Difference between MIC PREAMPS??????

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hottsauce_21

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OK, i'm looking to buy a good mic preamp, but when i look at them and read what they say some sound different. I need to know what are some MIC PREAMPS that have ALL FEATURES on them. Or at least alot of features. Also can someone explain to me what they do and everything. I have about $1000 to spend on one, so please could someone tell me what would be a really good one to get to use, so my vocals will come out CLEAN and GREAT. I don't need a lecture saying i need a mic too, Cuz i got a good one, so can someone just fill me in on great mic preamps and describe what they do and what what means.

Thanks
 
All the best gear in the world won't help you if 1) there's no "great" talent in front of the mic, and 2) there's no talent behind the console.

A $500 4-track in the hands of a skilled engineer will get better results than a novice behind a Neve console!

You want "great" gear? Go to http://www.mercenary.com -- take your pick.
 
Great River, Old School Audio, or Phoenix Audio UK. They all offer one channel versions of top shelf gear that in the overall scheme of things is quite cost effective. Good Luck.

Nathan Eldred
atlasproaudio.com
 
For your $1,000, you could get a Grace 101 and an FMR RNP. You'd get two mic preamps that will get most everything done for you. You'd get clean realism with the Grace and a little bit of color and growl with the RNP. Some people who know the old RCA mic preamps say the RNP nails that sound.

The Great River ME-1NV is a wonderful mic preamp as Nathan points out. It gives you a classic Neve sound but with tighter sonics. The Great River ME-1NV and MP-2NV are arguably the most versatile mic preamps made.

If you want the classic tube sound, then look a the A Designs MP1 or MP2. These mic preamps have that traditional, old school hi-fi tube sound that gives you what you put into it and gives the sound a much bigger bandwidth.

Another option might be the Sytek MPX-4Aii. It's a four channel mic preamp that sells for about $800. Steve Albini loves these. If you go this route, get the JFET option on channels three and four to give you an extra color.

Also, there is the John Hardy M1 Personal mic preamp. I've never used one so I won't comment on the sound. But, they come highly recommended.

Steve, Mojo Pie
 
Close to the same reccomendation for me but Id replace the grace with a high performance 8 channel like my Yamaha MLA7 so he can record live, and sets of drums.
 
The Roland mic modeler???

You shouldn't write stuff like that. Some poor guy might lay some money on that rather than a good mic preamp.

Steve, Mojo Pie
 
There's wisdom in what the "Bear" said.
If this is for an important project, you'd be better off using the money towards pro studio time, almost without exception.
Assuming that's why you wanted CLEAN and GREAT vocals.
The acoustics of the room can play a huge part in this too.
Not many homereccer's have spent thousands on acoustic design.

Chris
 
chessparov said:
There's wisdom in what the "Bear" said.
If this is for an important project, you'd be better off using the money towards pro studio time, almost without exception.
Assuming that's why you wanted CLEAN and GREAT vocals.
The acoustics of the room can play a huge part in this too.
Not many homereccer's have spent thousands on acoustic design.

Chris
Click to expand...

Here is the dilemma:

1. Most home recordists will get a better product and actually save money by going to a commercial studio; but
2. A good percentage of commercial studios put out quality that you'd think was made by some guy at home; and
3. There are always those few guys who can make commercial quality stuff at home in ordinary surroundings; and
4. There are times that they like to go and work with a knowledgeable engineer such as Blue Bear in a good facility.

I think that makes sense. Anyhow, if you can hook up with someone like Blue Bear with a decent facility, then you'll be happier from an artistic perspective and have more money in the long run. Unless, you're one of those few who has the ears, years and gear as Harvey says.
 
hottsauce_21 said:
I have about $1000 to spend on one, so please could someone tell me what would be a really good one to get to use, so my vocals will come out CLEAN and GREAT.
Click to expand...

A John Hardy "Personal M-1" fits the "CLEAN" and "GREAT" part of the equasion to a "T" for <$1k
 
Besides "'clean" (yes, "dirty" can be a good thing), you may also want to decide if you want this particular preamp to have a "sound"' or not. That'll maybe start pointing you in a closer direction.
 
I agree with Fletcher. IMO, the John Hardy Personal M-1 is the best pre under $1K, period. There's not a single pre under $1K that will touch it. It's not squeaky clean like a Grace, but it's good clean. Very musical, tight and focused. You can also bypass the transformer for an even cleaner sound.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
Dot said:
I agree with Fletcher. IMO, the John Hardy Personal M-1 is the best pre under $1K, period. There's not a single pre under $1K that will touch it. It's not squeaky clean like a Grace, but it's good clean. Very musical, tight and focused. You can also bypass the transformer for an even cleaner sound.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
Click to expand...

Jeez, I guess the FMR RNP is slipping here, it used to be "the best pre under 1K period!"........... Now there is a new boy on the block?????
 
hottsauce_21 said:
I have about $1000 to spend on [a mic preamp]
Click to expand...

OK, so you record your music directly to a computer by rapping to prerecorded music playing on your CD in the background. But you wanna shell out $1000 for a preamp?

Right...
 
hottsauce_21 said:
I don't need a lecture saying i need a mic too, Cuz i got a good one...
Click to expand...

I thought you said in another post that all you had was some $20 Radio Shack mic?
 
hottsauce_21 said:
YEAH, THE TOPIC IS MIC PREAMPS, NOT MICS
Click to expand...

If you ask for a wine recommendation, it helps to mention what you'll be serving it with.
 
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