(Dead Link Removed)

nice link..
i'm gonna go with either the universal audio 6176 or a vipre...
which would you get..this pre will be used 97% of the time for vox.. but will be used for acoustic guitars, alto/tenor sax and perhaps a flute too

Well the Vipre is a kick ass mic pre and the UA mic pre is colored fairly heavy, but has the classic 1176 that can be used stand alone. The 6176 is on my wish list as I think it is a better overall tool, but I not sure that the UA mic pre would be the best for 97% vocal duty or best for use with AC-gtr, Sax and flute. I'm not even sure the Vipre would be the best for all those things but it surely would be very good.

I've had a VIPRE for a couple of weeks (on loan). I can't believe how good it sounds. It has so much headroom it's ridiculous. I've used it on tenor sax and vocals so far, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it on anything. Maybe not my first choice for a tambourine or small percussion, but it seems like it can handle anyting, and might well be a first choice for most things.

The drawbacks? It's big (three rack spaces)and expensive (over $2000 for one channel). But it's one of the world's great preamps. Who'd a thunk we'd be saying that about a product associated with Alesis?

i can actually get the vipre for $1800
right now 1 ch is cool.. i'm doing nothing but vocals for now

$1800 is a hell of a price. Is that new? Is that a price that others can get in on, or is it special just to you?

i was just talking to a sales person at guitar center.. he was trying to get a sale.. he said he can sell it to me as low as 1800.. so i may pay 1900.. but i'm not paying 2200+ for it like they usually go for if i get it...

i also have a link like this on homerecording.. they just sad the Langevin Dual Vocal Combo.. atlanta pro audio also told me this is just about the best under $2000.. what do you all think.. i wish i could get the manly voxbox.. but it cost to much

The Langevin Dual is a very good quality mic pre, 2-band eq and optical comp in one package. Being under $2000 makes it a great deal in overall value. I would think it would match up well with the Kiwi.

Go with the GT Vipre. I have one that I use mainly for vox. Incredible sounds and versatile.

Originally posted by Meriphew:
Go with the GT Vipre. I have one that I use mainly for vox. Incredible sounds and versatile.

over the langevin?

Originally posted by C9productions:

Originally posted by Meriphew:
Go with the GT Vipre. I have one that I use mainly for vox. Incredible sounds and versatile.

over the langevin? Hell yeah!

just read a review on the kiwi, and the top pre they ended up using was a Aphex Model 1100.. how is it vs the vipre?

Hey there,

With my Kiwi i've had great results with my Vox Box, Vipre and Drawmer 1969, and very sweet results with my Great River Mp2NV.
Our 6176 and the Kiwi are not the best match, nor are my Api 7600's (the api 's add to much edge to the Kiwi)

Hope this helps,

Jon

Originally posted by C9productions:
just read a review on the kiwi, and the top pre they ended up using was a Aphex Model 1100.. how is it vs the vipre?

Never heard the Aphex, but from outward appearances I would guess that it is about as different from a VIPRE as any preamp could be.

There's something like a hundred different high quality preamps out there. At some point you are going to have to just go out and listen to some.

The VIPRE + LA2A or 1176 is a killer vocal chain. If you're into the tube pre search, you've got to check out the Telefunken V76 as it's probably king of them all. I'd also check out D.W.Fearns tube pre too.

No matter what I record it still comes down to an API 512, Neve 1073 or Telefunken V76 (and the VIPRE).

so the vipre is that good ha.. well i'ma try and model one.. the only place i may be able to is atlanta pro audio b/c i don't think quitar center plugs mics up to their outboard gear..

http://www.digitalprosound.com/2001/06_jun/reviews/blue1.htm

thats the review

i'm gonna choose between the vipre and the aphex 1100.. perhaps the great river Mp2NV b/c i keep hearing great things about it...
as for the6176.. i keep hearing bad about it.. so its not even in my list anymore.
VIPRE + LA2A does sound like a killer vox combo no mater what mic... that actually sounds great.. i'ma look into getting a combo like this for my studio.. thank everyone for the help..

Where is that you keep reading the UA 6176 is bad? And just because one guy in Mix believes the Aphex was best for the Kiwi, that doesn't mean it is best or even more important, that it is best for you. He didn't even mention what other preamps he compared the Aphex too. So while the Aphex worked best for him, that is far from it being best for the Kiwi or it being the best choice for you.

