Opinions on pre-amp & mic package

  • Thread starter Thread starter MonkeyShock
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MonkeyShock

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Guitar Center is offering this package for $149: Octava MK319 studio condenser mic, and Presonus 12AX7 tube pre-amp.
I'm only recording acoustic guitar (and don't need multiple inputs)and am on a minimal budget. Right now I have no pre, and am using a crummy Sony vocal mic. Just wanted some opinions. The add says the package list price is $729.
The pre amp is single channel but has Variable gain and tube drive knobs as well as a vu meter. The mic is cardiod condenser. Any thoughts?
 
I can't comment on the Oktava other than it would most likely sound a good bit better than a sony vocal mic.

I have a presonus BlueTube and presonus firestation (with 2 preamps) - both of these preamps (bluetube and firestation) have a toob that you can route some signal through (or none, if you want) - looking at the specs, it seems that the TubePre is somewhere in between these...in other words, I think that it would probably sound pretty good - definitely useable for recording acoustic.

here's a pretty favorable review of the TubePre:

http://www.sonicstate.com/articles/article.cfm?id=72


that's a heck of a deal too, especially if you're on a budget.

peace:D
 
monkeyshock

sounds like i good deal. but i have not heard that combination.
maybe they have a try it out and return it policy if you dont like it.
a lot of it is subjective. by the way i dont think that sony mic is too bad having heard your song. there are other deals ive seen in preamps like the samson c valve advertised at 99 dollars. and many others like the behringer ultragain mic 100 - 49 bucks ? if i remember.
also ive heard the little yamaha mg mixers are cheap and start at just under 100 bucks ? too early yet for user reviews as its so new, but knowing yamaha its probably decent.
the oktava a lot of folks like.
merry christmas !
 
I think it is a good deal for the price. It will get you started, and that's the most important thing. Later, you can upgrade piece by piece.
 
pratt said:
I can't comment on the Oktava other than it would most likely sound a good bit better than a sony vocal mic.

I have a presonus BlueTube and presonus firestation (with 2 preamps) - both of these preamps (bluetube and firestation) have a toob that you can route some signal through (or none, if you want) - looking at the specs, it seems that the TubePre is somewhere in between these...in other words, I think that it would probably sound pretty good - definitely useable for recording acoustic.

here's a pretty favorable review of the TubePre:

http://www.sonicstate.com/articles/article.cfm?id=72


that's a heck of a deal too, especially if you're on a budget.

peace:D
Click to expand...

Aren't the BlueTube you mention and the "Presonus 12AX7 tube pre-amp" the original poster asked about one and the same?

How do you like your BlueTube? I'm thinking I could use one myself.
 
...

I think they are the same. I too would like to hear from anyone who's used them.
bmanning...hey bud, Center also has the Studio Projects vtb1 for $129...this would be doable for me. You have used one correct? The reviews I've read say it's very quiet which is most important to me. I can wait on a mic. Do you think this is the way to go ? Thank you for your input people. I apologize if the topic drifted off mics.
 
Jeezuss . . .

Isn't anyone going to intervene, here?

Look, I hate to do this, but I consider some of you guys my friends . . . and friends just don't let friends drink & drive . . . we don't let them beer goggle, and we don't let them buy cheap, crappy toob gear.

Alright? Consider yourselves warned. You're the one who has to wake up with her tomorrow morning, though, and I'm tellin' ya -- she ain't gonna' look the same. I've got a clear conscience on this one.
 
