Focusrite trakmaster pro VS Presonus Studio Channel Strip

[davidguevara80]

Hi, i am looking for a decent pre to record Voices and Nylon Guitars but mainly voices.I Record Latin/Pop/Rock Music.Which you recommend guys?, your vote will be very important for my decision.

Is the Presonus Eureka too much better than the Studio Channel?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Focusrit...27-i1125408.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus...41-i1415340.gc

[Massive Master]

The two are similar packages of "Meh..."

The DMP3 is a better preamp. If you can kick it up a notch, FMR's RNP will kick them all to the curb without breaking a sweat. Maybe look into FiveFish's preamps also... Normally kits, but typically, there are read-made units available. Those are getting up into the Neve/API quality area for dimes on the dollar.

[bsuthard]

I just plugged in my new Studio Channel yesterday but have not read the manual yet - everything is still set at 12 o'clock except the gain/level/tube drive knobs which I have used so far. It seems pretty quiet with both my AT3035 and EV ND967 mics but with my active acoustic pickup (LR Baggs M1), I get a little minor extra hiss so I probably won't use it with that (or I need to play with the settings a bit more). I was debating the Eureka also but figured this would do the job and I'd save the $200 toward a new mic. I think it will work pretty well for what I need it for which is to add a little boost/warmth to my mics prior to sending to my digital interface (Firepod).

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by bsuthard

I just plugged in my new Studio Channel yesterday but have not read the manual yet - everything is still set at 12 o'clock except the gain/level/tube drive knobs which I have used so far. It seems pretty quiet with both my AT3035 and EV ND967 mics but with my active acoustic pickup (LR Baggs M1), I get a little minor extra hiss so I probably won't use it with that (or I need to play with the settings a bit more). I was debating the Eureka also but figured this would do the job and I'd save the $200 toward a new mic. I think it will work pretty well for what I need it for which is to add a little boost/warmth to my mics prior to sending to my digital interface (Firepod).

Thanks bsuthar.A friend of mine was selling me an Eureka but.. you're right i could save some money to buy the Focustite and The Studio Channel and have 2 different Tones. A Solidstate and a Tube pre.

[KineticSound]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

The DMP3 is a better preamp. If you can kick it up a notch, FMR's RNP will kick them all to the curb without breaking a sweat. Maybe look into FiveFish's preamps also... Normally kits, but typically, there are read-made units available. Those are getting up into the Neve/API quality area for dimes on the dollar.

John makes some great suggestions here - and I say that somewhat tentatively as I own a TrakMaster myself. I think the TrakMaster's preamp is great: clean and the HPF and compressor can be useful in plenty of instances. However the eq circuit is marginal at best. Lately, I find myself using my Apogee preamps far more often than the Focusrite...

The only "eureka" you'll find from the PreSonus is the realization that you could've had an RNP for the same price.

[davidguevara80]

Originally Posted by KineticSound

John makes some great suggestions here - and I say that somewhat tentatively as I own a TrakMaster myself. I think the TrakMaster's preamp is great: clean and the HPF and compressor can be useful in plenty of instances. However the eq circuit is marginal at best. Lately, I find myself using my Apogee preamps far more often than the Focusrite...

The only "eureka" you'll find from the PreSonus is the realization that you could've had an RNP for the same price.

I am sorry but what is RNP?

[KineticSound]

FMR Audio Products - RNP "Really Nice Preamp"

http://www.fmraudio.com/

[Massive Master]

The only "eureka" you'll find from the PreSonus is the realization that you could've had an RNP for the same price.

I friggin' love that...

Seriously - The Eureka, the (I can't believe they actually call it) Focusrite junk, all the cheesy channel strips out there - I'll take a decent preamp with no additional (cheap, crappy, noisy) circuitry all over it any time.