Really Nice Mic Preamp Question

[PinkStrat]

A very simple inquiry guys. Say you've got a Roland VS workstation and a four-track analog deck and are looking for a really decent sounding mic preamp? You've got killer mics, guitars amps and all the other tools of the trade (except a nice mic pre).

Am I being reasonable to assume that the RNP will keep the sonic character(s) of my guitars and amps no matter what mic I throw into the RNP... whether it's an old SM-57 or MD421 U5 or a myriad of LD/SD condenser mics such as a AT 4047SV or AKG C414 etc.? I just want a nice sounding natural microphone preamplifier that is better than a modified ART TubePac. Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

[Recording Engineer]

The RNP will, as a general comment, keep the sonic character(s) of your guitars and amps, AND the sonic character(s) of the mic(s) used on them.

 

[PinkStrat]

Thanks much for the advice. I think I'll get in touch with Mercenary Audio and grab me one of these thangs.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Well, Pink, I've spent the better part of 2 years defeating the cruddy pres in a Roland VS1824CD with a DBX386, a Joemeek twinQ, and an Avalon AD2022, and I can tell you that any of them make the VS studio produce *much* better sound.-Richie

 

[PinkStrat]

Thanks for sharing your plight concerning fighting the crappy Roland preamps Ritchie. I've been doing the same thing for four years. FWIW, I've heard that the Focusrite Trak Master is pretty nice sounding too?