Better than the AudioBuddy for less than 200

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rocket Boy
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Rocket Boy

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I was thinking about getting a VTB1 maybe. I don't know. 200 is the most I can justify right now for a pre, and my other one I'm using right now is an audiobuddy... so if i could get something a bit better then that for less than 200 dollars I'd be very happy. I don't have alot of money to spend, but I could afford something... and i know I'm not going to get something amazingly great for this much but I'm sure there's something out there better then what I have.

I also know that this thread has been brought up alot of times, but alot of the threads about it are old now... so i'd like to check to make sure nothing better has come along.
 
some options:

-aphex 107 around 100 for two channels.

-a used mackie board.

the 107 is a cool pre. even cooler than this guy: :cool: but perhaps not as cool as this guy: :eek:

Mike
 
You can't go wrong with an M-Audio DMP-3 for $159.
It's very popular on this board as well.
 
metalhead28 said:
You can't go wrong with an M-Audio DMP-3 for $159.
It's very popular on this board as well.
Click to expand...
I'll second the DMP3. Works great for me. Nice and clean, and inexpensive. And I also have the Audiobuddy.
ED
 
Dogman said:
I'll second the DMP3. Works great for me. Nice and clean, and inexpensive. And I also have the Audiobuddy.
ED
Click to expand...

Hey Ed I also have an Audiobuddy and I was thinking of getting the DMP3. Is there a big difference between the two or is the difference very subtle?
 
I'd go with a DMP3 even though I've never owned one. I have a couple VTB-1's and an M-Audio Tampa. The VTB-1's are nice budget pre's, but you're getting a little more bang for the buck with the DMP3 as it's a two-channel pre.
 
ocnor said:
Hey Ed I also have an Audiobuddy and I was thinking of getting the DMP3. Is there a big difference between the two or is the difference very subtle?
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To me it was very subtle. I think, but am not sure, that it seems to capture the fuller sound a bit better. Might just be my mind wanting to hear that, and maybe I just learned to use the mic's better. The vu meters do help a bit more in adjusting volume levels. But I would say the difference is subtle. Don't buy it expecting big difference or anything, as I believe it is still very clean. I like that myself.
Ed
 
Erm, maybe I should add a couple things. I already have a Mackie board, but have found that to be slightly more lacking then the AudioBuddy. Also, since I already have the AudioBuddy, I was thinking of the VTB1 because I figured the Dmp3 would probably be a subtle difference and I don't really need two more channels of the same thing... I'm looking for a single channel(unless theres an amazing two channel or the difference isnt THAT subtle) to add some warmth to guitar and vocals.
 
Don't have any personal experience with this, but people seem to like the new Electro Harmonix mic pre. It's "real" tube, not starved plate, so it'll definitely give you a different flavor than the audiobuddy.
 
Rocket Boy said:
I'm looking for a single channel(unless theres an amazing two channel or the difference isnt THAT subtle) to add some warmth to guitar and vocals.
Click to expand...

look into the rolls/bellari thing.

i'm so 1998.

Mike
 
You can do better then Rolls/Bellari. Most people I've seen around here that own a Bellari did some modifications to them that actually made them usable. I'm NOT saying they are junk, just that my observations tell me that out of the box, they need some help.

The Electro Harmonix mic pre I'd bet would be a decent choice for "flavor". Real tube not toob.
 
Rocket Boy said:
Erm, maybe I should add a couple things. I already have a Mackie board, but have found that to be slightly more lacking then the AudioBuddy. Also, since I already have the AudioBuddy, I was thinking of the VTB1 because I figured the Dmp3 would probably be a subtle difference and I don't really need two more channels of the same thing... I'm looking for a single channel(unless theres an amazing two channel or the difference isnt THAT subtle) to add some warmth to guitar and vocals.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you might be looking for a joe meek 3Q. It's defenitely a different flavour of pre, and has compressor and equalizer.
 
Rane ms-1b is a super simple mic pre (no instrument DI) with a gain knob and phantom power switch - that's it!

Never used the DMP-3 or Audiobuddy, but the ms-1b sounds really good to my ears, and generally is a well-respected mic pre.
 
cactuseskimo said:
It sounds like you might be looking for a joe meek 3Q. It's defenitely a different flavour of pre, and has compressor and equalizer.
Click to expand...
I second that!
Good bang for the buck.
 
Rocket Boy said:
Erm, maybe I should add a couple things. I already have a Mackie board, but have found that to be slightly more lacking then the AudioBuddy. Also, since I already have the AudioBuddy, I was thinking of the VTB1 because I figured the Dmp3 would probably be a subtle difference and I don't really need two more channels of the same thing... I'm looking for a single channel(unless theres an amazing two channel or the difference isnt THAT subtle) to add some warmth to guitar and vocals.
Click to expand...

I have two VTB1's and love 'em. VERY QUIET with LOTS of gain. Also, you can dial-in the tube circuit. Very retro looking, polarity switch, impedence switch, 75hz roll-off switch... Useful LEDS.
 
I decided to get the VTB1, basically because it was only 100 bucks and there was a store near me that carries it. I might get the joe meek when I have another $200 it seems like I have to turn up the input gain alot to get a decent signal? Using a beta58 and singing into it at a decent volume, I have the gain between 40 and 50. Am I missing something? I have the output level ll the way up... Are the outputs balanced?
 
For 100 bucks, if you want a good mic pre, get on Ebay and try and score a used Symetrix 201.

Good stuff.

You know that Symetrix is basically the same company as Lucid, right? Just checkin.'
 
Rocket Boy said:
I decided to get the VTB1, basically because it was only 100 bucks and there was a store near me that carries it. I might get the joe meek when I have another $200 it seems like I have to turn up the input gain alot to get a decent signal? Using a beta58 and singing into it at a decent volume, I have the gain between 40 and 50. Am I missing something? I have the output level ll the way up... Are the outputs balanced?
Click to expand...

Check out the manual that came with the preamp. The outputs XLR and 1/4", and the XLR inputs are balanced.

Set the impedence switch on the back at 200ohms.

Set your input gain first by having the LED's set in INPUT and having the yellow light flicker consistently, but never into the red.

Then turn your output dial until your recorder is getting the level it needs.

It doesn't matter if your input gain is at 40 to 50 because the VTB1 should be real quiet. Though that does seem a bit high to me. Make sure you've set the meter switch to monitor the input as you initially set the input gain...
 
It doesnt matter what the meter is reading... I have to have it up to like 3/4 to get a decent signal in my multitrack. It's alot higher then with the audiobuddy.
 
Next time? Instead of $200, maybe $300 instead?

You can get an ART GOLD MPA tube pre OR a Focusrite Trakmaster Pro for $299.
Either of these will be a step up for your studio. :)
BG/HSG
 
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