mic preamps

[discordJF]

I am currently recording with a roland vs- 1680 and some shure 57's, 58's, and an akg d-112 to record drums. I am looking in to using mic preamps like the ART mp. Can someone please explain the pros and cons of running the mics into the preamps and then the vs-2680 compared to running them directly into the vs-1680. Thanks.

[Dragon]

Why do you want a preamp in the first place?

[discordJF]

I wanna try to get some different, better sounds then the ones I'm currently getting. I don't know if a mic preamp will help me or not, that's why I'm asking what would be better. I recording metal type stuff (Metallica, Pantera) to give you an idea of what type of sounds I'm looking for.

[Dragon]

Well, that's a fair answer. I don't pretend to be a metal expert, and certainly not a metal drum expert, but my impression of heavy metal drums is a very big, crisp sound. My impression of seperate mic preamps is that they're more intended for top-quality vocal/instrument mics, not necessarily SM-5* dynamics being used for drums. I'm wondering aloud whether you might not get a lot more mileage out of a compressor/gate to tighten up the drum sounds...anybody else?


[This message has been edited by Dragon (edited 09-21-1999).]

[S8-N]

Hey guy...
Sonusman swears by the ART dual tube preamp. I just ordered one... They are cheap enough... He says that the tube compression mimmics that of analog tape, giving tracks that warm, fat sound. I can see how this would be a valuable tool to counteract the digital sterilicity of PC recording...
If I'm not mistaken he runs just about damn near everything through them. I can see why a tube preamp would be needed on the kick and snare... Two channels...Two drums... Two hundred bucks... I dunno I think it is a wise investment... Ask again in a month or so...