Finding the right preamp

  • Thread starter Thread starter Flyguylol
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Flyguylol

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In some past posts, I obtained alot of great advice for you guys out there (thanks Mark H. and others) about solid preamps. Here's my updated situation.

I spent the weekend with a friend of mine trying out our new C1 with a borrowed DBX 386 and boy, it sounds great. We're running through our new Delta 1010 and feel like kids in a candy store. One of our first realizations was the need for a compressor/limiter. Now we're looking for a HHB "40" or maybe an Avalon 737 (we almost got one on e-bay tonight). The Peavey looks nice but doesn't have the bells and whistles that we think we need right now. We definately want to go with tube, if possible.

We also have found a need for use of headphones, and after we discussed it, thought that it might be time for a mixer (which of course would solve alot of problems).

So, we're looking at spending about $2,000 and we need a mixer and a good vocal preamp. We're hearing alot of good things about the Mixwizards (16/2) and of couse, the HHB 40's and Avalons 737's. I guess the main question to you skilled professionals out there is, how could 2 grand best be spent?

By the way, we borrowed a AKG C-1000 and were recording guitars and vocals, one with the AKG and the other, with the C1. The C1 sounds so much more transparent than the 1000. (This is my first opinion in regards to mics!)

Thanks!
 
Flyguylol said:

So, we're looking at spending about $2,000 and we need a mixer and a good vocal preamp. We're hearing alot of good things about the Mixwizards (16/2) and of couse, the HHB 40's and Avalons 737's. I guess the main question to you skilled professionals out there is, how could 2 grand best be spent?

By the way, we borrowed a AKG C-1000 and were recording guitars and vocals, one with the AKG and the other, with the C1. The C1 sounds so much more transparent than the 1000. (This is my first opinion in regards to mics!)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I would definitely go with a solid state preamp instead of a hybrid design in your case. You will be much more flexible. And I would wait a little bit, the rnmp and the sp unit (which is also a hybrid, but you can dial the tube in al gusto) look very interesting.
Other pres that come to mind are the mp20 and the studio technologies. You might combine them with a rnc and the Speck eq (which I haven't used) to get all the functionality you want.
Concerning mics: Do yourself a favour and try an earthworks sro (only 250 $) on guitar (use the micing techniques Harvey describes in the "mic thread") . I would almost bet that you will be totally amazed!
 
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