help spend my money JOEMEEK TwinQcs or a good mic?

[HangDawg]

Which do you think I should purchase first? I have a few mics, 1 MXL ld condensor, 2 audix sd condensors, SM57. So would it be wise to get a good mic pre like the JOEMEEK TwinQcs or a couple better mics. I only have the pres in my Alesis studio24 which can't be good. I also don't have any compressors (only software versions) or Eq's either, all of which the meek has.

 

[Neve]

The Alesis is on par with a mackie , maybe better depends on your taste.

I did a R.A.P search , and here is someones impressions of his Alesis:

Amund

" I have the studio 32, and I'm coming to like it. I was using a mackie, and
liked the basic wiring, but couldn't use the eq, which sucks big time. Turns
out that the eq on the alesis doesn't ring any bells for me either, but its
usable in a pinch. The 32 is no neve, api, trident, etc., but to my ears
actually sounds a little SSL like. Not transparent but maybe translucent. The
mixes are sounding better for me than the mackie, which were punchy but dense.
By the way, I haven't used the mic pres on it so I wouldn't know about that,
and I intend to use outboard eq for most important stuff.
Good luck,
R.L,nyc"

 

[Richard Monroe]

Why not get VC1Qcs? Y ou get the compressor, exciter,EQ, compression, and the $200 or so you save will pay for a condenser mic, such as Studio Projects C1, Oktava MK319, AKG C2000B, a Marshall, etc.? If you really need 2 channels and a mic, try DBX386 ($500), and buy the mic also. I own the twinQ, and I'm very fond of it, but if the choice is a mic without a pre or a pre without a mic, find a way to downgrade just a little and get them both. When you upgrade later, none of these units will become useless.-Richie