| really it depends on what you want to achieve. using more expensive preamps may or may not improve the sound drastically. It depends on the sound going into it. If you have a perfect recording environment and a perfect sound going into it than it will probably be night and day but if it isn't a perfrect environment it will likely be harder to notice a difference. It may "color" or "reveal" more but that's about it, again a lot of this will depend on the preamp(s) you choose to use. I think getting different mics changes the sound more than a preamp. Not that I or you can't hear a difference I just don't think to most people it will be a difference worth investing in.
A better preamp will enhance a signal that's about it, having a variety of mics (different models) will give you a variety of flavors to choose from. Think of it like ice cream. Say you have the 3 standards vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate let's take the RE20, D112, and SM57 ... three standard kick drum mics. They are all well known and sound good but all three are very different from each other. Sometimes having a variety of mics can get you closer to that sound because not one mic will sound good on the same source for every song/application. Plus for the most part a variety of good mics is cheaper than a variety or in some cases one or two nice preamps.
Honestly the M-Audio preamps are kind of average/boring pres for the price range. Now going from that to something like a Focusrite Saffire or Mackie Onyx interface might get a better overall image just because the pres will be quieter and more transparent (though you lose Pro-Tools compatibility which to me isn't a big deal as I don't like PT LE). Which makes the stacked tracks sound better together. But to really "hear" the difference with pres and the like you are talking about spending thousands of dollars. I think for $1-$2k a nice collection of mics and possibly a different interface would do more for you and with or without nice preamps and all that you will hear a significant difference. For recording plugins are a better route to take in your situation. Check out the Waves stuff, SSL Duende, Universal Audio stuff, etc. Effects don't improve the sound per se though they just modify it.
really you shouldn't need anything between the mics and the interface to improve the signal aside from quality cables and stands. if you don't like the sound of any of your mics plugged into your interface on any source you probably just have the wrong interface for your personal tastes. I used to have a PreSonus but the pres got to me (in a bad way) so after extensive research I decided on a Focusrite Saffire PRO 10 i/o well almost a year later I am saving up for a Saffire PRO 26 i/o to daisy chain with it. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be as happy or happier with one of the larger Mackie firewire onyx interfaces but oh well guess I'll have live pondering on that.
Another thing you can do without spending money....try different miking techniques. Try the technique I mentioned focusing on a natural sound 2 overheads and a kick mic (snare mic optional). There are thousands of threads and sites out there with drum miking techniques.
you seem eager to spend money....I don't intend to sound offensive but money can't buy talent or good tone (which are the ingredients to a good sound)....those things come natural you will either have it or you won't
I'd say take it easy, learn to use the tools you have adequately before expanding into other things. These other purchases you want will not be budget oriented purchases they will be costly to get noticeable differences. And if you can't use what you have they might not make any difference without the knowledge of how to use them properly (more importantly using them with what you have).
Honestly it should take one mic to get a good drum sound a single room mic. But one room mic won't sit in a mix too well in most instances. |