Brick/RNC

[johnnypraze]

Im looking for a Mic Pre/Compressor combo.

I only need one channel and Record HipHop vocals using a Rode NT1000

I was originally thinking about getting a M-Audio Tampa for $330

But now Im kind of leaning toward a GrooveTubes "The Brick" and a "RNC".

I figure I can get a brick for $300 used, so this combo would run me around $500.

Any other suggestions for a Pre/Compressor Combo at or under $500?

[Gilliland]

Originally Posted by johnnypraze

I figure I can get a brick for $300 used, so this combo would run me around $500.

I had a couple of the Brick preamps for a couple of weeks. I didn't keep them. There was nothing wrong with them at all - they produced perfectly usable good sounding tracks. But there was nothing special about them either. I didn't find any advantage over my much less expensive (per channel) SP828. Obviously, I didn't check them with every possible microphone - the Brick's transformer balanced input will probably make a much bigger difference on some mics than others. But your Rode may not be one of them.

BTW, I bought the Bricks at a local Guitar Center for $325 each brand new. So you might not have to go to the used market to meet your $500 price goal. Of course, I got a better price because I was buying more than one and one of the two was an open box item (though it had never even been plugged in). But the point is that you can negotiate price with them.

[SonicAlbert]

Maybe you should also take a look at the SafeSound P1. There's a review of it here:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct0.../safesound.htm

[johnnypraze]

The SafeSound does look decent, but I havent seen it under $600.

I want to stay at or under $500...

Any other Ideas?

[SonicAlbert]

The Presonus Eureka fits your price range, as does the Joe Meek 3Q or 6Q, or Focusrite Trackmaster. So do the ART MPA Gold or ART Pro Channel. You'd still need a compressor for the ART MPA Gold, but it with the RNC would still fit your budget.

At the $600 area you get into the SafeSound P1 or Malcom Toft EC-1, plus some other nicer pairings of preamps and compressors.

I look at cost in a different way then just total price. If you use the thing for ten years, then you are talking about the difference between $50 a year versus $60 a year. That's why I usually try to bite the bullet and go the extra step when buying gear, even it is beyond my current budget.

But you do have some decent options in the sub-$500 category.

[johnnypraze]

Thanks, Im going to be upgrading from my Roland MMP-2

Ive narrowed it down to:
MAudio Tampa - $330
Focusrite Trackmaster Pro - $300
Groove Tubes the brick and RNC - $500
Presonus eureka Pro - $500
Joe Meek oneQ - $500

Im not familiar with anything by ART except there bottome of the barrel stuff.

Im still looking for a few more options before I decide.

Where can I find the SafeSound P1 or Malcom Toft EC-1 online?

[TommyJ1112]

I've been running the combo of The Brick and a RNC for almost a year now with great results. IMHO, I think it is probably the best quality/price option available. One of the things that The Brick offers you is more headroom than most preamps in this price range (at least the tube preamps in this range), and it makes for a fantastic DI. I personally liked this combo better than the Eureka, Trakmaster, or even the Voicemaster.

Just watch out for the fact that the outputs on The Brick are balanced, but the inputs on the RNC are UNbalanced, so you will need an XLR to TS cable if you are going to connect them directly to each other.

[PhiloBeddoe]

The only unit I can speak to is the Focusrite Trakmaster. Actually, my experience is with the TwinTrak. The pres are clean, the compressors are decent and I like the unit. However, the compressors have very few controls. I believe the Trakmaster even has fewer controls so you cannot tweak the compressor much.

[SonicAlbert]

Here's one dealer to find the SafeSound or Toft gear:

http://www.frontendaudio.com

ART makes some decent gear. Yes, it's low end, but not bottom of the barrel in my opinion. Not so different than most of the pieces on your current list, to be honest.

