Preamp Quandry

[imissthewar]

I'm building a home studio to record my band, and I'm having a problem deciding on mic pres. Everything is based on a Digi002r system, which provides me with 4, and I've budgeted $1000-$1200 for the other 4.

The music I'm recording is similar to Radiohead or the Flaming Lips (guitars, vox, keys, drums and some horns and strings). Color does count, I don't think I want just 4 clean pres, I want some character for sure.

Also, eq and compression would be nice, i.e. more of a vocal channel or something of the like. Here are the pieces I've been looking at closely, feel free to suggest others:

Focusrite Voicemaster Pro
Safe Sound P1
FMR RNP (2 channel)
Joe Meek ThreeQ
M-Audio DMP3 (2)
Studio Projects VTB-1
ART MPA Pro (2)
Grace 101

Obviously I can't afford all of them, what would be a good package of 4 channels in my price range?

[Blue Bear Sound]

Grace 101 + the Safe Sound + the RNP would give you a well-rounded and versatile mic pre package..........

[imissthewar]

Unfortunately I can't stretch my budget to fit all three....that's about $1700 altogether

[Dio24]

Try thr Focusrite Trak Master. I haven't used them personally but I've heard good things about them. They are available here for around AU$750 - I don't know how they are priced in the US. Nice features and good quality for a decent price. Or at least I think so.

[Dio24]

Alternatively if color is a consideration and you are focusing mainly on the vocal sound, try getting an Antares AVP1 as well. They do great things.

[Middleman]

Focusrite Voicemaster Pro
FMR RNP (2 channel)
M-Audio DMP3 (2)

I own these, stack ranked in order of versatility. Also from colored to plain. The rest I have not used.

[Gidge]

1 - RNP
1 - RNC
2 - 3Q's

$1050

[deepwater]

I had the same problem Heres what I did. I bought a Soundcraft M8 and 2 Joemeek 3Q. Now I have 8 great warm clean Soundcraft pres and 2 colored Joemeek pres.

[noiseportrait]

Two channels of sebatron are only about $1100, and four channels are for sale on ebay for $1400 right now if you can swing it. The pres listed above are great options for clean to slightly agressive, but I think the sebatron really stands out if you want some color. Keep in mind that good color is going to be more expensive than clean.

[arcaxis]

I've been looking at an upgrade of preamps I presently have and a couple I'm considering are the MAudio Tampa and Presonus Eureka. They seem to fit into imissthewars price range, but haven't been mentioned yet. From what I've read appear to be capable of some coloration of sound and seem to have gotten good reviews. Any comments on these ?

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally Posted by imissthewar

Unfortunately I can't stretch my budget to fit all three....that's about $1700 altogether

Oh sorry - I misread your range to be between 1000 and 2000... but now I see it's 1200! Oops.... in that case, cut out the safe-sound or the grace and live with 3 good-quality pres rather 4 mediocre ones.

[xstatic]

How about the Sytek 4 channel preamp with the Burr Brown mods on channels 3&4? That would be 4 good channels for about $800 which frees up some money to add other things. Maybe a couple of channels of RNC compressors. Plus, the Syteks will stay with you as quality preamps no matter what else you buy in the future.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by xstatic

How about the Sytek 4 channel preamp with the Burr Brown mods on channels 3&4? That would be 4 good channels for about $800 which frees up some money to add other things. Maybe a couple of channels of RNC compressors. Plus, the Syteks will stay with you as quality preamps no matter what else you buy in the future.

That's a pretty good suggestion.

[chessparov]

IMHO you'll be happier with something like...

1) Joe Meek TwinQ (around $800) dual mic pre/opto-compressor/EQ
2) Fmr. Audio RNC compressor (under $200)
3) DMP3 or used Symetrix SX202 (under $200)

In any event, having the option of a Meek compressor will be handy.
The new Meek pre's are of the "clean" type BTW.
Coloration mainly comes from the compressor section.

Having the RNC will make it easier for the band to play together as much as possible if you're seeking that kind of "sonic glue" .

Chris

[imissthewar]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Here's what I ended up going for:

Safe Sound P1 - $525
Summit Audio 2BA-221 - $590
Joe Meek 3Q (2x) - $360

I went over my budget by a little bit, but I ended up saving a ton of money on a laptop I was also budgeting for, and since 3 of those 4 have compression built in, I'm saving there.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Sonixx]

Originally Posted by xstatic

How about the Sytek 4 channel preamp with the Burr Brown mods on channels 3&4? That would be 4 good channels for about $800 which frees up some money to add other things. Maybe a couple of channels of RNC compressors. Plus, the Syteks will stay with you as quality preamps no matter what else you buy in the future.

Where are you getting a four channel Sytek for $800. The MPX-4Aii is about $1700. Am I missing something?

[Nik D]

You can get them for 800 on ebay. There aren't many up there, but there's a good chance you can find one or two a month there.

[darrin_h2000]

Too bad...you could of had a Great river and a Yamaha MLA7 off of ebay for 1200. 8 channels of useable and one hell of a fat sounding one.

[Sonixx]

okay... thanks.

[EleKtriKaz]

If you check diligently you can pick up one of the demo models with the burr browns for $789. You gotta be quick though, because they never go to the end. Someone always uses Buy It Now.