more pre questions... argh

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FBstdminime

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Alright I'm pretty close to making my final decision on what mic pre to get (grace 101), however i just want to make sure that this pre is good for rock/metal vocals (or at least better than a meek vc1q - that's my second choice right now).

Thanks in advance,
Eric
 
Depends what you mean by "better"... the Grace will certainly be more transparent and uncoloured than the Meek....

But if the Meek coloration is what you're looking for in the first place.... then the Grace won't give it to you!

Bruce
 
OK, I'm still a bit baffled about the coloration thingie. Could someone like record some vocals with the same mic using different pres? Including staright to a board? So I can finally hear what is this coloration people are talking about :)

Keijo
 
On some things the coloration is way obvious, others its not. I happen to find that the coloration of the Focusrite Red series on vocals is fantastic, but thats my opinion. Its has a thick, vanilla-ish sound to it, as does alot of the Neve stuff, and sounded really huge to me when paired with the TLM-103. In the Grace price range, you might want to consider spending a few extra bucks on a single channel John Hardy.
Or for $849 you can have a real Neve or an API($899) single channel, racked by Brent Averill. Either one would probably serve your needs. My guitars sounded great on API's, and from what I gather, most people love them on kick and snare, too. When I was doing vocal tests on the API, it sounded very in your face, almost too in your face, but great none-the-less. The API is a tried and true favorite, and will retain its value permanently, whereas the Grace and Meek stuff, you never know.
 
more research results in more questions

Alright... I've just discovered that api makes two new affordable pres - the 512c (<$849) and the 212L(<$649). Are these any good? It would be awesome to have an api in my setup...
 
The API are excellent and are generally classed as "high-end" preamps. They retain thier value. Easily a better buy over any mid-level pre that I know of personally.
Keep in mind that the API's need a power supply. The price you have is for modules, and you'll need a rack supply which is about $600 or more. You would be cheaper going with the John Hardy stuff, which is also considered "high-end", but probably better off with the API just for resale purposes.
I think the Hardy rack is $500, and the preamps are $400 each, give or take. Good expansion possibilitie though, after initial expense, you can add preamps for $400. The Hardys are known to be very clean as in Great River category.
 
hmmm... no power supply. Now the Averill neve 3415 is the cheapest out of the high end pres that I'm looking at ($849).
 
Ask Fletcher or Brent Averill about the 3415 before you buy it, see what its out of and how it is... Phoenix audio would be able to tell you whats up, too, I think they used to all be Neve designers and techs. They also sell what is reputed to be a very good preamp for around $700 or so, so I;d chech that out, too. They make alot of Neve copies and remakes and stuff, too. I think its phoenixaudio.net
John hardys can be found, I think, at www.imjohn.com If not, look around on RAP newsgroup for the address.
They Sytek is only around a grand, new with 4 channels, and I think Cyan has one for sale.
 
What do guys think of the Focusrite platinum series voice
channels? The new "Trak" model is supposed to use class A
electronics in the mic pre portion. They run about $400.
 
I just wish the Red series was as cheap as the Platinum series. That would be wonderful.
 
the phoenix audio looks awesome but the price is 699 pounds (about $966). That is little over my limit and i wouldn't even know how to order it.
 
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