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Should I spend money on getting a high quality condenser mic with a with a nice pre, or some really nice pro preamps for my already good dynamic mics? I do hard rock/metal/screamo/fusion rock, and I have recorded a beta 57 through my art prochannel, on screaming vocals, and it sounded good but didn't have that clarity like my condensers have. I really just want to focus on something for vocals and my drums, so if a nice pro preamp can make a dynamic mic come alive then I will just stock up on nice pres and wait on the o'l condensers. I am looking for lots of color in the recording and I just haven't had expeirence with really expensive preamps to know what makes more of the difference (in reference to mics or preamps). I am not looking for specific pres or mics just some advice on what options I should look into first.

thanks
Bob

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anonymous Sun, 02/20/2005 - 08:55

Hey Neatoman.. Keep your comments to yourself. This forum isnt about whether or not this type of music is bad or good. It is expression, period.

If you cant offer a suggestion to help him out, dont bother at all.
I see you are a "pro piano player". dont make me come down to Florida and smash you fingers ..

anonymous Mon, 02/21/2005 - 12:35

I'd like to see you try :wink: ...

Last person who tried to assault me ended up on the ground with a fractured arm.

Besides, it was sarcasm. Have you ever heard Screamo? Ok, so you want a damn recomendation, fine.

Buy a Condenser, dynamic mics are no good in the studio for that type of music. Screaming is best recorded with a condensor, at a distance, which will maximize the clarity of the screaming.

pr0gr4m Mon, 02/21/2005 - 23:27

An answer to this age old question

I've spent the better part of the last few months of my life asking the same question and although people will tell you to try out different things and use what sounds best, there actually is an answer to this question.

Get a great preamp. So now the question becomes what is a great preamp. Well, I've spent the better part of...well, you know... and by great preamp, I mean pro level. This means you need to spend some money. Not $200, not $300 and not even $500. To get something that will really stand out, you should look to spend a minimum of $800, and that's for a single channel preamp.

I'm not saying that you can't get a great sound out of a $30 pre amp; you can. Pro's use cheap gear every day and get great sounds out of it. I'm also not saying that all $800 preamps are the bomb. But from what I've read, heard and seen, most of the pros would spend as much cash as they could on a great pre amp and then worry about the mic.

I don't know what your budget is and there are some good preamps out there that can be had for a lot less then $800. But my budget was floating around the $500-$600 range and I've decided to hold out for a more expensive unit. Not only based on what people have said, but I did do some A and B and even C and D comparisons and there really is a difference.

So, for all of those people who don't have the time, resources, budget or whatever to research this, get a great preamp first.

And if you're looking for a recommendation, I would recommend the UA M-610 which comes in at right around 800 beans.