Pre amps - $1000

[BuildingStudios]

... I apologize if this has been discussed befor. Im looking to buy an outboard pre amp mainly for vocals probably alot of other stuff to. Im pretty familiar with the gear in the under $500 range but im not sure what i should be looking for if i was willing to spend say $1000 - $1200. I was thinking mabey avalon? im not sure, and i'll probably use ebay so think used prices (unless anyone thinks ebay isnt a good idea for this level of gear) ...

A little background on the gear i'll be using this with ... For vocals - at4050 into Rnc
mabey for acoustic or overheads ? - akg c451's
I dont know if this helps but... ok
Thanks alot

ps: Im mostly looking for layering capabilitys (being able to have use this pre a couple of times in a mix and not have to over EQ to seperate... )

[Recording Engineer]

Originally posted by BuildingStudios
ps: Im mostly looking for layering capabilitys (being able to have use this pre a couple of times in a mix and not have to over EQ to seperate... )

I was going to mention a few others in your price range such as the Brent Averill 1272 or one of then current Old School Audio preamps, but since you mention that above, I most definitely say the DaviSound TB-6 for sure! I've had VERY good success with my DaviSound preamps for exactly what you said above!

http://www.davisound.com

[BuildingStudios]

thanks alot for the reply... I checked up on the davisound pres. the tb-6 is a 4 channel pre... and honestly all I need is a 2 channels (if that). What are your thoughts on the tb-9 or tb-10? are they generally the same thing or better or what??

[Recording Engineer]

The TB-9 is a Class A power amp... Not a preamp... So that's out...

The TB-10 uses the EXACT same pres as used in the TB-6, The only difference is the TB-10 uses a different housing, is 2-ch., and is more expensive.

If you don't forsee yourself ever using 4-ch. at once (most likely you eventually will) and you can swing it, the TB-3 is an excellent way to go! I own one! It's 2-ch. of the same pres as in the TB-6 and TB-10, with a VERY versatile 2-ch. opto compressor. I use mine on nearly ever track!

I also have a TB-1 (it's a 2-ch preamp), but I don't think that's the route to going if stacking tracks with the same preamp, as things would probably muddy-up pretty quickly if using the TB-1 that way. It's too warm and fuzzy for something like that. It DOESN'T use the same pres as the others. It uses a FET input gain stage, a single tube gain stage for BOTH channels, and a Class A output gain stage.

If not going for the TB-3, the TB-6 would be your most cost effective DaviSound preamp, regardless if you don't think you'll use those other channels.

[jet-rocker]

Or.... you could get one RNP for $500.

-Jett

[JuSumPilgrim]

Im TOTALLY with you on the layering/stacking tracks ability of a pre. I think its a huge point thats missed by alot of people. If you are going to have a dense, textured mix then you dont want to be layering tracks (especially if youre doubling alot of tracks) with a pre with alot of bottom or low mids like alot of the most famous pres,,neve, api, great river, UA, phoenix,,,those pres are good for A -as in singular- guitar track or A main vocal. On drums, acoustic, cello and 85% of your other tracks you want accurate neutrality more than anything so your tracks will stack up without an accumulation of mud. Same goes for mic choices.

For $1k, definitely check out what 2 RNPs will do for you.

[Dot]

BuildingStudios, for a single mic pre in the $1000 range, the John Hardy M-1 at about $950 can not be beat – especially for acoustic. You can also bypass the transformer on the M-1.

Another single-channel option is the Speck MicPre 5.0. Beautiful high-gain pre for $850. Variable HP filter – which can go a long way towards not having to EQ after you've got it recorded. The 5.0 allows you to run transformer or transformerless with the flick of a switch.

Check http://www.mercenary.com for the John Hardy and the Speck.

Now, if you want more than one channel, I would highly suggest the Sytek MXP-4Aii. You can find them new on Ebay for around $750. The MXP offers 4 channels and you can get J-FET opamps in channels 3 and 4 for a little sonic variety. The MXP is transformerless and a very fast mic preamp – which makes it great for OH's and drums. Don't be fooled by the price, these are the pres that were originally designed for the Neotek Elan.

