Joe Meek Noise!!!!

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digidom

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I have recently purchased a Meek vc3 and it is horendously noisy...I have used the same model before in a different setting a few years back and remember it being very quiet...
its a hissy sound pretty constant (not scratchy pots)does any one have any suggestions????
 
Make sure the one you have is set up for the country you live in. Joe Meek stuff is sold in Europe and uses a different power supply, 230 VAC I think. In the US we use something else, 115.

I was loaned a demo unit of the VC6Q and it was either set to the wrong voltage or was defective. You could change the fuse but not without the risk of breaking the thing....it had a flimsy plastic part holding it. I found that unit to have a poor build quality, especially for something in that price range($450 US) They have a reputation for having problems (according to techs I talk to).

I still want to hear what their stuff will do and have considered buying the VC3Q. I'd like to hear someone review it here. The magazines love the Meek equipment.
 
VC3Q

I'm using a VC3Q on vocals and bass. Let me say first that I have very little experience with compressors, and the meek works differently than some others. I use it as a channel in front of a digital recorder. the EQ is powerfull.
It's a real juggling act to get the input,and output of the meek balanced with the trim on the digital recorder.
However, if I take my time and experiment a little, the results can be very good. The first time I recorded a vocal with it,all the singer could say was"wow".
It really made the vocals pop out. The mic preamp has a real drive to it that can easily be overcooked. A vintage sort of sound,to me. The EQ and/or comp. can be turned off,the preamp is allways on. it also has phantom power onbord. A lot of bang for $300.
It can be frustrating to use at times(for me anyway), espeasially for bass guitar. but when I get it right,it's great. Like having a secret weapon.
CALO
 
Suggestion?

Sure.... buy a better preamp. ;)

Try the Mindprint Envoice.
It's awesome!.... No noise whatsoever!

www.mindprint.com

How do I know?
I own one!
 
Says who Buck?! Why are you always putting the joemeek down and hawking the mindprint....hmmmm I wonder if monetary concerns are involved.

To digidom:
Stick with the joemeek their stuff sounds great. It may be what the earlier post said or a defective unit or whatever but if you get it working you will be very thankful you stuck with it.
 
I use a VC3Q. Play with the knobs and buttons 'till you get it right. Compression is inherently noisy, but when you get that thing dialed in...just as Calo said, it is sweet. As the manual mentions, it is very easy to crank the compression up on this unit. I go easy on it, and I get outstanding results. The templates in the back of the manual are a great reference to get you started as well. Incredible bang for the buck at 2x the price...
 
Incidentally, I paid $500 US (total) for a MindPrint Envoice... and an extra $90 for the DI-MOD (S/PDIF) add-on.
$1,100 MIGHT be the MSRP
But, NOBODY ever pays THAT price!
Except, maybe some know-nothing moron... just a minor detail. ;)

Incidentally, the Envoice has a LOT more functions to offer than a VC3, and a much higher quality amp. Therefore, the Envoice gives you more options (and less noise), which DOES make it better than the JoeMeek VC3.
It is COMPARABLE to the VC6 and the VC1Q, as far as functions and quietness. In THAT comparison, it would be a matter of what sounds better to the buyer and what his needs are.
Same goes for the Presonus VXP, the DBX 386, the DBX 586, ART Dual MP, as well as several other units by Rane, Bellari, and countless other mid-range priced mic pre's. There are lots of mic pre's in the $400 to $700 range that are a step up from a VC3.
I had personally tested over 15 different mid-range mic preamps before I bought my Envoice.
It's a great preamp for the money.
Incidentally, I don't see anywhere in my post that I trashed ALL JoeMeek products, as you allege. As a matter of fact, I never even mentioned the words "Joe Meek".
The point was, if your preamp doesn't live up to your expectations... upgrade to something better, that's all.
Incidentally, MindPrint is a privately-owned company that doesn't have publicly owned or traded stock options.

