hi all,
I'm looking for some input on a good "all-around" 2 channel mic preamp. My current setup is Pro Tools with a small collection of mics (AT4033, Crown CM700 matched stereo pair, D112, several SM57s, SM58). I'm currently using a PreSonus Digimax for tracking drums straight into Pro Tools and it's not that bad. What I would like to get is a good stereo mic preamp that would work well with a variety of sources.
The priority for the mic preamp would be (1) vocals, (2) drum overheads (3) guitars. This is primarily for recording my band (alt. rock with 2 female vocals). Does anyone have any recommendations? Am I asking for too much out of a single mic preamp?
(A sample of our music is available: http://www.rosemary…"]here[/]="http://www.rosemary…"]here[/] if that helps at all)
thanks
- neil
Comments
Ang,
budget is up to $2,500. favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla.
i think that thing that i miss most now is a good rich vocal sound. i find that using the 4033 thru the digimax sounds ok at normal singing levels but when our singer starts to increase in volume the sound becomes rather thin. i'm not sure it's entirely the mic pre here (could be the mic, could be the singer's technique as well).
(p.s. vocals I like: pj harvey on latest album, bjork on homogenic and vespertine.)
does that help?
- neil
Do check out the Buzz MA2.2 before you buy...
It's about half your stated budget, and is a Class A solid state pre with an open, clear character to its sound that I find very appealing. It's a little sweeter than a "neutral" pre and a little more transparent than a "warm" pre, if that helps. I don't know if I'd call the flavor "vanilla"--maybe more like "kiwi sorbet"--but it definitely ain't Forbidden Chocolate. Seriously, I love mine, and the Buzz guy (Tim Farrant) is great to do business with.
Good luck.
I'll second the Buzz - it continues to astound me the more I use it. Also, if considering it, I would get the Sowter XFRMR's - then you have 2 choices of flavours - chocolate (bal/XFRMR out) or vanilla (ubal/XFRMRless out).
Ditto on Tim - great fella, and he'll honour a 21 day return policy: can't beat that (except for the shipping costs, but I don't think you'll return it!).
YMMV,
Jay
PlugHead Productions
back when the flamingo was cheaper, i was lookin for something versitile, so i called fletcher up and said "hey..."
final recomendation, my purchase, and my deep pleasure to work with:
pendulum MDP 1. it also makes an incredible fuzz box if you wire the out of one pre into the in of another, and crank em.
unlike the flamingo: line and DI in.
it's cool anyway. not that anything crane song isn't.
--o
I looked at both the MDP-1 and the Flamingo also. I opted for the Pendulum (Jensen version) and couldn't be more pleased with it, and my choice. Eventually I'd like to have a Flamingo, it's a serious piece of kit, but the MDP-1 has been awesome for me. I don't think this unit gets talked about nearly enough.
Tim L
What's your budget, and what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?