[parkay909]

Most commonly used "rap preamps" are the input channels of the SSL 4000g+. In the studio its all about setting up and getting sounds quick. When clients are paying $300+ and hour they want everything to be up and running before they get there so thats why console pres are choice #1 in most cases.

Honestly you really cant go wrong though with Neve, API, SSL, or any other high dollar or vintage preamp. They all sound pretty good in that range.

SSL pres are pretty expensive and for the same ammount of money youd probably get more bang for your buck with a rack of APIs or some Neves or Chandlers, etc. To bypass the Digi 002 pres just use the line ins. You will be fine if you are feeding them at a decent level (no overloads) with one of those expensive pres you wanna buy.

Also, you may be barking up the wrong tree. I don't mean to sound pretentious, but if you are looking to recreate a sound you heard on a record, forget it. There are so many factors involved other than what mic pre was used. Concentrate on starting with good samples that you like or good keyboards or whatever. After that any of the preamps I have mentioned will get you good sound. Honestly unless you are DJ Quick you wont get the DJ Quick sound. Originality is what sells beats. Please accept my disclaimer that I am not trying to sound or be pretentious by that remark. Also in my experience the sound was more about the artist and less about the engineer if the engineer was good or doing their job right.

Find yourself a music store with a knowlegeable salesman (i.e. someone thats a former engineer not a career gear hocker) and ask them for advice.

Reputable = Mercinary audio or GC pro (there are a lot of other good pro audio dealers out there those are just the first 2 that poped in my head, sorry to the rest of yas)- people that sell to professionals but have time to sell to up and coming engineers.