Decent PRE for vocals and maybe kick drum

[pappy999]

Hello,
I am looking for a decent mic pre to compliment my current system.

I have a Digi 001 and a mackie 8 bus. I need something to give vocals a little more body and clarity. I will also use it during live tracking for kick or snare(I usually record a scratch track for vox during live tracking).

This new pre must be superior to the pres on my mackie 8bus and the digi001. I am looking to spend under $800 for one or two channels.

Thanks.

Phil

 

[jonnyc]

Well what kind of sound are you going for? In that price range you have a few decent choices. There's the brick by groove tubes, summits 2ba-221(?), grace 101, true systems psolo, or the new non rackmount UA610, also the RNP by FMR is nice, and don't forget API, for drums they're the shit. I'd be happy to have any of these pre's in my studio.

 

[jkokura]

If I had that cash to get a pre, I'd choose either a Toft EC1/AFC-2, a Mindprint Envoice, or an RNP. Problem with the API i syou need the box for them...

jacob

 

[jonnyc]

Regarding the API's, I've heard several people claim that third party developers of the "boxes" make a great product and at a huge savings compared to what API sells them at. And you gotta admit API's do kick total ass on drums, vocals however...

 

[jkokura]

I've heard about API's rep when it comes to drums. To be honest, I'd probably not get just API's in a box. I'd likely try to get a big box (like 12 spaces) and get 12 500 sized pres: 2 API 512c's, 2 Purple Audio Bizz pre's, 4 OSA (1 of each) pre's, and 4 A-designs (1 of each). I'd get a little of everything and use em all in different ways...

What do you think?

jacob