New Mic preamp.

  • Thread starter Thread starter haarisa
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haarisa

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I am in need of a new preamp. I have a studio projects VTB-1 preamp. I was told to get an Avalon, I know I should probably get it because of its big reputation in the recording industry, but is there a preamp that costs less that will give almost equally sounding results? I really want to have very nice quality vocals so that they do not stick out like a soar thumb in my mixes.

** Edit *** - I am only recording hip hop vocals and R&B singers.
 
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I don't know if your post is serious, but that's a GIGANTIC jump in price from the studio projects preamp to the Avalon. I dunno much about which preamps are good for hip hop, but you might want to look into the:

DAV BG-1
Mackie Onyx, 400F, etc. (any of the models with Onyx preamps)
Groove Tubes Brick (tube preamp). Also, check out the Groove Tubes suPRE, which is coming out soon. Even more$$ the Presonus ADL 600 (supposed to be great).
RNP (Really Nice Preamp)

I have a couple of Grace 101 preamps which I like a great deal. They're on the inexpensive side (around $500) each. Super clean, but characterless.
 
Phil, I answered your question about the DAVs input impedance in the Gearslutz thread...(1300 Ohms)(1K3 Ohms)
PHILANDDON said:
I don't know if your post is serious, but that's a GIGANTIC jump in price from the studio projects preamp to the Avalon. I dunno much about which preamps are good for hip hop, but you might want to look into the:

DAV BG-1
Mackie Onyx, 400F, etc. (any of the models with Onyx preamps)
Groove Tubes Brick (tube preamp). Also, check out the Groove Tubes suPRE, which is coming out soon. Even more$$ the Presonus ADL 600 (supposed to be great).
RNP (Really Nice Preamp)

I have a couple of Grace 101 preamps which I like a great deal. They're on the inexpensive side (around $500) each. Super clean, but characterless.
Click to expand...
 
Look into the M-Audio TAMPA... can be had on ebay for less than $300 and it sounds great. Doesn't get a lot of mention on this site, but I use it all the time for vocals and bass DI.
 
man what a leap...

what numbers did you play? (joking)

lets not get ahead of ourselves here, what kind of interface are you using?? what kind of mic are you plugging into it?

and i suggest the Great River neve clone, can be had for around $1000-$1200, im not really sure.

avalon is so much hype, im sure its great, but $1700+ is a lot to spend for a pretty silver rack unit. yes it is beautiful and the GR is kinda ugly, but i can tolerate the ugliness for $700 less....
 
Jump to the $300 - $500 range and don't waste money on the Avalon. Let that happen in another few years when the rest of the signal chain can be equal to the preamp. Look at the Mackie or the M-Audio line and get some production for the money.
 
Line 6 ux2 Check it out online it is the answer to your question dude. :) It has an Avalon setting that is very good.
 
You were told by who to get an Avalon?

Avalon makes some nice stuff. No argument. But so do about 20 other preamp manufacturers. And many of them have reputations the equal of Avalon.*

So it just seems strange that you are focusing on only one option.

*(Here's 20 just off the top of my head):
Cranesong
Daking
Tube Tech
Pendulum
Vintech
API
Great River
DACS
Manley
Neve
Massenberg
Fearn
Wunder Audio
Mercury
Gordon
Martech
Chandler
Phoenix
Millenia Media
Groove Tubes
 
Didn't we just have this discussion last week??????? Geez.
 
fraserhutch said:
Didn't we just have this discussion last week??????? Geez.
Click to expand...
probably... stupid newbies dont know how to use the search function...

i mean that with love stupid newbies...
 
markitzero said:
Look into the M-Audio TAMPA... can be had on ebay for less than $300 and it sounds great. Doesn't get a lot of mention on this site, but I use it all the time for vocals and bass DI.
Click to expand...

