If you want a warm,clear,detailed,thick tube sound that will last 50 years before needing anything. check out these- http://www.tab-funkenwerk.com/
they'll blow anything away. :D

Originally posted by miketholen:
If you want a warm,clear,detailed,thick tube sound that will last 50 years before needing anything.

Where the fuck did you get that idea? You have no idea what kind of music the brother is working on, you have no idea what other equipment/obstacles are involved, nor any idea what the eventual goal may be...but you're recommending a unit?

The "best buy" is going to be the unit that you will find useful for the longest period of time, in the greatest quantity of applications.

There is no one unit that will do everything, there is no one unit that will be all things to all kinds of music. It can vary from song to song never mind from day to day.

If it's possible, try as many of them as you can in your own environment, with your music, the one that's right for you and your work will tell you pretty quickly which one is "it".

BTW...there were a half dozen other options that have been left out of this discussion that are equally good, and perhaps superior...like the John Hardy unit(s), the Forssell Technologies unit, the Amek "Channel in a box", the DW Fearn stuff, the Pendulum MDP-1, the Crane Song Flamingo, the GML 8202, and/or a few others I've probably missed because it's late and I'm tired.

The fact of the matter is they're all excellent units, they all have the potential to last you your entire career, and they all will sound different.

I could no more recommend a mic pre to you from your post than I could recommend which car you should drive, or what woman you should date. I'm glad the other brother has had a positive experience with the tab-funckenwork thing...but the sun doesn't rise and set with any piece of equipment.

Tube/solid state doesn't matter nearly as much as "good" v. "bad" designs...there are as many poorly designed tube units as there are poorly designed solid state units...and frankly...on the odd occasion, even one of the poorly designed units will be the mic pre of choice.

If you want a warm,clear,detailed,thick tube sound that will last 50 years before needing anything.
yeah so I'm going out onna limb.
and I think that if I were to only be able to have one stereo unit of any it would be that unit. I love that thing!

JohnHardy? What!? I dunno about that one... ;)

First of all Mike, our joint doesn't sell all the things I mentioned. Second of all, there is no one mic-pre that is right for every application and occasion. I'm happy as all get out that you find the Tab unit works well for you, but there is a reason why they make both Fords and Chevys.

Without knowing what the guy that asked the question is looking for in terms of tone and texture, it's impossible to make an educated recommendation.

It's kinda like he asked what kind of car he should get, and you answered "I drive a BMW 5 series, and so should you". You don't know where he lives, what he does, what his requirements may be...but you made the recommendation none the less.

Your not "getting in my way", I've just never found a single universal solution to all my recording needs. I'm glad you have, but I haven't. I find these things to be quite "application dependent", I was sharing my experience, much as you were sharing yours.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a location to try out any of these units. It's hard to explain my music style but my comercial artists I like best would be Pearl Jam (find me a preamp that could make me sound like Eddie Vedder and your a Fin genious). I am putting together a Neve type preamp from old parts and Sowter Transformers which is why I'd like something a little different. My voice is somewhat midrangy which often can sound harsh. Does this help.

I would recommend the TAB-Funkenwerk V72s Stereo mic pre.
I'm sure Fletcher will have some reason why I'm full of shit on this one.
He'll probably recommend the Drawer 1969 hamster dick sucker unit.
sorry dude just trying to stay on par w/fletcher's sarcasm! :D http://www.Tab-funkenwerk.com/
See Yah! Mike ;)

If you want a warm,clear,detailed,thick tube sound that will last 50 years before needing anything. check out these- http://www.tab-funkenwerk.com/
they'll blow anything away.

I have to agree with Fletcher here; you made a recommendation without knowing the application! or even asking for that matter! Gee..guess just cause you have one everybody should eh? If I was looking for a certain piece and called Fletcher’s shop I wouldn’t want him to recommend the piece he’s in love with at that moment for whatever reason at that particular time (unless it fit my app)and I would hope that if I didn’t know any better to tell him what I was planning to try and acomplish that I would at least be asked what my intentions were and some sort of direction be formed at that point. It’s those absolute statements that are useless unless put in the right context like for example, All things might not sound great through a TAB-Funkenwerk but many may please you here are some of my experiences with it. (All) being the absolute. I have read all your posts and your references to equipment are pretty much useless the way you describe things. Here's another

I have a pair of PYE comps. that ROCK! I also have a pair of WSW comps. that are great too. TAB u73's are a fav. as well

So how in the fuck is that going to help me?Who should this information be applicable to and why?, when?, where? and on what?

