Preamp Advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Enchilada
  • Start date Start date
Enchilada

Enchilada

Strange person.
My Behringer MIC200 blew up yesterday (I didn't really like it anyway) so I have the OK from the other half to get a new preamp.
I have a DMP3 (it rules) and I'd prefer to get another 2 channel because it saves space and $$$.
Here's what I have in mind to replace the mighty MIC200:
Berry ULTRAGAIN T1953 (not sure if I should trust the berry's again) - $339
Studio Projects VTB-1 - $319
Another DMP3 - $339
A pair of ART MP/MP-OPL - $250/$290
:confused:
Any suggestions, comments, insulsts or advice would be greatly appreciated ;)

Ench
 
enchilada. what exactly blew up ? thats terrible.
maybe you had a defective unit. surely its still in warranty ?
i would contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
well my recommendation would be a rane ms1b to try and see if its to your
taste. or do what i do and build your own mic pre's. that way you have control over all aspects including part selection. also its lots of fun and you learn a lot.
ive posted some schematic links in the past on HR.
but its best to take an electronics course so you design in a safe way.
 
It makes a wierd high pitched ringing that keeps stopping and starting and a crackling noise that sounds kind of like an old record before the sound starts.
When I get home I might see if I can put up a sample of what it's doing
 
You might consider something without the Behringer logo next time around. :D
 
Yeah, Berry gear is everywhere over here so that makes it inviting. I've done a little reading on this bbs on what people think of the T1953 and from what I can see it goes well.
Everything else can be few and far between. I can't find anyone that can get Rane gear.
I might put the Presonus Blue Tube for $495 in that list. That would be stretching a bit but if it's worth the extra then I'd put in.
 
If you can get something better, I'd do it. Aren't VTB-1s single channel?
 
Yeah that's why I said I'd prefer to get a 2 ch. pre.
Any ideas are welcome
 
Berry ULTRAGAIN T1953 (not sure if I should trust the berry's again) - $339
Studio Projects VTB-1 - $319
Another DMP3 - $339
A pair of ART MP/MP-OPL - $250/$290


IMO, the DMP3 is about the best preamp in that list.
 
DJL said:
IMO, the DMP3 is about the best preamp in that list.

Yeah I was leaning toward another DMP3 cos I already know it kicks ass. Thought it might be an idea to try a different flavour but I think I'll stick to what I know rules
 
From my understanding the dmp3 is pretty clean/clear. I would think that if you wanted a different "flavor" you could do it with a different mic (bright or dark or anywhere in-between), which might be more versatile in the future. I'm not speaking with much experience, though - maybe those more seasoned than I can credit/discredit my logic.
 
I have the dmp3, as well - and I agree - it's good, especially for what it costs. And I'm still trailing in the post count, enchilada, but i'm gaining.
 
I wasn't aware that you used a DMP3. I honestly thought that going on your mp3s you had a far mor expensive pre. I'm greatly limited by my uni room at the moment so I can't really get any kind of decent sound. Do you have any other pres?
I have a couple of different "flavour" mics as I so greatly put it. A V67g and a SP B3. The B3 makes my voice sound roughish and manly. What mics do you have? I was thinking of getting a CAD M37 then saving up for a T3 to add a little more versatility to my mic cabinet but I haven't decided yet.
 
Enchilada said:
I wasn't aware that you used a DMP3. I honestly thought that going on your mp3s you had a far mor expensive pre. I'm greatly limited by my uni room at the moment so I can't really get any kind of decent sound. Do you have any other pres?
I have a couple of different "flavour" mics as I so greatly put it. A V67g and a SP B3. The B3 makes my voice sound roughish and manly. What mics do you have? I was thinking of getting a CAD M37 then saving up for a T3 to add a little more versatility to my mic cabinet but I haven't decided yet.

If you go to my AcidPlanet page (http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=261004&T=520) and look at the song page for "something better" I've got a list of what mic's and equipment I used on the song. I also re-did the song since you commented on it in the mp3 mixing forum - I think it sounds better now.

I'm basically in one room, too. The dmp3 is the only pre I use. I've got an old behringer mx-series mixer that I used before I got the dmp3, but it sucks. Here's what I did for my room to help out my recordings. I've got a little closet, but it's just big enough for me to stand in and even sit in and record acoutic guitars. I padded all the walls with the egg crate stuff they make to put on beds as a pillow-top kind of thing. It's cheap, and probably terrible sound treatment, but it sounds like more of a dead space than without it. The front, back and top of the closet are lined with the egg crate stuff, and there are clothes hanging on either side. All the acoustid and vocals were recorded in there on "Something Better". For the electrics, I just cranked up the amp and stuck a 57 in front of it in the middle of my room. The amp is so loud it didn't really matter (or maybe it does and I just don't know better). I didn't eq terribly much - the dmp3 and mic's really bring out the accurate tone in my opinion.

For recording the acoustic, I used a pair of mxl 603s's. I originally wanted to do an acoustic version, so I did an x/y stereo recording. When I decided to go with the full band version, I just panned it and left it - the acoustics are in the background enough that it didn't matter to me. Vox are with a studio projects C1, with a slight boost in the upper frequencies and a little reverb. I was skeptical about the C1 at first, but I'm loving it now. My vocals sit pretty good in that mix, I think. Electrics were done with an sm57. The rest (drums and bass) is MIDI. I wish I could program decent drums.

Thanks for the compliment. I wish i had a far more expensive pre, but I can't justify spending a whole lot on this stuff - I've got tons of other things going on financially. Besides, I can live with the sound I'm getting. It's not like I'm going to produce a CD and charge $15 bucks a pop for it - I'll more likely make one and start giving it away, haha.
 
I'd love to try out a T3. . . . ., plus I'd like to see how a v67 sounds on my voice. For now I'm happy with my C1.

and now I might be ahead, but I'm thinking you'll beat me to 250, haha

By the way, where can I hear some of your music, enchilada??? Can you post a link or something?
 
I'm working on a couple of songs at the moment. One is a version of a song that my best mate wrote and the other is my version of Blue Moon. I'll do a bit more work and then PM you. :)
 
enchilada that sounds like it might be a bad tube. but i could be wrong.
i would seriously send iit to whoever sold it to you for warranty work. the mic 200 is very new. so should be covered by warranty.
but i think its the tube would be my guess.
hope it all works out for you.
this is one reason i build my own mic pres. if something goes wrong i can only blame myself. but so far, touch wood, never had one go bad yet
during a session.
 
Back
Top