Joe Meek VC3Q?? what do you think??

[Jason James]

I just got a Joe Meek VC3Q and I'm trying to decide if I like it or not before it's too late to take it back. The only other pre's I have is a Behringer board and a Tube MP. I need a pre with ( or and) a compressor that I can use for my "gold channel." Truthfully I can't tell a huge difference b/t the 3 different pre's i have. I find I'm having a hard time getting the Compressor in the Meek to sound natural. (I'm used to using my 3630 which I know isn't very good). It sounds like the compressor is very noticable when it kicks in. I know for a fact the the suggested settings in the manual I don't like at all. Any thoughts on pre's with compressors or pre's and an external compressor for using on vocals, gtrs, bass, everything? The RNC is interesting. Thanks for the help.

Jason

[jimistone]

i have a meek too. the compresser settings are very sensitive...especially the slope setting. work with it awhile and make minor tweaks, the results are worth it

[PapillonIrl]

Just out of interest, what mics are you usng to test it ?

pAp

[Jason James]

I'm using a NT2 and Okatava MC012's. The first for voice and the others for acoustic ect. Live I'm using a EV 757nd or a Beta 58. I also plug bass direct in for live (sometimes) and recording. (all the time) I'm mostly having a hard time getting the compression to not sound to exaggerated. The MC3Q dosn't have a meter to let you know how much you are compressing. Just a light that gets darker (to an extent) with compression. Last week during a session we had the meek on a snare and the tube MP on the kick. We didn't like how it sounded so I reversed it. With the MP on the snare now it sounded great. The Tube really warmed the snare I guess. The kick thru the meek was decent, would have been great if i could have tamed the compressor more. Good sounds to ya

Jason

[charger]

Have you tried using it without the compressor? It sounds like you don't like the compression sounds you're getting, so I don't know why you just don't turn the compressor off. Personally, I dig the Meek sound, and a lot of that has to do with the character of the compression. However, I have a VC6Q, so I have a little more control over the compressor.

[alanhyatt]

Jason,

The VC3Q like all Joemeek units are a bit quirky. The good news is, if you are willing to put some time into it, the results are very good. The results may not be noticible on a playback system, but it should be on playing back your tracks.

The compressor is not like other VCA compressors. Photo-Optical devices are much different. You do not need to push the compressor to hear it. The 3Q uses an automatic ratio control based on your input signal. The hotter you hit the VC3Q, the more you have to turn down the compression setting as the ratio increases.

The VC3Q likes to be pushed on the front end as it has loads of headroom. If you simply push it until you see the red led lighting up on the meter, then you are not really using it. You have to push it hard so the red led glows solid. If you push too hard, you will hear distortion, so pull it back a bit if you do.

Start with the attack at 10 O'Clock, and the release at 11 O'Clock with the compression set at 12 O'Clock. Push the input hard and tweek from there.

The 3Q has been a great success for Joemeek. While it is not the answer for everything, it is a very clean mic pre, and its compressor is wonderful. So use you're ears, not the suggested settings, play with compressor so you get to know it. Once you do, you will have the settings you are after.

If I can help, call me on our toll free number 877-563-6335.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group

[JuSumPilgrim]

Excerpt from a review of the VC3Q on prorec.

"Like other Joemeek preamps (including the VC6Q) the noise floor of the VC3Q is fairly high – about 12 dB higher than the preamps on my Mackie mixer at equivalent gain – predominately high-frequency hiss. In fact the noise floor is higher than any other preamp in my rig, including the ART Pro Channel with its 4 tube gain stages. On the VC6Q I don't mind the noise floor, since I use that unit predominately for electric guitar amps and other loud sources. However, since the VC3Q is promoted as your "gold channel" I think it's important to note the high noise floor. I would not suggest using the VC3Q for all of your tracks or tracks that will be particularly "naked".

I believe the VC1Q is much quieter and has a better pre.

http://prorec.com/prorec/articles.ns...256A12001B185A

[Leeking]

Originally posted by alanhyatt
The VC3Q likes to be pushed on the front end as it has loads of headroom. If you simply push it until you see the red led lighting up on the meter, then you are not really using it. You have to push it hard so the red led glows solid. If you push too hard, you will hear distortion, so pull it back a bit if you do.

Alan,

I follow your advice to in making sure my signals is really hot at the front end of the VC3Q.... the meter stays at the red LED most of the time... and the sound is good!

only thing is that the O/L (overload) LED will be red hot most of the time as well... is this ok? cos in the manual, it asked us to watch out for the O/L button....

Alan or other VC3Q owners, pls advise.

[chessparov]

Leeking, I've followed Alan's advice about hitting the VC3Q
strong and my unit seems to work just fine-sounds better too.
The important thing is to back off if you're getting distortion.

[PG13]

Originally posted by chessparov
Leeking, I've followed Alan's advice about hitting the VC3Q
strong and my unit seems to work just fine-sounds better too.
The important thing is to back off if you're getting distortion.

What do you mean by Hitting the VC3Q Strong? you mean Actually
adding some Elbow Grease and Pushing it in hard? wont that Break something inside?

[chessparov]

PG, "hitting the VC3Q strong" was only meant in the context of Alan Hyatt's
comments on this thread-sorry for any confusion. (so don't use a hammer!)
Once you get the hang of a Meek unit (no big deal BTW) they tend to
become habit forming as the compression and EQ sections sound great,
and the mic pre is quite nice too-great value altogether!

[Leeking]

ok, the VC3Q is gonna get some brutal punishment from me tonite!!