Best mid-range microphone preamp?

[EdJames]

I am getting paranoid after a few bad experiences with equipment, so this is my final time of asking an opinion on a damned preamp! Which of these would be the best preamp (for the money) to record RnB/Pop male vocals in a converted wardrobe (with blankets) using an Audio Technica AT4040 mic?

[teainthesahara]

Originally Posted by EdJames

I am getting paranoid after a few bad experiences with equipment, so this is my final time of asking an opinion on a damned preamp! Which of these would be the best preamp (for the money) to record RnB/Pop male vocals in a converted wardrobe (with blankets) using an Audio Technica AT4040 mic?

If youre willing to get used stuff on ebay in that price range, then you might want to research the 'symetrix 528'. Mic preamp that sounds similar to the dmp3, but you also get a great eq, de-esser, and a usuable compressor at the same time. Very tweakable....capable of coming closer to the 'squashed/hi-frequency boosted eq'd' sound of alot of rnb/pop than those other units you have listed (at least unassisted).

[Creamyapples1]

I think a more accurate question would be:

Which preamp would better suit a microphone with thirty seven foot 5 inch cable, wrapped two times around a mic stand, over a rafter, around 3 door knobs and coiled 4 times at the base of mic stand #2, while two midgets and a donkey perform Polka @ 164bpm sipping Cherry Kool-Aid and eating Green Beans. Answer that my friend and ye shall have teh uberest pre evar!

[EdJames]

Originally Posted by Creamyapples1

I think a more accurate question would be:

Which preamp would better suit a microphone with thirty seven foot 5 inch cable, wrapped two times around a mic stand, over a rafter, around 3 door knobs and coiled 4 times at the base of mic stand #2, while two midgets and a donkey perform Polka @ 164bpm sipping Cherry Kool-Aid and eating Green Beans. Answer that my friend and ye shall have teh uberest pre evar!

I'd say the Presonus Bluetube would be best for that. It's low frequencies will minimise the sipping that is picked up, plus it's known not to perform well at picking up the correct levels of Polka at anything over 120 bpm. I'd say therefore that it would suit you perfectly.

See...you're not the only one who can be a smart arse

[scrubs]

Why the "Excluding Grace 101/The Brick/BG-1's?"

And, what "bad experiences have you had?" Be specific.

I don't have any experience with the pres on your list, except for the DMP3, which is a very solid little 2-channel pre for cheap. I also think the Brick is a solid pre/di. Beyond that, you're looking at spending >$1000 US for something significantly better.

[Creamyapples1]

Originally Posted by EdJames

I'd say the Presonus Bluetube would be best for that. It's low frequencies will minimise the sipping that is picked up, plus it's known not to perform well at picking up the correct levels of Polka at anything over 120 bpm. I'd say therefore that it would suit you perfectly.

See...you're not the only one who can be a smart arse

lol I couldn't resist Bro.

[riffy]

My first choices would be the ones that you excluded from the selection, namely the Grace. But since you're making me choose from the list, I pick the Art MPA Gold.

[SonicAlbert]

You left a few off that list that should be there:

ART Pro Channel

Focusrite Voicemaster Pro

RANE MS-1b

Maybe your choice would be between the ART Pro Channel, Tampa, and Voicemaster. I think for your purposes the Pro Channel would be the ART unit to be most serious about.

[EdJames]

Can't get the Rane in England.

[EdJames]

Which is ironic since all we ever get is bloody rain!

[EdJames]

In addition the Focusrite is out of the price range I want;

Focusrite Voicemaster Pro (£405)
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw2_artikel-158017.html

...and the ART Pro Channel doesn't seem to be available here.

I listed all the preamps I could find in England within that price range.

[EdJames]

Originally Posted by riffy

My first choices would be the ones that you excluded from the selection, namely the Grace. But since you're making me choose from the list, I pick the Art MPA Gold.

I said no Grace cause there's only one supplier in England of the Grace. I rung them today and it's £587.50 plus postage and packaging. Thats WELL outside the price range I stated. The BG-1 is similar, hence it's exclusion.

[dgatwood]

Personally, I'm kind of partial to the pres in the Peavey PV8. Four extremely clean pres (14Hz-25kHz +0/-1dB, .0007% THD, -129 dBu EIN, according to the specs) for $110.

As always, YMMV.

[EdJames]

Seems the MPA Gold is the user's favourite pre right now, I can get one for £225 which is near £100 more than the DBX, will the difference be THAT noticeable?

[noisedude]

Joemeek SixQ - the Meek compressor is GREAT on R&B vocals ... http://www.sub.co.uk/index.php?sec=p...ils&pcode=SIXQ

If you can spring for it, the OneQ has more metering plus a very usable enhancer and de-esser.
http://www.sub.co.uk/index.php?sec=p...ils&pcode=ONEQ

If you have any trouble finding a dealer who can get it for you, send me an email because I have contacts who can sort you out.

The Tampa is pretty good too but that's not got EQ of any kind on it.

[fraserhutch]

Originally Posted by EdJames

I said no Grace cause there's only one supplier in England of the Grace. I rung them today and it's £587.50 plus postage and packaging. Thats WELL outside the price range I stated. The BG-1 is similar, hence it's exclusion.

What would be involved in buying a second hand Grace from the US? Would you have to pay VAT on it? Duty?

[EdJames]

Delivery alone is $100 plus our plugs are different in the UK. It'd almost be as expensive essentially as buying one new for £500 here in the UK.

The Joe Meek is right on the border of my price range so it'd have to be something pretty special. Also it says nothing about it bein a preamp on the ite I'm looking on. Does it offer this feature or is it just a compressor?

[noisedude]

Originally Posted by EdJames

Delivery alone is $100 plus our plugs are different in the UK. It'd almost be as expensive essentially as buying one new for £500 here in the UK.

The Joe Meek is right on the border of my price range so it'd have to be something pretty special. Also it says nothing about it bein a preamp on the ite I'm looking on. Does it offer this feature or is it just a compressor?

They're all channel strips ... i.e. preamp, compressor and EQ.

[COOLCAT]

for someone not having alot of equipment a channel strip can offer a bit more versatility in comparison to just a preamp.

although most channels strips are single and many pre-amps are stereo, but you mentioned vocals so this may not be a big deal to go single channel. and the compressor will help.

[Dogbreath]

FWIW...I've got the Tampa and the Pro Channel and both rock! The Tampa's a clean pre with a very good comp section and the Pro Channel can get you the dirty pre sound, decent comp and EQ. Lotsa db's with both. I think around 65 or 70.
There's also an upgrade tube for the pre section in the Pro Channel that makes it even better... ...the problem is, I can't remember which tube...

[EdJames]

Dayum! Good news, just found the TAMPA for £169, thats over £100 less than ANYWHERE else, I'm ordering first thing tommorrow morning!

[EdJames]

Well, it's finally done everybody. Ordered the M-Audio TAMPA this morning so it should arrive to my work on Monday. £169 is a snip! Will let you all know how it sounds