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foldback · 5th November 2009

Not to over simplify or start a flame war but a mic pre does not need a tube in it to sound meaty or big.

My API preamps have a very full sound and I like them on vocals. My Grace preamps have a very open and airy sound that is right for natural organic sounds.

A good quality large diaphragm condenser mic, 4 to 12 inches out in front of the singer, into a mic pre along the lines of an API 312 (transformer in, discrete opamp, transformer out), then into a decent fast compressor (1176ish), then direct into the recorder should do it. All the rest is the talent!

This is GS so we can debate the subtleties of different shades of red but the talent is the most important of any of these variables.

5th November 2009	#47
foldback Rocket Scientist Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,221 1 Review written	Not to over simplify or start a flame war but a mic pre does not need a tube in it to sound meaty or big. My API preamps have a very full sound and I like them on vocals. My Grace preamps have a very open and airy sound that is right for natural organic sounds. A good quality large diaphragm condenser mic, 4 to 12 inches out in front of the singer, into a mic pre along the lines of an API 312 (transformer in, discrete opamp, transformer out), then into a decent fast compressor (1176ish), then direct into the recorder should do it. All the rest is the talent! This is GS so we can debate the subtleties of different shades of red but the talent is the most important of any of these variables.