newbie recorder needing help

[willdo]

OK i just started recording and i am looking to record some hip hop mixtapes. this is my current set up. Audio technica mic into presonus TUBEpre into presonus FIREBOX into my laptop. i usually record either on acid or fruity loops. what i am looking for is trying to get the best possible sound without having to have someone master it. i've messed with the levels on my TUBE and FIREBOX and everything sounds clean, but i'm missing that crisp clean sound on my vocals. and i dont know if that is put on by compression or EQ, or maybe somethin i dont even have. if anyone could help out please do

 

[Magarious]

I thought a tube pre take the crispness away and puts on kind of warm distortion a maybe wrong. But you will not get the crisp vocals if i am right with that preamp.

 

[coolwhip]

Yeah, the TubePRE isn't really gonna give you a high quality, 'crisp' sound. Do you have any kind of a budget for a new preamp? Also, what AT mic are you using? It's likely that a good mic/pre combination will get you what you're looking for, but that may take some research and (if possible) a trip to a nearby music store. Where are you located?

 

[willdo]

yea the preamp says that it is supossed to give it a warm sound. i thought i could compensate with some eq though. my budget for a preamp is bout 700 bucks right now. and the closest music store is the local guitar center. but yea i'll take suggestions. someone also told me i should just record without the preamp and just straight to the firebox. dunno if that'll help out tho