Being in the UK I don't have access to the same range that are mentioned regularly and those that I do are at wildly differing prices. In my price range I have the following options to compliment my RODE K-2. Which of the above would you recommend?
Primarily it will be for vocals but the more versatile the better.
Many thanks,
Dave
Comments
Seriously, this is a BIG HUGE No-Brainer!! The SPL Gold Mike is
Seriously, this is a BIG HUGE No-Brainer!!
The SPL Gold Mike is a completely different (and FAR superiour) mic pre to ALL of the others listed.
The MPA is a good pre and the RME stuff is fine.
All of the other stuff....I just don't think so.
I like the Aphex 107, but I haven't been that impressed by the 207D as of yet. Though I've only used it once.
J
for use with vocals primarily, i like the groove tubes brick, an
for use with vocals primarily, i like the groove tubes brick, and I can generally talk any sales guy down to $300 on them.
To my knowledge, its a class a true tube pre. this with an rnc compressor is one hell of a vocal chain. If you bought either, I don't think you'd regre it.
I haven't worked with / used all of them, but I do own a Trak Ma
I haven't worked with / used all of them, but I do own a Trak Master channel strip and an ART MPA (with JJ Tesla tubes).
I use the TrakMaster mainly for direct tracking bass guitar and it seems to have found a good niche there with its compressor, multi-band EQ (I have the older one, not the pro) and the A/D card (it's for sale in the classifieds).
The MPA is better for vocals and acoustic guitar IMO. It's airier and maybe more detailed, but also does a great job on bass.
I would think the Eureka is a step up from those two, and then the SPL a step up from that.
You've mentioned a combination of channel strips and pure preamps though. If you want an all-in-one solution, go channel strip, if you're looking for best possible sound at the $ point, then go preamp-only. I think you need to zero in on what you're looking for, then your choices might be a little easier.