pre-amp suggestion for a lost soul?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Giganova
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Giganova

Giganova

gimmi your mic!
hey guys & gurlz --

I know that this might be the zillionths thread on mic pres, but reading all the threads drives me nuts! You guys make me a gear addict! On the bright side of things, by reading tons of threads and -- most importantly -- listenting to a lot of mics and pre-amps, I can finally hear my need for a pristine signal chain.

OK, here's my question:

I am primarily producing electronic music (dance music), so chances are slim that a new Norah Jones comes to my little studio and needs a studio album recorded. However, I do record more & more vocals (mostly female) for my tracks. And I constantly record my own sax solos. I am using an AT 4047 for vocals and a Neumann KM184 for my sax. The mics suit me fine right now, but I'll add another (better) mic next year.

The only pre I have is a Focusrite Green channel strip. Its not a great pre, but a good pre. However, since I am tired of pluggin in and out and in and out of my only pre, I want another one. It should be a step up from the Focusrite.

So I am shopping for a quality yet economical mono pre for around a grand or so. Here's a list I am toying with:

- Mindprint Envoice II (around $700?)
- Rackmount FMR RNP & RNC (around $700)
- TL Audio 5051 (around $700)
- FMR Audio RNP and RNC combo (around $700)
- Drawmer TSI Tubestation (around $800)
- John Hardy M-1 (around $1,100)
- A Designs MP-1 (around $1,200)

I've listened to some on the track of The Listening Session. They feature the AT 4047 and the Hardy M1, which sounds clearly better than the AT 4047 with any other pres (even on the mp3s!), but its at the top end of my budget, so I hesitate.

What do you guys think would fit my needs?
Thanks a lot for your input!
 
If you're only going to be able to have one quality pre, then I'd recommend you go with two channels. The A Designs MP-2 is about $1,250 street.

Other considerations if you're willing to go one channel:

John Hardy M-1 or the M-1 Personal Mic Preamp;

Millenia TD-1 with the mic pre option added on.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
Studio Projects - VTB-1 $129
Sytek - MP4Xia $850-ish
Toft Audio - ATC-2 $999

Beez
 
The John Hardy M-1 Personal Mic Preamp [ loaded with all options ] can be bought for $950 and is the best single-channel pre under $1K, IMO. It's clean, but the Jensen transformer and Jensen 990 opamp give it just enough something to make everything more musical and "right" sounding. You can also – with a pin that's included – bypass the transformer if you wish, for an even more transparent sound.

The M-1 is a pre that with last you for life, and you will never sell it.

Now, you should know that the M-1 does not come with a DI, and you may want a DI since you track so many electronic instruments. You could add a Countryman Type 85 DI box.

IMO, best tube DI/mic pre under $1K is the A Designs Audio MP-1. $899ish street price. Clean tube pre, awesome DI.

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
 
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First, I think it's very important that you find your soul before you go looking for any more mic pres. :D
 
Giganova said:


- Mindprint Envoice II (around $700?)
- Rackmount FMR RNP & RNC (around $700)
- TL Audio 5051 (around $700)
- FMR Audio RNP and RNC combo (around $700)
- Drawmer TSI Tubestation (around $800)
- John Hardy M-1 (around $1,100)
- A Designs MP-1 (around $1,200)

I've listened to some on the track of The Listening Session. They feature the AT 4047 and the Hardy M1, which sounds clearly better than the AT 4047 with any other pres (even on the mp3s!), but its at the top end of my budget, so I hesitate.

What do you guys think would fit my needs?
Click to expand...

Well... you're the only person who will actually be able to answer what fills your needs... we can only comment on what have filled our needs in the past which may certainly be different from your needs.

As has been mentioned... the Hardy 'personal M-1' runs like $950 [within budget range]... and IMNTLBFHO, you can really never go wrong with the RNP/RNC combo... [I'm still hoping to hear the A-Designs sometime in the near future... then again, I'm still hoping to hear a Sebatron sometime in my lifetime... ]

Best of luck with your search.
 
thanks a lot for your comments!

Did some of you check out the "Hampton Kit"? Could be fun soldering your own pre together, and from what I've heard they seem to be sounding pretty good. The tube version will be available in a few weeks, which might be sweet.

http://www.hamptone.com/newkits.htm
 
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