anonymous
12 October 2002
Any known consensus on these two units from Applied Research and Technologies? MPA is a 2 rackspace tube preamp. The VLA is a 2 rackspace tube compressor.
Ciao,
Woods
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Woods, We used to own both pieces and now own neither if that
Woods,
We used to own both pieces and now own neither if that tells you anything. I found the MPA to be totally lackluster. The VLA wasn't as bad, but neither piece really helped the audio passing through them. I mean they both did their jobs, but the sound quality just wasn't there.
If you need an inexpensive compressor, get the FMR Audio RNC. If you don't know about this piece, search this board or do a Google search on it. It is truly the all-time studio bargain at under $200. And yes it sounds as good or better than other units costing several times more.
For a mic pre, maybe the Presonus MP20 or the Bellari RP220 for more character. Both of these choices are less than $500. If you can get by with only one channel, maybe the Grace 101 at $600. Try not to skimp on your mic pre. Get a good one and you'll use it forever. The other stuff is just throw-away.
My two cents...