SM Pro Audio PR8 8ch Pre

[thomas1831]

I was just wondering if anyone has used these pre amps. I have been told they are like Behringer but not as good as behringer (this coming from someone who hasn't used the unit). They are very cheap ($135cdn) so i am not expecting much. I know that its probably a crappy mic pre but i still would like a bit of feedback.
Thanks for your time

http://www.smproaudio.com/pr8.htm

I got the price from www.savedbytech.com

 

[dejacky]

I have one and it's okay. It allows me to record 8 mics at the same time.. The max dynamic range with one of these is between ~70-90dB since they're not as clinically quiet as more pro-audio based high-dollar preamps. The biggest problem with the PR8 is that it only has 40dB gain of head room . So, if you wanted to close mic a kick drum (I learned the hard way), you would have to keep the gain on 0.75 (12 being fully turned) to keep the preamp from distorting the signal. Anything higher than that for me would cause the preamp to overload because it doesn't have the headroom to handle the Sound Pressure Level coming from the kick drum...@ least that's my understanding. But, I'm VERY happy considering it only costed me ~$90 online somewhere & it let me start recording instantly .

It gets a very "non-rich/plain-sterile" sound, but the ONLY reason you should buy this is if your on a budget and need 8 channels of preamp w/ switcheable phantom power (works fine)..it's been working for me as advertised.

 

[Bobalou]

why not get this one instead! its less than $200 and actually has some nice features. I'm sure its quite a step above the smaller one.

http://www.smproaudio.com/pr8mk2.htm

 

[dejacky]

same exact preamps... .

 

[thomas1831]

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like just the thing for me since im just getting my setup together. I am going to use it with my EMU 1820 system. The 1820 preamps are actually quite good so they are going to be used as my main inputs but in the rare instance when i need the extra ins for maybe a full drum kit. the Pr8 seems to be the perfect low cost solution (For Now).

 

[dejacky]

i wouldn't recommend the PR8 for micing drums..the pr8 doesn't have much headroom (40dB only)...so for the kick drum mic, you'll need the dial on 0.65/12 so it doesn't overload the preamp.

 

[Sklathill]

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like just the thing for me since im just getting my setup together. I am going to use it with my EMU 1820 system. The 1820 preamps are actually quite good so they are going to be used as my main inputs but in the rare instance when i need the extra ins for maybe a full drum kit. the Pr8 seems to be the perfect low cost solution (For Now).

Dude, if you have the 1820, why aren't you looking at ADAT preamps? The Behringer ADA8000 is a very usable piece.

 

[abm123]

hey i will be using the delta 1010lt and i need to record full drum sets. I dont have a digital mixer however and if the ada8000 uses adat isn't that a digital signal? Could i easily use that preamp with an analog mixer like the
ub-2222 from behringer which i am looking at? Also would that preamp have enough gain to record all pieces on a drum set and does it give a high quality sound that you would need for recording vocals? please help me.

 

[thomas1831]

Dude, if you have the 1820, why aren't you looking at ADAT preamps? The Behringer ADA8000 is a very usable piece.

Im planing on getting the ADA8000 but until then i really need something so i think the PR8 will do nicley. Plus with both units i will have 16 ins.
ADA8000 $395 CDN
SM Pro Audio PR8 $135CDN

 

[futurestar]

You may want to check this out also:
http://www.axemusic.com/Product.asp?pname=PRA8
I don't know how much difference there would be from the SM unit though.

 

[dejacky]

hmm, any1 have experience with the NADY? It offers 75dB gain instead of the PR8's 40dB gain... sounds better.


hmm, after a little searching it looks like it only has 50dB of "useable" range..

http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cach...les/manual_pdf/PRA8manual.pdf+nady+pra8&hl=en

75dB is the peak amplification..

 

[futurestar]

Never tried either. All I know is SM Pro is an Australian company, and I've heard they can be very hard to get a hold of if you need to contact them with a problem. (Don't quote me on that - I've read it on other reviews somewhere online). Go to http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837 http://www.harmony-central.com and other online music sites to check out some customer reviews if they have them.

 

[acorec]

"....I have been told they are like Behringer but not as good as behringer...."


Whth a line like this, you should run and hide.


Any pre that is like a behringer, but not as good, is a pre that is broken.

 

[LewisWu]

the SM-PR8 and SM-PR8mkII have different op-amps

 

[crankz1]

I gave my two bits on the PR8 MK2 here.