What kind of preamp?

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guitarpat

guitarpat

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I'm still kind of starting out. I was wondering what kind of preamp would be a good buy for a beginner on a budget? Is there a good pre out there that can really make a big improvement on my sound without costing a bundle?
 
guitarpat said:
I'm still kind of starting out. I was wondering what kind of preamp would be a good buy for a beginner on a budget? Is there a good pre out there that can really make a big improvement on my sound without costing a bundle?
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What interface are you running and whats your budget?
 
At that price it will do little to nothing for your sound versus using your interface by itself.
 
Maybe a DMP3 would be slightly better quality but I doubt youd notice

You could save a little and maybe grab a used GAP73, or even a joemeek vq6..theyll give you some nice colour if you want, but thats just one channel and i think theyre best suited to instruments rather than vocals...but that personal taste

But in truth if youve got cheap monitors, with a cheap interface, in an untreated room the differences might e too subtle...id keep the cash and put it towards upgrading your interface to something with decent built in pres
 
kcearl said:
id keep the cash and put it towards upgrading your interface to something with decent built in pres
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I was thinking of getting a better interface anyway. What kind would you recommend?
 
I would look for an interface with actual 'line level' inputs (as well as decent built in pre's), so when you do decide to dump a chunk of cash into a 'good' preamp, you will have means to do so. Running a preamp into a instrument in, or an interfaces preamp, will not give good results.
 
guitarpat said:
I was thinking of getting a better interface anyway. What kind would you recommend?
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Theres a slew out there...again itll come down to budget and things like how many instruments you want to record at the same time. jimmys right though, get one with line level inputs and then you can add different flavoured pres in the future...spdif gives you another connection and if its got ADAT thats another possible eight

If i had the cash id go with apogee or RME tbh...but i dont so i run a 18i6, with a digimax, 2 x GAP73s, and DMP2, which is all still pretty budget...its all about connections
 
kcearl said:
...If i had the cash id go with apogee or RME tbh...but i dont so i run a 18i6, with a digimax, 2 x GAP73s, and DMP2, which is all still pretty budget...its all about connections
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What Keith is alluding to here is that he's using a Focusrite Scarlet 18i6 which has two (really quite decent) integrated preamps along with 6 additional 1/4" jacks which accept the output from his external pres.

Preamps... like microphones... are religious topics. I'm moving from a Sound Devices USBPre2 (2 preamps/$850) to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (8 preamps/$500) when it becomes available. Sound Devices is world-class gear (easily equal/superior to Apogee or RME) but I honestly don't expect to hear much (if any) difference. There are just so many variables in the audio chain, not the least of which are your ears.

Luck.
 
Should I stick with USB? People tell me a firewall type is better.
 
I checked it out though. Looks sweet. Maybe I might wait for that one. Take me that long to save the money
 
Oh i wouldnt recommend the focusrite...it was just meant to be an example. Ive had a problems with its mix control software on macs and PCs. Great company and service, but the product is not stable enough just now (im not alone in thinking this).

Id maybe look at presonus's VSL in that price range...it may give you a foothold into their Studio One DAW which is excellent too.
 
Definitely avoid Firewire. The technology is fine, but it is going away. It used to be a lot faster than USB, but not so much anymore.

I would also agree with what kcearl said about the Focusrite products... I own a Scarlett 8i6, and it sounds awesome, but it's not for the inexperienced. That's not an insult to anybody, it's honest advice. They are just really finicky about getting set up and configured properly (and that is with people that have been doing this for years). The last thing you want to do is spend your money on a device that you can't get to work. That is what makes people quit recording...

Get a "good" entry level product that is user friendly. You can always upgrade down the road. My best suggestion would be to go to several sites that has a good selection of interfaces, and read lots of user reviews - the good and bad ones. Then go to your local music shop, and ask them what they think. Everyone will tell you their favorite, but they're usually biased. Take all that info, and use it to find the best one for your setup and budget.
 
I think sweetwater have a free catalogue that has one page with a list of audio interfaces with all there i/o's etc listed for comparison...they may have it on their website??
 
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