I originally posted this in the Pro Audio forum, but this might be a better place for it...

After years of running my AKG C414 direct into a board in my home studio, I have decided that I need to step up and buy a tube mic preamp. Problem is, I have absolutely no idea where to start. There are a lot on the market and I don't have enough time to read recording magazine reviews every month, so I'm hoping for some guidance.

Please, just the straight and skinny, I understand all about the variables that effect the final sound, and *nothing* will sound like a well tuned MCI except another MCI console. I just need a map to guide me towards that sound. I know the MCI 400 series have been described as punchy and creamy.

What are the best Neve knock-off mic preamps? I've been reading good things about Vintech, Chandler, Great River, and AMS Neve. I'm looking to for something good to use on drums, vocals, and guitars.
I'm not sure whether AMS Neve is the same company that produced the original 1073 and 1081 models that everyone lusts after. Please clarify.
Thanks,
Benny

the tittle say it by itself...

how does they sound ?
any advice is welcome ;-)

thanks

fredb

I'm trying to decide between a PreSonus Firebox or Inspire as my interface for my fledgling DAW. One thing I can't figure out is if either could double as a standalone mic preamp that I could hook up to my Iriver IFP 895. I know there are more practical/portable preamps for this purpose, but it will be awhile before I can justify another purchase.

Info about the 212 and the 512 series preamps is not hard to come by.

However, the 312 is more elusive. Were they manufactured for use in any of the 1970's consoles? If so, was there some sort of faceplate? Does anyone have pictures?

I wondering about what kind of preamp could enhance the performance of a Shure KSM 27 for vocal recording? Possibly can be used to do some brass also. Right now Im using a Tascams Fw1884 phantom power...
Anny suggestions?

Cubase SX3, Powerbook 1.67Mgz, 2.00gigRam, Tascam FW 1884, MOTU Machfive, EWSSymphonyc, Fatar 1880, Shure KSM-27, Sampson 8 pi/drum mic

hiya. i've got Cubase sx 3 with a delta 1010. i've just got a Behringer ada8000 and have connected to the soundcard, and although the signal is going into the preamp, nothing is now reaching the soundcard. is there something i'm supposed to do?

New to pro tools, I'm using a 002r. I've been recording with analog and ADAT systems for a few years. To get to the point. When I was setting my levels on the kick and snare drum mics using the 002r preamps, they were very hot. Even when the gain was turned down to 0 on the 002r, they were still very hot. I ended up running the mics through an external pre-amp.