HR Interface upgrading the front end..... $300

[CoolCat]

Brief background....
moved into pc-HR recording with a clearance EMU1820, added this nice Joe Meek VC1Q channel strip for awhile.sold the very nice Joe Meek VC1Q...and added some FREE plugin compressors and eq. So thats the previous gear...

after a couple years, a new pc arrived....so I upgraded computers.
which drove a desire to go interface to USB or Firewire cable type. (for easy setup)
grabbed a CL USB a used Tascam 122 $50.


but now, listening to the old tracks.....the Joe Meek Channel Strip sessions seem to have a better quality, the EMU1820 (with Fletcher designed preamps) also seem to have a little more quality not so much as the channel strip,...US 122 not bad or ugly, just not the tone, imo. The US122 seems a little bit "thinner", and requires much more work inside the box, to get it there..

so Im reading the posts, searching for a USB Interface with maybe better PreAmps and still maintaining the positives of the US122.... the inserts, the MONO monitoring, ease of hookup to other computers etc..

Focusrite Sapphire Interfaces, seem to get decent reviews for the preamps and dont see complaints as much. The lower end have good preamps it reads.

Questions?
1) anyone with more FOCUSRITE interface comments? Are the pre's that good as in comparison to < insert name>???

2) any inputs to get a new Focusrite Interface Upgrade,....or grab a Channel Strip again and keep the US122 converters going line in?

around $300- $400 is the ballpark.....

 

[CoolCat]

Found the Art Pro tube channel strip on sale for $180, from $339 at GC.....or GC matched. ..matched google product search...

So I'm going to get that, theres a used Joe Meek VC-3 for $125...but went with the ART.

 

[CoolCat]

Went to GC and those ART pro channels are always around $190 or so... I wasn't sure about it and lost the "hurry its on sale bs".

Instead having someone bring over a Joe Meek VC3 or VC3Q or something...anyway, one of the earlier V3 series with the Q.
$125...so this being cheaper might allow a little more cash-room to buy a new interface too.
if the Joe Meek sounds good when it gets here, with a SM7B....I'll take it. I had the VC1Q w/xformer and liked that "flavor" of it a lot.
The 3 series has the solidstate pre, no transformer...good reviews for this range. Joe Meek has to be one of the most interesting reading of the models and design differences.

specs: the older V3 -70 to 0db dynamics....SM7b showing....-59db so that looks ok.

Gidge used to post here and mentioned liking the little desktop JoeMeeks....thats another selling point for the JM, I'm all in the box now and don't have racks and all that anymore. Powered Speakers and a desk top interface and a flat screen and mouse, small desktop unit will fit easily.

any inputs on the Focusrite Saffire interfaces and a SM7b?

till then will be off reading about!

 

[CoolCat]

Joe Meek VC3 v1

Joe Meek VC3 v1, tested out ok.... it was quiet and even max'd up with the SM7 was not bad for background. Ran it inot the Line In of the USB Tascam 122. Joe Meek VC3 for $125.

Technical issue:
it came with a 12vdc ps., which I'd read about online. a poster mentioned the 12VAC and 500ma to 1000ma is correct. The Manual, and even the unit label, asks for 12 V- AC..not DC. Some posted weird problems and fix was after-market power supply.
Another $20 for a 12VAC 800ma (read 500ma original)...the variable DC will go to the junk drawer.
Add>> found the oem is CONDOR power supply. 12vac 1000ma 18watt.. plug 3.5mm (103) pretty sure..
http://www.condorelectronics.net/catalog/detailac.php?ID=153

Also added some pictures here, as I was unable to find one anywhere today using Google. Basically the gold lettering was changed next v2. there were other changes on following versions. The little orange led's are the optical compressor I assume, the SSm2017P was pointed out, preamp chip. The 12 VAC is kind of hard to miss, imo..

A SOS article for a VC3 v1-
Joe Meek VC3 Pro Channel

a gearhead kind of weekend .....