Can you grade these for me?

[Speeddemon]

I'm interested about the mic pre amp quality of the following ones, compared to the mic pre's of my Korg D16.

-Behringer MX1804
-Spirit Folio SX
-Mackie 1402 VLZ Pro
-M-Audio Audio Buddy
-Joemeek VC1Qcs

I might want to buy the Spirit and the Joemeek, and connect the Spirit's direct outs to my 8 inputs (1/4" jack TRS) of my Korg D16, so I can use the Spirit for signal distributing.

I also heard the EQ on the Spirit is more 'musical' than the ones on the Mackie.
So if you could give the little list above some grades (and/or comments) I'd be grateful.

cheerz,
Speedy

 

[tdukex]

Not a pro, but...

I have the Behringer MX802 (same pres as the 1804, I think), and I also have the VC1Qcs.

The Behringer pres are not bad. Pretty clean unless pushed too far.

The VC1Q rocks. Clean, compressed, it can do it all. The optical compressor is tasty, and the EQ is musical and easy to use. I'm not a big fan of the enhancer, but now I'm reading it can do a good job of livening up dull tracks.

I definitely recommend the VC1Q.

For a mixing board I wouldn't chose the Behringer over the Mackie.

I would look at the new Soundcraft M8, though. The two reviews I've read have been very favorable (Recording Mag, Homerecording Mag). One of these said the M8 had "similar" electonics to the Ghost series, the other said they used the exact same pres. What is true I don't know, but I'd give the M8 a hard look.

 

[charger]

I can try. Note that I haven't heard the Spirit Folio, but I don't think the folio series is in the same quality arena as the Ghost Spirit M line.

Of the ones I've heard:

1. Joemeek VC1Q
2. Mackie VLZ
3. M-Audio Audio Buddy
4. Behringer

 

[Gidge]

Ill second chargers order of preference...put the Spirit up there with the VC1Q....both nice preamps, but 2 different sounds that are hard to compare.......

speed, if you can swing the Spirit and the Joe Meek, that would be awesome....also check out the Spirit M-series.....

 

[VOXVENDOR]

My list matches Charger's...

 

[Speeddemon]

Ill second chargers order of preference...put the Spirit up there with the VC1Q....both nice preamps, but 2 different sounds that are hard to compare.......

speed, if you can swing the Spirit and the Joe Meek, that would be awesome....

Thanks dude, but are you referring to the SX I mentioned? or another Folio? 'coz frankly, when I am gonna buy a little mixer, it probably will be the Folio SX. Eventhough everyone says the Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro is da sh*t, it's too expensive.
I don't desperately need a mixer now, 'coz my Korg D16 still can act as a 24 channel mixer.

Oh yeah, someone mentioned the VC1Qs is in the same league as the Grace 101. Then I'll definately will go for the Meek; more options, big ass VU meter and when I need clean sound, I either turn the compressor off or check out the Audio buddy or DMP-3.

Any more advice gents? thanx again.

Speedy