pre-amps pre-amps... up to my armpits in pre-amps!!!

[signal2112]

Yes, I know, another tired old what should i buy question....
but i think i've gone past the "using what i've got" stage of digital pc recording to where i'm ready to by some equipment, and need some help. i need a pre-amp, so i'll just list the ones i'm looking at and you can let me know what you think. i'm recording only myself into my computer, doing acoustic guitar stuff as well as vocals and hooking up my roland td-5 for drums.
here goes.....

1.)behringer Ultragain Pro MIC2200

this one looks good for the tube warmth it could create for my lifeless digital recordings. however ive noticed that people say that rack mont units tend to be noisier?

2.)behringer mx1604a eurotrack mixer

this one ive heard was quiet and also read this boasting in musicians friend. do i need all these nobs and sliders? are the pre-amp componants in mixers as good as a dedicated rack mount?

art tube preamp (the one for $100 bucks)
this seems to be the swiss army knife of musicians. it seems cheap enough, but can it hold up to the above units?

behringer mx602a eurotrack mixer

this is small, and looks to be all i need.
does the fact its smaller and cheaper than the mx1604a hurt it's quietness?

a free monkey on a stick to all who reply!!
thanks guys....

[Buck62]

All preamps have some sort of noise, but how much you spend definitely has an impact on how much noise you'll get.
The Tube MP is ok for the money.. if you're just recording for yourself. Same goes for the Behringer units. But, if you want to get into true "pro-quality" sound, you'd have to look at units starting at around the $1,000 and up range.
The best consumer-grade units (which call themselves "pro audio") are probably what you are looking for, as far as being quiet, warm, and having a decent amount of versatility (compressor, eq, and meters).
Some good units in the $400 to $600 dollar range are .....

Joe Meek VC6Q: Great, warm "British" tones, and easy to use. Very low noise. It'll make your vocals sound better than ever. This unit is the best value of them all for the money.
Approx: $450 US

ART Pro Channel: Lots of verasatility. Warm tones that go from creamy to screamy. Great for use on vocals and guitars. Close to the sound of the preamps that cost twice as much.
Approx: $640 US

Focusrite Platinum: This preamp is about as "noiseless" as you're gonna get for the money. It's a bit transparent compared to the others, but has some nice features and the same company makes units that cost in the thousands. This is a more affordable version.
Approx $600 US

All 3 of these units have built-in compressors and eq's.

Some other worthwhile units to consider are....
DBX386
Mindprint Envoice
Presonus (multiple models)

These are all fine units that will improve your vocals and guitars tremendously.
I know that spending that much money is not what you wanted to hear, but then again, NOISE is not something you want to hear either.
Spend your money once, or be prepared for LOTS of frustration.




[This message has been edited by Buck62 (edited 06-16-2000).]

[Rusty K]

Well I should have read this a couple of days ago. I brought home an Art Tube Preamp.
It sucks. I've got an old MXR 10band preamp I can use if I want that kind of noise. My ART will be returned tomorrow.

I guess I'll save my pennies for some of the afore mentioned preamps.

Is there a possibility of picking up something like this used?

Rusty K

[Buck62]

Sure, but you have to hunt around for something decent.
Try ebay, your local "Trader" newspaper, or just scour the local music stores.

[Ears]

http://www.mindprint.com

The Envoice. It is......

[dobro]

Signal - it depends what you're used to - I got a couple of ART Tube MPs after using inexpensive digital preamps, and I was really pleased with the result. Eventually, I'd like one of the more expensive units listed on this page, but in the meantime, I need to get going with the budget I've got.

And like you pointed out, the ART Tube MP is a well-known standard, so you can sell easily later on. (But not to Rusty, apparently... )

Yo Signal 2112 -- hike -- end around for a TD!

When you want to hear a great mic pre, listen and check out the mic-max by MartinSound, they're on the net.

They make two units; one is under 1k and the other is over 1k; but, from my research, it is supposed to be a very good mic pre. Once in a great while, someone on this site says, "Oh, Yeah, man, I'd love to have a MartinSound pre....but...." They are a bit expensive. I use the ART dual channel mic pre but some day soon, it will be MartinSound.

Yo, have fun....
Green Hornet