Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Single/Dual preamp and mic selection

I realized that since I ramble on alot and use parenthesis and oddly structured sentances (sorry!) that it would be easier if my "main" questions were in bold. Enjoy!

Hey all, I'm looking for some advice on GOOD $500-2k preamps (single or dual) and possibly some mic ideas. I'm putting together a hip-hop/r&b autoproduction studio thing (I'd sooner rather kill myself, but its money, and I'll learn alot). The core setup looks something like this:

1.25 dual g4
motu hd192
motu dp4
motu MachFive (when it comes out later this month)
StudioLogic/Fatar 88 key hammer weighted Midi controller
Dynaudio BM6A mons + BX-30A sub

The preamp/mic chain will be used to record 95% vocals but occasionally an acoustic guitar, random sounds to sample in MachFive, etc.

I'm probably going to use a Studio Projects C1 rather than any of the lovely upper end pieces - purely for cost effectiveness...though I'd like to try a U87 or Cactus. I've been pleased from the C1's past performances though, and I have sm57s, an sm81, d112, and a few akg c418s for whatever. Suggestions for a better vocal mic under 1k would be appreciated.

The SM81 will probably be the goto for a clear/bright acoustic, and - if I've got multiple channels - mixed with a C1 for size/balls and sprinkled with touch of DI. Let cool for 2 minutes.

But anything I buy I want to be happy to have in a year...the point of this setup is expandability (throw in a nice 12 channel front end over the next year and have the ability to record full bands). Also, I want some variety. An amazing two channel pre would be great, but two very different single channel pres = better. Really even a very strong single channel would be spectacular. But if a client doesn't like the vocal sound and I've only got 1 mic and 1 pre...hmm...

Not that i really expect any of the clients to be able to tell the difference - but it would be...not good.

Tube? No-Tube? Both?

I really am an idiot - promise. I know all the big names and $3k pres, but they seem lacking of variety and I'm not sure they'd fit my needs. For instance: would I want to be using a Manley Dual Mono for EVERYTHING? I really want maximum bang, so if the pre I need is $2k, then thats the pre I'm getting.

Thanks.

8th May 2003	#1
Heterodox Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 295 Thread Starter	Single/Dual preamp and mic selection I realized that since I ramble on alot and use parenthesis and oddly structured sentances (sorry!) that it would be easier if my "main" questions were in bold. Enjoy! Hey all, I'm looking for some advice on GOOD $500-2k preamps (single or dual) and possibly some mic ideas. I'm putting together a hip-hop/r&b autoproduction studio thing (I'd sooner rather kill myself, but its money, and I'll learn alot). The core setup looks something like this: 1.25 dual g4 motu hd192 motu dp4 motu MachFive (when it comes out later this month) StudioLogic/Fatar 88 key hammer weighted Midi controller Dynaudio BM6A mons + BX-30A sub The preamp/mic chain will be used to record 95% vocals but occasionally an acoustic guitar, random sounds to sample in MachFive, etc. I'm probably going to use a Studio Projects C1 rather than any of the lovely upper end pieces - purely for cost effectiveness...though I'd like to try a U87 or Cactus. I've been pleased from the C1's past performances though, and I have sm57s, an sm81, d112, and a few akg c418s for whatever. Suggestions for a better vocal mic under 1k would be appreciated. The SM81 will probably be the goto for a clear/bright acoustic, and - if I've got multiple channels - mixed with a C1 for size/balls and sprinkled with touch of DI. Let cool for 2 minutes. But anything I buy I want to be happy to have in a year...the point of this setup is expandability (throw in a nice 12 channel front end over the next year and have the ability to record full bands). Also, I want some variety. An amazing two channel pre would be great, but two very different single channel pres = better. Really even a very strong single channel would be spectacular. But if a client doesn't like the vocal sound and I've only got 1 mic and 1 pre...hmm... Not that i really expect any of the clients to be able to tell the difference - but it would be...not good. Tube? No-Tube? Both? I really am an idiot - promise. I know all the big names and $3k pres, but they seem lacking of variety and I'm not sure they'd fit my needs. For instance: would I want to be using a Manley Dual Mono for EVERYTHING? I really want maximum bang, so if the pre I need is $2k, then thats the pre I'm getting. Thanks.