Which Mic Pre?!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Velvet Elvis
  • Start date Start date
Ears,

I can't remember which magazine I saw the mindprint review in. It was one of the recording magazines online sites. I have read sooooo many reviews just trying to see if there is any general consensus out there and guess what.... there isn't even close to one. Some like the mindprint, some like the presonus, some like the joemeek, some like just about every other one on the market... except believe it or not the Bellari. I haven't seen much about those. I am torn between the Presonus with the De-esser and the Mindprint with the tube.. hmmmmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Elvis
 
All of the above mentioned units are pretty damned good units, but each has thier plusses and minuses. What one has, the other lacks... and vice versa.
You have to figure out what unit has the features and sound you want, and then decide from there.
The only way to "get it all" is to invest a few thousand $$$ in a top-notch preamp.
But, since that is not an option for guys like us, we have limited choices.
You'll have to do some serious homework to find out which is the best unit for your needs, Elvis. What works for someone else might not be the right thing for YOU.
I'm leaning toward the Envoice right now, but that might change once I compare it side-by-side with the DBX 386 and VXP.
 
Good advice Buck. Are you listening Elvis ....or have you left the building.........sorry had to.
If you are torn between these units and haven't tried one, then the odds are you won't be happy. You may pic the wrong one.

What do you wish in a sound?? What are you imagining your music to sound like??

If Joe Review says he likes something, don't necessarily take it as gospel. You have to understand that these guys get paid sometimes from the mag that get's paid by the product.
I've been reading recording magazines for years and haven't seen one (solo) review that has trashed a product entirely. The preverbial closing of how "it is a good product if you are looking for something like this" is a staple.

How about you tell us in your own words what sound you dream of. Maybe a popular tune as a reference.

Don't blow your dough till you know........
Agreed?
Other than sound......
The DBX is a stereo unit without the EQ and compressor, the Envoice is mono with all the toys. I'm sure both sound great, and both sound different. See what I mean......

Give us something to work on/

[This message has been edited by Ears (edited 07-08-2000).]
 
Guys,

Thanks for the advice... I do like the "try before you buy option" of course... but since I live in the middle of Iowa and don't have a Guitar Center or anything nearby, I have somewhat limited opportunities other than to start with what I think will work... order it and then return it if it stinks.

I'm looking for something that has a fairly warm sound, but I like the idea of having a de-esser, compressor, etc etc on the same unit. In the past I've used the mic pre's on my Promix 01 (which sound phenomenal considering the unit), the mic pres on my mackie and the mix pres on a "audio buddy" stand alone unit...... made by midiman. I've got a pretty decent vocal sound going... not terribly unhappy with it, but would like to see if I can make it a notch better. Especially in the warmth and compression areas. I've also had battles with sibilince on a few sessions and wanted to see what the de-esser could do about it.

Just some thoughts :)

Thanks,
Elvis
 
OK, I'm new to this Board, but I'll sure as heck throw in my 2 cents worth.

I own an "ART PRO MPA" This is a tube pre-amp, and I gotta tell you, I love it! Best money I've spent in a while. It has a really nice, warm tonality, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
I also have a dbx386, yeah, i use, once in a while, but i've been kinda dissappointed in it.
 
I rest my case....

Hey I hear ya. I haven't seen a lot of stuff up here either. I told the stores if they want my business then they will have to bring stuff in. Otherwise I'll order by mail. It's cheaper. I don't mind paying extra if they spend the money to bring it in. I bought the Mindprint off a store that I don't ususally deal with because my regular said they aren't stocking it. I told them I bought it elsewhere. Iowa though may be smaller. There is a million in my city. Definitely not LA.
Definitely not the music capital.
 
Cool. I picked one up about a month ago and I'm right in the middle of COMPLETLY rebuilding and rewireing my studio so I haven't been able to use it as much as I normally would've. Like I said earlier, I have tracked a little with it direct to DAT and I'm very pleased with the results. But I am always anxious to hear feedback of any kind on gear I own. I will say while it is warmer than the pre's in my Studiomaster console, it's not a Neve.
 
The MPA pro is a step higher than the MPstuff from ART. I'm sure it's a good unit. It's all peronal taste. I use the Envoice for clarity and can add some warmth after. The Bellari unit is a single channel that has a tube exciter that is incredibly warm ......just oozing if you want. I love the sound, but you can't change it. The Envoice goes from solid state to tube so you can have the variety.
I wish I could have both.
 
I own a Joe Meek VC1Q, and like it a lot...for "that" sound, it does it for me. I can't see buying any audio product without hearing it first, but if circumstances don't allow, and you say you want a warm, colored sound, I don't see how you could go wrong with this piece. If you've heard any Meek gear at all, this is a step up from all, with the possible exception of the VC2 tube model, and the jury is still out on that comparison (by me, anyway :>)

BW
 
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