newbie got some new toys

[detuned6]

Im a newbie so im here to learn some stuff. I got a 424mkIII, Behringer 2004A mixer, alesis 3630, bbe s. maximizer, sm57,ev mc100, & one of those $10 nady mics ( sounds like shit ) sony tape deck, mini disc (these things rule)Dr-660 drum machine, ibanez guitars, crate bv-120 head, marshall 4x12,and other guitar pedals. I am lucky that i have 2 rooms (amp/vocal room & control room) for my studio. My weak spots are 1- using a p.a. for monitors and shitty headphones. 2- i dont have a mic pre-so my vocal signals are lacking a good sound/signal. anybody think the ART mic pre($130 )w/ VU meter is any good? how bout the dbx or the bellari ?(single channel)??????????????

 

[A Reel Person]

Well, I can't comment on the specific question,

but I'll say, you sure did get the toys! Wow!

And two rooms for your stuff? I'm jealous!

 

[Leeking]

I am using the preamp of my behringer 602a right now and not happy with it.

I am saving up for a behringer MIC2200 preamp. read some good reviews about it on this board.

some other preamp you should consider (around the $200 price range ) are the presonus, joemeek VC3Q...

 

[FZfile]

get monitors!!!!!!!!!!!

detuned,
i am what i would call an intermediate newbie with pretty much portastudio experience, and i think a lotta experts will tell you that you need studio monitors.
i use the fostex self powered 3.1 or whatever $200 cheap-as-hell monitors and compared to just headphones (especially if they're not really good ones) .....BIG, improved difference.

A friend of mine who bought my old 4x has his hooked up to a pretty nice pair of loudspeakers and THAT was way better than head phones.

just like any gear...get the best you can fit into your budget at the time and in the long run you will be more satisfied.

also......2cents on DBX pre. i have the mini-tube pre and i like it.
its good with my NT3 and with my SM57.
i like it better than the Art MP. not really warmer but rounder.
it also works very well when plugging my bass into it. it really ups the punch and dynamic range of my passive pickups
not so much on my guitar, though. like my RT66/Sunn/57 sound.

I've also heard one the more expensive Belari's (well, more than the DBX or Art) and it sounded REALLY nice. very ...........rich. had warmth, i guess you could say.

The only thing about the DBX is that since its a 'desktop' unit it can kind of get in the way. something in the rack would be nice.

Anyway, those are just some of my opinions and b.t.w. i would K I L L for two rooms!!!!!
-mike