Which would you get?

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Freudian Slip

Freudian Slip

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I have the chance to get a brand new Art MPA Digital Gold preamp for $359.00

Or I could get two Focusrite trackmaster pros used for $379.00?

I'm torn because the MPA has adjustable impedance and it also adds two more channels to my system via the digital outs. I feel like I would be able to tweek the mic performance better with it.

The Trakmaster pro's I'm sure have a good pre It appears to be none adjustable. It has a funky compressor (not very adjustable) and a funky eq that is not what I'd like. You can upgrad them to s/pdif out fot about $150.00 each but I only have one s/pdif input on my echo layla.. So the max I could gain is 1 more channel.

The trakmaster is more of a savings but I'm thinking the MPA would suite my needs better as I can do every thing else in the box as I have very nice plugs.

I plan to use the pre's for just about everything. Vox, Guitar electric and accoustinc, bass guit, overheads. So the pre will see alot of different mics. I may even find some of my not so favorite mic's a little more usable with the adjustability on the MPA.

What would you do??

Any input would be nice. I have never used either unit. I have recorded vocals threw an older mpa at a studio and was very happy.

Thanks
F.S.
 
From reading your post it seems like you already are leaning toward the ART. I've not used that ART unit, but I have used the Focusrite and I have to say that I'm not a fan of it.

Have you looked at the Aphex 207D at all? I'm not exactly sure what it costs, but you might find it on sale somewhere for around your budget.
 
SonicAlbert said:
From reading your post it seems like you already are leaning toward the ART. I've not used that ART unit, but I have used the Focusrite and I have to say that I'm not a fan of it.

Have you looked at the Aphex 207D at all? I'm not exactly sure what it costs, but you might find it on sale somewhere for around your budget.
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Thanks SA. Ya I am leaning tward the ART unit. Because I feel I could get more out of my mics. If it was two JM rack mount channel strips I would prbly jump on em because of the fully adjustable comp & EQ. but to me the focus right looks like I get half of everything it has on it :confused:

I will look at the Aphex 207D. In my searches I have seen you mention it before.

Thanks for your opinion.

F.S.
 
I don't care for either and don't know what your "system" is so it's tough to be of any real help
 
Big Kenny said:
I don't care for either and don't know what your "system" is so it's tough to be of any real help
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Well right now I am runing through a mackie vlx pre's only onto a Echo laya 24/96 with adat and s/pdif as well. then into sonar 6 producer with waves platinum bundle on a core 2 duo windows xp computer.

I dont have the most expensive mic's, At-3035, AT-813a, 2 X mxl990's (junk)
several sm57's, 2 x c 430's, Beta 52.

I feel like my weekest link right now is my pre-amps. They are not horrible but not great. I also don't want to spen more on mic's right now until I have a better preamp so I can judge better what my weakest point in my mic cab is.

Hope that helps.

F.S.
 
I had a MPA Gold briefly (w/o the digital outs) and thought it sounded pretty decent. The variable impedence was definitely a nice feature and while I have several different midrange preamps now (CL 7602, UA m610, Onyx pres, Safe Sound P1), my UA m610 is the only one with that feature. I find it to be pretty useful sonically as I'm using a bunch of different types of mics/sources-- LD/SD condensers, ribbons, LD tube, dynamics, DI.

Have you considered the Rane MS-1B's everyone is so geeked on? You could get two new for $300. I had the MS-1 very briefly and it was pretty decent sounding and didn't even have the Burr-Brown as the B does.
 
I'd save up a little more and get a RNP...
 
kojdogg said:
I had a MPA Gold briefly (w/o the digital outs) and thought it sounded pretty decent. The variable impedence was definitely a nice feature and while I have several different midrange preamps now (CL 7602, UA m610, Onyx pres, Safe Sound P1), my UA m610 is the only one with that feature. I find it to be pretty useful sonically as I'm using a bunch of different types of mics/sources-- LD/SD condensers, ribbons, LD tube, dynamics, DI.

Have you considered the Rane MS-1B's everyone is so geeked on? You could get two new for $300. I had the MS-1 very briefly and it was pretty decent sounding and didn't even have the Burr-Brown as the B does.
Click to expand...

I looked at it. It doesn't look very versitile. I would at the very least like to have balanced TRS out on it.


F.S.
 
Massive Master said:
I'd save up a little more and get a RNP...
Click to expand...

I have considered that. I'm pretty bad at saving up money ;) I usually just waite for a bigger wad to hit my wallet then go from there:)

I have struggled not to grab a at-4040 or something.


F.S.
 
I don't think the ART unit will be an improvement over the vlz's..just kind of a sidestep...I have a 1402 and several big name pre's (API, John Hardy)...the better pre's do offer a more dimensional sound if that makes any sense..but what I have found (imho) is that it is the whole chain..most specifically the compressor, that effects the outcome..my 1402's sound pretty decent thru an Ashly parametric eq to an 1176 and then daw..if I eliminate one of those the sound gets progressivley "weaker"..they (1402's) aren't quite the Hardy but can be used in a pinch..make sure you come out of the insert point on the 1402 channels to avoid all the other mackie garbage down the line..use a decent comp and eq and I think you might be suprised at the results...

