Here we go again ... mics and pres

  • Thread starter Thread starter geekgurl
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geekgurl

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Hi all:

After lurking around this board, I became impressed with the knowledge of you participants and decided I'd register. I'm new here, but I've searched your past threads on this subject and wanted your expertise given new products that are now out.

OK, here's the scenario: I'm the owner of a small project studio. I record primarily into a Roland DAW, and need to get good recordings of upright piano and female vox (medium power and more of a smooth voice than gritty. Not little-girlish). Currently my mic and pre setup is:

* Rode NT2
* PreSonus BlueTube

I want to upgrade from this (not interested in ART or Bellari half-rack tube thingies, for example -- I bought the BlueTube because I liked it better than those, but I don't really like it). I don't need tube pre per se, but I need warmth. The NT2 seems to work for my vox, but maybe there's something better for the $500 used range, especially for recording the piano? Also, looking for a mic pre in the $350-600 used range. The music is rock but jazzy, and I think gear that is clean without being sterile (I didn't like the AT4050 mic, for example), is what I need.

Is there anything you'd recommend that's fantabulous bang for the buck?

Thanks in advance.
 
Have you checked out the Joe Meek VC1Q?...or the Grace 101?.....
 
Hi everyone

Geek! why upgrade?
We have the exact same mic and pre and we keep on amazing about the results...
maybe another mic to have more options...a Neumann
or an audiotechnica or Senheisser?

Not bad gear at all...

a tube mic maybe?

Peace.

PC
 
I agree with both Gidge and Powercouple (except about the Bluetube). The NT2 is a fine microphone. You just need a better mic pre. I love the VC1Q, but I bought it mainly for a voice channel. I would love to have the Grace 101 to mic my piano. Another pre I'd recommend (without having heard it) is the Davisound TB-6. I think they'll custom make you one with two pres for around $500. Earthworks also makes great affordable mic pres.

http://www.davisound.com/

http://www.gracedesign.com/products/product_frameset.htm
 
I cant believe i left off the Davisound.....

i havent heard it in person but ive heard stuff done with it and that was good enuff for me.....
 
I've heard some not-so-favorable opinions about the Joemeek on a female voice. It's generally thought to be much better for male rock vocals. The Grace is supposed to be outstanding, but what makes it special is it's complete LACK of warmth or coloration of the signal.

This is just a hunch, but you might be better off with something like a Mindprint Envoice. I have no experience with it, personally, but I've heard some very good recordings on the MP3 clinic using it. It gives you the option of dialing in your own amount of tube warmth -- so it's pretty much capable warm or clean. It uses a valve compressor (again a warm-sounding comp), and the eq is supposed to be pretty decent.

Again, I've never used one, but if you do a search, just about everyone that has one is pretty much in love with it. It has kind of a StarTrek-ish fanatical cult following among it's users, so be careful. :) I'm kinda' scared of it for that reason.

Oh, and your NT-2 is a fine mic.
 
Hi all:

Thank you for your input. I am heartened to hear that others have had success with the NT2; my suspicion all along has been that the mic is fine, that it's the pre or (gasp! impossible!) inferior miking/preamp-setting techniques. I'm pretty new at this recording thing ... I'm sure I'm srewing up on miking the piano, but, once I found acceptable room dynamics, vox seemed a no-brainer ... you put a pop filter in front of the mic and start singing. Sheesh. Therefore, I surmised, the unfavorable sonic issues unrelated to performance of the singer must be the pre.

I suspect Joe Meek may be a bit "dirty" for my sound; I may check out the Davisound, Grace and Earthworks (tho I'll be listening for sterility in the Grace). Does anyone know if Grace and Earthworks are related companies/sounds? They both name products "101," so...

Another follow-up question: does anyone here have opinions on the Peavey VMP? I've heard good things about it ...

her geekness
 
Grace and Earthworks are independently owned. "101" is a common designation for audio single channel audio equipment.
 
How 'bout this one?

What do you folks think about the TLA PA2? I have an oppty. to buy one used ...

Geek
 
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