I'll second the TAMPA. Big bang for the bucks, lots of features, sounds good. Do a search to learn more about it.
 
haarisa said:
I am in need of a new preamp. I have a studio projects VTB-1 preamp. I was told to get an Avalon, I know I should probably get it because of its big reputation in the recording industry, but is there a preamp that costs less that will give almost equally sounding results? I really want to have very nice quality vocals so that they do not stick out like a soar thumb in my mixes.

** Edit *** - I am only recording hip hop vocals and R&B singers.
Click to expand...

What microphones do you have in your collection? Is your vocal recording room acoustically treated?

Not that the VTB-1 is a wonderful preamp, but it's not total shit, either. Meaning - I would focus on getting some great vocal mics before I dropped a couple of grand on an Avalon (or, preferably, any other preamp). If you've already got some world-class mics and the preamp is definitely the weakest link in your chain, then you may want to rent a few different preamps and try them out in your studio before you buy. While the Avalon is a studio staple for hip-hop, there may be better and more affordable options, many of which have already been suggested.
 
kid klash said:
I'll second the TAMPA. Big bang for the bucks, lots of features, sounds good. Do a search to learn more about it.
Click to expand...

I'll join the chorus... picked one up recently for $275, and at that price it's a very good buy, a solid preamp, and a keeper regardless of price. As nice as that Avalon? I seriously doubt it, but as scrubs points out, dropping that much dough on a preamp while neglecting the mic locker may not be the best plan. On the other hand, if you've got more money where that came from, and great mics are on the way, then have fun.
 
The Really Nice Preamp is reputed to be be excellent for the price. It's two channel. I have one, and I'm very happy with it. I was using a Mackie mixer preamp previously, and the difference was really noticable.
 
And a 4th part harmony on the Tampa. I got 2 of em. Clean pre and good comp.
:cool:
 
pre/mic combo

For Hiphop I love the Neumann U87 and the Avalon M5 or the Vt737sp or Mercenary Audio has a Vt737sm (cheaper with plastic knobs) I own the 737 and a U87 and hip hop guys call me just because of it. In the end you can always change the combo once they get there. (gotta pay the bills!) :cool:
 
As Blue Groove says, this version of the 737 is the EXACT SAME sonically and electronically as the silver one. It's just $250 (at least) less expensive because you're not paying for the fancy metal knobs. Plus the black face-plate on the Mercenary version looks bad-ass!

Merc Avalon 737SM
 
haarisa said:
I am in need of a new preamp. I have a studio projects VTB-1 preamp. I was told to get an Avalon, I know I should probably get it because of its big reputation in the recording industry, but is there a preamp that costs less that will give almost equally sounding results? I really want to have very nice quality vocals so that they do not stick out like a soar thumb in my mixes.

** Edit *** - I am only recording hip hop vocals and R&B singers.
Click to expand...
Here is a post of mine on GS, there you will find a sample (small mp3) of vocals ran thru the Avalon737 and Vocals ran thru the ADL. This is a Christian band I recorded a month or so ago. I like the ADL better but they both have their uses, you just have to choose which fits better for that singer obviously. ADL is just more versitile and has a special mojo in my opinion that many preamps lack. Hope the sample helps people with their decisions.

Peace
Eddie
 
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littledog said:
You were told by who to get an Avalon?

Avalon makes some nice stuff. No argument. But so do about 20 other preamp manufacturers. And many of them have reputations the equal of Avalon.*

So it just seems strange that you are focusing on only one option.

*(Here's 20 just off the top of my head):
Cranesong
Daking
Tube Tech
Pendulum
Vintech
API
Great River
DACS
Manley
Neve
Massenberg
Fearn
Wunder Audio
Mercury
Gordon
Martech
Chandler
Phoenix
Millenia Media
Groove Tubes
Click to expand...

Just about every one of these manufacturers has a greater reputation than Avalon.
 
I have a Studio Projects C1 Microphone. They told me at GC to get a better preamp[but searching around the forums, people have a general concensus of not liking the GC staff]
 
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