JOe Meek preamps opinions anyone?

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cactuseskimo

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I'm thinking of getting one of these - a 3Q. A continuation of their VCQ3 series. My understanding is you either love em or hate em. Any thoughts?
 
The Joe Meek preamp line has never been a favorite of mine. I have used a number of them with only o.k. results. Kinda noisy at least from my exp.
 
Personally, I've not really liked much of the newer stuff at all.
 
3q

I've got a pair of the newer generation 3Q's and have been quite happy with them, I've had no issues with noise what so ever. Personally, I think they're more than adequate pre's, coupled with a nice colored compression and a handy eq to boot. IMHO, at the price they sell for, you can't go wrong.
 
Clit Torres said:
I've got a pair of the newer generation 3Q's and have been quite happy with them, I've had no issues with noise what so ever. Personally, I think they're more than adequate pre's, coupled with a nice colored compression and a handy eq to boot. IMHO, at the price they sell for, you can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's the same pre I'm considering. What mics are you using with them, and what for? What are you finding works?
 
I've got a 3Q, as well. I'm happy with it- it sounds better than I thought it would for the price and is very useable. The compressor can be kind of extreme and getting light settings out of it can be tricky. The meter is a little funky so you have to use your ears. To be honest, though, I haven't played around with the compressor to really get to know it, yet.

The EQ is my favorite part of it. Quite useable. The preamp is pretty basic but works well enough. It holds its own next to the built in Focusrite pres on the Mbox. I use it at home for a different flavor of pre and as a bass DI & EQ for a passive bass. Works *really* well is that role.

Its worth the price. Its not a "Wow, that blows me away!" device, but it does what it does well enough to justify the cash. I like it.

Chris
 
My Meek is the least used of my mic pres. I tend to never get rid of anything though, since there's always that one track where it's the right sound.

-RD
 
cactuseskimo said:
Thanks. That's the same pre I'm considering. What mics are you using with them, and what for? What are you finding works?
Click to expand...

My 3Q's get used mainly for micing acoustic guitars, I'll use either a single or pair of SPB1's for that. As for vocals, the mics I'll generally pair it of with are an SP C3, an MXLV69ME, or a Kel Audio HM-4. The only thing I really don't like the 3Q for is, is as a DI.
 
I have a ThreeQ that I bought for quick overdubs in the mixing stage or for playing around with my own stuff. I've only used it on a few projects, but it does what I expected it to do.

I also have a TwinQCS that I've used on 5-6 recording projects with great success.

If you like the sound, I don't imagine you'd have problem with anything else. They work well, in my opinion.
 
never heard their pre's, the compressors are nicely coloured though...kinda british racing green :D
 
I've got the VC6q. Think it has the same components in a different 1RU format. Always liked the pre for bass, as it adds some low-end punch. The compressor is cool, but has to be used sparingly, unless you want that obviously squashed sound. Meek EQs are their own thing. You can't dail in anything surgical, because it's just shelving hi and low, and limited mid parametric, but for certain things it really kicks (guitars). Also heard people say good things about using the pre and comp for male rock vocals (see review on prorec.com). I liked it for vox too, but will definitely color the sound and probably be a little "dark."
 
The Three Q is suitable for guitars, but sounds thin when compared to better pres. Maybe adding an OT would solve that, but there's no room in the box to modify it. It's better than many of the budget tube units being floated around, however.
 
Any opinions on how the 3Q would hold up to the Electro Harmonix 12AY7 tube preamp?
 
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