Record Live with Pro Tools/002, looking for Quality Vocal Chain<$1000

[ibleedburgundy]

I recently bought Pro Tools with a Digi 002. I use it with my old ADAT and mackie 1604 VLZ to record my classic rock band live. I use the ADAT/MACKIE for my drum tracks (8) and the 002 for guitar, bass, and a vocal track. I would like to add a 2 channel preamp and a vocal mic for a baritone singer (sounds like Willie Nelson) via the S/PDIF port on the 002. This would free up additional 002 preamps so I could put 2 mics on the lead guitar, and bass.

My question is, does this sound like a good idea and if so, what preamp/mic combination would you suggest? I read good things about the AT 4040 and the Rode NTK but not much about which preamps they match up with.

My budget is around $1000 for both preamp and microphone. I would like to not have to spend that much but I covet sound quality and intend to make many many recordings over a long period of time.

Right now the best mic I own is a Neumann KM-184. That's my baby but I think I need a LDC for vocals and classical guitar. Last time we recorded live I used the KM-184 on vocals in an isolated room. It's warmer than the SM-58 but I'm not quite satisfied plus I want to free up the KM-184 as a room mic or additional lead guitar track.

On drums I use AUDIX D6/ADX-90's on 3 toms, SM-57 on snare and an SM-58 as overhead (which I don't think is a good fit) and an EV mic as the other overhead (better than the SM-58 for this task but still I'm not satisfied. I think I'm going to get a matched pair of the Russian Oktava MK 012's and use the EV mic as a snare-side mic. My snare sound is too dark right now (not in real life, just on the recordings, I tried moving the mic further away but then the hi-hat bleeds in too much).

Anyway, that is my set-up and it's working very well. I just want to add mics and another preamp to improve flexibility and quality. If there is anything I have not thought of please feel free to add any advice you think I could benefit from. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

[bennychico11]

using the S/PDIF will be fine...just make sure you tell PT to look to digital for Inputs 1/2 in your session setup window

As far as matching a preamp with the mics you want, my only suggestion would be to get a preamp with about 10 times the resistance on the input that the microphone puts out. So if the AT4040 has 100 ohms of impedance (which it does), then a preamp with about 1,000 ohms would be where you should look. This will help you get a preamp that's closer to being transparent...and then really it just comes down to personal taste after that. If you want a warm tube sound, etc.

[ibleedburgundy]

What do you think of the units that have variable input impedance such as this one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/180629/

Also, I was looking at the RNP but I was unable to find an impedance stat.