Mic pre/mixer advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter brianXXX
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brianXXX

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Hallo again everyone,

I'm about to purchase an Otari MX5050 Mk III. This is an 8 track 1/2 inch reel to reel. I'm going to be using this machine to record instruments individually, as I play each of them myself. Therefore I was thinking about getting a really good 2 channel pre, instead of a console with 8 good pres.

Anyway, I'm not sure where to begin, so I'm hoping you guys could help give me some direction. I presume there are different types of pres, perhaps some are more associated with one type of music than another. So maybe you could give me the general pre low down, and possibly the different price ranges involved. I'm prepared to spend $1000++.

I also need a mixer, so perhaps you could give me some suggestions in that regard too, keeping in mind that I plan to buy the pres separate.

I play congas, marimba, electric and acoustic guitar, native American flute, as well as a number of other trinkets.

Thank you.
 
I've just realized that pres usually dont include EQ. Could you advise me about this too. Sorry but I'm new to all this,

Thanks again.
 
I felt bad no one was responding, but I'm not going to be that much help. The higher quality 2 channel mic preamps are usually going to start a bit higher than the $1000 you have budgeted, and then they won't include EQ. The channel strip designs that include EQ often are only one channel for the same price as the two channel versions that don't have EQ.

The problem is, you are going to need a console anyway to mix when you are done, so maybe the best route would be to get a couple of decent preamps, and a console that has some useable EQ. Of course, this will run you quite a bit more than $1000.

Typical high quality mic-pres that you may want to check out are currently being manufactured by companies like Focusrite (Red, not platinum), Great River, Avalon, Summit, Vintech, Tube Tech, Fearn, Daking, Grace (201), Drawmer, API, Demeter, and Millenia Media. Those are just off the top of my head - there are dozens more. Plus all the vintage pres you can buy used.

There are many here, including Sonusman, who feel that high quality preamps are not essential. Although I personally disagree in my particular situation, I can't argue with some of their results using "budget" preamps from companies like ART, Mackie, Joe Meek, Studio Projects, etc. If you decide to go that route, clearly you can get two channels for way under $1000.

Sorry I wasn't of more help.
 
By the way, what mics are you using on these instruments?
 
Im no expert but for rougly a little more than a 1000 dollars you can get the presonus firewire mic pres...the unit is bad ass looking, they have probably the best pre's for the money but i mean theyre are like 8 of them so i dotn know if you want to get 8 rather than 2...just my input on things...
 
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