New External or console Mic Pre

[seveone]

I recently purchased a Eureka, and put in new opamps. It sound good, pretty happy with it, other than output levels on mics...'nother post. I'm wanting to get at least another pre, and my question is....

Will I get more bang for the buck if I spend $500ish for a single or dual channel external or sell my current board, add the 500 and get a new board ($800ish)?

The externals are the M-Audio Octane, RNP, Grace 101 (only single), GT Brick (only single), (2) DMP3, maybe a Focusrite Twintrak, maybe an HHB Radius 50, Aphex 207, used Sytek or another Eureka - if I can figure out this level issue - or any other options one may think of.

The boards I'm looking at are the Soundcraft M12 or M8, a used Soundcraft Studio 24/8, an A&H Mixwizard 12:2, or on the outside is a Mackie Onyx. My current mixer is an Alesis Studio32, which I like and is really flexible, but I want better pres.

 

[rdozz]

I own RNP, The Brick, GR ME-1NV, and Soundcraft M8 and I use them all. GR and The Brick get most of the vocal work right now. Sometimes when I need mid range bite I will use the RNP. The M8 all most never gets used on vocals not because it is bad, I just prefer the sound of the stand alone units. I have considered the Grace 101 to add some additional color, but I will not buy unless I can hear it first. I have been really pleased with The Brick and the RNP in that price range.

What mics do to have? What are you mainly recording?


Rob

 

[seveone]

I own a couple 57s, D112, GT-55, sennheiser 609. Thinking about getting a Blue Baby Bottle or a Rode NTK. Have access to a couple ADKs, and a couple Nueman u87's, couple AT 3032s for OHs, oh and

The 57s, GT-55 and the 609 work great on guitar. Usually double mic the cabs with a 57 or 609 and the GT55. D112 is what it is, and is great. For vox the GT55 is a good warm mic, but not for everyone. Works good on BUs too. I borrow the others for better productions.

I mainly do full production Rock genre - indie/power pop/rawk - good rock - no metal. Vox, GTR, bass, some drums - like to use DFHS for drums though, but do have access to a good room for live. Basic 4-5 peice rock bands.

I also have a small Mackie I use for pres, the Alesis32, a MOTU 828MkII, Presonus TubePre, and and MBox. Most of those just sound good, but not...

Ideally I'd like to drop the Mackie and the Alesis32, get a better board, and maybe later this year upgrade the MOTU. I have the Mbox only for converting from PTle to DP4.5. so, I'll keep that.

 

[rdozz]

I love the 603s sound through the RNP on acoustic guitar (XY). I don't like the RNP with the 57's and I always run my D112 through the GR for great kick sound. You can hear the 603's through the RNP on a song called "Drift On" on my sound click account:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/fosterphillipsmusic.htm

somebody with more experience can give some better advice. I don't think you can go wrong with:
The Brick
RNP
SoundCraft M8

My .000002$
Rob

 

[seveone]

I've narrowed a bit. It's between a Soundcraft M12 or an A&H MW - OR - an RNP and maybe DMP3 or similar. I've heard the RNP sux for DI bass, kick, etc low end but good for other mic'ed stuff. I'll need something for DI, thinking DMP3, but it's probably no better than my Alesis32 board.

I'm going to return the Eureka no matter what. I works well as a DI, but for $500 it doesn't work that well. It's going back because I can't get a hot enough signal out of it - even if I max the comp makeup, and output, and run the input much hotter than I'd like. It does sound great though, just can't work with the level.

Unfortunately, I can't hear anything before I buy. I can't find anywhere in Minneapolis that demos gear. I can return after, but it's kind of a crap shoot.

The RNP and DMP3 will give me mediocre pre's. I'm fine with that until later this year. I'll get a higher end later. I do need something now though, and with the new board I'd feel more comfortable sub mixing/summing OTB and back in through either boards, but not my Alesis (which is sonically better than my Mackie). So, I'd kill 2 flying animals. With returning the Eureka I'll have around $900.

To YOU (anybody who's heard) will the M12 or a 16:2/14:4:2 Mix Wizard be remotely comparable to RNP/DMP3 combo or even an M80, Eureka, MP20? Or compared to a newer Mackie, how does the M12 or MW compare?

Any advise?