The 2-channel SPL Goldmike is also under $1000.
http://www.soundperformancelab.com/G.../in_short.html

[Recording Engineer]

ALL the preamps mentioned will certainly do the job and thensome... I KNOW you'd be happy with ANY of them! But if $ is an issue, you certainly won't do any better than the TB-6 when it comes to a priceerformance ratio! And, it will cetainly hold it's own next to ANY pre, just like ALL the others mentioned!

I can post a few samples of my TB-3 at work, if you care to hear...

[ambi]

so avalon isn't really that great?

So you think its best to use a different preamp on most of the different instruments, so that you don't build up the particular frequency range that it excentuates? What if you don't really have a choice. Say i have an ART studio mp, a bunch of mackie vlz pro channels, and say one really high end preamp.

Honestly i'd be tempted to use the high end preamp for EVERYTHING, considering the way i record is one instrument at a time. Just because i would want the best sound for the instrument.

Im guessing this is wrong, what way would you do it? Idealy you'd have a bunch of mics and preamps, and pick the right ones for the right job. But assuming you only have a couple mics, maybe only 1 for each task, and a couple preamps. only 1 really good one...


edit

"Well that brings up an intresting internal debate about my plans for near future purchases. Considering i will most likely only record a max of 2 channels most of the time, with the acception of me maybe recording drums off of a friend, IF i get the chance. Which is unlikely, but if it happens i can always rent a little mackie for a week. But anyways, if im really only doing one thing at a time, with the max of 2 mics for a stereo recording, maybe 3 if i want a room mic for a cool effect, so i need a mixing board? I mean, couldn't i just take the money from the price of a used mackie 1604vlz pro, and invest it in one really solid 2 channel preamp? Instead of using the mackie preamps for everything, which i would really only be using 2 channels of, i could get a really high end preamp, and use that for everything.

Does this have any logic to it? Now i would buy a mixing board in the future, just incase i got a drum kit, or i needed one for something, but i could always rent one. i was just thinking to myself right now about why i would buy a mackie 1604vlz pro, and the answer was preamps, and volume control for my monitors (when i get them). So why not just get a really nice preamp and use it, and then maybe get that cheap behringer mini mixer for a patchbay/monitor control.

Once again, would this make sense for me, or do you think the mixer would be good for other things?

hmm, this is gonna drive me crazy. for about 700US can you get a really good 2 channel preamp? Cause i figured i could get a mackie 1604vlz pro for 500-700US on Ebay.

[tmix]

Ambi,
After many years of usng a mixer for a front end (I am a drummer)
so I could record drums etc. I am now using a handful of dedicated pres (RNP -ART-etc) and just using the mixer for monitoring, just like you thought.

I am muuuuch happier with the results I am getting.
As with any suggestion, your mileage may vary,but my suggestion is start off with a stereo "clean sounding" pre and later add others to taste. Buy for what you will need 80-90% of the time and borrow-rent for the other 10%. Your investment will go a lot longer.

(oh-by the way- the mixer I was using was a mackie 1604vlz pro)

tmix

[ambi]

YEa TMIX, i figured the mackie would eventually turn into a monitor control unit. Quite expensive for a monitor control unit.

I was also thinking of getting a used 1202vlz pro for like 100-200 dollars on Ebay. Then i'd have 4 CHEAP, and decent mic pres to start with. That way when the thing gets turned into a monitor control unit it won't be as bad.

[Dot]

ambi said. So you think its best to use a different preamp on most of the different instruments, so that you don't build up the particular frequency range that it excentuates?

No, that's not necessary at all, especially with a good clean pre like the John Hardy M-1. You can use that on every track.

[deadleafecho]

Originally posted by ambi

I was also thinking of getting a used 1202vlz pro for like 100-200 dollars on Ebay. Then i'd have 4 CHEAP, and decent mic pres to start with. That way when the thing gets turned into a monitor control unit it won't be as bad.

this is what i did for My First Mic Pre (tm) Bought a used 1202 vlz pro for about 250 on ebay, dont think youll find one worth buying for less than that. i started on an Art tube pac actually, and hated it. Vlz pro is a much cleaner pre. And eventually ill use the mackie for whatever else, monitoring or what not

[ambi]

yea good call for sure. How much for a John Hardy?

i think i'll go for a mackie 1202 on ebay for about 250 for a starter.