Incidentally, I'm not the only one around here who thinks the Envoice is a great unit for the price. Here's someone with much more recording experience than myself who thinks that the Envoice is an awesome mic pre....

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=21184
 
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Ok Bucky...don't git yer bowels in an uproar. Read the original post. Was he looking for a NEW mic pre? Didn't seem that way to me...actually he'd just bought the one he was looking for help with. With your vast knowledge of gear, certainly you could have offered up something better than "buy a better preamp". Real helpful stuff there, Bucky. I'm sure the original poster appreciated the value of your thoughtful post.
"How do I know? I own one". Well isn't that special. Is this guy supposed to be impressed? What's he supposed to do with that gem of a comment? I don't give a flip what you own. You're not Jerry Wexler, you're not Danny Lanois, and you're not Phil Spector. You're just another home recording enthusiast like most of us here. You could have done much better than just blow your horn about YOUR new toy that smokes what this guy has and costs about twice as much. AGAIN, read the original post. He's not looking to upgrade...he's working with what he has. Nothing in your postings here address HIS concerns. I'm not going to speak for him but I'd guess that he probably isn't terribly interested in your extensive testing of gear, and a long list of product names. Not here. Find an appropriate forum for these comments, or start one. You could call it Bucky's World of Narcissistic Musings. You could ramble on about how your equipment is better than other folks', and all the moolah you lay out for gear(not paying MSRP of course)...you could invite unsuspecting folks in to post questions, and then respond with more useless, self-serving posts....you'd be givin' yerself warm fuzzies all day. If you have nothing to offer here other than self-indulgent drivel, then shut the hell up.
 
Actually, Bluesy-boy, I'm making a real nice chunk of change doing recording work for local performers and bands, demos, radio commercials, full-length CD's, and voice-overs.
I've been involved with music for about 27 years.
I just 'might' have a clue or two about 'the biz'.
I don't claim to know everything, as you allege.
Hell, you jump to some mighty big conclusions... suggesting things you have no clue about.
Maybe you could have a forum called "Bluesy-boys World of Speculation"
I got jumped on for shit that wasn't even in my post and called you on it. Nice attempt at backpeddling, but you guys are putting words in my post that was never there.
The point is.... (once again) that you can't make a Yugo run like a Corvette.
The dude asked for a suggestion.
Since when is upgrading such a bad idea?

That's the nature of recording.
If you want a better, clearer sound... you have to spend some $$$ on better equipment.
This might be a revelation to you, but it's common sense to those of us with an I.Q. above 80.
 
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I do agree with the thought that there is always something better for another $100. I guess its a matter of how far you are able to go money wise. I got the VC3Q cause it had a comp,preamp,and EQ all in one,for a good price. Even when I do upgrade,I'll keep it because I think I'll always have a use for it.
ANYWAY, Digidom, the one I'm using does'nt hiss.

ps can.t we all just get along?...CALO
 
Jesus that's lame, Bucky. I'm not going to address your comments...it would probably be a waste. I can only assume from all the work you are getting that yer ears work better than yer eyes, cuz you sure as hell don't read too well. I've been a musician, and involved in music for considerably longer than you. I've gigged/jammed with folks like Johnny Winter, John Hammond, Wilson Pickett, Charles Otis, Bill Dicey, and a couple of pretty fair bluesmen from your town...Son Seals and Otis Rush.
I guess I know a little about the biz as well, although surely not as much as you. Not bad tho, for an I.Q. of less than 80.
I spoke my mind...you don't get it, and I'm not surprised. Ya got some kind of cognitive dysfunction goin on there.
I don't get into pissing contests with anyone. And that includes you. In the big picture, folks like you don't show up on my radar, so I'm done with you and this thread. If you want to stay here and piss...enjoy yerself. I'm movin' on. Digidom, if you still need help w/ your VC3, feel free to email me. Even with my low I.Q., I may be of some help to you.
 
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