I need advices to buy a pre-amp

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SiniS

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First of all, here's what I have at home to record:

Mic: Shure ksm-27
Soundcard: M-audio Delta 44

I also have a lil' mixer behringer mx602a that I want to replace by a pre-amp. I tried the UltraVoiceVx2000 - Behringer http://www.behringer.com/02_products/prodindex.cfm?id=VX2000&lang=eng , and I liked how it sounded. But somebody told me that Behringer was bullshit for pre-amps.

I'm ready to pay between 160$Us & 250$, BUT you can still tell me wich pre-amp would do the job even if it's more expensive than my budget, I wanna stay in the same "range of quality" than this mic, and this soundcard tho.

Thanks for you time.

PS: I forgot to mention that I use my "studio" to record vocals only.

PS2: Is it worth it to buy a more expensive pre-amp? If you think so, wich one do you suggest??
 
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A few choices... Opinions will vary. M-Audio DMP3 (2-channel $199); Studio Projects VTB1(1channel $129.); Behringer1953 (2-channel $199.); ART TPS (2-channel $179.)
 
I had the same mixer that you do. I replaced it with a DMP3 and am very pleased with the DMP3. Much smoother top end, and better sound overall.
 
DMP3 is a very nice little preamp--a definite step up from the Behringer mixer IMO.
 
The VX2000 is a cheaper version of the Focusrite Voicemaster and it is a pretty decent Pre for the money.
 
Then,

Should I buy the ULTRAVOICEvx2000 or the DMP3?

Or I should wait and buy the Focusrite Voicemaster?



My principal question is: is it worth it to put this much money (if I buy something in the same range than the focusrite voicemaster) for a preamp with my little "studio" ???

Or I should buy something in the same range of price than the ULTRAVOICE ???
 
SiniS said:
Then,

Should I buy the ULTRAVOICEvx2000 or the DMP3?

Or I should wait and buy the Focusrite Voicemaster?



My principal question is: is it worth it to put this much money (if I buy something in the same range than the focusrite voicemaster) for a preamp with my little "studio" ???

Or I should buy something in the same range of price than the ULTRAVOICE ???
Click to expand...

I think you need to decide if you want a clean preamp without bells and whistles, or a probably not so clean preamp with a bunch of integrated "voice enhancement" functions (compression, eq, de-esser, expander, enhancer, etc) that probably don't do a very good job. If you want this for having fun, that's one thing. If you want to eventually make good recordings, that's probably another.
 
I wanna make good recordings!

I'm here to get advices... so what do you suggest?
 
SiniS said:
I wanna make good recordings!

I'm here to get advices... so what do you suggest?
Click to expand...

I used to own a $99.00 Behringer UltraGain 2200. It was nice, but 3 months into its life it developed a bad hum. I now own a pair of Studio Projects VTB1's that retail for $129. each. They are great. The DMP3 is another fine choice, that should be about 20db quieter than the Behringer. I believe that some people really like the Behringer Compressor ("Composer?") that isn't too expensive, but when speaking of preamps, not just compressors, in the range you're looking at most seem to favor other brands.

The VTB1 is extremely quiet, perhaps even quieter than the DMP3, and I'm loving the ones I have. Though, some much prefer the DMP3 over the VTB1. In the final analysis, always go for what will sound best, in the $$ range you can afford. The Behringer 1953 looks cool @ $199., but I went for the uglier VTB1.

This may sound like treason, but blindfolded, using a number of the preamps in your price range, you could be happy with 4 or 5 different ones. You will notice that almost every brand has people who swear their choice is the best. That's because the equipment is so good now, at even the lower price levels, that I think you almost have to work to find a "bad" preamp.

There are those out there who love the Presonus BlueTube, the ART TPS; as well as the others already mentioned. Any one of these is in your range.

"Pro Sound" magazine has reviews of some pre's, as do other magazines. You can find these online. But I'll tell you, I don't think any one preamp is going to jump out as the only one you should get.

Confusing, isn't it?
 
SiniS said:
I wanna make good recordings!

I'm here to get advices... so what do you suggest?
Click to expand...

I suggest you buy both the Behringer VX2000 and the Studio Projects VTB1, each for $130 at 8th Street. No shipping charges for over $229, so you get them both for a flat $260.

That way you can record thru either the Behrenger's preamp, or thru the VTB1 plugged into the line in of the Behringer and still have a clean preamp and the "voice enhancement" functions.

That way you will also learn by comparing the two preamps, and if you don't like one you can probably sell it.
 
My choice would be the DMP3 and then couple it with an RNC. Many of us have gotten the DMP3 < $125 at GC, and the RNC costs $175--total cost for two channels of excellent "clean" pre and compression = $300.

I've participated in blind tests of the DMP3 and the VTB1 on acoustic guitar and bass, and preferred the DMP3. In real life, it shines on acoustic guitar, and I like it on Vox as well. Just my opinion.
 
The one thing that does give the Behringer vx2000 merit is the fact that even if you use the Dmp3 you will still need the deesser and the comp, some eq and even tube flavor for vocals.

Im using my Yamaha MLA7 through a Dbx 263, and a 163, and through a VC5 tube amp., then through a SAE parametric eq.
 
If you've got any more money at all to spend on an amp, just go ahead and get the RNP. You'll be glad you did.
 
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