Grace 101 or Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro

  • Thread starter Thread starter AllOrNothinEnt
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AllOrNothinEnt

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I purchased a Lynx L22, which is perfect for my needs, now it's onto the pre.

Got it narrowed down to these 2.

Both near the same price.

I record mainly male rap vocals, as well as male r&b vocals, and I only record one artist at a time.

Which of these would be the better choice?

Thanks in advance.
 
Focusrite VoiceMaster Pro by far. Grace is very clean no attitude. If your looking for gritty then lo end preamps might work better.

Overall however, the Grace would provide some stellar clear tracks and I would use it over the VM Pro for acoustic or clean vocals.

Now that probably does not help but it seems you want something warm and maybe fuzzy for some things. The VM Pro would be better at that.
 
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Well I can afford to go a step up from these, but I was just curious about these 2, thanks alot.
 
For the most part, I'd have to say Grace is at least a few steps up from any of the lower-end Focusrite stuff.
 
So out of curiosity, what would you place as the better quality pre sound wise, the Grace Lunatec V3, or Focusrite Red8 ?
 
There is no better, only do or do not.

They are both different colors. If you need crystal clear for symphonic or jazz or just precision on an instrument, the Grace is the one to go with.

If you want a slightly nevish sound then the red.

Neither is better they just do what they do.
 
i'd go with the grace or the safe sound p1 or the earthworks lab 101.
 
not thinking about the RNP? i use it for rap vox and R&B vox works real well for both and it has some good DI's as well. Good DI's are important while tracking synths to give them their own space and separation.

if you wanna spend some more money i'd suggest
Phoenxis DRS-1-~1000 1 channel
Great Rive Me1nV~1000 1 channel
A-Designs Mp2(i just got one and it seriously kicks ass ) ~1250(for 2 channels)
 
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Teacher,

Where did you get the A-Designs for $1250?
:eek:

Teach,

Just a heads up, I just got the Phoenix DRS-1 and it is every bit the stuff for rap vocals ... gives things a certain beefiness and naturalness that is beyond words at this point!:cool:
 
Rev E said:
Teacher,

Where did you get the A-Designs for $1250?
:eek:

Teach,

Just a heads up, I just got the Phoenix DRS-1 and it is every bit the stuff for rap vocals ... gives things a certain beefiness and naturalness that is beyond words at this point!:cool:

Are the listening sessions an accurate description of the DRs-1? cuz if it is i'm extremely jealous.

there are a few websites selling them for 1250, i don' remember off the top of my head but if you do an A-designs search you should be able to find it.

I haven't got to play with mine at length cuz i sent it back to get a custom mod :cool: , but i did DI a synth bass overdrove the amp...and was like :eek: great set of DI's to boot! alot smoother then the RNP in the upper mids where the rnp can get harsh and cardboardy and has a bigger bottom then the rnp. so its a great compliment to it YMMV
 
For Jazz, R&B, Rap anything!!!

I bought 1 a mo-1/2 ago and I can now "DIE IN PEACE" as I've found the best pre for what I want to do!!
 
MISTERQCUE said:
For Jazz, R&B, Rap anything!!!

I bought 1 a mo-1/2 ago and I can now "DIE IN PEACE" as I've found the best pre for what I want to do!!

i think your exagerrating in saying the best pre. I'm pretty sure you'd be just as happy or happier with some neve clone, avalon, hardy etc...
 
Teacher said:
i think your exagerrating in saying the best pre. I'm pretty sure you'd be just as happy or happier with some neve clone, avalon, hardy etc...

Re-read my post!

I said "...best pre for what I want to do !!"
 
MISTERQCUE said:
Re-read my post!

I said "...best pre for what I want to do !!"

i read that and i still feel the same way unless you did test every pre under the sun...then i retract my statement
 
Teacher said:
Are the listening sessions an accurate description of the DRs-1? cuz if it is i'm extremely jealous.

there are a few websites selling them for 1250, i don' remember off the top of my head but if you do an A-designs search you should be able to find it...

Teach,

Yeah, pretty much. What I noticed with the listening sessions recordings of the DRS-1 was a natural image that was really big. This is spot on. Dan has referred to the phoenix as a "modern" sounding pre with a detailed high end. I'm just starting to put it through its paces so I won't jump the gun. But my initial tests so far agree with the "modern" sound part. The high end is detailed but the biggest thing I notice with it is not so much the highs, but the mids. The mids are absolutely gorgeous and natural... and the image is BIG BIG BIG!:)

As you already know I have a Sebatron, which I've changed the tubes with some JAN NOS military tubes (cryogenitically treated for low noise). The Sebatron (at low gains) is tubey, yet airy. In direct contrast to the Seb., the DRS-1 is a more natural sound. It actually seems to add more to the mids in a pleasing way. It's a far cry from "dark" so don't let me misstate what I think I heard. But there's an earthiness that comes with it... kind of how you think your voice sounds like in your head as opposed to the less midrangey version that you often hear when you record your voice in the average pre. I think I have a winner with the DRS. Check it out when you can.

The best example of what I'm talking about in rap is Jay Z's latest "get that dirt off your shoulder" from the "Black" album. His vocals have a certain earthiness, naturalness... as opposed to the synthetic, glossy type vocal sound that you may hear in a popier rap vocal like Eminem's vocals in JayZ's "renegade" from J's previous album or a Brittany Spears type vocal or your typical R&B vocal.
 
Teacher said:
i read that and i still feel the same way unless you did test every pre under the sun...then i retract my statement

Let's say I did and leave it at that!;)
 
Btw AllOrNothinEnt,

Sorry to hijack your thread. I'll post my comments on the phoenix in another future thread. Back to original programming. I hope the focusrite piece works out for you.
 
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