Best way to get 4 or more better than good pres, for about $1000

[musiclover7]

I think I am ready to expend about a grand upgrading the preamp section of my studio. For my part, I am looking for one box, that has potentially 4 or more good pres in it, for about $1000.00, or I am looking to be convinced why this might be a bad way to go. Right now, I have 3 cheap pres in my studio, one of which just broke... vtb-1 (power input), and I am ready to simplify and upgrade...

Any advice appreciated...

 

[cnix]

On your budget, consider something like 2 RNP's. You would have 4 imputs, and improved pre-amps in your price range.

Charlie

 

[second skin]

i don't own either but i would be inclined to go with a used rnp and then find a way to spend the rest. personally i have been very curious about the mpa gold, especially for it's input impedance control. they get very good reviews.

 

[musiclover7]

What if I could afford to spend $1200?

 

[bubbagump]

Mackie Onyx pres are a really quite great for the money.

 

[JuliánFernández]

Used Focusrite ISA 428...

And later you can add the AD Card... A killer combo, IMHO.

 

[second skin]

another thing...why does it need to be one four channel box. two sets of two channels would give you more sounds.

 

[Booda]

Sytek and a Brick.

4ch of clean and 1 of color. I do have the Sytek and like it very much. I see em go used between $650-$750 and $800 new. Don't have the Brick (yet) but it gets great reviews and seems like a good inexpensive way to get into a decent Tube Pre.

 

[guitar zero]

Here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sytek-MPX-4Aii-...urr-Brown_W0QQitemZ140239965572QQcmdZViewItem

 

[giraffe]

the rnp, the sytek (i like the regular better then the bb's) and the brick are all excellent choices.

 

[misterlong]

4 or more pres for $1000

Hi there
I was in a similar position a while ago. I started trawling ebay etc for old desk modules for racking. If you are handy or have a good tech you can get power supplies built. inputs and outputs wired in and you have some good channel strips for only a few quid!
However while I was trawling (mostly looking at old broadcast stuff, cos people don't know about it so it is cheaper), I found an old (late 70's I think)cm-2 chilton broadcast desk with 6 mic/line/eq modules, 4 stereo line modules, monitor and master section. I paid £220 for it. They were designed for the BBC after they decided that neve was too expensive, so they are of very high build quality. The pres are absolutely killer and the eq is great too. All got direct outs, so I run it straight into my DAW. I also found a 6 channel trident fleximix desk, whilst looking for a couple of modules to rack, complete with power supply, monitor and master section. I paid about 250 quid for that. so all in all 10 killer preamps for around 500 quid. I am sorted!! They take up a bit more space than rack stuff, but it is wel worth it for the quality and price!!
I attach a couplea pix. The chilton aint my one, cos it has 10 mic/lines in it, just havent got any pix of it here. It gives you the idea though. Mine is exactly the same, just with 4 stereo line modules on the left hand end. The fleximix is my one. I am looking for 4 more mic/line modules for the chilton if anyne knows where I can get em!!
It is well worth checking out some of this lesser known stuff. It can be a proper bargain!!
long x

 

[delusionboy]

chilton club

cool board!

I swear by a chilton 14 channel CM4 which i have used extensively. Love that thing.

You probably have downloded the PDF manual for your board at the chilton broadcast site. Have you noticed the link on that page for this joint in Norway that sells the Chilton modules after market? They are very pricey. but its the only place I've seen them.

not allowed to post the URLS myself apparently, but check em out.

cheers
M

 

[wheelema]

I think I am ready to expend about a grand upgrading the preamp section of my studio. For my part, I am looking for one box, that has potentially 4 or more good pres in it, for about $1000.00, or I am looking to be convinced why this might be a bad way to go. Right now, I have 3 cheap pres in my studio, one of which just broke... vtb-1 (power input), and I am ready to simplify and upgrade...

Any advice appreciated...

... ah... simplify. I was going to recommend a couple of Yamaha i88x, but nevermind.

You could do a lot worse than two RNPs.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Line6 UX8 Check it out at $500

 

[LP2006]

sytek MPX4aii

 

[pohaku]

What's the rest of your gear look like? Just askin so I have a better idea of what might match the rest of your signal chain.