eliminating a bottleneck

[KingstonRock]

I've been using the "eliminate" the bottlenecks gear purchasing technique and I find myself with a Rode NTK/sm57/okatava mc012, and other mics of the same quality - Allen and Heath mix Wiz 16:2DX - MOTU 24I.

I see the A & H mixer as my bottleneck, being I have no outboard pres. My band is about to do vocals and I wanted to get a very-vocal-capable outboard pre for this. I dont really want an All in one voxbox either, because I am hoping to start of an outboard pre collection and i want my first one to be somewhat versatile. Any suggestions for the $500-$1500 range, thats what i figure I'll need to spend to at least match and hopefully exceed the quality of my other gear. Then I'll have another bottleneck to get rid of.

Eric

 

[jake-owa]

Where have you been? Don't you want a RNP? Look up FMR audio. I've heard the thing and I am DYING for one...it's cheap, two channels , a DI.

 

[KingstonRock]

funny you say that, i was just looking at it

 

[BuildingStudios]

An avalon m5 is a great mono preamp... very transparent. Its u[p there in your price range though...

 

[littledog]

There's a whole bunch of pro-quality single channel mic preamps (some of which are well under $1500) from companies like Great River, Universal Audio (M610), Avalon (M5), Grace (101), and Summit. Then there are some very nice two channel units, still for well under $1500. One that comes to mind is the Vintech 1272. Also check the Demeter HXM-1, Earthworks LAB 102, and the Langevin Dual Mono.

Coming in at a street price of just around $1500 is the Phoenix Audio GTQ2 and the Millenia Media HV-3, the John Hardy M-1, and Amek System 9098.

I'm probably just scrastching the surface. You've definitely got lots of options!