as a stopgap. I'm currently trying to choose preamps (probably Great River and DAV BG1). Whatever I do, I think I'll still use the Apogee preamps through s/pdif. I think it's very open, and musical.

OTOH, with the Rosetta, the DA is as good as the AD. The Mini-Me has a headphone out and that's it, and even then you can only use it when the box is connected directly to your computer.

The Mini-Me is so damn handy, that it would still be my first choice. Stick one in a laptop bag with a couple of mics and you're sorted. It's a pity that you still need to drag mic stands!

You can't use the API 512 without mounting it in another API box (perhaps there are alternatives you can use?). Another thing you need to check is that the value is under-declared. Just saying something is a gift won't always work -it's too obvious. I'm sure you'll figure something out. If you get caught under-declaring, you'll have to pay the tax on the full UK RRP, but it's unlikely that the customs officers will know anything about API pres!

Good luck!

John Stafford

anonymous Thu, 05/12/2005 - 01:59

Thanks for the advice john. Yeah, that's the thing with mini-mes, they are just HANDY!

I'm aware about the need of a API rack, but you are probably right, it's just another thing to be shipped, maybe it's not worth it .:?

Still, I think I should research around before going for a mini-me. APIs are not the only option, I could look for another A/D - preamp combination ( or just a pre ????) that would fit my budget. Actually, I'm open for suggestions!!!! :wink:

Normally, I declare the equipments as being broken and under-valued (lets say ,£30). I order couple of vintage synths and they gone through with no prob. I Hope it'll work again!

anymore suggestions ?

cheers,pb.

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