Drum Mic Preamps?

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gnash

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What are good choices for drum mic preamps? I have an AKG D112 on kick, 57 on the snare, Seinnheiser 604's on toms, Rode pair for cymbals. I have an ART Pro Vla for starters. I'm Looking at the Focusrite octopre line for under a grand. Are there any specific preamps, parametric eqs, or compressors designed for these aplications.
 
I've never heard of a specific drum preamp, I guess what you're looking for is something with a good transient response etc. There's a ton of stuff out there like the Mackie Onyx mixers but for a single rack space the SP828 deserves a listen. I still have limited use of one but it sounds fine and has a nice monitoring mixer built in.

War
 
The API pres are commonly used on drums. The pres themselves are about $450 each and you have to buy the power supply separately (they are also compatible with OSA and a couple of other similar power supplies).
 
I'm not really sure where you found API pre's for $450 a pre? Sounds like you are talking about the 512c w/ the box which can get pricy for just pre's But if you want some compressors and eq's you could get the api lunchbox when pre's and comps.

If you just need pre's this this
http://www.mercenary.com/api314chanmi.html

For something fancy...
http://www.rupertneve.com/portico5012.html around 1,500 I think for 2 channels
http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/2005/5012.html

These API & Neve pre's can be useful for MANY more things then just drums. But they do a fine job on drums!

Daking also makes a 4 channel rack unit for under 2 grand.

But for 8 pre's under 1,000 I'm not really sure. I'd save up and get some pre's you will never have to worry about upgrading!
 
Let's see. The kick, snare, toms, and all percussion on this song were ran through ART MP's. As well, the guitar, bass, trumpet, trombone, sax solo) and Leslie horn's.

The overheads and sax (in the horn line) were a TLA Classic, mainly because we had no more ART's. :)



You could be set with 8 channels for under $500. Sounds reasonable to me. ;)
 
Thanks for everyones input. I checked out the API site. I'd Love to get an Avalon or some piece of Universal Audio gear, but I just don't see it happening right now. I would like to find something that will handle a whole drum kit. I'm looking at the Focusrite "Octopre" from sweetwater, but I'm drooling over their selection of tube preamps. My budget would be near a grand.
 
Ford Van said:
$20 says you didn't listen to that song.
Click to expand...


Hey Ed -

I listened too it. Wasn't all that impressed with the drum sound though - in particular the snare. Doubt it has much to do with the preamps though.

On a different note - if you rent yourself out to help set up studios, I may need some help. Drop me a PM. Won't be till after the first of the year, and it's not for sure yet.


I was mostly kidding about the api (it was a generic answer to a generic question), although It is a heck of a pre and you get four for the price of two.......
 
I use a presonus firepod ($599) which has 8 pres and sounds great. I just got an Audix mic kit which sounds awsome with the firepod. If I had a grand I would get a firepod and 2 RNC's, I'm no expert though.
 
TL Audio makes a 4-channel preamp in their Ivory series. I've been using it for mostly drums since February and I can't complain at all. Cheap (per channel) and easily getting a more distorted "tube sound" if necessary. It's actually pretty nice clean too.
 
NL5 said:
API 3124


One of the best bang for the buck pre's around. :D
Click to expand...


Ill second that! two 3124's and you are home free.

However if you want to buy the ocoto pre youd be well advised form some one who owns one (me) that they do a fine job on the drums.
Ill post a recording of some drums tracked with the octo if youd like.
 
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