Bypassing interface preamp

[thomazzz]

Hey guys! Lurked on this forum forever and finally joined up.

So I've been getting song ideas down and doing little demos with an ATA2020 straight to garageband on my macbook. I just fell into a bit of cash that I'd like to spend it on some legit (sounding) gear. I just picked up a GAP pre-73 from a friend in a trade for a dd20 i hadn't touched for years. What I want is a recommendation on a good interface that will allow me to bypass the internal preamps. I don't need a lot of channels since this is just a project studio for me alone; 1 is fine, 2 might be nice for stereo, etc. but not a deal breaker for me. I liked the price of the Apogee One and it looked interesting but you cannot bypass the preamp.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Happy New Year as well!

 

[wheelema]

All A/D/A (interface, soundcard, mixer, etc.) that accept line level signals. Even the Apogee One... it just cuts it down to a single channel.

 

[Jim Lad]

Congratulations on the Golden Age.
That's a huge purchase for someone who is just starting out.
May I be the first to suggest that you "Up" your microphone to something worthy of the GAP 73 and also, don't even consider an audio interface with less than two channels.
My suggestion.... M- Audio, Fast Track Pro (make sure it says "Pro") and any microphone in the $250 + bracket.
Your mic is entry level but your preamp is up there.

 

[thomazzz]

Congratulations on the Golden Age.
That's a huge purchase for someone who is just starting out.
May I be the first to suggest that you "Up" your microphone to something worthy of the GAP 73 and also, don't even consider a preamp with less than two channels.
My suggestion.... M- Audio, Fast Track Pro (make sure it says "Pro") and any microphone in the $250 + bracket.
Your mic is entry level but your preamp is up there.

Thanks, man. It was a straight trade for a pedal I didn't like and didn't use so it didn't feel like it cost me much.

I like the description of the Fast Track Pro and will do further research on it. Thanks for the rec.

I meant to mention mics in my original post. I have an sm57 and an mxl 990 that I used to use with an old art preamp into a 4track but the AT2020/garageband was my first attempt at digital recording. But I am planning on adding a better quality mic with more character to the mix. Maybe something like a Rode Nt1? Or a higher end MXL? The purchase of the pre-73 got me looking at other GAP products and was shocked at how reasonable the prices of their ribbon mics are... actually almost all of their mics, ribbon or otherwise, can be had for under $250.

 

[Jim Lad]

I have the Golden Age Pre 73 (only just got it) and the Golden Age R1 MK II active ribbon mic (That's my avatar).
I love it but ribbons are very fussy.
Someone with more knowledge than myself can probably point you in the right direction with regards to microphones.

 

[thomazzz]

Cool mic; that's the one I was thinking about. Or grabbing a pair of the FC2's.

Has anyone used the MOTU Microbook? Or direct me to some reviews? It sounds pretty cool and seems pretty close to what I'm looking for for half the price of a duet.