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i need a nice preamp for a blue kiwi.. i'm looking to get the best vocal sound i can. the budget for the preamp is 2000...
i've been thinking about a-designs,Focusrite red8,Sebatron 2000e with vu...
what other pres come to mind?

Comments

AudioGaff Thu, 10/23/2003 - 11:55

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.

anonymous Thu, 10/23/2003 - 19:25

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?

anonymous Sun, 10/26/2003 - 21:51

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.

anonymous Mon, 10/27/2003 - 00:40

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).

anonymous Mon, 10/27/2003 - 02:26

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..

AudioGaff Mon, 10/27/2003 - 06:28

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.

AudioGaff Mon, 10/27/2003 - 06:39

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.

ozraves Thu, 10/30/2003 - 13:08

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

anonymous Thu, 10/30/2003 - 13:43

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

anonymous Thu, 10/30/2003 - 15:12

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

Screws Thu, 10/30/2003 - 15:44

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.

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