for vocals: Joemeek oneQ OR Toft EC-1 OR...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SWeber
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SWeber

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Hi,

I'm want to buy a new preamp or channelstrip and my local dealer suggested the Joemeek oneQ OR Toft EC-1. I don't want to spend more than about $1000...

- What would You suggest? Joemeek oneQ OR Toft EC-1 OR ...?
- Any experiences?

best wishes!
Stephan

PS:
I mainly want to record vocals and use a MXL V69ME.
(I hope that mic is o.k. for vocals?)
 
I think either of those would be fine. I used to have a VC1Q, and it was a good vox box. You might also look at the M-audio Tampa, the ART Pro Channel, and the Presonus Eureka.
 
Thanx for the reply!

Hmm, ... you say both are good ... but which one would You prefer?
And do you think the other ones you mentioned are even better?
 
I wouldn't be desperate to try out the ART or Presonus over the two you mentioned, and the Tampa is considerably cheaper (but is very good for the money, and for what it is - no EQ).

I've been really happy with the new Joemeek stuff I've tried, I haven't had a oneQ but I'd be interested to know if the De-Esser and Enhancer are any good ... I already know that I REALLY like the EQs and comps though, although I wouldn't probably use them on every track, certainly not heavily at least.

I dunno about the Toft stuff except to point out that the EQ is essentially the design from the old Trident 80B desks ... if that means anything to you. I know from meeting Malcolm Toft that he's a designer and engineer who commands respect and attention ... but I've not used any of the new products (although I'm tempted by the new desk).

I might consider the Joemeek twinQ for two channels of the pre, comp and EQ, with digital conversion and the 'iron' option that makes a different sound from the preamp. That would be better value for money if you don't need the de-esser and enhancer. The same doesn't apply to the Toft though, because the EQ on that comes BEFORE the compressor, which isn't the way lots of people usually have it, and it might put me off the unit.

Others to consider ........ Focusrite Trakmaster (meh), Safesound P1 ..........
 
I have a joe meek "british channel (some kind of damn "Q" i don't know if its the Q you guys are talking about)

Its good for some things...but it has a colored sound IMO. Its pretty good for bass and guitar and the optical compresser has a cool sound (if thats what you want) I also have the Studio Projects vtb-1...Its better IMO for vocals that the joe meek.
 
SWeber said:
Thanx for the reply!

Hmm, ... you say both are good ... but which one would You prefer?
And do you think the other ones you mentioned are even better?
Click to expand...

I've only used the older VC1Q. If I was buying today in that price range I'd go with the best preamp I could afford and worry about EQ and compression later.

Speck 5.0 $750
Sebatron vmp1000 $750
Grace 101 $550
GT Brick $350
 
Do you think the de-esser and enhance features on the one q are a fair trade-off for an additional channel on the twin q?

J
 
Depends how much you use them. Being a tight arse I'd probably go for the TwinQ but I guess there are benefits to the larger meter and those other extra features .....
 
jimistone said:
I have a joe meek "british channel (some kind of damn "Q" i don't know if its the Q you guys are talking about)

Its good for some things...but it has a colored sound IMO. Its pretty good for bass and guitar and the optical compresser has a cool sound (if thats what you want) I also have the Studio Projects vtb-1...Its better IMO for vocals that the joe meek.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the British Channel is the VC6Q, which are the models made in England before PMI bought them out and set up shop in China. I've got the same one you have and I like it on Vocals. The compressor is colored and the EQ but if you use the pre by itself it seems more transparent to me.

I'm really thinking hard about picking up a Great River pre. I'm getting close to pulling the trigger. :)
 
I have used and still use Joemeek gear. I like Joemeek products so my vote would be to look into Joemeek. Haven't in all honesty heard the "new" line that is out now, but it is supposed to be a better product. I have an MQ3, a JM47, and just got a VC1Qcs. I don't think you can go wrong with Joemeek, but it really is a subjective issue. Have you visited www.thelisteningsessions.com ? If not give a few of the preamp clips there a listen. I believe the clips are of preamps only, though, no multi-tasking units. For my ears, the Great River and the Neve (one of the Neve settings, can't remember which) are my favorite sounds. I think Great River makes a single channel if I recall just over a grand. Question is, is the quality comparable in that unit to the one in the clip. Anyway, give a listen and see what you think.
 
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