The Best Pre Amp for the money for Acoustic Guitar and Vocals

[geigerfro14]

I currently own a Rode NT-1, Sure SM57, and an MXL 990 and I really want to get a pre amp that is going to make my vocals and guitar a lot warmer. I'm looking to spend no more than $500 unless I absolutely have too.

Any ideas?

[LiquidDigital]

Well I recently got a Presonus FP10 and I love it! It has 8 separate phantom powered tracks and it sounds great. I'm no audio pro by any means, but I used to use a junky Tascam 2 channel deal. When I got my FP10 I noticed it had much lower noise. I did a lot of research, and for the money this thing seemed to be the best. I highly recommend it. I believe I got mine off of Ebay used for around 300 or something.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ace?sku=242036

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by geigerfro14

I currently own a Rode NT-1, Sure SM57, and an MXL 990 and I really want to get a pre amp that is going to make my vocals and guitar a lot warmer. I'm looking to spend no more than $500 unless I absolutely have too.

Any ideas?

A different mic will probably do more than a preamp to "warm up" your sound. Both the NT1 and 990 are very bright sounding mics. Look into a ribbon mic and pair it with a nice clean preamp (like the Rane MS-1b)

As for "warm" preamps, I think the Groove Tubes Brick is pretty tasty. Not my first choice for acoustic, but works great for vox.

[Sage97]

I like the FMR RNP.

[darrin_h2000]

Depending on the number of inputs you want...I think the Line6 UX2 is a nice choice at $200 and it is also an interface with Abelton live software...its pretty much all inclusive...if you do upgrade to the UX8 the AD and DA converters are the same as the converters in the Apogee products...and the preamps have models for API and Neve and Avalon preamps.

[Ronan]

I am in the process of putting together a new episode of 'Ronan's Recording Show" to address just this issue. I am trying to find the best mic pre for $500 or less. Its going to take a couple months to get it done though.

[darrin_h2000]

Originally Posted by Ronan

I am in the process of putting together a new episode of 'Ronan's Recording Show" to address just this issue. I am trying to find the best mic pre for $500 or less. Its going to take a couple months to get it done though.

That would be the Line6 UX8...many here pay more for one channel pres that are inferior to this one...and it has 8.

[Fab4ever]

Darrin,

I have and like the UX2... I don't have the UX8 and I wasn't aware of the converters in there. Do you know exactly what converter chips are used in the two products? I haven't been able to find that information.

Thanks,

Fab

[darrin_h2000]

I also have the UX2...I have found that info somewhere...but I know that the UX8 has better ones...they are the same as the Apogee products.