2-Channel Mic Preamps in $500-1000 ranged

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seafroggys
  • Start date Start date
SonicAlbert said:
I use a Universal Audio 2192, a unit that is probably out of your budget.
Click to expand...

Considering I would have to not only buy the UA, but change my entire recording format, yea it's way out of my budget.

Wait, I actually just assumed that you record into a computer & that you do it using SPDIF. Is that correct, or not? If not, how do you document your audio stream into your computer? Do you even use a computer?

Is it coincidental that the top of the line gear I've come across doesn't use firewire, or is firewire just consumer crap?
 
SonicAlbert said:
I now just save up and buy the good stuff first off. I think in the long run you really do end up spending less.
Click to expand...

I would have agreed before Ebay, but now I have found that with a little patience you can actually try all of these amazing products & possibly even sell the rejects at a profit. Except for the part where I end up keeping everything and am actually in debt because of it.

I don't need two mics for my stupid little project. I just can't seem to let go of either one.
 
tateros said:
Considering I would have to not only buy the UA, but change my entire recording format, yea it's way out of my budget.

Wait, I actually just assumed that you record into a computer & that you do it using SPDIF. Is that correct, or not? If not, how do you document your audio stream into your computer? Do you even use a computer?

Is it coincidental that the top of the line gear I've come across doesn't use firewire, or is firewire just consumer crap?
Click to expand...

You are used to thinking of converters being built into your audio interface. It's two different things really: converting audio and then transferring audio to your computer via firewire. What I do is use the 2192 for the conversion, and then go digitally from that into a digital input on my audio interface. From there it goes to the computer hard disk.

In addition, I use a firewire interface with my laptop but a PCI interface with my home studio desktop computer. The PCI interface sounds better in my opinion, even with the same converter. I've gotten into discussions about this here before and it has been explained to me in great detail how that can't possibly be the case, but in my experience transferring audio data from an interface to the computer sounds better if it is done via a PCI interface versus firewire. It's subtle, but audible. Maybe it's a jitter thing.
 
SonicAlbert said:
my audio interface.

The PCI interface sounds better in my opinion...it has been explained to me in great detail how that can't possibly be the case, but in my experience...the computer sounds better...via a PCI interface versus firewire. It's subtle, but audible.
Click to expand...

So what audio interface might that be that you have?

I have a Gina 3G (PCI) & an Focusrite Saffire (Firewire). The Gina sounds better, although it's probably due to many things aside from just the interface used.

Yea, but still.
 
I use a MOTU PCI 424 in my studio, and a MOTU Traveler with my laptop. I A/B'ed the two interfaces, playing back audio files in my home studio. The only variable was the interface itself. The PCI version edged out the firewire version by a hair. It was subtle.
 
tateros said:
Is your traveler Black Lion modded? If not, have you considered it, or have you heard it? What are your thoughts on the mod?
Click to expand...
Don't mean to jump in, but mine is -- I highly recommend it. The pres sound *a lot* better to my ears. It probably voids your warranty with MOTU. I had two channels on my Traveler flake out (got really noisy), I paid a small fee for a replacement from MOTU (even though I was not in warranty with them -- very good customer service, IMO), and one of the channels on the new one got really noisy. That's the one I sent to BLA - it came back with all 4 channels fully functional and quiet, and sounding much better than they ever had - I've been using it for about a year since the mod, and it's been very solid. Worst case is something happens to the unit, and I have to go back to MOTU to get a new one, and start over I guess, but that doesn't worry me too much.
 
tateros said:
Is your traveler Black Lion modded? If not, have you considered it, or have you heard it? What are your thoughts on the mod?
Click to expand...

Mine is not modded. I was doing the comparison purely in the digital realm, the conversion was happening after the interface. I was strictly interested in the data transfer only.

If I want better conversion than the Traveler what I do is hook up my UA 2192 to it. That pretty much does it for me.
 
The FMR Audio RNP has been mentioned several times, and I would like to add my opinion that the RNP is the best 2 channel pre for the price I have ever used. Check out humbuckermusic.com, I worked there for 2 years and can tell you that they have been the largest dealer of FMR products in the country. Also, they are giving away 2 free mic cables when you buy an RNP!
 
SonicAlbert said:
Mine is not modded. I was doing the comparison purely in the digital realm, the conversion was happening after the interface. I was strictly interested in the data transfer only.
Click to expand...
Makes sense -- the mod was only to the analog circuitry of the unit, and I did pick up their microclock as a separate piece - but neither of those functions would be implicated in SonicAlbert's scenario, I suppose

antichef said:
Don't mean to jump in,
Click to expand...
(doh! something like this happens every time I jump in :o :D )
 
SPDIF or AES, whatever is the most convenient at the time. I usually use the AES connection with the 2192.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top