MIC pre suggestions?

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point3god

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Through my school's discount, I can get about 15-30% off at our local music store and I'm hoping to get some reviews on some decent pre-amps that run for $300-500. So far I've been recording with my mbox2 and my mackie 1402 but was wondering if a couple of hundred bucks could give me a better result. Thanks!
 
point3god said:
...was wondering if a couple of hundred bucks could give me a better result. Thanks!
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I'm sure you have heard the expression, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." If the item being upgraded is actually the weakest link in your system, then yes, you will likely notice much better results. If after the upgrade the weakest link is still there then, the need for improvement will also still be there. Only you can answer that.

I believe a good preamp is extremely important. I have been reading and hearing nothing but good things about the P-Solo made by True Systems and also The Brick made by Groove Tube.

Good Luck,
RawDepth
 
point3god said:
Through my school's discount, I can get about 15-30% off at our local music store and I'm hoping to get some reviews on some decent pre-amps that run for $300-500. So far I've been recording with my mbox2 and my mackie 1402 but was wondering if a couple of hundred bucks could give me a better result. Thanks!
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It kinda depends on what your are recording, what mics you have, and how many channels you need.
 
point3god said:
Through my school's discount, I can get about 15-30% off at our local music store and I'm hoping to get some reviews on some decent pre-amps that run for $300-500. So far I've been recording with my mbox2 and my mackie 1402 but was wondering if a couple of hundred bucks could give me a better result. Thanks!
Click to expand...
The ART MPA Gold sells for $299 and can run really clean or you can add variable amounts of tube colouration. It has adjustable impedance for further sound variation as well as matching impedances on your mics.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPAGold/
Here is the $400 Digital version
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DigitalMPA/

The Focusrite TwinTrak Pro sells at $599 but I've seen them for less on eBay.
This unit has a lot of variable features and is more of a channel strip as opposed to just a mic=pre.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TwinTrakPro/

The Grace 101 gets a ton of postive press around here and sells new in the mid $500's but I've seen them in the $400's on eBay.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/101/

Here is info on the $599 P-Solo
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSolo/

and the $400 GT Brick
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Brick/

And yes, what mics are you using? :confused:
 
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thanks

thanks for all of your responses. I guess it wouldn't be worth it to upgrade from an XDR pre to a grace 101, or a cheap tube.
 
point3god said:
thanks for all of your responses. I guess it wouldn't be worth it to upgrade from an XDR pre to a grace 101, or a cheap tube.
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It would be well worth it to go to a Grace 101.
From and XDR to a cheap tube pre?
Right now all you have are XDR's.
What is cheap to you?
You can get the Studio Projects VTB1 for about $120 and you'll have a sound or colouration that you dont have now.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VTB1/
The ART MPA GOLD will give you a wide range of variability that you don't have now.
There are some other nice tube pre's in the $500 range.
Start cruisin through the online music stores and start reading magazines like MIX, tape op, EQ, Recording etc and you'll start learning more.
 
I'd check out the Chameleon Labs 7602 if the local music store carries them (e.g. Guitar Center does). I love mine-- it's a Chinese manufactured Neve 1073 clone and the pre and eq are awesome for the price.
 
point3god said:
Through my school's discount, I can get about 15-30% off at our local music store and I'm hoping to get some reviews on some decent pre-amps that run for $300-500. So far I've been recording with my mbox2 and my mackie 1402 but was wondering if a couple of hundred bucks could give me a better result. Thanks!
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1) What styles of music are you recording?
2) List the microphones you have.
3) What monitors are you using?
4) Describe your room. Is it treated?
 
sdelsolray said:
1) What styles of music are you recording?
2) List the microphones you have.
3) What monitors are you using?
4) Describe your room. Is it treated?
Click to expand...


1) Accapella and r&b
2) Rode K2 on the way. Friend has a ksm 27 that i will be actively using.
3) Rokkits, but I'll rarely be recording at home. Will be mixing on hr824
4) pro studio.

thanks
 
sdelsolray said:
1) What styles of music are you recording?
2) List the microphones you have.
3) What monitors are you using?
4) Describe your room. Is it treated?
Click to expand...

Also:
5) List any sisters you have
6) List their phone numbers
7) Describe them in detail
 
MCI2424 said:
Also:
5) List any sisters you have
6) List their phone numbers
7) Describe them in detail
Click to expand...
  • Include Pictures
 
homestudioguy said:
The ART MPA Gold sells for $299 and can run really clean or you can add variable amounts of tube colouration. It has adjustable impedance for further sound variation as well as matching impedances on your mics.
Click to expand...

A very decent pre. I use it in live recording and sound applications along with the Pro VLA and both units have held up following years of use, knock on wood.
 
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