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I'm looking for a good mic preamp-amp and compressor in one unit. I've looked at the whole Focusrite Platinum range but they don't have enough controls on the compressors for me. They only give you like 2 or 3 from threshold, ratio, attack, release and makeup gain. I like to have as much control as I can on the compressor and I don't feel I'll get enough from the Focusrite's - which is a shame as I've heard so much good about them. It's a real shame that the Compounder doesn't have any preamps either because that would suit me perfectly! Maybe I'm wrong, if someone begs to differ please let me know.

I'm using a RODE NT1-A microphone mainly recording rap vocals, my girlfriend's singing vocals and acoustic guitar. As a bonus I'd also like to use the unit to record bass, electric guitar and maybe some synths through the line input as well.

I want a nice sounding preamp and compressor with as much control as possible. About £400 ($716 by today's exchange rates) budget for the unit. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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KurtFoster Sun, 08/29/2004 - 13:54

I don't think there would be anything in that price range that I would recommend ...

What you say you want to spend is less than what most good single channel mic pres go for alone .... a great compressor is much more ..

I am not recommending it but the only thing I can think of that would fill the bill in that price range would be the PreSonus Eureka. I haven't heard the compressor or EQ sections of this piece but I am familiar with the pres ... which are real OK but not anything to write home about.

Please do me a favor and change your sig line ... kids hang around here and there's no need for that type of language.

KurtFoster Mon, 08/30/2004 - 12:44

tha sun god wrote: try looking up on some JOE MEEK gear, I hear he was pretty good.

Joe Meek was a supurb recording engineer that custom built much of the gear he used. Ted Fletcher (the originator of the Joe Meek moniker) worked as an assitant to Joe Meek prior to Meeks death.

However, as far as I can tell, the line of Joe Meek products really don't reflect any of Joe Meeks original designs... they are a nod towards some of his overall concepts but I have a feeling that if he saw the way his name was being used these days (Ted Fletchers fault, not Alan Hyatts) he would not be very happy (an assumption I admit).

I personally don't get Joe Meek gear at all ... I've heard it side by side with my Manley, Valley, Urei and Teletronics outboard when outside engineers have brought it in to use on their sessions. I always laughed at them for doing that. I think it's more of this mid priced stuff that is real ok but not really a big league player. A lot of guys I respect (like Gaff) say it's useable. I'm just happy I haven't ever had to use the stuff.

maintiger Tue, 08/31/2004 - 08:18

For that kind of moola your choices are pretty much the jos meek or the RNC, which is only about $175 US and is decent enough... the Joe meek is better IMO but that's only a matter of opinion. The good thing about those pieces is that they pretty much retain their value, so if you buy the Joe meek or the RNC and don't really like them you could put them back on e-bay and recoup most of your money right away