Where do I go next?

Easy. API 512, 212L, 3124 or a couple of API channel strips.

Yeah...whut daGaff say....So far you've got a very good lineup without anything really aggressive.The API will do that and do it really well.I guess the 2108 might be considered aggressive though I think they sound..uh...heavy...dark with clarity...Its always hard to describe sound in words....don u thin Lucy??

Okay, serious, not just for fun.

API would be on my list.

ATI has a great little 8 channel mixer/micpre combo, called the 8MX2. You can read a little about it on prorec.com.

John Hardy started the preamp trend. A pair of M1s would be a good choice.

Oram has an 8 channel module

Midas XL-42 gives 2 channels of that sweet sound of the XL-4 console in one rack space.

GML? Manley? Focusrite? Avalon? Cranesong? D W Fren? Geoff Daking? Gordon? There is no shortage of quality choices.

Lynn Fuston has 2 CDs full of examples, available at 3daudioinc.com

Bill

Also as an aside....are you aware of the fact that PreSonus sockets all their opamps in their pres?You could get your other 4 channels you need and upgrade a couple in the MP20 with Burr-Browns for some more variety.BTW...Dont try this at home without adult supervision!

Actaully Dave after using the 2108 since it came out in 2002 I must say you pretty much nailed the description of the 2108. From what you have you really don't have a super accurate and transparent pre, look at a Grace 201. The 2-610 is great and nothing colors like it, though the 2108 is similar. Also look at the manley pre's; though I must agree you can't go wrong with the API's. Since you do mostly rock, I would say pick up another 2108 or 2-610 or an API channel strip. Also you might want to think about picking up a pair of 6176, you won't have 16 pre's but you will basiclly have a 2-610 and a pair of 1176's, since you do rock you really can't go wrong with this unit, got a great compressor, and a solid vocals, bass, and drum pre(though I don't like the 2-610 for ovwerheads).

all good suggestions and I'll just add the seb 4000e to the list just to give you more options.

Hey there. I just tracked vocals and guitars with the Great River MP-2NV. Very cool for rock. A nice tight and punchy sound with a clean top end no hype. :p:

Thanks fellas. I'm a little embarrassed that I forgot about API, as I've seen bunches of 512s in little lunchboxes in every serious studio I've gone to. They seem like the obvious choice.

Now then...

What about this? A buddy of mine thinks not only that I should have more pre's (duh), he says that I rather than having 'a couple of these, a couple of those', I should get a lot (8 channels) of one thing. What do you say to that logic?

A buddy of mine thinks not only that I should have more pre's (duh), he says that I rather than having 'a couple of these, a couple of those', I should get a lot (8 channels) of one thing.

I'd say it very much depends on many things like what is it that you want to use them for? What other pre's are you going to have access too? What pre's are in the mixer if using a mixer? What is your working style? How many tracks do you expect to need and use at one time?

I prefer to have a wide variety of several different types of pre's to start with and then add more of the ones that I really like and use the most later. If I really need more of the same, then I borrow/trade/rent as needed.

Oh, and if this is indeed serious and important stuff your going to be doing, I'd quickly dump that presonus crap and likely dump the sytek as well to get only the very good stuff.

dump the sytek, really? Hmmmm......I'm pretty happy with it. I'd rather supplement it than get rid of it. Maybe eventually. (See below)

As to the Presonus, it sounds absolutely amazing with my $20 talkback mic. :) tons of....um.....speech intelligibility.

I don't have an analog console. I use Logic Platinum 6.x, and Logic Control. MOTU is my current interface (at least it's the PCI stuff, and yes, that needs upgrading, too) Therefore, pres are the only way stuff gets in. I have an eye toward making my new room rentable, and I want to purchase gear with that goal in mind. That's why the API fetish at the moment. I think I can avoid an analog console, but I'm going to have to go PTHD ASAP, that much I know.

What else do you expect to see when you rent a studio? Neve everywhere? Channel Strips? 1176's all over the place? This is my long-term goal. (Oh, and I know that most of it has to do with the room itself. I'll be posting blueprints to the acoustics forum shortly, so you guys can tell me if it's "rentable" at all.)

Okey smokey, here's how it went:

I've decided on a 2-610 (picked it up three days ago). One word review: UNNNNNGGGHHH! I'll never record rock guitars with ANYTHING else.

I've decided to set my sights on eight channels of API 512c. Rock guys love them, and it will make my room that much more "rentable".

My final two channels (as the above will bring me to 22) will be a wildcard.

Thanks for your help!

with the 2108, 2-610, and API's, you got a great rock setup, w/ a sh*&load of personality, and once you start to know how the 2-610 colors (when pushed) your going to love that pre, expecailly for the vocal sound you get and the D'I's.

I like APIs and Neves, that's a no brainer, but if I were you, I would SERIOUSLY look at the Daking line of stuff. Listen to the records recorded at Trident. When they recorded Ziggy Stardust or the Game, it was on the A Range. GD is the only guy I know who is knocking that sound off. Also look at the Chandler TG-2. It's based on the EMI console at Abbey Road. Just think Darkside. Per channel, it is all about the same price, give or take.

-BH

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