Multi Channel pre-Amps

[T.O.I.Y.Z.]

Wanted to know if anyone can give me a good suggestion on the best multi channel Pre-Amp that is under $500....

I use the ART TPS II right now and love it to death, but was looking to see if I could get my hands on a 4 (or more) channel Pre-Amp for under $500

The catch is, the ones I looked at online have XLR inputs, but 1/4" TPS outputs....I want the XLR inputs AND the Outputs

This isn't for guitars though, just basic studio recording (vocals)

Any suggestions?

[darrin_h2000]

I havent seen any set up quite like that...not sure why you need it that way either.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by T.O.I.Y.Z.

The catch is, the ones I looked at online have XLR inputs, but 1/4" TPS outputs....I want the XLR inputs AND the Outputs

...you mean TRS outputs?...that's very typical...just buy the appropriate cabling...no worries...

[leddy]

If you can stretch just a bit to around $600 or so you can find a used Sytek 4ch. Besides being a great preamp, you'll know you can always sell it for what you paid for it. I can't think of a multi-channel pre for less than $500 that would compete with it, plus whatever you find might lose value. The Sytek will probably not.

[pohaku]

+1 for the Sytek. AFAIK, it is the only really good 4 channel pre close to your price range.

[Eric F]

There are pres with XLR outs (my ART MPA Gold has them), but since phantom power will not be carried on the output of the pre, I don't see a specific reason why someone would need XLR outs. If you're connecting to another piece of gear with XLR ins, just use a TRS-XLR cable.

4 channels for $500 ($125 per channel) is going to keep you in the range of low-budget gear. If you can stretch your budget, the Sytek that leddy mentioned is going to be a great choice. If your budget can't go any higher, a pair of M-Audio DMP3s might be a usable setup. If you want something with a bit more color, you might also be able to find a couple of ART MPA Golds on the used market.

Another option might be to look at some of the multi-channel interfaces (Presonus FP-10, for example) and see if they can be set up to bypass the converters and go straight from pre input to line out on each channel (this assumes your existing interface is better quality than what you'd get in a package like this)

[Ironklad Audio]

Originally Posted by pohaku

+1 for the Sytek. AFAIK, it is the only really good 4 channel pre close to your price range.

onyx 400f?

[thajeremy]

i have an M-audio Octane for sale in the free ads section.....$450

[darrin_h2000]

I have a Yamaha MLA7 8 channel...it was a front end pre for the digital mixers they made in the early 2000s...Id sell for arround 200 bucks...but they dont have XLR outs.

[antichef]

Are you using an interface? If so, which one(s)?

[pohaku]

Originally Posted by Ironklad Audio

onyx 400f?

I dunno. What do you think? I've never used one and never (knowingly) heard one. Don't know anyone who has one and have never heard anyone I personally know recommend one. So I'm not in a position to opine. I'll grant that people do say that the Onyx pres are much better than the previous generation Mackie pres. I understand the drivers are now better than when it was first released. It is a nice package and may really be worthwhile for the OP if the pres are good and the interface is better than what he has.

[Metal Marc]

Originally Posted by leddy

If you can stretch just a bit to around $600 or so you can find a used Sytek 4ch. Besides being a great preamp, you'll know you can always sell it for what you paid for it. I can't think of a multi-channel pre for less than $500 that would compete with it, plus whatever you find might lose value. The Sytek will probably not.

Another +1 on the Sytek. This is a great preamp. My friend has one with the Burr Brown mods on all four channels. I think it sounds excellent.

Don't rule out ebay, if you're willing to take the chance. A couple weeks ago, a guy I chat with at a local store scored a Focusrite OctoPre - the $900 one, not the LE - for $550ish after shipping. Perfect shape, perfect condition. He doesn't think the guy really knew what he was selling.

[Treeline]

Don't forget small mixers. You can usually use them as multichannel preamps by using a variant of the the half jack trick - XLR in, past trim, and tap into the signal using the channel's insert. Now you have a hot preamplified signal without going through the mixer's circuitry.

You can also use a mixer as a patch bay and so forth. I have the big Mackie Onyx 1640 and use it as a live mixer as well as a firewire recording interface. It's a tad pricey but pretty sweet.

On the 1220, you also have recording outs on the back via a Tascam connector - the first for channels 1 - 4. You can buy a small snake that will connect from this to XLR inputs on another device for about $50.

Here's a Mackie Onyx 1220 mixer for $ 450. You can add a firewire card later if you want.

[darrin_h2000]

At $500 the line6 ux8 is tough to beat...I got mine on clearence for $350 at guitar center.

[Ironklad Audio]

Originally Posted by pohaku

I dunno. What do you think? I've never used one and never (knowingly) heard one. Don't know anyone who has one and have never heard anyone I personally know recommend one. So I'm not in a position to opine. I'll grant that people do say that the Onyx pres are much better than the previous generation Mackie pres. I understand the drivers are now better than when it was first released. It is a nice package and may really be worthwhile for the OP if the pres are good and the interface is better than what he has.

i haven't used the 400f, but the pres in my onyx 1640 are more than usable...there's also a guy on the andy sneap forum @ ultimatemetal.com selling a 400f for $450

[doulos24]

4 jlmaudio baby animals 85 each plus 1 psu for 30.00 or 2 api clones 200 each or 4 racked spectra sonic 110 cards about 100 each

you guys need to learn to solder

4 api 312s in a rack from api 3,200.00
4 diy api clones in a rack 1,200 to 1,600 ish
4 neve 1272s and 4 api 312 cards about 3,000

you know i just finished a sm audio pr8 the 99.00 preamp
with 16 burr brown opamps and upgraded the caps 8 clean channels for about 175.00 in parts including the 99 for the preamp i love diy

[doulos24]

double post

[SilentSound]

Another vote for the Sytek 4aii. It is extremely worth it to save up another $200-300 and wait for one of these to pop up for sale on ebay or some other gear forum.

These preamps sound on par with units that cost four-five times what your budget currently allows so saving and waiting will make a drastic change in your front end.

I've used a lot of different preamps in a bunch of different studios as well as my own and the Sytek 4aii is the shit--you can use it on anything--any mic and any source. Only complaint is that there isn't a pad which you can buy and put inline which I've never had to do.

There is another company I've been watching and whose owner I even called to get a feel about their products-- http://www.lineaudio.se/

Supposedly their dual channel and 8 channel preamps are regarded highly and after conversion to USD are quite a deal, that is if they live up to the little bit of hype I've heard from people and the owner.

Research your ass off but I lean HEAVILY towards the sytek.