Check out the Drawmer 1960 or 1962 both are very nice sounding and fit you price.

Chris

If I were buying Drawmer, I'd be considering the 1969.

Good point MAProTulz.

I think the 1969 has a character signature that sounds really great on many things but sometimes can be a bit too much character.

The 1960 is a bit cleaner/clearer sounding to my ears and therefor may be a better all-around first micpre/comp.

The 1969 does rock though.

Chris

I had a 1960 and I hated it ... I ended up trading it in on a Manley EL OP and never looked back.

In my use, the 1960 compressor was essentially useless except for that "super squish sound" and the mic pre and DI input were very noisy .. I love Drawmers gates (the best around IMO) but their mic pres and compressors do not cut it with me. The 1969, re worked with Fletchers input may be better, I can hardly imagine it getting much worse.

I do not think there is a stereo box that fits your criteria / price point. A pair of Millennia STT-1's would fit the bill but would most likely run into the $5K range ...

Also most CIB's have mic pres, EQs and compressor sections but very rarely do they feature noise gates ... Gates that are included on compressors are usually an afterthought, that rarely work correctly. The only gate I know of that really works, (opening and closing at the correct places) is the Drawmer DS 202 and 404's ... they have a very cool filter in the detector circuit that can be employed to eliminate false triggers and closures.

I didn't think the 1960 was "that" terrible. Did you have a defect in the unit possibly? Drawmer always seemed well built imho.

Anyway, to each thier own.

How about the Universal Audio LA-610 ?

You can get 2 of them for around $2,800.

I'm not sure why you would want a gate if you are using Protools.?

Hey Kurt, have you tried the LA-610 yet?
I just did a shootout in my studio the other day and all the engineers gave it a big thumbs-up. It's staying in the rack.

Chris

Chris,
RE; LA-610 ... No, I haven't ... and as you know, I am a huge Bill Putnam fan .... so I would love to check out this new variation on one of his "themes". Would you care to send me one or two for a while so I can do a review??? :mrgreen: I have made direct requests to UA before but they have not replied to my inquiries.

As to the Drawmer ... No we had the unit checked out and it was ok ... the mic pre was just a bit noisy. The comp worked fine, it just wasn't the kind of compression I would want to use all the time (I like el ops and FET comps mostly).. it was a very noticeable VCA sounding type compressor... great for guitars, not so great for vocals or bass and horrid on drums ... too many artifacts.

Would you care to send me one or two for a while so I can do a review??? I have made direct requests to UA before but they have not replied to my inquiries.

Well believe it or not, that may be possible in the near future.

Btw, when you get a chance, give me a call I have a few things to chat with you about.

1-888-LIL-DOGG

Chris

Chris, thanks for all suggestions. I am now a little bit confused.

Kurt, could you write down something about Millennia STT 1. What do you think about TL- Audio ( C1) or IvoryII 5052?

Thanks,

Primoz

Karizma wrote:

Kurt, could you write down something about Millennia STT 1. What do you think about TL- Audio ( C1) or IvoryII 5052?

Thanks,

Primoz

The TLA stuff is real ok and if I were pressed to use it I could get decent sound from it but I am not enamored with their designs. That being said, their stuff is well built and a definite step above any "budget" or "affordable" piece it may be compared to ... it's solid state with a tube added for a bit of distortion and warmth and so they can say "there's a tube in it" ...

I wrote a complete review on the Millennia STT-1 ORIGIN ... you can read it by clicking [[url=http://[/URL]="www.recording.org/e…"] this link [/]="www.recording.org/e…"] this link [/].