Can't choose between these 3 pre's

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Speeddemon

Speeddemon

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Hi, I'd like some opinions and other input.
I've been doin' research a lot (here, S.O.S., HC, etc) and I want to buy a nice mic pre amp this summer, but I can't decide yet between:
-Joemeek VC1Qs
-Presonus VXP
-Drawmer MX60.

From what I hear, the Joemeek rules pretty much, I like its stuff too, but the EQ on the Drawmer and Presonus are a bit more comprehensive...

Any thoughts on these 3?
I'll be using it with one of these(AT 4033 SE, Røde NT1000, AKG C3000B) for vocals, electric guitar and later on acoustic guitar and bass/kickdrum.
My musical genres are mainly 60's surf/70's rock/80's metal (from heavy to trash)

cheerz
 
Speedy......

I know from experience the VXP is clean and clear-sounding. Quite nice, actually! I haven't tried the others so I can't comment.....

Bruce
 
I have a VC1Qs pre...it's a very good unit. However, you ready to get Meek? Sounded that is!
 
Ready to get Meek?

What do you mean, lavoz? Something like: once you heard it, you fall in love with it?

Another thing, do you guys think these 3 are in the same league (quality/value wise)?

thanx,
Speedy
 
Man, when you are talking about preamps in that dollar range, dont go taking too many suggestions around here.....you need to audition those babies in person.......
 
I never got around to auditioning the drawmer but the lack of it in commercial studios and project studios speaks volumes. As far as the other two, I would steer clear of the VXP. Its ok but the meek is much more diverse and has a sound that you will enjoy having around for years to come. The VXP is a plain ordinary channel strip. The EQ is good, the compression works but the pre is ok, nothing special. You can get the same basic quality level by getting an RNC and a DMP3 and with the $100 left over buy some good cable or headphones or a 603, etc, etc. A couple of years ago the VXP might have been an attractive option but not now.
I would add the envoice to that short list. There you have a diverse channel strip that will do thick or thin. The pre itself without the EQ or compression engaged is very nice, detailed, and really quick on transients. Also check out the grace for a peek into the big boys' fridge. Watch out though, it might make you put up the rest of your midlevel pre collection on ebay....which might be smart bec you might make all your money back as the overvaluation rate there going on right now will get you within $10 of what you paid originally.

;)
 
blah....

Don't limit yourself to what you can get from frickin' Guitar Mart 2000. ;)

If I had that kind of money to spend on a pre, I'd probably be looking for good deals on a racked Neve or API.
 
Whats *that* kind of money? Hes talking about the $500 range not the $1k+ range.
 
Speed,

Meek will color you sound. Which to some is a good thing, to others, they can do without. Take the advice from Gidge, go and audition these units, if possible. I have never heard the Pre, or for that Drawmer, so I can't help you there. God Luck!
 
The mic pre on the meek is fine when used by itself...the opti compressor is what colors the sound (and the eq). I...along with alot of others (major label recording artists included) like the way the opti compresser colors the sound.
 
uhuh...hmm...yeah.uhuh...

I see what you mean.
-Yeah, Neve won't be affordable at all
-I don't have any other pre's yet (apart from those on my Korg D16)
-I may also want to buy an Audiobuddy or a DMP-3 to go with it, for my Sennheiser e609 and Shure SM57...
-I was already leaning towards the Meek...it's growing more ;)
-The Grace 101 - I heard good stuff about, but I like the EQ/compression/enhancer/VU on the Meek...
-I like to do some surf and rock songs, with a vintage sound, I think that opto-compressor would do the trick there...

Anyway more folks 'pro-Meek'? ;)

Oh, from that condenser-list, I think I go with the AT 4033 SE...
So in my bedroom-studio the AT-4033 SE + Joemeek VC1Qcs would make a friggin' front-end, wouldn't it?

cheerz
 
JuSum,

$500 for a preamp is somewhat out of my range and probably quite a few others here also....

my point was that i would guess (i could be wrong) that not a whole lot of people have tried all 3 of these preamps that were put before us so id would be very safe to say that self auditioning them is the way to go......
 
Speed, I have the model "down" from the VC1QS, the VC6Q
and love the sound of it! (compression/EQ portion)
The VC6Q's mic pre doesn't have the "current sense" feature
like the VC1QS, and is therefore somewhat superior as a pre.
The main reason I didn't go for the VC1QS was that I already
had a pretty decent mic pre in the Aphex 107 as it's quieter
than the pre in the VC6Q (and the VC3Q I also have).
I also already have a BBE "enhancer" outboard unit too.

P.S. If and when I upgrade from the Aphex 107, I'm going to
check out the Studio Projects VTB-1 because the concept
of adjustable tube gain expands the flexibility of the unit.
Also, make sure you test the C1 and C3 before getting
that AT4033, the concensus is pretty clear that those mikes
work better on vocals than the AT4033!
 
I'd test them all out....definately take a good look at the Grace before you buy though...
 
Speed,

You may want to check out the new GT66 mic. Played with one on Sunday and liked what I heard. It's price is inline with the Rode NTK and in a lot ways, sounds much better.
 
Today I ordered the 2 channel vcq1. It's kind of new and called the twin q or something. I've never used a Meek and guess curiosity got the best of me. I bought the dig. card with it and will track into a 1680 w/ c1 and AT4047. I'll let you know what I think next week. As I understand it's a dual channel vcq 1 without the enhancer, de-esser, and mid sweep eq. It does have 3 band eq. It also has "current sence".
 
Speeddemon said:


From what I hear, the Joemeek rules pretty much, I like its stuff too, but the EQ on the Drawmer and Presonus are a bit more comprehensive...cheerz
Click to expand...


Speeddemon

The EQ on the the other units are a bit more comprehensive, but the EQ on the Meek is a bit different, which is why it is called a Meequalizer. The circuit is designed to add a harmonic. The frequencies of each band are made to be very active and musical. While only a three band, the Meequalizer has a tonal quality that is magic on vocals, guitars, and all acoustic instruments.

The bands are also very active. When you turn the pot, you hear the change. The frequencies interact with each other making them offer a unique sound. It works very well with the entire unit rounding it off nicely. The enhancer is tricky, but very useful...it just takes time to understand it.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group
 
Well thanks for the insight, Alan.
Lavoz, the NKT is pretty out of my range, as it is far more expensive here in Holland... it's over $550 here!
When I'd be considering that price, the C3 and the Neumann TLM-103 would also be on my list (C3 is over $600 here... really Alan, I already mailed with the dutch distributor, Jules Stevenhagen, he gave me the dutch pricelist...Oh yeah, he said that there is no new C1 with pad switch and/or roll-off switch...)

Anyway, for the pre...I think Meek will be it then...
maybe with an extra Audiobuddy to have 2 mic pre's cleanly...

cheerz
 
Speeddemon, my understanding is that the M-Audio Audio Buddy
does not provide full 48 volt phantom power, therefore it will not
bring a condenser microphone that needs it up to it's "specs".
 
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