Which pre-amp and compressor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Natural Gass
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Natural Gass

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I'm thinking of getting a rack started and need some help choosing a mic pre-amp, compressor, EQ...I have a couple hundred bucks and wonder where I should start.

My current set-up is a Les Paul Standard or Fender American Strat run thru a Digitech RP-7 into a Fender Princton Chorus Amp. I record onto a Tascam Porta 05 and have a Peavey XR 560 power mixer. Mics are SM57 & Beringer ECM8000. I either record direct or thru the RP-7 or thru the mixer but I'm looking to step up the quality of my recordings.

Music I record is generally ROCK, but also record some Acoustic.

Any thoughts on mic pre-amps, compressors, EQ's...what about the Sonic Maximizer?
 
Not to demean you, but why not save a few more $$ and record
by way of DAW or PC? There are many fine digital recorders/pc based recording software out there that'll greatly enhance your
recordings!
 
Natural Gass said:
I have a couple hundred bucks and wonder where I should start.
Click to expand...

With that budget, I would hop on ebay and see if I could find a used Joemeek vc3. There might even be a Symetrix floating around somewhere out there. Otherwise, there's always Behringer. I'm sure they have something in that price range.
 
Ive found that both ways (analog/digital) are just about equally expensive in the long run, but my transition into PC based DAW was (and still is) one of the more expensive transitions Ive made in my life.
Started with the soundblaster into a free(8 track) version of Pro tools. Found I needed a new sound card for more tracking options, found a gina used and got that for $100, then I needed to upgrade the PC, $700 (and running), then I needed pre amps and a mixer,and I was low on cash so I got a Berhinger eurorack for abnout $80, then I needed better software, so I got Sonar for about $299, and now I want the Delta 1010 for about $500 and I need(want) to upgrade to Sonar 2, and I need better Pre's and mics and Signal processors etc etc etc.
Call it obsession
call it addiciton
call it fun
Either way, youre gonna spend alot of hard earned cash on good hard earned gear that will proveid years of enjoyment, at least until something better somes out.....:D
Todd
 
How did this thread turn from a guy asking about what preamp and compressor to get . . . to switching to DAW recording?

Man, you guys know how to take some serious leaps.

Newbie: "I've been having that 'not-so-fresh' felling lately." "Can anyone recommend a good duche?"

MisterQ: "I don't know, but you really should get a new coffee maker, because there's nothing like a good cup of Joe. Not to demean you or anything. But believe me, nothing like a good coffee maker for a better cup of joe."

Chessrock: "You might want to try massengill. It's disposable, and can also double as salad dressing."

Gbond: "Yea, I'll never forget about the first time I switched to Folgers after a blind taste test. It was a really big jump for me. Before long, I was getting that fancy gourmet creamer, and expensive boutique coffee cups. Call it obsession. Call it fun. But just don't call me late for my morning coffee."
 
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Use a good tube coffee maker for extra smooth, warm coffee.
 
Oh good grief, not the tube coffee maker thing again. It was pretty funny the first time, but... :D
 
chessrock said:

Chessrock: "You might want to try massengill. It's disposable, and can also double as salad dressing."
Click to expand...

LOL! Geez! First it was pepper jack...now this. Soon, I won't be able to eat anything.
 
everythingbagel_1695_84510
 
Natural Gass,

Your question is exact what I am looking for. In my opinion (some research) for a compressor, Behringer MDX2200 look quite popular (ease of use, price and sound )when compared with DBX. For mic preamp, I still finding the comparison among dbx 386, ART Tube MP. anyway, please let me know what your final decision is.

TB
 
Cup of Joemeek

Great, looks like I finally found a site where I can get solid advice on how to make a good cup of coffee!

After doing some reading and research it looks like the Joemeek MQ3 might be the thing for me: Mic-Pre, EQ & Comp for around $200. I havn't seen many (if any) negative comments on the Joemeek stuff.

The thing I'm a little confused about is most of the stuff I've read talks about using the MQ3 on digital recording. Is the little green box going to do its thing while recording on a Tascam Porta 05? Anybody?
 
I'd like to second Misterqcue's reply. Not that it will do any harm to upgrade your recording signal chain with a Symetrix pre and an RNC compressor. On the contrary.

But if the end result is recorded onto a nice hissy cassette four track, well...It may be that until you upgrade the recording medium you won't realize the benefits of signal chain upgrade. I'm not talking analog vs. digital. I'm talking 1/8" tape divided by four recording heads plus generation loss from bounces...So don't get me started.
-kent
 
PC/Tape

Hey Nonut~
Yeah I've toyed with the idea of using a PC for recording. The thing that turns me off is that I sit at a computer 8+ hours a day at work. Is seems like it would feel like WORK if I go home and spend more time staring at a monitor. At this point I don't have enough $ to get a new PC... But I'm not totally against PC recording - I've heard some and it sounds really good.

I just wonder if I would avoid recording cuz it would feel to much like work.
 
I hear you, bro. If anything, PC recording has taken some away from my creativity, and that's a lot more important than any .0001% increase in fidelity you might squeeze out of a DAW. You should at least look at switching to a digital portastudio, though. Prices just keep on dropping, so there's not much excuse anymore. :)
 
Yes, do not misunderstand me as endorsing computer recording as a panacea for recording ills. My point is merely that better mics and pres will not demonstrate their full capabilities on 1/8 inch recording head, let alone one which is divided into four tracks. By all means look into reel-to-reel if you've the stomach for learning the maintenance and the will to track down replacement parts, not to mention the money for tape.

Or the standalone digitals are said, by Chessrock just now for example, to be getting pretty good, if it's the computer you can't face after work.

So, I'm not saying don't bother with better signal chain gear. Just chiming in that I agree with Misterque about dissing the cassette format. It's okay for song ideas and cheapo demos, but it sounds like you're getting ready to take the next step. Best of luck.
-kent
 
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