My limited experience with the blue tube indicates that it is a pretty good door stop. I love the MK319, but it wouldn't be my first choice for acoustic guitar. It can be very nice on vocals and toms, though. If you talk fast, Guitar Center will sell you an Oktava MC012 small diaphragm condenser for $50, and an M Audio Audiobuddy for about $80. About the same as the combo above, but far more effective on acoustic. Later, add another MC012. They're pushing this combo because it's a mic they're overstocked on, and a preamp that sucks. Nasssty tewb drive baaaad for wooden guitar.-Richie
 
other thoughts

monkeyshock, another alternative maybe is to put in a new soundcard first. your going to need it anyway probably, and see if that really makes a dramatic difference.
i havnt used a audiobuddy but a lot of folks seem to like it.
i really think if you follow chessrocks line of reasoning the little yamaha mg mixer might be worth auditioning . early reports say its very clean. my local music store lets me rent things for a few days in my studio.
might be worth asking your local store if they will do the same. its very difficult to audition in a store.
 
monkeyshock

after reading another thread on here , it prompted me to suggest you look at the rane ms1 preamp. i didnt realise that they were so cheap now so i didnt bother mentioning it.. ITS A VERY GOOD PREAMP. lot of satisfied folks. anyone care to comment on differences between the rane and other preamps in its price range ?
 
Re: monkeyshock

manning1 said:
anyone care to comment on differences between the rane and other preamps in its price range ?
Click to expand...

I think it smokes just about anything else in it's price bracket, with the exception of the dmp3, which is pretty much the same thing (only dual-channel).

It's extremely simple and low-frills, clean and detailed. Kind of a poor man's Grace Design, only with less features.

I give it the big thumbs-up.
 
Great...

Lots of good info people, I'll look into everyones suggestions, but I wont be buying that package. I should have about $150 to $200 a week of expendable income that I can spend on gear this month. I've got a soundblaster live arriving in a day or 2(yea, i know), but I'm planning on getting the Audiophile 24/96 next week. This week, I want to try and get a decent pre-amp or mixer...not sure which but leaning towards a pre-amp. Thanks again everyone.:)
 
EddieRay said:
Aren't the BlueTube you mention and the "Presonus 12AX7 tube pre-amp" the original poster asked about one and the same?

How do you like your BlueTube? I'm thinking I could use one myself.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. The BlueTube and TubePre are both made by presonus - the bluetube is 2 channel, the tubepre 1 - the specs are slightly different which is why I concluded that they are not the same (ie. tubepre isn't just one channel of bluetube)

The bluetube is ok....really great as a DI on both bass and guitar, also like it alot on a kick mic with some tube dialed in. I definitely wouldn't call it quiet though - but it has it's uses.

I knew the bluetube haters would come out in this thread....:eek:
 
Re: Great...

MonkeyShock said:
Lots of good info people, I'll look into everyones suggestions, but I wont be buying that package. I should have about $150 to $200 a week of expendable income that I can spend on gear this month. I've got a soundblaster live arriving in a day or 2, but will be getting the Audiophile 24/96 next week. This week, I want to try and get a decent pre-amp or mixer...not sure which but leaning towards a pre-amp.
Click to expand...

Ok, ok, ok, everybody around here knows I am a big fan of the M-Audio DMP3 preamp, and Marshall MXL603s and Oktava MC012 SD mics, and the M-Audio soundcards. :D This is the best entry level "bang-for the buck" acoustic guitar recording setup I can think of. And I've thought about it and researched it a lot. Add a decent LDC and an SM57 an you can make very good recordings of just about anything.

I just didn't think MonkeyShock could afford this setup at this time.
 
some more ideas monkeyshock

just an idea for you. maybe over the next year or two you might want to consider i got to thinking having heard your music , saving up for a used older recording console. sometimes you see a deal on ebay on say a 16 channel. this would help if you intend to form a band or even record other folks. ive seen some crazy deals on the net like consoles that once cost 20k and up sometimes going for 1K. maybe needing some tlc and/or upgrading. with the digital pc daw revolution going on a lot of folks ignore both the value and the sound in some of these
consoles that once recorded even major artists.
maybe look out for older brands of the soundcraft,studio master,
amek etc ilk. i know some might disagree. but some of them had pretty nice sounds you could get.
if anyone ever offers you an older trident at a silly price, give it serious consideration. many hits were done on them.
just an idea to think about. but maybe you dont want the maintenance headaches that go with larger consoles like replacing worn out capacitors etc.
 
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