I'd eliminate the Trackmaster and Tampa off your list. Then try calling Music Center Inc., and ask for Tom, 800.697.9393. He has given me some great deals over the years, and you might be surprised at what deals he can give you on the gear you are considering. Give your list to Tom (including the P1 and Toft units) and see what he can do for you price-wise, you might be able to get more for your money than you expect. I have no affiliation with Music Center other than being a satisfied customer for 20 years.

The Brick is appealing. I owned a couple Groove Tubes DITTO's and they were outstanding DI's. That is the lineage the BRICK is from, and I would trust it. I'm not a huge fan of the RNC or RNLA, although they are great "bang for the buck" type units. If you want something else to couple with the Brick you might try finding a used DBX 160X or 160XT, or Aphex Expressor 651.

[CCS]

Originally Posted by johnnypraze

Im looking for a Mic Pre/Compressor combo.

I only need one channel and Record HipHop vocals using a Rode NT1000

I was originally thinking about getting a M-Audio Tampa for $330

But now Im kind of leaning toward a GrooveTubes "The Brick" and a "RNC".

I figure I can get a brick for $300 used, so this combo would run me around $500.

Any other suggestions for a Pre/Compressor Combo at or under $500?

A channel strip I do like is the Eureka. The pre is warm and bright; the comp is smooth, subtle and transparent; and the parametric EQs are very musical.

[mrface2112]

the only pre on that list i have experience with is the Tampa, and i've been a very vocal proponent of it around here. i love mine. i want a second if i can find one for ~$200 used.

the pre is quite nice sounding, and the compressor is EXCELLENT. it definitely has a "sound" to it, and i haven't noticed any adverse effects of stacking a few tracks recorded with it. works very nicely on guitar, bass, vocals, and the DI's pretty solid too.

the compressor's a little different to use than most "budget" ones out there these days in that it has no makeup gain--just drive it from the pre side of things and you're fine.


cheers,
wade

[remco]

Originally Posted by Gilliland

I I didn't find any advantage over my much less expensive (per channel) SP828.

Gilliland,
do you have some music done with the sp828 that you can post.
I see you got a hd24xr, that is exactly what i use.
And looking for some extra decent preamp, to compliment my old mixer

Remco

[Gilliland]

Originally Posted by remco

Gilliland,
do you have some music done with the sp828 that you can post.
I see you got a hd24xr, that is exactly what i use.

I do have some good recordings, but posting them is a problem for two reasons - artist approval and disk space. I could perhaps post a short excerpt as a high bitrate MP3. Do you think that would be of any benefit?

If so, we should probably do that in a different thread.

[tkingen]

If you go with the Brick/RNC combination be aware that running the balanced Brick into the unbalanced RNC will cause a 6db loss in gain. That matters to some people, and not to others.

[DonGraham]

For $500 I got my Focusrite twintrack 2 CHANNELS of class A with notch EQ and usefull optical compressor on each channel...nice monitoring options and an optional A/D card avalable with a D/A stock..Worth checking into......A little above budget but 2 channels of the same pre is always nice

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by TommyJ1112

I've been running the combo of The Brick and a RNC for almost a year now with great results. IMHO, I think it is probably the best quality/price option available. One of the things that The Brick offers you is more headroom than most preamps in this price range (at least the tube preamps in this range), and it makes for a fantastic DI. I personally liked this combo better than the Eureka, Trakmaster, or even the Voicemaster.

Just watch out for the fact that the outputs on The Brick are balanced, but the inputs on the RNC are UNbalanced, so you will need an XLR to TS cable if you are going to connect them directly to each other.

...Ditto that...I love the Brick/RNC combo...great matchup, especially on male vocals (set to "real nice" mode)...recommended!

[remco]

Originally Posted by Gilliland

I do have some good recordings, but posting them is a problem for two reasons - artist approval and disk space. I could perhaps post a short excerpt as a high bitrate MP3. Do you think that would be of any benefit?

If so, we should probably do that in a different thread.

I saw the mp3 you posted . tnx

Remco