ANY ONE? GRACE 101 Vs. FOCUSRITE VOICEMASTER PLAT. PRO???

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EMP CEO

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Ok im new here but looked like theres alot of knowledge gettin spread around here...

Im in the market to upgrade on my preamp and was looking to spend about 500$ and these are both in the range...

now altho ive heard with the focusrite pro theres alot of bells and whistle so to speak that the grace is a very very great preamp all around iif any one can dropp there thoughts about how they feel about these 2 products because from alot of research it seems that im down to these 2 fine preamps...and just can not figure what to go with....

also..incase you need 2 know...i use a delta 44 soundcard and i also run an akg 3000 but possibly will upgrade my mix aswell..

any help would be apreeshiated highly..
 
The budget Focusrite stuff isn't worthy of the name....... get the Grace.
 
Add the new Joe Meek's and the Safe Sound P1 to your short list along with the Grace. Both use the Burr Brown INA 217's pre chips which are "clean" like the Grace's. Either seem to offer more value IMHO than the Grace.

Chris
 
I own the Voicemaster and must say am very happy with it.
 
I am kind of with Blue Bear on the Focusrite stuff. I really only like the Red and Blue (ISA) series. However, they cost a lot more. The platinum stuff is usable though and does offer features. The Grace is a very transparent open preamp with a nice silky feel to it. In my opinion, definately a higher quality premp than the lower tier Focusrite stuff. I have not peronally used the new Joe Meek or the Safe Sound stuff so I cannot comment there.
 
Since owning the Grace, I have been satisfied with it's clean and clear perf!
 
EMP CEO said:
Ok im new here but looked like theres alot of knowledge gettin spread around here...

Im in the market to upgrade on my preamp and was looking to spend about 500$ and these are both in the range...

now altho ive heard with the focusrite pro theres alot of bells and whistle so to speak that the grace is a very very great preamp all around iif any one can dropp there thoughts about how they feel about these 2 products because from alot of research it seems that im down to these 2 fine preamps...and just can not figure what to go with....

also..incase you need 2 know...i use a delta 44 soundcard and i also run an akg 3000 but possibly will upgrade my mix aswell..

any help would be apreeshiated highly..
Click to expand...


I have the Avalon M5, Focusrite VM Plat Pro, Great River, Joe Meek, DMP3, RNP and an API. The one after the API that is most used is the Focusrite. Everytime I try a vocal through the most expensive (API) to the least expensive (DMP3), about 75% of the time, the Focusrite wins.
BTW: The "bells and whistles" are not useless at all. I thought like the others until I learned how to use them. They are very tricky to use, but do add alot when used right. The problem is that they are very easy to overuse. The settings give too much range and you think you are using "just a touch", but it is usually too much. Bring the settings down, and use the functions in the proper order (the functions like comp, de-esser, eq etc can be re-ordered and makes a huge difference)
 
I own a Twin Track Pro which is the stereo Channel Strip/pre from focusrite's platinum line. It has the same Pre's as the VM Pro, so I can comment on those. I've been really happy with it and often use it as my go to pre. Granted, I'm sure the ISA and RED are better, but for 550 bucks? these are GREAT pre's. I'm a fan :)

I never really liked the RNP either, I guess that makes me a member of the minority here, haha.
 
i really apreeshiate all the help fellas and i hate to ask this and i know its kind of irrlevant because every one has different vocals tones and approach's,but i notice it is kinda 50/50 every where i go with these 2 pre's altho i have yet to hear an audio that has been recorded with either...

is there any way one person with the grace and one person with tha vmp can show me an audio/recording(only vocals thats all i will use it for) that they have made useing there preamps...it would be extremly helpful for me to make my final decision and i will be sure to pass along the knowledge as i gain it...

thanks for tha help..
 
You really need to try these out on your stuff, I have the VMP, toft atc and others and all get used. It depends too much on what you want to accomplish, your sound, your chain, your voice, your guitar, your mic, yadda yadda yadda
 
well its only going to be used strictly for vocals only and im just looking for a nice crisp clean sound...and as close to a mainstream track as possible..and i stated my mic and soundcard on the first post it is...

delta 44-but will most likely be upgradeing to the emu very soon...
akg c3000-but im looking into buying the blue baby bottle...
my preamp is an art tube-very low end is my weakest link so im trying to step that up befor i do anything and this is where i stand at this point..

thanks again..
 
The VM Pro gets used on almost every tune I record because its a versatile little sucker. I did not go with the Grace because I did not want a crystal clear uncolored preamp. I wanted something that would color the sound and make it better than the real world.

The Grace is clear and detailed and if I was a jazz musician or classical artist, it would be my first choice.
 
EMP CEO said:
akg c3000-but im looking into buying the blue baby bottle...
my preamp is an art tube-very low end is my weakest link so im trying to step that up befor i do anything and this is where i stand at this point..
thanks again..
Click to expand...


Oh how I love my Baby Bottle. GREAT choice.
 
MF lists 108 pre amps. I don't know what to do. Avalon sure looks nice. I also have the Art, is it really that bad? I wouldn't actually know. How do you know it's so bad? What have you compared it with? I'd love to try some others out...
 
If you get a Baby Bottle...It has a very hot output..Get a inline pad..variable preferably..Good luck in your search
 
^^^ could u please enlighten me as to what you mean by that im not quite sure i get you..

middleman-mainly all tha artists in my area includeing myself produce hip hop material..so would u say tha grace would be a bad choice for the type of sound we are looking for and also i really do want just a crisp clear clean sound...to strat with because i can always mix and master the tracks in programs i use several but i need to have great quality to start with or other wise my process's are worthless..

and to the one guy...yes man i have found the arttube to be a great lil friend truthfully but its really low end i mean you get your moneys worth out of it...but its more of the ameature preamp like if u use it to start off with youll not know the difference but as time and research and listening to your tracks as is and what they could be with an upgrade youll want to soon upgrade...

thanks guys any one that can add anything i would apreeshaite it...
 
If you want it clean and clear the grace is the one to go with. Smooth sounding to my ears and detailed. But to some, bland sounding.

If you're looking for a little edge the VMPro would be my choice. It can also be slightly warm. Slightly grainy but with a tube mic this goes away. Not excessively detailed. Pops the vocal out front in a mix.

I think the sound you are after however, falls to a higher priced category of preamps like the Avalon.

Regarding quality, the answer to that can only be answered by your ears. Ones man's trash is another man's quality. I think you should find a pro audio shop in your area and rent some of these for the day. For $100 a day you can get several top quality preamps to play with.
 
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