What would YOU do?

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kc0jsj

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Ok. Here's my setup:

MXL-990 Condencer running into an ART Tube Pac Comp/pre which then runs into an M-Audio interface and into the computer.

I'm trying to record clean rock vocals (similar to The Killers, Young the Giant, The National....roughly that style) and I'm really having trouble getting anywhere near a decent sound. My room is conditioned well enough so I'm not worried about "room conditioning" at the moment. Anyway, looking at my setup (yes I know it's cheap stuff), what would YOU recommend? I'm looking at other preamp/compressors but don't have more than $400 to spend on stuff right now. There are just too many options out there and too much information on forums for me to process - so I'm at a loss in my search.

The main thing that is bothering me about the ART Tube Pac is that it is either too quiet, or it's clipping. I cant get a rich, warm sound out of it. Also, it never sounds like the compressor knob is doing much at all no matter what position it's in.

Alright....sorry if that wasn't well written, or lacking in clarity but it's the best I can come up with at 1am :-) Any advice is appreciated!

Take care,

Michael
 
Do you have the ART output running into the LINE IN of the M-Audio? If you are running into it's preamps that would explain the easy clipping. Forget using the AT compression for the moment. Add compression during mixing.
 
hmmm that's something I never thought of. It is running into one of the preamps, but I have the gain all the way down on the M-audio. Also, I'm not seeing a line in on the back....just "inserts". I do have a Blue Tubes software compressor that seems to work well, and I always end up using it anyway since the ART doesn't do much.

Thanks for the response!
 
You can generally use an insert with a TS connector by only pushing it into the first click.

But I would assume if it has inserts then it has preamps so unless you have a particular reason to use a different preamp and compressor on the way in (and you may have) why not use the interface pre..?
 
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