Best 1-channel preamp ~$500 for Vocals only?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aznwonderboy
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aznwonderboy

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Most of the time, I only need to layer about 3 vocal tracks or fewer. So, the preamp I am looking for has to really excel on vocals.

My understanding is that either the Grace 101 and the FMR RNP are around my price range and have received good reviews. However, I read that Grace 101 is best for classical, and RNP is good for instruments that need high headroom such as kicks. Since I am not dealing with any instrument, I figure that these 2 preamps won't do me much good for my money's worth.

I have a DMP-3 now (and have tried a VTB-1). Although it's good, I want to see if I can get a noticeably better preamp about $300-$500 to record VOCAL only; I don't care about its performance on acoustic, bass, drums, etc. In addition, I only need 1 channel. (I don't have to worry about instrumental music because I get it from karaoke.)
 
In that price range, the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 preamp will blow away the competition as a vocal preamp. It retails for less than $200, so you could afford to get one and stock up on a bunch of different tubes to use in it.

- Jerfo
 
The GT Brick can be had for less than $500, it'll be a great color pre compliment to your squeaky clean DMP3.
 
Actually, I want to replace my DMP3 for simplicity.

Wow, these two units above are not very attractive looking, are they? Hehe.
 
The options are few and far between in that price range.

I'd say keep using the DMP-3 until you can afford $800-1000ish on the preamp selectio. You'll see a lot of doors open up in that price range.

Chameleon 7602
A-designs MP-1
John Hardy
etc
etc
etc...
 
Thanks for the advice. However, I do this homerecording thing as a hobby.

Now that I have decided on a spending limit for a preamp, I want to get the best one for the task within that spending limit. If I don't set an absolute limit for myself now, then I'll face many "Save your money up for the....." advices in the future. There has to be a point of spending so much for the sake of a hobby; and that point for me is $500 for a worthy 1-channel preamp.
 
Would you consider buying used, or does it have to be a new preamp? A few weeks back I saw a Dan Alexander single channel pre on the 'bay for about what you're looking to spend. $500 for a used pre can probably get you something quite good - maybe an old Altec or RCA or something like that.
 
Would you consider buying used, or does it have to be a new preamp? A few weeks back I saw a Dan Alexander single channel pre on the 'bay for about what you're looking to spend. $500 for a used pre can probably get you something quite good - maybe an old Altec or RCA or something like that.
Click to expand...

I prefer buying a used one because my dollar stretches further.
 
Ive been happy with the vocals Im getting from my Toft EC1. Look hard and you may find one at your price. I did. It has everything you need inside of it.

H2H
 
From what I've read in the last six months the Brick would be your best choice.
 
Purchased a Grace 101 awhile back and have been impressed with its smooth operation, clean translation & capable handling of mic'd signal sources w/o the unwanted "colored" residue when using hi-sens condensors.
 
If this is "just a hobby," then honestly I don't see any benefit whatsoever in spending $500 on a mic pre. As a hobbyist, you're probably not going to reap in any hugely noticeable gain in recording fidelity even if you spend a grand on something, so I'd advise to just stand pat with what you have. Which is actually just fine / pretty good for most purposes.

Unless you just like spending extra money on stuff. In that case, just get whatever looks cool in your rack. :D Seriously.
 
Your wording imples that you'll only be using karaoke backing tracks to boot. I go with Chessrock's wisdom above.
 
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