Oktava MC012 w/ Preamp?

[Dipthong]

Hey I'm pretty new to all this and I'm loking to take that next microphone step up from my one M57. I've read allot about the MC012's and love how they sound on Erwin Timmerman's shoot out. I'm also in the market for a pre-amp but don't know what will sound good with the MC012's. I have a mackie 1202 but when I record to my vs1680 it tends to sound a little cold and thin. Some thing with some warmth and a digital out would be great. I was leaning twards the dbx386 but I heard in wasn't the greatest for condenser mics. Any recomendation from Oktava users about preamps in the $500-$600 range with digital outs. Any advice much apprecieted! Thanks , Ned

 

[Track Rat]

Hi Ned
I have an Octava 319 and a DBX 386 and they're a great combination. I've never heard anything negative about using condensers with it. Mine sounds fantastic.

 

[dobro]

drstawl, king of the regulars on this board, uses a pair of Rode NT-1s through his 386 with very good results, loads of satisfaction and no complaints. Reports are that it's a very transparent pre, as compared to a Joemeek unit which has loads of color.

 

[Dipthong]

Thanks for the advice. I do like the sound of the Joemeeks. Do any of them have a digital out? Does Joemeek have a website? Thanks again!

 

[Dipthong]

Does anyone know how the Presonus MP20 or the MindPrint envoice sound compares to the Joemeek's? I've ordered the 3daudio pre-amp CD. But they don't include the Joemeek or the Mindprint in the line up. Thanks again!

 

[CyanJaguar]

www.joemeek.com

the joemeek vc1q for $550 has optional digital output.

My top suggestions would be:
mindprint envoice: 499 @ marsmusic.com (also has optional digital output) great reviews, great sound(and warm too)

Joemeek vc6q: $410 @ 8thstreet.com(if you ask) just won an award on prorec.com among five finalists, including an art, a bellari, a presonus etc etc.
I have it, I love it

Dbx 386. $419 in many places. Great reviews. Transparent but you can also add tube sound to it. Very well priced cause it has 24/96 digital output AND two channels that supposedly CANNOT clip on the D-A side. Review on sospubs.co.uk(search for dbx 386)