The more you fully trust or place absolute value on other peoples opinions and hearsay, the more your settting yourself up for disappointment and regret. There is a lot more to buying gear that is good for you than just buying gear that has a high buzz or is being talked about by a lot of people. Products like the blacface ADAT, Mackie preamps, and many other products were all hailed as the greatest thing and are now considered for the most part total crap when they are the same quality they have always been and can still be used with much success.

A wise person knows this and plans his gear purchase to fit into and matchup with his other gear, all his future gear, along with his working style so that in the end it all completes his long term goals and mission.

Originally posted by denial:
The VIPRE + LA2A or 1176 is a killer vocal chain. If you're into the tube pre search, you've got to check out the Telefunken V76 as it's probably king of them all. I'd also check out D.W.Fearns tube pre too.

No matter what I record it still comes down to an API 512, Neve 1073 or Telefunken V76 (and the VIPRE).

I'm a big fan of all those old classics over most, if not all of the newer stuff as well. Only got use a V76 twice, and it was impressive but I think I would still swap the V76 for the D.W. Fearn for the ultimate mic pre 3-pack.

I love my 6176 on so many things , I've just found that for my tastes the kiwi and it are not my preferred match.
I would not hesitate to recommend it to any one looking for a great mic pre / comp combo .

jon

i keep talking to ppl that own 6167's and they all tell me not to get it for r&b and hiphop production.. actually every person that tells me that tells me to get the great river..

I think the best match for the Blue Kiwi is the API 3124+. It makes everything so beautifully sparkly.

My favorite vocal pre is the A Designs MP-2. It's got a nice fidelity and musicality that just go with the human voice so well.

Steve
http://www.mojopie.com

i used the a-designs mp1 with the ksm44.. killer vocal combo right there. in my eyes the mp1 is the best pre under $1000

Originally posted by C9productions:
i used the a-designs mp1 with the ksm44.. killer vocal combo right there. in my eyes the mp1 is the best pre under $1000

Since you like the MP-1 I think you should look at getting the MP-1 or MP-2. I prefer two channels so I got the MP-2. I know the Blue Dragonfly sounds wonderful through the MP-2 but I've not been able to put a Blue Kiwi through the MP-2.

Steve
http://www.mojopie.com

Have you checked into the SYTEK Mp4 ??? , this will provide 4 channels of very clean non colored pre's , I don't know if that is what you are looking for but at $800 it's a great deal , you could also get a 1176 with the extra cash , I use the C414/ubls - MP4 - 1176 and it sounds great.

You should check out this pre for a clean sound

Later
Buzz

i haven't looked into any 4ch pres other than the sebatron 4000...

the dealer i'm getting everything from said for me to come in and test one of their kiwi's with the Focusrite session pack.. they said most ppl that track vox with the session pack/kiwi often buy the session pack over other pres they were looking at.. so i'ma see.. i mean i'm getting a deal on everything.. we had a much higher budget and when he gave me the prices on everything this morning.. i was like wow.. that cheap.. i mean come on.. i'm geting the kiwi(BRAND NEW/Warranty) for 1599... what ever

That's because BLUE is doing a $300 rebate on the Kiwi right now. So your dealer is actually only shaving another $100 bucks off the normal selling price of $1999.

For my $2000 I'd be looking at the tried and true old reliables... API, Great River MP-2NV. Most of the Guitar Center/Sam Ash dealers don't have the real pro audio stuff, so they try to sell what they do have.

Go to a real audio place like Mercenary Audio (http://www.mercenary.com) or Atlas Pro Audio (http://www.atlasproaudio.com) and get something that is worth the 2 grand you're putting into the mic. If you buy a $2000 preamp from them and you don't like it, they will let you return it for anything else they have, and they have all the most worthwhile stuff.

Don't let the dealer hear for you, use your own ears.

i may be getting an ati preamp :) it usually cost 2700 but i may be able to get it for 2000
as for dealers. i don't but from gc.. i usually go to atlanta pro audio.. they're one of the best dealers around and they work great deals..

If you need 8 channels, can use the 8x2 mixer, and have $2000 - the ATI is definitely the way to go.

If you only need four channels, (or two channels) then there are a lot of other options I might consider, given that you have $2000 to spend.

i'm getting the ati.. if i need any other pres i'lluse the control21 for now