Getting a mic preamp, what to do?

[frankieballsss]

Hi, im looking to get a mic preamp for rock music and had a couple of ideas. I was thinking of either going the vintech route with the X73, or an avalon product.

Two part question, first of all, since the vintech is a vintage emulator, does it have a particular "old school" sound that is still high quality by todays standards. So is that neve console high quality sounding, or more grainy and noisy? Sorry if this is a completely idiotic question, I haven't seen many expensive consoles first hand.


Secondly, I've been looking at the avalon u5 and m5. I know that the u5 is more of a direct box and that the m5 is a mic preamp. what i was wondering is if i would be able to use the U5 for micing guitar amps, so basically using the u5 as a preamp, and would be able to get professional results. Or if the only option would be the M5 for a true mic preamp.

 

[Big Kenny]

Here's your old school http://www.mercenary.com/api.html
Lots of options here, what's your budget? what are you recording? what is your name? what is your quest?
I think Old School Audio has some cool pres, haven't used 'em though

 

[xstatic]

You probably should not be looking at preamps like that without trying some out first if you have never used one or aren't even familiar with the type of sound they put out at least. Personally, I would give some of your boutique audio dealers a call and let them know what you are looking for. They could be very helpful in pointing you in the right direction as far as cost and sound goes. I would also probably remove the Avalon U5 from your list as a preamp, and the M5 as well. If you are doing mostly rock music, there is a good chance that you will be much happier with a Neve channel, or anything else besides a clean pre. What makes the vintech so nice to me is the EQ. A lot of people seem to love the Neve preamp sound, but most people seem to forget about the Neve EQ which in my opinion is where the real gold is Vntech makes two versions of the X73. I would consider geting the cheaper version. They seem to sound very similar, but the more expensive one is almost in the Chandler LTD2 range which I greatly prefer over the Vintech. Just my 2 cents

 

[frankieballsss]

You probably should not be looking at preamps like that without trying some out first if you have never used one or aren't even familiar with the type of sound they put out at least. Personally, I would give some of your boutique audio dealers a call and let them know what you are looking for. They could be very helpful in pointing you in the right direction as far as cost and sound goes. I would also probably remove the Avalon U5 from your list as a preamp, and the M5 as well. If you are doing mostly rock music, there is a good chance that you will be much happier with a Neve channel, or anything else besides a clean pre. What makes the vintech so nice to me is the EQ. A lot of people seem to love the Neve preamp sound, but most people seem to forget about the Neve EQ which in my opinion is where the real gold is Vntech makes two versions of the X73. I would consider geting the cheaper version. They seem to sound very similar, but the more expensive one is almost in the Chandler LTD2 range which I greatly prefer over the Vintech. Just my 2 cents

Yes, I certainly want to try out these pres before considering buying. I just wanted to know if a preamp is considered "vintage" will it have a "vintage" sound quality to it, or is the sound of a preamp completely subjective and not based on age. Thanks for the responses.

 

[xstatic]

When you say "vintage" that doesn't really specify anything. "vintage" preamps have just as large a variety of sounds and tonality as new ones