Need directions to the road to the right Mic Pre

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Vullkunnraven

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Hey everyone...
I would really appreciate everyone's input on this essential yet over discussed topic. What pre does everyone recommend for my following needs:

Budget about $999-$1999

Connects to Digi 002 rack

Mics- Shure SM57, Shure KSM22 condensor, Sennheiser MD421 MKII U4, pair of matched Rode NT5 condensors

DI Box- Radial JDI

***Using to track:

1.) Direct Bass, bass amp ambient room micing (usually use one of the rode condensors)
2.) Some acoustic guitars - Use the KSM on the sound hole and one of the Rode NT5's on the neck (doesn't sound that great)
3.) Very light vocals - Shure KSM
4.) Electric guitars -micing a mesa boogie half stack, a vox ac30 combo, and I want to have the direct recorded tracks layed down simultaniously. I plan on using the 57 and MD421 against the cab for heavier guitar sounds, and the 57 with the KSM22 about 3 feet back for cleaner sounds.

****Currently I use a 2 channel Aphex 207 tube pre, but I need to upgrade. Would I need something like 4 channels for this (three mics and a DI) so I can leave them connected at all times? If so how can I connect all 4 to the Digi002r? Right now I got my aphex to the 'analog 5 and 6', so if I got something like the Focusrite MH441 would I use the SPIF for the additional channels? Any mic upgrades recommended for my tracking needs?

***** Any and all posts will be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advanced!!!
 
2 channels of John Hardy and a Kurzweil Rumour
(You mean a KSM 27 right?)
If you like the Rode sound on acoustic your mics should be able to do whatever you want. (
 
I'm sure the Aphex needs to be replaced at some point, but personally, I would build up my mic locker a little more (not that the ones you have are bad) before dropping that much on a pre. Also, is your tracking room acoustically treated? That needs to be addressed if you're not happy with the recorded sound you're getting.

For pres in your pricerange, I would be checking out:

Great River MP2NV
Rupert Neve Designs Portico

If you really want 4 channels, perhaps the Sytek mpx-4aii would suit your needs, and you could spend the rest on mics.
 
I agree with Scrubs.

I would first spend the money (or some of it) on atleast one good microphone. Not that there is anything wrong with the ones you have (I have an Sm57 and NT5's in my collection), but spending over $1000 on a preamp for your current mic's would be like putting the top of the line expensive racing tires on a 1991 Toyota Corolla. It would improve the ride, but not that much.
 
Focusrite ISA 428.

Four channels of clean (yet with character), adjustable impedance, so it's like having 4 different pres if you want. Awesome as a DI or acoustic instrumet preamp. And right in your budget.

I'm not real familiar with Digi02, but if you have adat on it, you get the ADC card for the ISA and you get some decent convertors as well.
 
RE: Scrubs

The room is treated with some foam and sound absorbing blankets... so no echoes... pretty quite room...
 
Vullkunnraven said:
The room is treated with some foam and sound absorbing blankets... so no echoes... pretty quite room...

What about bass trapping? Killing off all the highs with foam and blankets will just make the recordings dull and muddy sounding. Check the Studio Building and Display forum for tips on acoustic treatment.

What are you not liking about your acoustic guitar recordings?

How about your monitoring situation?
 
Vullkunnraven, you gave a lot more info in your post than most people asking these kinds of questions. But we still don't know what kind of music you're recording and what kind of sound you're wanting.
 
Well, he did say he has a Mesa Boogie half-stack, so that should lend at least some sort of clue as to what he's tracking. He also mentioned a Vox AC30 combo.

Hmmm. I'm drooling already over this guy's amps. But he also mentioned "very light" vocals. Interesting.

I'm guessing he's doing mostly indie rock. Probably likes bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Radio Head, My Bloody Valentine (?) etc. etc.

With that getup, I'm assuming he has at least some cash to feed his gear lust. In that event, I'd recommend getting an API lunch box, and fill it up with Old School Audio mic pres. For no other reason than because I think think they're cool. http://www.oldschoolaudio.com/ I prefer the MP1-C Vintage, by the way. Very nice on snare.
.
 
