looking for advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dethska
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Dethska

Dethska

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I'm looking for advice on my next upgrade. I record mostly one instrument (el/ac.guitar/bass/drums/vocals) at a time. Mostly rock/punk/metal stuff. Budget is limited.
Right now I have a Alesis Studio 24 board, into an ADAT. All I have for mics is a Sm58. I am thinking about getting a Sp C1 and mxl 603s stereo pair. I also am looking at getting a pre-amp or compressor or both. For compressor a RNC, for pre-amp maybe a vtb-1 or dmp-3.
My question is if I get only one, should I get the compressor or the pre-amp. Are the pre-amps in the studio24 any good? Any suggestions for other products also welcome.

Thanks for your help.

Dethska
 
I've got the same board and the pre's are pretty budget to me. This became quite apparent to me when I picked up a Joe Meek VC6Q which has a opto compressor and eq section. That was like night and day. Get a good pre you won't regret it. I'm not too experienced with different pre's but I really like my Meek.

I'd probably get the pre over a compressor, unless of course you get a pre that has one. I'm using an AT4033 which I absolutely love, great mic for the money.
 
I think the microphones will give you the best upgrade of your signal chain right now. You could buy one decent condenser like the SP B1 ($79). This will make an immediate difference in your recordings. Then save a little while longer and get a new preamp like the ones you have listed ($129 - $179) or maybe even the RNP ($475).

I think the compresser should come later, unless you buy a channel strip like the VC6Q or similar.
 
Well, I just got a Behringer B1. It wasn't my first pick, but it was a gift. It seems usable. Way better than the Sm58 for vocals and acoustic. I think maybe I'll wait on the SP c1 for now and get a Akg d112 for bass drum. Would this with the 603's and sm58 make for an adequate set to mic a drum set? For rock/punk style drums?
thanks for your help so far. I'm learning a lot.
 
Due to the styles of music mentioned, a Meek compressor would be worth trying, as it fits those genres well.
It'd be a smart move to replace the SM58 with either a SM57 or Shure 545 series microphone.
They're generally better on vocals than the '58, and are more flexible on instruments. (always use a mesh pop screen for vocals)
You could also replace the Behringer B1 (hyped upper range),
with the Studio Projects B1, especially for acoustic guitar.

You'll notice the difference more on dynamic microphones with an outboard mic pre, more than with condensers BTW.

Chris
 
I don't understand the need to replace a 58 with a 57 and a behringer b1 with a sp b1. I realize that these are upgrades, but how much of an upgrade? Would it not be better to get something I don't have, like a pre-amp or a compressor than replace an average component with a slightly better than average component.
on that note, what is the difference between a RNC and a Meek compressor? And what sort of Meek is good, and cheap (relatively.)
(Isn't this where Alan Hyatt pops out of the wall and tells me to wait for the PMI Meek equipment as it is the greatest thing to ever hit the shelves? =))
 
Dethska said:
on that note, what is the difference between a RNC and a Meek compressor? And what sort of Meek is good, and cheap (relatively.)
(Isn't this where Alan Hyatt pops out of the wall and tells me to wait for the PMI Meek equipment as it is the greatest thing to ever hit the shelves? =))
Click to expand...

The Joe Meek compressors are photo-optical, and the RNC is a VCA (voltage controlled amplifier) compressor. You might find some good info about compressors at www.studiocovers.com Optical compressors tend to color the sound and can make it sound fatter and fuller. VCA compressors are more transparent and they are accurate and fast- which is sometimes important for compressing instruments with fast transients- like drums.

The Joe Meek MC2 stereo compressor is about $200.

FMR RNC $180
 
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wide awake,


wow. thanks for the info and the link. would you use the meek more for vocals then? Is it common to use the optical compressors on guitars and bass? In a one or the other scenario, which would prove to be more versatile, the optical or the vca?
 
Dethska said:
would you use the meek more for vocals then? Is it common to use the optical compressors on guitars and bass? In a one or the other scenario, which would prove to be more versatile, the optical or the vca?
Click to expand...

It's extremely common to use opto compressors on bass and guitar, the Telectronix LA-2A is probably the greatest example of a classic that has been used on recordings for decades. F.E.T and VCA designs are popular too, dbx, 1776, Empirical Labs Distressor, etc. So I can't say an optical compressor is a no-brainer, but if guitar, bass, and vocals are your primary concerns then it might be the best choice.

I own the ART Pro VLA and RNC 1773, and I used to own a Joe Meek VC3Q. They all have certain areas they excel in. I have a hard time recommending one because I haven't had any experience with the stereo Joe Meek MC2 or SC2.2 compressors. The Joe Meek VC3Q compressor I had sounded good but it was difficult to dial in the right amount of compression...it was frustrating to use but it did sound good.

Looking at your set-up, I would buy a dedicated preamp and more mics before a compressor. The M-Audio DMP3 would bring your mics alive. Because it has two channels, that makes it twice as useful as a single channel :D Preamps and converters are important, everyone learns that once they use a good/decent one.
 
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And I wouldn't bother trading a 'B1' for a 'B1' or your 57 for a 58.

-J
 
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