Good pres under $200

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c9-2001

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can someone help me with a nice pre under 200, new or used...
i need to get a decent pre to boost my vocal quality..
i was thinking about a vtb-1 and just using sx/nuendo for my compression..
i want a pre with a compressor but if i can't get one in this price rage i'll buy a outboard compressor in a few weeks
 
The Art tbs is real good. It's a 2-channel Pre, that also has: Phamtom power, Phase switch, 20db gain boost and there new V3 technoige. And it's only $179.00!

for more info go to: www.artproaudio.com

Here's a demo of the Art Pre-amp. I recorded it about 3 weeks ago. the vocal, guitar, bass, percussion and drum overheads, all went though the art pre.

the name is "all for you"

www.nowhereradio.com/zeke/singles/


zeke
 
i'm not usually big on art cuz they the units that i've used had a lot of noise...
i was looking at either a meek or the vtb-1 but i'm still looking..
zeke, where's the song at??
 
my top choice is a Mindprine envoice but its 299, i can't even find a used one..

after that would be the Studio projects Vtb-1

now one thing i came arcoss in one of those links...the Behringer Ultra-Voice Pro...does is actually sound anything like the voicemaster???
funny thing is, i've seen plenty of reviews on the mic2200 and everyone says it doesn't bring out any vocal presence or anything..
if the Behringer Ultra-Voice Pro sounds as good as the voicemaster(which i have used with a u871ai) i'll go pick one up for $100 real quick, but i'm not sure is does
 
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I also just got a DMP3. I like it so far. I would have bought the VTB-1, but it's only one channel. I think the RNMP is really the shit right now, but it's close to $500.

Twist
 
I have the DMP-3 myself (check my mic shoot out thread, to hear it in action) and I like it. I did some jazz-combo's with it too on location; very clean and nice gain...

I've heard the VTB-1 on the listening session and IMHO it's way too muddy and onfocussed. Besides, like the man says, it's only 1 channel. PreSonus cam out with a new tube-mic pre as well (1 channel, 1/3rd rackspace)... maybe that's something.
 
powderfinger said:
i just got a dmp3 daul pre...........i like it so far.........i've only used it once.........you can hear what it sounds like on the track 'better days' on my NWR site if you want...it's the exclusive pre that i used

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1642&alid=154
Powder, now i need to know about your set up a little...
What type of mic, soundcard etc...

you vocals sounded good, i do r&b and hip hop production...

Speeddemon, you thought it was to muddy? i got to hear that cd that studio projects sends out and it sounded great on it.. maybe the when you heard it they were driving it to hard or something.. what i might do is buy the vtb-1 and if it doesn't sound good in with my tracks buy the dmp3 or another pre.. but all reviews show the vtb-1 being one of the best pres under $1000
 
Powderfinger and ZEKE SAYER... did either of you Eq a lot on those mixes...
zeke, your track sounds good, but it doesn't have a lot of warmth to it...the track sound a little middy after hearing powderfingers song first...

and damn zeke, you sound young, damn kids j/k:D
i have no idea what i sounded like when i was 14
 
I used very little eq on the tracks. The channel setup was like this:

Mic
|
|
|
Art pre-amp
|
|
Behringer ultra-graph pro eq
|
|
Berhinger composer pro compressor

and from there, it went into my recorder.

It could be the speakers on your computer, or maybe your mp3 player is playing with the sound, because the track on my studio monitors was "warm" "phat" and "crisp"

Zeke
 
i played the tracks back on hafler trm8.1's.. they're great monitors
zeke check out Powderfinger's track.. then a/b yours.. i was just wondering if that sound quality difference was the pre
 
c9-2001,

sorry for taking a bit to reply to this.

Marshall v93 mic -> DMP3 mic pre -> M-Audio Delta 44 (soundcard) -> Cakewalk Sonar

The tracks have some EQ, but I try to use it sparingly......

also, the bass was recorded directly into the Pre, not mic'd.....i like the bass sound I get from the DMP3......

let me know if you have any more questions.........
 
right now i track like this
tlm193--->Tascam m1600 console--->delta1010--->Nuendo

it sounds great. my pres on the console sound great and aren't noisy at all.. but the vocal presence just isn't there to me.. i have to eq to much...
i used a m audio tampa and i didn't have to eq at all.. the track sounded perfect.. so thats what i'm after.. i could get one with my taxes but i don't wanna spend that much money right now..

i'm gonna see if i can a/b a dmp3 to a vtb-1 then make my pick because the both are quite nice.. i like the vtb-1 cuz i can run it ss or with tube blend
 
c9-2001 said:
Can anyone comment on the vally audio 401??

I've never used any of their gear. I know Alan Hyatt recommended a limiter made by Valley Audio to me once. So, I know they've made one decent piece of gear.

steve, mojo pie
www.piemusic.com
 
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