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TheStixter · 10th February 2010

What I'm currently considering as my chain. Tell me your opinion or any suggestions:

Mic: Shure SM7B > Pre: Golden Age Project 73 > Compressor: Safe Sound P1 > AD-DA Converter: Echo Audiofire 2or4 or SSL Alpha (Would have to save up for the Alpha for sure) > DAW: EMU 0404 USB Interface

My budget right now is $1500. I already have the Mic, Monitors, Headphones, and the DAW. I've heard good things about the "Safe Sound P1" as a compressor...I know a lot of you guys recommend the "Distressor", but that's kind of out of my budget....any Safe Sound P1 users here? I also liked the sound of the SSL Alpha...liked that it had AD/DA conversion, studio EQ. I would like a unit with EQ and maybe some simple vocal effects like an echo and some reverbs. Is there anything out there like that relatively cheap (I know you can buy software plugins for this, but it'd be handy to have a unit to actually hands on tweak the effects myself)

My question is this, what should I get first and do I need all of those things on my chain. Is a compressor necessary? (Keep in mind I'm mainly doing rap and rnb vocals) Is a converter necessary (I know it is necessary for a better sound...I'm saying for the time being if I wanted to save up for the SSL Alpha...could I do without and just get the GAP Pre73 and the Safe Sound P1. Or should I skip the Safe Sound P1, get the GAP Pre73 for now and save up for the SSL Alpha?...or would getting the Echo AudioFire2 be enough for what I'm trying to accomplish? That has 2 inputs and does AD-DA conversion correct?

I'm thinking of getting the GAP Pre73 > Safe Sound P1 > and the Echo AudioFire 2 ...I could afford all that right now. My concern is if I'd be getting the best sound for the money or if I'm better off just saving for a bit longer and getting a better pre, compressor, or converter. What would make the greatest difference? It sounds like the GAP Pre73 does a hell of a job with the Shure SM7B. I'm also curious about the mods that are available for that...Zen Audio has 2 different mods to choose from...do I need those doing what I do with vocals or would the unit itself be enough?

I have all these questions and more. Anybody up for the challenge of helping a noob out?

10th February 2010	#9
TheStixter Gear nut Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 101 Thread Starter	What I'm currently considering as my chain. Tell me your opinion or any suggestions: Mic: Shure SM7B > Pre: Golden Age Project 73 > Compressor: Safe Sound P1 > AD-DA Converter: Echo Audiofire 2or4 or SSL Alpha (Would have to save up for the Alpha for sure) > DAW: EMU 0404 USB Interface My budget right now is $1500. I already have the Mic, Monitors, Headphones, and the DAW. I've heard good things about the "Safe Sound P1" as a compressor...I know a lot of you guys recommend the "Distressor", but that's kind of out of my budget....any Safe Sound P1 users here? I also liked the sound of the SSL Alpha...liked that it had AD/DA conversion, studio EQ. I would like a unit with EQ and maybe some simple vocal effects like an echo and some reverbs. Is there anything out there like that relatively cheap (I know you can buy software plugins for this, but it'd be handy to have a unit to actually hands on tweak the effects myself) My question is this, what should I get first and do I need all of those things on my chain. Is a compressor necessary? (Keep in mind I'm mainly doing rap and rnb vocals) Is a converter necessary (I know it is necessary for a better sound...I'm saying for the time being if I wanted to save up for the SSL Alpha...could I do without and just get the GAP Pre73 and the Safe Sound P1. Or should I skip the Safe Sound P1, get the GAP Pre73 for now and save up for the SSL Alpha?...or would getting the Echo AudioFire2 be enough for what I'm trying to accomplish? That has 2 inputs and does AD-DA conversion correct? I'm thinking of getting the GAP Pre73 > Safe Sound P1 > and the Echo AudioFire 2 ...I could afford all that right now. My concern is if I'd be getting the best sound for the money or if I'm better off just saving for a bit longer and getting a better pre, compressor, or converter. What would make the greatest difference? It sounds like the GAP Pre73 does a hell of a job with the Shure SM7B. I'm also curious about the mods that are available for that...Zen Audio has 2 different mods to choose from...do I need those doing what I do with vocals or would the unit itself be enough? I have all these questions and more. Anybody up for the challenge of helping a noob out?