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Polarelch · 15th February 2007, 10:06 PM

So... now that I got me an Audio-Technica AT 2020 mic, I now want to get me a new preamp.
Five candidates survived, they are:

Studio Projects VTB1
M-Audio DMP3
Art Pro Channel
SPL Goldmike 9844
Joemeek SixQ (instead of the threeQ)

Why I don't like the Rane: It costs 245 Euros for just being a preamp without any additional knobs or buttons, it may sound as good as people say, but somehow I miss a phase invert button and so on.
Same for the Joemeek ThreeQ and the DMP3 btw. The SixQ is a little bit out of my price range, it should really be outstanding against the Goldmike to make it interesting for me. Is it?

The Art Pro Channel... well, I heard so many recommendations that I should replace the tube, and I have absolutely no idea about that, don't even know where to get those tubes, what they cost, and who can do that for me. I am sceptical about this all. Also heard about noise problems and that they are not good in the heights, and I tend to sing high and almost whispering.

So in the end, there are 2 finalists: The VTB1 and the GoldMike 9844.
One for 118 EUR, the other for 398 EUR.
What sounds good about the VTB1: Of course the reviews on Harmony-Central, the possibilities, the price.
What sounds good about the Goldmike: The flair function, and some other heard opinions.
What is bad, is that I have no clue about THEIR sound, and I will only know when already bought!

Maybe something to my situation right now:
Having an AT 2020, using ART Tube MP at the moment, going into a Tascam FW-1082, usage only for my (male) vocals.
Want to sound rather soft and warm, but transparent, especially in the heights... and not hard / aggressive. Looking for some breath and presence in my sound actually. Clean and present in the mids.
As I said, I often tend to sing in higher ranges and almost whispering, like ... maybe Coldplay, Keane, Travis, Mercury Rev (just that I use more synth and no guitars). Also like strong mids though.

So... the decision has to be done, and it's - as said - most likely between the VTB1 and the Goldmike 9844 (not the other Goldmike!).
Would be great to get some final opinions from you guys before I call Thomann, especially about the Goldmike 9844 and the VTB1. Sure I searched for existing threads about them, but I guess I want to read opinions that can also be valid for my needs.. and not for female bass rapping or so.

It should definitely be a step further from my ART Tube MP and the tascam integrated preamps..... but I don't expect high-end from that price either. Just a next step on the ladder towards high-end. :)

15th February 2007, 10:06 PM	#1
Polarelch Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Köln, Germany Posts: 84	Preamp search - the final: VTB1 vs. GoldMike 9844 So... now that I got me an Audio-Technica AT 2020 mic, I now want to get me a new preamp. Five candidates survived, they are: Studio Projects VTB1 M-Audio DMP3 Art Pro Channel SPL Goldmike 9844 Joemeek SixQ (instead of the threeQ) Why I don't like the Rane: It costs 245 Euros for just being a preamp without any additional knobs or buttons, it may sound as good as people say, but somehow I miss a phase invert button and so on. Same for the Joemeek ThreeQ and the DMP3 btw. The SixQ is a little bit out of my price range, it should really be outstanding against the Goldmike to make it interesting for me. Is it? The Art Pro Channel... well, I heard so many recommendations that I should replace the tube, and I have absolutely no idea about that, don't even know where to get those tubes, what they cost, and who can do that for me. I am sceptical about this all. Also heard about noise problems and that they are not good in the heights, and I tend to sing high and almost whispering. So in the end, there are 2 finalists: The VTB1 and the GoldMike 9844. One for 118 EUR, the other for 398 EUR. What sounds good about the VTB1: Of course the reviews on Harmony-Central, the possibilities, the price. What sounds good about the Goldmike: The flair function, and some other heard opinions. What is bad, is that I have no clue about THEIR sound, and I will only know when already bought! Maybe something to my situation right now: Having an AT 2020, using ART Tube MP at the moment, going into a Tascam FW-1082, usage only for my (male) vocals. Want to sound rather soft and warm, but transparent, especially in the heights... and not hard / aggressive. Looking for some breath and presence in my sound actually. Clean and present in the mids. As I said, I often tend to sing in higher ranges and almost whispering, like ... maybe Coldplay, Keane, Travis, Mercury Rev (just that I use more synth and no guitars). Also like strong mids though. So... the decision has to be done, and it's - as said - most likely between the VTB1 and the Goldmike 9844 (not the other Goldmike!). Would be great to get some final opinions from you guys before I call Thomann, especially about the Goldmike 9844 and the VTB1. Sure I searched for existing threads about them, but I guess I want to read opinions that can also be valid for my needs.. and not for female bass rapping or so. It should definitely be a step further from my ART Tube MP and the tascam integrated preamps..... but I don't expect high-end from that price either. Just a next step on the ladder towards high-end. :)