need help getting a thick sound

[Todd Pro]

hi ive been using cubase to record from my roland jv-90 keyboard for a while which i run through a mackie 1202 mixer. ive used plugins like the grungelizer reverb and it sounds alright but i want to know how i can get a more professional sound. do i need to get a high quality preamp? get a different program? im sure theres a ton of different ways to go what would make the biggest difference? im not on a tight budget but id like to spend a reasonable amount of money. thanks.

 

[gulleyg]

Hey Sonusman,

I am about to buy my first mic preamp and am trying to figure out the best way to use them. So, i have a question for you...

What do you mean exactly when you say "I always run my mixes (the output of the console) through my ART Dual MP"?

You run the sound outputs of your mixer through a mic preamp and then the outputs for your preamp go into your computer or whatever you record on? I always assumed that you would connect, say, the outputs of your keyboard or mic to the inputs on the preamp and then the outs of the preamp connect to the inputs on the mixer. Is that correct?

GG

 

[Dragon]

My dear friend...

Preamps are for mics. You're not micing a keyboard, are you? Hmm, a more professional program for recording...let me ask you one little question...

What sound card are you using?

 

[sonusman]

Actually Dragon, a mic pre amp can be used on a line level signal.

I always run my mixes (the output of the console) through my ART Dual MP. The difference in sound quality in remarkable. Not only do I get better constand levels, but the sound field opens up, the resolution increases by at least 25%, and I get some cool sounding tube color.

For a keyboard, where the D/A converters are probably not all that great, a tube mic pre amp will definately improve the sound quality in a very noticable way.

A single channel ART Tube MP is just over $100, and well worth the investment. Of course, you will probably need the 2 channel Dual MP, which believe it or not cost about $280, but, you get a better unit.

Good luck.

Ed Rei
Echo Star Studio www.echostarstudio.com

 

[sonusman]

That is correct. But you can use the pre amp box between any two points. Want to make your effects return to your console sound better, run the output of your effects to a mic pre amp then into the line level in on your mixer. In the case of a Tube mic pre, you get all the color and sizzle a tube circuit will give you.

So, usually I run my mixer outputs to an ART Dual MP, then to a ART Dual Levelar, then to the DAT player. I will usually start up the mix before doing this, but when I start hitting the wall the tube gear cleans everything up and reveals so much about the mix that I was missing before. I good pre amp will do that, reveal more accurately what the source signal really sounds like. Then you can make better informed decisions concerning your mix.

Now for tracking, you would run the source signal (keys, vocal mic etc....) to the ART, then directly to the tape deck input bypassing the mixer altogether going to tape. Even when you run into the line input of most mixers you are still running through the pre amp. If the mixer is higher quality, it will have dedicated tape returns. Even these use an OP Amp, which will to a certain extent color the sound. So while tracking, it is good to avoid the mixer for going to tape if you are using outboard preamps. Only use the mixer for monitoring the track.

Ed