Cheers,
Ray
 
rsolinski said:
I don't think the ART unit will be an improvement over the vlz's..just kind of a sidestep...I have a 1402 and several big name pre's (API, John Hardy)...the better pre's do offer a more dimensional sound if that makes any sense..but what I have found (imho) is that it is the whole chain..most specifically the compressor, that effects the outcome..my 1402's sound pretty decent thru an Ashly parametric eq to an 1176 and then daw..if I eliminate one of those the sound gets progressivley "weaker"..they (1402's) aren't quite the Hardy but can be used in a pinch..make sure you come out of the insert point on the 1402 channels to avoid all the other mackie garbage down the line..use a decent comp and eq and I think you might be suprised at the results...

Cheers,
Ray
Click to expand...

I'm coming out the insert except on Kick & Snare, cause I want the eq. So I insert a compressor and run out a post fader sub out.
I don't have a outboard parametric so I preffer the mackie eq to the outboard graphic EQ's.


Not much diff on the Pre's going to an MPA hu...?

Anyone else feel this way?

I thought for sure I'd see a pretty good improvement.

If not I won't bother.

I do feel I get a pretty decent sound out of my vlz pres, but I would like to have better sound on overheads and acc guit. I'm getting a pretty nice vocal sound already.

a better mic might be what's in order.

F.S.

Thanks

F.S.
 
Been getting the feeling from looking around that my money would be better spent elsewhere. Like on room treatment or maybe another mic. My best mic is an at-3035 (that i've been thrilled with, at least on my vocals).

Been wanting a at-4040 or possibly a mxl v6. Going to have to think on this one.

Thanks for all the help.

F.S.
 
Not that I can help, but

what is it (besides more inputs) you're looking to get out of this upgrade?

You said you were thrilled with the 3035, so to me that sounds like you must already be liking what you hear, which would include the pre.
 
Crap, sorry

just read the part where you said acoustic & overheads. Souns to me like you probably want a different pair of SDCs. If you decide to go that route and want to get rid of the 990s cheap, let me know.

And yeah, for acoustics and drums, room treatment is everything. You can deaden the heck out of your space and get a pretty decent vocal that you add verb to afterwards (though obviously not as good as the real thing) but acoustics to me seem harder to take out the room completely and make sound right.

One of these days, I'm going to build a cedar-lined room just for acoustic guitar. The trick is in the dimensions.

Someday.
 
notCardio said:
. If you decide to go that route and want to get rid of the 990s cheap, let me know.
Click to expand...

So do I. Wanna swap? you pay shipping :D

I got one and it sucked. So I got another. Really wanted to know that a matching pair of suck sounded like :D

Actually I though I would try them as overheads. I was the very first guy on the board to buy a 990 way back when. Wrote a review on it.

They can pass as overheads. Not acoustic guit or vocals though, at least not for me.


F.S.
 
The eq's on the mackie are actually the most suspect part of the channel..try a different eq (even a decent graphic)and a quality comp...I have had a bunch of ART gear over the years and none of it has really held up well...don't overlook ribbons as room mics or overheads..they really fatten up a kit and take away some of that digital harshness. Ribbons, however, are really picky about input impedances in regards to pre's. Make sure you test them with your pre's before buying them!

Good Luck,
Ray
 
PS.
What I said previously still applies..I find the most important part of the chain is the compressor...get a HIGH quality comp and watch your chain shine on guitars, vox..well he!!..just about everything!

Ray
 
rsolinski said:
PS.
What I said previously still applies..I find the most important part of the chain is the compressor...get a HIGH quality comp and watch your chain shine on guitars, vox..well he!!..just about everything!

Ray
Click to expand...

I don't run threw the eq on the mackie for 95% of my tracks.
I also have waves bundle with some pretty nice compression I just have to do it after the fact.

I am turning my attention to room treatment and mic's ;) When I get those and the source better I will worry about better pre's.

Thanks for the help everyone. You made me do more research and I've come to the conclusion I have other issues that need more attention. Practicaly every thing i've read say's I won't see a big difference going to a midrange preamp from my mackie. I have some other places I can put my money that will make a pretty big difference, so I am going to focus on those and in a while I will come bacl to the pre's.


thanks again

F.S.
 
Freudian Slip said:
So do I. Wanna swap? you pay shipping :D

I got one and it sucked. So I got another. Really wanted to know that a matching pair of suck sounded like :D

Actually I though I would try them as overheads. I was the very first guy on the board to buy a 990 way back when. Wrote a review on it.

They can pass as overheads. Not acoustic guit or vocals though, at least not for me.


F.S.
Click to expand...

So do I what? I don't understand what you're referring to. :confused:

And swap for what? I didn't say I had anything I wanted to trade (though I might), just if you want to unload your 990's cheap I might be interested.

If nothing else, a bunch of cheap mics ought to look right at home with my bunch of cheap guitars. :D
 
I don't have the ART gold but I do have the DSPII as well as the TMP.
I think the ART is going to be noisy compared the the TMP. Regarding the compression on it if you can honestly call it that. It is mild enough that you really can't screw things up to bad if you are a rookie like myself.

The DSPII has some nice features like variable impedance, limiters, OPL etc. and AD converters.
I've just started using the SPDIF connections and it helps some.
But I think I'm be using the DSP as a converter for the Trakmaster.
I know they are a step up from the VTB1s I've been using.

Of course if you compare them to pro level pres I suppose there both junk.
 
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