Hi-End Pre Recomendations for Hip-Hop Vocals

[scarboro78]

Well guys, It's tax time! And we all know what that means... new gear!!!
So anyways I've been thinking about springing out some cash and buying me a new nice mic pre or possibibly pre/compressor for tracking vocals, mainly hip-hop/r&b. Can you guys give me a couple of recomendations for hi-end pre's in the 1k range for my type of applications to try out?

Thanks!

 

[Teacher]

I think i've heard people having great success with the Phoenix DRS-2...thats around 1K for 1 channel... I'm not one of the though, maybe they'll chime in

 

[scarboro78]

I think i've heard people having great success with the Phoenix DRS-2...thats around 1K for 1 channel... I'm not one of the though, maybe they'll chime in

Phoenix DRS-2 huh.. never even heard of that one.. but hey that's why I'm here right.. I'll look into it.. thanks Teach!

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Teacher]

Phoenix DRS-2 huh.. never even heard of that one.. but hey that's why I'm here right.. I'll look into it.. thanks Teach!

Anyone have any other suggestions?

well the drs-1 is the one thats around 1K....drs-2 is double

 

[xstatic]

He said 1k per channel I like the Phoenix stuff. Another nevealike

 

[scarboro78]

He said 1k per channel I like the Phoenix stuff. Another nevealike

Have you heard the Phoenix gear on hip-hop/r&b type vocals?? Also, How would you compare this Pre to the API-512 Pre? Would either one give you more of a "larger than life" type of sound? Or is this really too much to ask from a mic-pre... ?

 

[scarboro78]

Hmmm.. no other suggestions?? I guess noone here works on hip-hop applications huh... ::sigh::

 

[Dot]

Why fight it. Here's the industry standard channel strip for Hip-Hop.
http://www.avalondesign.com/vt737sp.html

 

[scrubs]

I don't know much about hip-hop, but I've heard great vocals tracked through the Old School Audio Pres (http://www.oldschoolaudio.com/) or API pres (http://www.apiaudio.com/512c.html). These are expandable boxes that will accomodate multiple pres, so you can mix and match as your needs grow. For single channels, anything from the Grace 101 to the Great River would probably work great.

 

[xstatic]

The Phoenix and the API are very different sounds. API is my number 1 choice out of any preamp for aggresive drum tracks and some guitars. Not usually for vocals. The Phoenix will be a little fatter and smoother, more tilted toward vocals than an API (just like all the Neve stuff is).

I replied in your duplicate thread in the mic forum, but here it is again. I am not normally an Avlaon fan, but for what you are after and the style you are doing, the Avalon is right up your alley for that. Also, for some reason when you put an Avalon 737 with a Neumann TLM103 the combination seems to make both pieces sound better than they really are (in my opinion as well as many others I have worked with). The Avalon is a real staple in the hip hop world. Personally, I just feel that its a bit overpriced compared to other market offerings and its abilities. For Hip Hop, I would avoid a clean pre and start with a richer warmer smoother one. For other genres I would normally reccomend a good fast clean pre first though.

 

[Teacher]

Hmmm.. no other suggestions?? I guess noone here works on hip-hop applications huh... ::sigh::

nah its just that ANY good Pre in the 1k range will work, some slightly better then others but not to the point where it will be unuseable

 

[scarboro78]

Very good input guys.. I guess the Avalon seems like the way to go.. Didn't really want to go into the $1500 and up range though.. =0/

 

[chessrock]

Didn't really want to go into the $1500 and up range though.. =0/

I wouldn't even bother when you can have one of these for $1K ... http://www.mercenary.com/m1permicprea.html

 

[nuemes]

I am not normally an Avlaon fan... Personally, I just feel that its a bit overpriced compared to other market offerings and its abilities. QUOTE]

I've not heard anyone here say they are not fans of Avalon before. Would you feel comfortable detailing what you do not like or see lacking in Avalon preamps if it's something other than price? I just ordered a M5 but have not heard one before so I'm curious to know what its weaknesses may be (though I realize it's fairly subjective).

 

[nuemes]

Very good input guys.. I guess the Avalon seems like the way to go.. Didn't really want to go into the $1500 and up range though.. =0/

Avalon M5's (single channel) go for @ $1k used...

 

[xstatic]

I mostly just feel that they are overpriced. I like the AD series stuff though Avalon has been a very succesful company. All the big studios own some Avalon stuff. Call them up and talk to them though. Find out how much they REALLY use them, and what for. There are just a lot of really good products on the market right now and many of them cost less or the same, but in my opinion are a better ourchase. It is just my opinion though.

As for the Hardy's, thats a very different preamp than the Avalon 737. Not really my first choice for a hip hop or certain R&B vocals. Great pre though

 

[chessrock]

As for the Hardy's, thats a very different preamp than the Avalon 737. Not really my first choice for a hip hop or certain R&B vocals. Great pre though

I didn't know there was such a thing as a special or customized microphone gain configuration specifically tailored for the unique demands of R&B / hip-hop.

You just need good, clean gain with minimal distortion or coloration to the signal. Like a Hardy or a (non-NV) Great River. There -- you're done. You guys are way overthinking this stuff.

 

[scarboro78]

I didn't know there was such a thing as a special or customized microphone gain configuration specifically tailored for the unique demands of R&B / hip-hop.

You just need good, clean gain with minimal distortion or coloration to the signal. Like a Hardy or a (non-NV) Great River. There -- you're done. You guys are way overthinking this stuff.

Hey Chessrock.. but wouldn't you want some color for hip-hop & r&b "up in your face" type vocals??

 

[chessrock]

Hey Chessrock.. but wouldn't you want some color for hip-hop & r&b "up in your face" type vocals??

I just want something clear and articulate. Then I want to squash it with a nice compressor to bring things up front ... or "in your face" like you put it. It sounds like what you're talking about is dynamics processing.

Jeezus ... the way you guys throw this color crap around. It's almost like you were talking about cole slaw or something. "Yea, I'd like a side of color with my mashed potatoes and gravy."

 

[scarboro78]

I just want something clear and articulate. Then I want to squash it with a nice compressor to bring things up front ... or "in your face" like you put it. It sounds like what you're talking about is dynamics processing.

Jeezus ... the way you guys throw this color crap around. It's almost like you were talking about cole slaw or something. "Yea, I'd like a side of color with my mashed potatoes and gravy."

lol... sorry dude.. I personally like using the word "grit" better than "color".. lol.. But it seems to be the popular word around here.. Me myself I like them mean sounding vocals. If you hear any of 50 cents latest singles, the way his voice sounds is the kind of sound I'd like to produce. Now I have no clue if that's the pre... the mic.. the compressor he uses.. or all of the above.. but it sounds cool as shit. =0)