Re

Scrubs:
You're right I am lacking bass traps! I guess I should put some up on every corner between the ceiling and walls. My acoustic guitars sound flat. I have a mid level acoustic and I make sure to keep it set up with intonation and new strings, but still not happy...

Dot and Chessrock:
People have described the stuff as a kind of heavier pink floyd... I dunno, but chessrock's pretty close... as far as light vocals, i record only like 10% of the vocals in this project studio...

Thanks guys
 
All good recommendations here but it looks like you want it primarily for electric guitars and that speaks Great River to me. Pink Floyd would tend to lead me to Neve sounding stuff. You say heavier than Pink Floyd which leads me toward more edge, API, or distortion city, back to Great River, maybe a Portico except no DI there.

When you add the light vocals and acoustic then the John Hardy makes more sense but not on the electrics.

I think the GR or Chandler would cover the most range here. Chandler is never a bad thing.

This is fun. Kind of like the Rum Raisen Ice Cream scene in the City Slickers movie where they are trying to pick the best ice cream to go with Chilean Sea Bass.
 
I suggested the Chandler due to the fact that electrice were mentioned. I also love my TG2 on acoustics and ass a bass DI. It does great on everything, but those are the three things I like it for the best. Lately the Chandler seems to kind of be one of the preamps of choice for electric guitars bar none. Chandler / Royer combo looks to quickly be becoming and industry standard on elecs:)
 
Good stuff

Thanks for all the input...
It's going to be between the Chandler and the GR!

I was looking at upgrading my KSM27 to a KSM44 to use as an omni to pick up the room/ambience for my guitar amp micing...

What do you guys think about matching that with the Chandler or GR

Any mic suggestions for that sweet sounding ambience condenssor?

-Thanks again
 
I would take a serious listen to the ADL600. That is a big, clean preamp with a stompin' low end response also. Very versatile and the DI in it is superb.

War
 
I would say it is a pretty tough call between the Great River and the Chandler. I find the Great River is proably a little more versatile in general. However, I also find that the Chandler is one of those preamps that when you get it on the right combo of stuff is kind of a more clear winner. In the end it's a real trade off. Neither preamp is going to disappoint though.

I have noticed though that Chandler raised their prices about a year ago. It's good for me though. My TG2 is 2 years old and I can still sell it for about what I paid for it. I haven't seen a used TG2 on the market for more than a week tops beofre it sold which is also a good sign. The Great Rivers have also held their value pretty well also.

When I mentioned the TG2 for electrics, I was mostly referring to close micing. Thats where I think it's strong point is. Unless their new Germanium preamp sounds even better, I can't think of another preamp I would rather have for electric guitars than the Chandler within ANY budget range. I really dig it on acoustics as well and it may be my all around favorite there as well. Not for transparency, but for an overall dimensionla pleasing sound. On vocals, it almost always does really well, but it would not be my all time favorite choice there. I also love my TG2 on overheads, but I still greatly prefer API on kick, snare, and toms.

The good news is that it look slike you are in a win win situation with either preamp. Both are excellent solid pieces that perform well and hold their value. Both of them seem to be built very well also:)
 
http://www.davelectronics.com/bg2.htm

4 channels of grammy winning Decca sound..and for the price..(680 for 2ch, a little over a grand for 4ch)..its an easy answer..

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=51757&page=1&pp=30
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec03/articles/davelectronicsbg1.htm

I use the BG#1 for orchestra main pair, chamber music
recording, choral work and organ+ a lot of other stuff.
Phantom power is robust with no problems powering current hungry Schoeps.

We have 3 DAV Electronics mic amps here--BG#1, BG#2 and the "Crystal Clear." We also have some super high end mic amps to compare it to.
The BG#1 compares well with the EAR 624 tube mic amp
which costs ten times as much. MUCH better sound than Millenia, for example.

The sound of the BG is smooth, detailed and rich.
It's a very good design and I would never be without it.
We are recording every day for 25 years--classical specialists in Chicago!
 
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Check out the Sebatron preamps. Incredible, imho.
 
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