So Im going to start gearing up in the next few years and with some good mic preamps. I havent researched these as much as I have mics probably cause they arent as sexy to look at. What I have used lately is the octopre with all the goodies on it which I love. Ive also used the ISA 428 which was good but seemed noisy if I remember right. What are some your favorite mic preamps and what have you used them on. I am probably going to by rack units but am open to a console if it would make sense. Lets make money no object since I want the best{but they dont have to be expensive}.
Comments
There is a lot of discussion of this in the archives, of course.
There is a lot of discussion of this in the archives, of course. In particular, there are a couple of good threads about 500 series units that you would probably be interested in.
My standard recommendation is the API 3124+. Four great channels at a good price. Sounds excellent on just about everything. I really need to get another one so I have eight channels of 312 for drums. I'd start with that as a "foundation" preamp and add others from there.
Buzz audio,cranesong,1073,API- those are on my list.
Buzz audio,cranesong,1073,API- those are on my list.
Never heard of Buzz looked it up and they seem nice. Whats your
Never heard of Buzz looked it up and they seem nice. Whats your attraction to them? Which 1073 is it the BA?
Would you like a bottle of red? A bottle of white? Or perhaps
Would you like a bottle of red? A bottle of white? Or perhaps a bottle of Rose' instead? In other words, do you want a classic & colored sounding preamp? An inexpensive neutral sounding Mackie type. Or perhaps a state-of-the-art Georgia Massenburg GML or, Millennia like device? I personally don't like those modern thingies. I am all fully colored with discrete Neve & API with a couple of ol' tube jobs with cobwebs on them. They're all in the $500 US each or somewhere there about per channel. Like Bob said, API 3124 or just 4 old API 312 cards for a DIY project. With those, you'll definitely appreciate the SM57/58 microphones for just about everything.
Altschuler
Mx. Remy Ann David
AMS Neve 1073 DPD The Buzz unit I tired is very transparent. Bu
AMS Neve 1073 DPD
The Buzz unit I tired is very transparent. But its not clincal..... Hard to discribe just go borrow one...
I am going to be a full color kind of guy I think with maybe som
I am going to be a full color kind of guy I think with maybe some clean focusright stuff on the side. I really like their transparency. API is good stuff im hearing. That is one that i have never heard up close and personal. I have worked on a neve vr console and have also used the Brent Avrill 1073 pres but it was so long ago i dont remember the characteristics. How do they compare to the AMS stuff. I remember using a shotgun mic and cranking one of those neve vr pres in that board and being able to hear conversations 2 rooms away.
Get a few api's and a few neve's and you're good. Or if you go f
Get a few api's and a few neve's and you're good.
Or if you go for the 500 series: 512's and ma5's
8)
DW Fearn would be on my short list for rock n roll pre's. http:/
DW Fearn would be on my short list for rock n roll pre's.
http://www.dwfearn.com/
API and Neve as well.
For less color: True, Millennia, Grace.
If your budget falls through, the Mackie 800R or RME OctaMic II are very nice sets in the next classroom down the hall.
How does the Univeral Audio 610 solo compare to the API lunchbox
How does the Univeral Audio 610 solo compare to the API lunchbox preamps?
It seems like the 610 would be the best overall preamp for the money if you could only afford one really good standalone channel preamp. I have never used it but read good things about it. Especially since it can be used as an instrument DI also. And having a tube would be nice also.
Does anybody have experience with both of these that can tell me how they compare? (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, maybe snare drum, etc.)
if you can spend a little more, the LA-610 gets you a compressor
if you can spend a little more, the LA-610 gets you a compressor and nice eq.
great for DI, vocals and more.
No one has mentioned one of our family members gear, Sebatron.
No one has mentioned one of our family members gear, Sebatron. I have had a chance to dink about on one of the 2 channel units a bit and I gotta say this is very high-end stuff and very very versatile.
He has his own forum a few clicks down this page. Ask him questions about what you want to know.
Especially good for those who like color in their preamps but certainly not exclusive to this!
studio33 wrote: So Im going to start gearing up in the next few
I'll give my standard plug to [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.seventhc…"]Seventh Circle Audio preamp kits[/]="http://www.seventhc…"]Seventh Circle Audio preamp kits[/]. For amazingly little money, you can get up to eight channels of preamps sounding a lot like Neve , API, John Hardy and Millennia preamps. And you can mix and match. Kits use fantastic components, great instructions, phat transformers and once you have the chassis/power supply (about $300 with a kit), each channel is about $300 a pop. Google their gear, it's very highly regarded.
Hey what about the pres in vintage tascam boards I saw a mixer f
Hey what about the pres in vintage tascam boards I saw a mixer for sale with direct outs on all 8 channels and it was a model 5A I believe. are these pres any good. Oldest tascam I have used was a 2400 or a 3200 or something. Didnt sound super great but it was a good clean sounding board.
Tascam pres are mediocre at best whatever the vintage IMO.
Tascam pres are mediocre at best whatever the vintage IMO.
You are too kind, Jack, Tascam boards have never had even decent
You are too kind, Jack, Tascam boards have never had even decent mic preamps, and the 5A is a real boat anchor compared to say, a modern day Mackie Onyx...NO headroom.
I was trying to be kind. I hate 'em. I just figured I needed t
I was trying to be kind. I hate 'em. I just figured I needed to counteract some of the karma from a few other more recent posts....
Counteracting "bad karma" ...Hmmm...I tried that...ONCE!
Counteracting "bad karma" ...Hmmm...I tried that...ONCE!
BDM wrote: if you can spend a little more, the LA-610 gets you a
I personally own the LA-610 and although it is my only high-end channel strip I LOVE the thing. Seriously it just sounds great on so many things especially vocals and acoustic guitar.
If you like the LA-610, the 6176 has the same 610 preamp but has an 1176 compressor which is a bit more versatile considering you have control over the attack, release, etc.
I don't think you can go wrong with UA products unless you don't like coloration at all...just my two cents.
Groove Tubes Supre - two tube channels - $1299 http://www.groov
Groove Tubes Supre - two tube channels - $1299
http://www.groovetubes.com/SuPRE_P2162.cfm
Just got they Sytek MPX-4A and really like it a lot on drums and
Just got they Sytek MPX-4A and really like it a lot on drums and percussion. Pretty inexpensive since you buy directly from them and you can call em and they answer their phone right away. :)
W/ the Burr Brown ICs? I have the Sytek w/ the Burr Brown on all
W/ the Burr Brown ICs? I have the Sytek w/ the Burr Brown on all four channels, just curious as to your setup and related impressions...
I have the model with 2 Burr Browns, there is a bit of a differe
I have the model with 2 Burr Browns, there is a bit of a difference between the two. I will try to do some ab tests tonight and let you know a better description of what I hear.
if you want color go with a used Inward Connections VacRac4000.
if you want color go with a used Inward Connections VacRac4000. its the bomb!! all tube all day, BIG sound