which pre?

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5c0tt

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I record direct to a korg d16. The line level is ok but the pre's are pretty poor when boosted.
I go through a behringer mx602a for single mic stuff at the moment but I'm looking to buy a pre with 8in/8out pretty soon.
Could anyone give me a few ideas? Hoping to get something for around £250?

I'd be looking for:
8in/8out
phantom power
a limiter would be nice

The mics I use are akgc2000b, c1000s & sm57/58.

Any related advice would be appreciated.
 
Scott, there's tons of information on this question around here. I'd suggest you do a quick search. It's a difficult question to answer without knowing how much you want to spend.
 
I'd be looking for:
8in/8out
phantom power
a limiter would be nice
.....
for around £250
Click to expand...
I'd say you need to revise either your budget or your needs.
 
I agree with elevate that 250 pounds sounds like not a lot for what you want (though I'm fuzzy on exchange rates... I'll write based on 250 DOLLARS and you can figure out what to do with the leftover pence...)

The MX602a has what, 2 pres? The 802 has four. One of those for about $100 would leave you $150 towards an RNC (Really Nice Compressor--people say they're really good). That would be six pres with a total of four outs (not counting the aux sends, that is), plus a compressor/limiter (RNC users: can the RNC limit, or sorta-limit, like 8:1?) Gets ya closer to your goal, at least, but gets you an extra mixer you don't need (though the 802 is quite a bit more flexible than the 602). Checking ebay or similar places for used rack pres might help. I think though you'll have to spend a bit more to just barely meet your goal, unless you get killer deals on used gear.
 
Well, what do ya know. This may be what you're looking for. Quality is definitely questionable. The next cheapest eight channel mic pre at Musician's Friend is over $1,000 more.
 
I've never seen or heard of those before (see above post). Up until now, the general consensus has been one of the best bargains for a multi-input preamp is the Sytek. You get four good quality channels of mic pres in one rack space for about $800. Not loads of character - but definitely good for the price.
 
Wow--that's an intersting unit. Has anybody used one of these?
 
Thanks for your replies guys. It's given me a good starting place. The SM PR8 seems like a good deal (thanks elevate) but the quality may be questionable as you say. Maybe I should spend my cash on less inputs/higher quality and just build up slowly?

Anyway, thanks again for the advice, I'm off to do some investigative surfing.

BTW, £250 is roughly $360.
 
Scott, I have a D16 too...
Here are some options:

-M Audio Audiobuddy: 2 channel mic pre/D.I., with phantom power, said to be very clean. $79

-M Audio DMP-3. 2 channel mic pre. Phantom power, phase reverse switches, 75 Hz roll-off switches and nice VU-meters. Higher load impedance than Audiobuddy, so better suited for condenser mics . $179

-Joemeek VC1Q: 1 channel channelstrip. EQ, compression and de-ess/enhancer. Said to be a bit retro-sounding/agressive, nice on electric guitars and rock vocals. $550-600
-Grace 101. 1 channel, wire with gain. pristine clean. $600

-Sytek MPX-4aii (around $700-900 on Ebay) 4 channel 'wire with gain'. Very highly recommended here.

a more exotic option:
-Soundcraft Spirit M8 mixing board. 8 Ghost pre's, 4 stereo channels, nice EQ (mid-sweep) and 4 aux sends (2 pre, 2 post). 8 direct outs (to connect directly to your Korg's pre's (set on +4dbU ofcourse). $600.

I'm probably gonna buy either the Audiobuddy or DMP-3, and maybe the Meek VC1Q (or the MindPrint En-Voice)
 
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