Preamp decision ( I think )

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ryanformato

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My current recording chain is:
EMU-1820M soundcard
Sonar 4 Producer

Mics - Studio Projects T3, MXL v63M, Rode NT1a, SM57, Studio Projects C4, AKG Drum mic kit (includes D112, C419, 3 C418)

Preamps- Toft ATC-2, Behringer ada8000, Presonus Bluetube, EMU-1820m pres (Ted Fletcher Pro)

The guitar can be recorded via a pod xt pro.

My main focus on sound is a pop-punk/punk sound. I want the vocals to sound like most modern pop (male) vocals. I will provide a link with the sound we have now. I made a few mistakes in recording some of the instruments, but my main focus is on the vocals. Do you think a better preamp is necessary, or did the TOFT-atc sound good enough for the job. I am looking for an overall pristine sound. Those who are familiar with this sound, please let me know if the vocals are on par with this sound. I am not very interested in "color" at this point in time. (If you have any other directions you may want to point me in, please do.) The link to the recording is here:


The punk is looking for agressive guitars, drums, and voice. I want a very big and upfront vocal as well. Have any tips for what to select?
Also, I was doing some reading. What do you guys think is the most important component to a signal chain (besides the room) Is the mic, mic preamp, etc...One last question, to anyone else who has used the Studio Projects T3, can you tell me how good it is compared to the Soundelux U195. I think the mic sounds great, but I also thought the MXL v63m sounded great before I heard the T3. Thanks,


The possible preamps I am considering are the Avalon 737, The Buzz or the Great River.

Thanks,
Ryan
 
This won't be much help, but

at least it will bump it, and maybe somebody else will respond, if for no other reason than to tell me how wrong I am. Nothing gets people to post opinions quite like someone else posting theirs.

I haven't listened to this yet, as I'm at work and could only listen to it on crappy $15 headphones or even crappier $10 pc speakers, whicj wouldn't do you much good.

I find it hard to believe that you can't get what you're looking for with an equipment list like that, which leads me to beleive that the problem lies in either the recording/mixing (no offense, just trying to help) or the room. I know you know about the importance of the room, but my gut assumption in general is that the two major things that differentiate a 'pro' sounding recording, and a merely very good amatuer/home recording are 1) skill of the engineer/producer and 2) the recording space. Those big boys don't spend boatloads of money on acoustical construction and treatment just because they can tell their friends about it. It's a business, and they want to spend their money where it will get them the most results. Limp mass sound block buried in the studwalls don't impress clients by adding to the 'studio vibe'.

Here is however, where you 'might' need an equipment upgrade, since I don't know what your using. As far as the 'upfrontedness' of the vocals or guitar go, and correct me if I'm wrong everybody, but isn't that going to primarily be a result of the quality (whether hardware or skill) of your compression? (And mixing, of course.)

Oh, and as far as upfront pop vocals go, I've heard that the AT 3035 is pretty good for that. And at $200 wouldn't be that big of an investment to try it out. However note that I don't think of upfront pop vocals as being 'pristine'. It would probably help if you could give a real world commercial example of the vocal sound your trying to achieve. That helps a lot to help people help you.

This ought to get somebody going. Good luck.
 
I appreciate your input and I know that I have been doing this for a short time and that the engineering is one of the weak points and my room is a basement (all concrete walls huge size) so it is the other weak point. I just got some of the auralex foam things to put behind the mics (especially the vocal mic) etc...but I think an isolation booth may be an important step for me to make...I'm still trying to think of the various options.
 
No expert here, but I'd spend my money on the room. The Toft should be fine.
 
allright,

i would spend time on mixing, try a reverb on the hihat mic.
 
tToft and Punk vocals

ryanformato said:
Preamps- Toft ATC-2, Behringer ada8000, Presonus Bluetube, EMU-1820m pres (Ted Fletcher Pro)

My main focus on sound is a pop-punk/punk sound. I want the vocals to sound like most modern pop (male) vocals. I will provide a link with the sound we have now. I made a few mistakes in recording some of the instruments, but my main focus is on the vocals. Do you think a better preamp is necessary, or did the TOFT-atc sound good enough for the job.

The punk is looking for agressive guitars, drums, and voice. I want a very big and upfront vocal as well. Have any tips for what to select?

The possible preamps I am considering are the Avalon 737, The Buzz or the Great River.

Thanks,
Ryan
Click to expand...

daaang...I might take that Toft off your hands if you don't like it.

Punk music?? I was listening to some old Ramones with my son.

To match their early stuff try a Radio Shack mic thru a MXR distortion pedal.
:) just kiddin'...

it was a ruff recording...but the groove was there...little did they know what lied ahead. The better recorded tunes, I WANNA BE SEDATED....sounded fairly
dry with plenty of compression...just my guess.
 
Dude, I would probably look at some mics before lumping another preamp onto the pile of any sort at this point. Right now you almost have a 1:1 ratio going on there of preamp flavor vs mic flavor and mics is pretty much where it's at...

My $.02

War
 
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