I'm Excited!!!

[studiogenocide]

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!!!

I am signing a deal tomorrow night with a guy who is trading me a brand new (almost) complete PA system complete with stands, mics, snakes, racks, etc., as a trade out for a production from the ground up. I am going to sell this as a package and do some desperately needed upgrades in the studio, and will be purchasing my FIRST rackmount gear with the $$$ I get. Here is my dillema:

I already know what I need, but in the way of a channel strip, I need it to be a sweet preamp in the $300 range, and I do not really know which I need to get. I heard about Focusrite trackmaster pro and the ART stereo tube, but want to know what folks think of these units, or if they have other suggestions. I am doing a lot of POD stuff, and in the way of mic'ing will be using the Rode NT2 and NT3 respectively with a Mackie board going to a Tascam DAW. This preamp is now the most critical element of the setup.

Just in case you want to know what I have: 2 rode condensors, pod X3, mackie VLZ board, Tascam FW DAW, Behringer headphone Amp, Cubase 5 and Wavelab 6.

Thanks again!

 

[tewfus]

Although i've have no personal experience with it, i've heard several people say good things about the ART ProMPA.

I've used the M audio Dmp3 and it was okay for the price but some people might prefer the sound of the preamps in the mackie over that so my recommendation would be to see if you can squeeze your budget for an extra $150. If so then you can probably pick up a FMR RNP for $450 and that's a great preamp for the price.

 

[guitar zero]

If I were you I'd continue saving until you can get a truly great pre-amp. For $300, I don't think anything is going to sound like a huge leap up from the mackies. I've gone this route, believe me. I've owned the ART MPA Gold and the RNP. Both good for the money, but neither one had that "wow" factor. I learned the hard way to save and get great gear instead of constantly "upgrading" OK gear to the next step up in quality. Save, save, save and buy right the first time!

 

[studiogenocide]

If I were you I'd continue saving until you can get a truly great pre-amp. For $300, I don't think anything is going to sound like a huge leap up from the mackies. I've gone this route, believe me. I've owned the ART MPA Gold and the RNP. Both good for the money, but neither one had that "wow" factor. I learned the hard way to save and get great gear instead of constantly "upgrading" OK gear to the next step up in quality. Save, save, save and buy right the first time!

So tell me zero- what would you suggest as a good starting point pre? Keep in mind I have never owned one. At this point I think I have ruled out getting a $300 preamp (new anyways) I am thinking I may be able to get a nice used one a that price, but I do not know what to get.