Looking for inexpensive preamp

  • Thread starter Thread starter jasgav
  • Start date Start date
at $300

Just recently started the same "upgrade".

I read a lot of posts here and came up with the
SP B1 Mic $79, which I am very impressed with. Build, sound...inexpensive but not "cheap" sounding.

DMP3 $185, (2-channel) I never realized how much difference a pre-amp could make. wow. I had been swapping out microphones for sometime with no big change until the pre-amp was thrown IN THE MIX..hee,he

The advice from this group was right on....
RNC is next......

I went with sound over <rack mount> criteria, but you can buy a rack mount shelf for like ~$25....and lock the units down somehow.
 
Coolcat- At their price point, the units you have selected will work. That is the beginning of a pretty solid prosumer front end. I salute you for doing your homework. Trust me on this- add a TC Electronics M300 for a general FX and A-D convertor. $200 at GC currently. I own all of the units you have listed, and I know the M300 will complement them perfectly. Then all you need is the recorder or sound card, and you're good to go. Over time, you will add mics, pres, FX, convertors, compressors, finalizers, phase correcters, power conditioners, monitors, cans, cables, power supplies, tuners,duplicators,amps. We got you now, boy. Congratulations. You have GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome). Enjoy your new toys. I'm betting, over the years, no toy you will buy will completely replace the tools you have chosen- well. -Richie
 
Bob, I think its best to wait until the revised Joe Meek's come
out at this point, rather than getting a MQ3.
That "$400 4-Track" is quite capable of making release level
recordings, assuming the talent, and engineering know-how is there. Paging George Martin! :D

My understanding is that the DBX 286a, is a sleeper channel strip
in the $120 (or so) or less price range, and sounds nice.
It was designed by the respected engineer, Robert Orban, BTW.

Chris
 
I generally agree with Chessparov about waiting on the new Joemeek, excepting if you get the right price on a VC1Q or a twinQ, which really are good channel strips. I've gotten really good mileage out of a twinQ.-Richie
 
has anyone used the samson c class series yet? Specifically the c value...
 
Along with ART, Bellari, Berhringer (putting on flame suit :D), Samson also has a general reputation as being crappy, among pro's.

Stick to the stuff recommended in this thread,
and you'll be better off.

Chris
 
ok after reading all this great advice I ran down to our gc looking to pick up my new dmp3. I was even ready to haggle the price down to 119 like some of you did. They didn't have any! and only had 2 in the southeast area. They did have a pre-owned forcusrite voice master for 279. I even check ebay but decided voice master was a pretty good deal. what do you think...
 
If it's the voicemaster PRO then yes, if it's the regular voicemaster then I would keep looking. I take it this is your first preamp and you want it to be somewhat versatile.

The standard voicemaster's preamp is not bad but the effects on that unit are virutally useless. Also, the unit is a one trick pony, slightly warm sounding but the DMP3 will be more versatile across voices and instruments.

The voicemaster will be good for some vocals but few instruments and if you use it for several tracks, everything starts to get fuzzy sounding. That said, it can really produce a nice vocal if you stay away from the internal compressor.

If you want to get a warm sounding vocal the vm would be nice along side a Rane or DMP3 for other tracks but if I needed a unit that can do alot of things I would go for more of a neutral sounding preamp.
 
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