As far as your following statement

maybe you should answer every post with recomendations of the gear your joint sells.

As far as Mercenary goes, This facility is one of the very few that will go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure it's right for you and stand behind every piece of gear they offer for a reason not just cause "they" have one! I have never seen Fletcher mention a piece of gear he sells unless it was applicable and most the time I don't see him mention or go on about the gear Mercenary sells (even though it is applicable!)I do however see him give valuble references to what has worked for him in specific applications! and yet another lame ass comment...

He'll probably recommend the Drawer 1969 hamster dick sucker unit

As far as the 69 he always admits the reason he is partial to it and your confused, your hamster dick huckleberry is the 60! you also forgot all about the Avalon VT-737-SM! anyway most people that know what's happining know what lines Mercenary carries anyway! With regards to recommendations made, Fletcher did not make reference to anything specific for this guy, there are a few key words here, "Need More Info" oh.. and If you still want to talk in absolute terms here is one you can put in ink, Mercenary Audio Rocks! That's Absolute!! :cool:

I happen to manufacture a mic pre that makes you sound just like Eddie Vedder. It's called the "Magic Eddie Vedder Box". (Don't be too concerned with the resemblance to the JoeMeek VM1, or the fact that "Magic Eddie Vedder Box" is written in black sharpie where the words "JoeMeek VM1" would normally be.) It retails for $5,499.99, but if you email me personally I'll cut you a real sweet deal. (No refunds, no returns.) Once you buy it, you'll be able to simply plug your sm58 into it, and voila'! Your voice will magically sound just like Eddie Vedder (with pneumonia and/or other life-threatening naso-pulmonary diseases)! :)

(I think this is more along the lines of "Fletcher" brand sarcasm. Sue me if I'm wrong.)

I happen to manufacture a mic pre that makes you sound just like Eddie Vedder. It's called the "Magic Eddie Vedder Box". (Don't be too concerned with the resemblance to the JoeMeek VM1, or the fact that "Magic Eddie Vedder Box" is written in black sharpie where the words "JoeMeek VM1" would normally be.) It retails for $5,499.99, but if you email me personally I'll cut you a real sweet deal. (No refunds, no returns.) Once you buy it, you'll be able to simply plug your sm58 into it, and voila'! Your voice will magically sound just like Eddie Vedder (with pneumonia and/or other life-threatening naso-pulmonary diseases)!

This sounds much like the future Antares Band Modular Plug-in in a rack mount unit. It is able to process 24 tracks of audio through "group synthesis" and rearrange songs into the styles of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pavement, Devo and many more.
Consult factory for pricing and availability.

Originally posted by coldsnow:
Unfortunately, I'm not in a location to try out any of these units. It's hard to explain my music style but my comercial artists I like best would be Pearl Jam (find me a preamp that could make me sound like Eddie Vedder and your a Fin genious). I am putting together a Neve type preamp from old parts and Sowter Transformers which is why I'd like something a little different. My voice is somewhat midrangy which often can sound harsh. Does this help.

OK, that's a good start. What other tools do you have in your arsenal, from mics to compressors, to equalizers, to A/D converters, to storage formats. A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, so perhaps the weak link may not be the pre-amp, but another part of the chain.

Hope you don't mind the "public disection" thing...but before I'd venture a recommendation for another color/texture knowing the rest of the chain will help.

In the wonderful world of nonsense and BS..."miketholen", it's a good thing you're an asshole, otherwise you'd have no personality what so ever. Now go fuck your mother.

I still think the TAB unit would be best! LOL

I have read all your posts and your references to equipment are pretty much useless the way you describe things. Here's another

quote:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a pair of PYE comps. that ROCK! I also have a pair of WSW comps. that are great too. TAB u73's are a fav. as well
If you or anyone else would need a "desciption" of these pieces it would be happily given. No one here even deals with this crap so I've noticed, so whatever Tim&Flutcher.
The reason yer name is spelled that way fletcher is because you always seem to have a "funny" name for everyone/thing else, so this is to you Flutcher-NOW YOU CAN GO FUCK YOUR MOTHER! :D(just gittin' yah back dude.)

you also forgot all about the Avalon VT-737-SM!
I wouldn't ferget about that I'd piss on it!

Originally gushed by miketholen:
I have a pair of PYE comps. that ROCK! I also have a pair of WSW comps. that are great too. TAB u73's are a fav. as well

To which Mr Mikey then added:

If you or anyone else would need "desciption" of these pieces it would be happily given. No one here even deals with this crap so I've noticed.

