under $200 mix pre's - i need one, but which?

  • Thread starter Thread starter shackrock
  • Start date Start date
I'm quite pleased with my AudioBuddy ($83 at GC). natural, clean, easy to use. Way quieter than my Behringer 1002.

If you're using a Delta 44, you might rather have an M-Audio Omni for your front end. I really like my Omni (I use with a Delta 66) - I just use the AudioBuddy for remotes on my VS-840. Not enough experience yet to compare the two, but I like 'em both.
 
Another option that I've recently applied, is the use or high-output condensor mics directly feeding your line input, skipping the pre altogether. The downsides are a kludgy set up (mic into a remote phantom, then to the converter, splitting the mic signal for monitoring, ect.) and crude level setting via in-line xlr-pads- (5-10 db jumps.)
But it is cheap, and pure! And after participating in this thread, I'm now considering why I yet haven't tried if on anything but the drum overheads. Should work just as well on guitar cabs, maybe hot vocals. I'll check it out more next oppotunity.
Duh! :rolleyes:
Wayne
 
i love this thread, its shedding light on a lot of things.

So here's where i'm left right now:

i got about 200 bucks for holidays/my bday....and i'd be willing to spend maybe another 100 of my own cash on whatever i get...
here are my options:

dmp3 - ebay??
rnp - ebay??
a cieling in my basement (a hung cieling...right now its just wood beams with wires and all that other hanging stuff...including AC/HEAT vents...which is terrible..haha.) - this woulbe be about $150...and i think my parents would pay for half of this with me..if i put it up...although it'll take some convincing.

and by the way, my "monitors" are actually some home stereo speakers - pretty nice advents.....i pretty much do ALL my mixing/mastering/etc. on those - with some quick references to headphones and this aiwa minisystem...

keep the advice comin...
 
and by the way, my "monitors" are actually some home stereo speakers - pretty nice advents.....i pretty much do ALL my mixing/mastering/etc. on those - with some quick references to headphones and this aiwa minisystem...
Click to expand...

Stop right there, forget the pres. Get some studio monitors, designed to be flat, and then start upgrading the rest of your studio. My advice.
 
you serious? ha...

i mean, i listen to other music that fits the style i'm mixing on my speakers, then mix to sound liek that basically...
 
Stereo speakers are designed to reshape the sound on your CDs to something that is pleasing in respect to the size of the speaker or shape of the box.

Monitors are designed to be flat, no emphasis on any particular frequency, or minimal. Mixing on monitors equates to creating tracks that translate (sound) better through a variety of other systems i.e. car speakers, home stereos etc.

When I made the jump from stereo speakers to monitors I began hearing all kinds of problems with my mixes, too bass heavy, too much low mids. Also, moving the controls for plugins suddenly revealed significant sound changes I was not hearing on the stereo speakers.

I would venture to say that any pre you buy at this point would reveal little changes to your audible sound. Get some proper listening devices so you can hear the differences things like pres and plugins can make to the sound.

My two cents, take it or leave it.
 
Middleman, Chessrock, Tubedude, et al, are all making excellent points. The acid test would be for you to go to a local studio and
bring your unmixed tracks and your mixed ones. Listen to how they sound on professional monitors and have the engineer
quickly mix your "untreated" tracks, then listen to those.
Worth the $40 or $50 for the education IMHO.

Some monitors to check out would be the Paradigm series,
and the NHT Pro Superones along with other usual suspects.

I agree with Chessrock that dynamic microphones are generally fussier than condensers regarding which mic pre is used too.

Chris
 
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