Ok guys. I've seen numerous times that API make the aggressive preamp for drums.
My question is. .are there any cheap, but aggressive sounding preamps? I know that you get what you pay for and some opinions are that a $100 pre is about the same as a $500 pre, but in the mid-level class. is there anything that is colored and aggressive?
I can't get an API because I'll never make enough money to pay for it in my current setting, but I want some more color and aggressiveness in my kick and snare. Even guitars. my on board pres keeps things rather mellow.
Comments
To record drums you are going to need at least 4 channels of pre
To record drums you are going to need at least 4 channels of pres and in most cases even more.
One inexpensve mic pre that could be considered an improvement over Mackie (small mixer) pre is the Studio Projects [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.studiopr…"]SP 828[/]="http://www.studiopr…"]SP 828[/]
List Price is targeted at: $799.99 US streets for about $600 ...
"The new Studio Projects 828 is an 8 Channel mic preamp incorporating the latest rev of Burr Brown IC's. The SP828 is also an 8X2 mixer that allows a real time mix of all 8 inputs two a stereo out bus. Housed in a 1U 19" rack, each channel on the SP828 offers a full lineup of features. The SP828 has individual outputs on each channel via balanced 1/4" jacks for direct feeds to any recording medium. Both line level inputs on 1/4" balanced jacks, and XLR balanced mic inputs are on the rear panel. When nothing is plugged into the line input of any channel, the mic/line switch of that channel defaults to a 20dB pad switch.
Features
Per channel
* 48V phantom power with LED
* Phase Reverse with LED
* Mic/Line Switch with LED - Defaults to 20dB Pad
* Peak and Signal Present Indicators
* Gain Control
* Level & Pan
* Solo Switch with LED
The Studio Projects 828's output section has a stereo L/R output control and a headphone input with control for real time monitoring. In addition, there are L/R LED meters and a Solo LED for monitoring. The master section output has L/R outputs on 1/4" balanced jacks, and inserts for the L/R bus. There is a summed mono 1/4" output jack for an external feed.
Each unit has an expansion in/out jack to allow for cascading several units together to get up to 32 inputs where all 32 inputs bus to the L/R mix out, while offering 32 direct outputs for remote recording. The new SP828 incorporates an external power supply for clean operation."
I friend of mine, he used to study at fullsail center in FL, not
I friend of mine, he used to study at fullsail center in FL, noticed one time that a famous engineer that teachs them recording technics, bypassed the NEVE console preamps to use a APHEX 107 tube preamp (amazing, isn´t ?, considering that the NEVE are worldwide reconogized by it´s legendary preamps....), he says that this was a secret well kept for him to track drums..... just to let you know that the Aphex 107 might be more accesible for you, the bad thing about it is i think it´s discontinued, but you can buy it second handed or try for the new model, the 207.....
aphex.com/207.htm
hope this helps!