Hmmm, could it be because these things haven't been manufactured for about 3 decades?

My suggestion is that you go into your room with all your vintage gear and wack off in there, because it's not nice to leave your mess around here. We're trying to keep this place clean ya know.

Clean!?!
Who's the one that came up w/the "Fuck yer mother" comment? yeah cuz yer all a buncha cleans guys!

the original post was:
I need a good mic pre, Just single channel. Which is the best buy the 737 (I've heard mixed results on the compressor), the Manley single channel mic pre, or the Great River 2 channel? I'll probably buy the FMR when it comes out so I'm thinking of shying away from the Great River to get a tube model.
my reply was completely inline-he even states that he is shying away from the GR to get a tube unit! so what the fuck is soooo bad/nasty about recommending him the same "tube" pre that the Beatles used? who cares if the bloody Beatles used them anyway-they kick ass...
as to what type of music they are good for? well I dunno but I think Abbey Road, Decca, and whole shitload of studios did a slew of different music with those things. my original point was that if I had to choose from any mic pre to have tube or not I would suggest the TAB-FUNKENWERK V72s reissue.
Is that the wrong answer? am I an asshole for suggesting this unit? :roll:
Flutcher quote- there is no one mic-pre that is right for every application and occasion.
so do you suggest that he buy one of each? one for each "Application/ Occasion"?
The "Application" at hand is amplifing a mic signal to line level. a very general "application" to which I feel the TAB-FUNKENWERK would be up to the job. Am I Wrong again?
Cum an git it Flutch

Why screw around? Cut to the chase and get an Esoteric Audio Research 824M. Tim could probably fit another order in this year. You might even get it by early next year.

Cheers,

TB :cool:

Originally posted by coldsnow:
It's hard to explain my music style but my comercial artists I like best would be Pearl Jam (find me a preamp that could make me sound like Eddie Vedder and your a Fin genious). I am putting together a Neve type preamp from old parts and Sowter Transformers which is why I'd like something a little different. My voice is somewhat midrangy which often can sound harsh. Does this help.

ok i'm going to voice my opinion now. if you don't want to hear an uncensored opinion, kiss off right..... now. :)

and,

about the preamp, sorry. i have no clue. here's my suggestion and it has been said before: spend some bucks. rent some pres and mics. record your singing with all the pre and mic combinations.

listen.

now which sound makes you and your friends go, "wow you sound good."

simple. (might be a little expensive but it would be worth it.)

It was just a JOKE. I do not, nor have I ever tried to sound like Eddy Vedder. O.K. I tried and it didn't work. I do enjoy listening to his.

Faeflora,

:applause:

Damn guys get a room already ;) There are a whole lot more choices from what you listed, but of them clear and mostly uncolored is a really good first for general purpose. That said, I would say get the Great River, its excellent on some things, pretty good on others (as opposed to a different color). And of course, that is still subjective. If you had all the gear in the world, you might just happen to prefer the GR on everything still (not likely though). Once you get the GR start adding colors to you pallette of mic pres, (ie Neve, API, Drawmer, Universal Audio, Manley) and then you can get it on tape exactly how you hear it in your head when you come to that leel of experience. Good Luck!!

just for giggles...if you're going to go the plugin route, from what i've heard, the uad-1 plugins are pretty accurately modeled on their analog counterparts...i'm not sure if it's rock-solid, but it is well within your pricerange, and could be something to try if you haven't already.
something else that i've found works for me sometimes, particularly with synth pads, is to just compress them slightly, and roll off a little of the top end...you've probably already tried that, but just wanted to throw it into the fray...

beyond that, i'd probably put some sort of box prior to the a/d's, rather than going out and back in...but try either way and see what works out best for you.

good luck!

kell

Dear Cold..
I tried various pre's feeding Apogee psx100se converter. Focusrite ISA 110, didn't like. Avalon 737, then 2022.. wowed at first until I noticed all the words seemed to float about all by themselves without a "performance" quality.. a continuity.
Actually, I only noticed that after trying the AMEK channel in a box, which is now my favorite for the upfront presence, and "out there" performance quality it seems to add to vocals. I'm no engineer, but I have a musicians ears, and I'd say it is "colored", but in a way I like. Also has a beautiful EQ, and a compressor I'm not so sure I like, yet. Considering return policies, you owe it to yourself to lay ears on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Paul