I thought I would post my question here as am I am just running a home studio but my question is regarding a high-end (so I have read) preamp.

I've been reading some of the numerous preamp discussions here and am hoping to get some more specific advice. My main mics and an AT4050 and a pair of studio project C4s. I run though a dbx 386 to an maudio omni I/O. I bought the 386 at someone's suggestion (not here) but I'm not getting the sound I'm looking for yet. To me, despite supposedly being "tube" it sounds cold and harsh.

I've got around 3000$ to buy new equipment. I want to buy a preamp and a mic. I record rap vocals and sometimes female's singing.

I have a PC with an M-Audio delta 66 soundcard and a Omni i/o. I record into Sonar.

I was thinking:

pre: Avalon 737sp.
mic: Shure Ksm44, or Something from Blue at around 1000$.

what do you guys think?

I'm trying to make up my mind about what mic preamp I should get. I'll mainly be using it for drum overheads and overdubbing vocals.

I initially wanted to get an ART MPA Gold or Pro MPA but the more I read about them the more apprehensive I am. I've seen the specs for both but can anyone tell me how they actually sound?

I was wondering if anyone has used the Joemeek threeq. I will be plugging my condenser mic into the Joemeek then into the Firebox then into the computer.

I have an at4033 and a beyer m500n, both need warming up from tubes from what I hear. They are going to be on my guitar amp. And the 4033 maybe vocals also. A good preamp around a grand with tubes that get the proper voltage and 2 channels. The spl goldmike 9844 looks nice for vocals but on a guitar amp, 65 twin reverb I not sure, can anybody tell me if this will work fine.

Hi.
I don't know much about digital signals and stuff. I just realized my Mbox 2 has 4 inputs, the 2 mic preamps and a 2 channel S/PDIF thingy (?). Am I right? So, is there a piece of hardware that lets me hook up two microphones, and send the signal via S/PDIF to my Mbox 2, so I can record from four microphones at the same time to seperate channels?

Stian

Hey guys,

I don't post here often but I sure have gotten a lot of good info from this forum. I did a comparison of several midrange pres and recorded acoustic guitar clips that I posted on the TapeOp board in the Gear Talk section. The pres consist of Mackie VLZ, PreSonus BlueTube, PreSonus MP20, ART Pro Channel, Aphex 207, and Electro Harmonix 12AY7.

Should the output of my vipre go into an insert in the mbox? I just read this somewhere. I currently have it in the mic input with the mbox pre turned all the way to the left (down). Is that right? Should I choose 'line' as the input choice?
I hate hooking stuff up. I just like turning stuff on.
Thanks,
Steve

Hey guys,

Ive recently received an offer by a decent local band to record their first official EP. Steping up to the challenge would mean id need to fork out some cash on more gear, at present I'm using Pro Tools M Powered using a delta 1010 card.