I'm planning to upgrade a small Adat-Mackie-Studio.

(I'm not the owner, I only use the rooms. I don't want to buy Adats and 8bus-Mackie, but I can use it.)

I need some opinions about te following preamps:

I just picked this pre up and it seems everything I run through it is distorted.There are no input or output adjustments on it, so I guess I'm stuck with one level, but do I need a pad after the mic, before the pre?
If so, which one is transparent enough(model numbers please).
Also, has anyone else used this pre before?
Any applications where it excels?

I currently do not have a good mic preamp. I was wanting some ideas on what to get started with for around $1500. The only thing I've found so far is a Manley mono unit for around $1300. What is thought about this unit? What would be better. Keep in mind that whatever I get will be my "go to" box for a few months at least. I am looking to send Snare, Acc Guitar, and vocals through it.

hey folks-

first off, if this is too 'off-thread' for the DAW world post, my apologies. .

i'm wanting to improve the overall quality of audio going to my DAW. while everything right now is squeaky clean, it just sounds soul-less (and no, it's not the music that's the problem! :p ).
the main signal path is:

hi everybody ! (i hope my english is understandable ! :p )
for now i am running my synths' outputs (waldorf microwave II, Korg prophecy, roland mks-50 and kurzweil micropiano) through a Mackie 1402 mixer to record them in Pro Tools (888/24 as a/d).
in order to improve the overall quality of my sound, i am looking for a new way to get my synths' sounds.

hello all!

just discovered this amazing site through the usergroups at the "nuendo"site-congratulations, i think and hope that this will proceed as sucessfully as it did during the few months since it's up and running!