mic preamp acoustic instruments

[Lant]

I need mic preamp to recording acoustic instruments, for ancient music.
I read good reviews for SCA C-84, J99 , Grace.
I request your opinion on these or other mic preamps.
Thank you

[Lant]

Please, I need advice.
Thank you.

[Audio Hombre]

search isedlacek posts and you'll find loads of info on acouctic recordings, as well as examples. just don't have millennia on your wish list when you do

but use the search function dude. there's a million posts on acoustic instruments.

[KAJI]

Originally Posted by Lant

Please, I need advice.
Thank you.

Hi Lant.

Probably your microphone and your placement will have more influence on the sound you get, but if you're asking me for a preamp....

GET THE GML 8304.

Transformerless, absolutely clean, brilliant design. Remember you have to purchase the external PS, but it is worth every cent of it's four channels. I'm hesitant to say it sounds great because it doesn't even sound, it is so clear that you end up just amplifying what's in front of the mic in the most uncoloured manner. And if you have a tube mic it will preserve that gritty/warm/spitty feel of the tube. I want a couple.



My 2¢

[jmikeperkins]

There are just so many good preamps that work well with acoustic music, its almost impossible to recommend just one. Generally speaking, you would want something clean and open sounding, especially in the high end. You also need a lot of gain as most acoustic instruments will be softer. This is especially true if you are using low output ribbon mics on quiet sources. You mention Grace which makes very nice clean sounding preams, but there are SO MANY others too, like Millennia, True Systems, John Hardy and on and on. My personal favorite mic pre for acoustic music is the very open, quiet, and high gain vintage TAB made Telefunken V376, but those are somewhat rare (the later V676a and the Neumann made V476 are also great). But again, so many choices!

The standard answer would be something solid state and probably transformerless, but there are no rules here as the TOTAL design of the pre is what counts (the vintage Teleunken I mention is solid state unit with a transformer). The reality is there are muddy sounding solid state transformerless units and there are very clean and open sounding tube units with big transformers in them. Also when you ask open ended questions like this, a lot of people will try to sell you something.

Try as many as you can. Be sure you have mics up to the task! Good luck.

J. Mike Perkins
MySpace.com - J. Mike Perkins - HOUSTON, Texas - Pop / Powerpop / Rock - www.myspace.com/jmikeperkins

[jamroom]

incredible for acoustic music.Really big and open.They cost a few bucks though.

[desotoslo]

search for DAV pre amps.

Here's a great thread from iSedlacek comparing the Millenia (pricey) to DAV (affordable). The DAV bested the Millenia to many old and experienced ears.

DAV BG-1 vs. Milllennia HV-3: CHOIR samples

[ISedlacek]

After my long term research, tests and trying to find the best possible preamp for recording acoustic instruments, I finally found two that sound above all the others I have tried and used and my search seems to be over:

For absolutely clean, detailed, faithful, musical, 3D sound (kind of a "big open window"):



For very clean detailed sound, with very decent touch of euphonic sweetness/honey



(from the latter category I also used/tried Pendulum MDP-1, DW Fearn, Fetcode and LaChapell 992 EG, but the Earlybird is truly exceptional in its solid, very detailed, yet sweet, euphonic sound quality).

That said, I consider Earlybird as an occassional special boutique sweet alternative, while Forssell is the fully open universal fountain through which everything sounds great ...

[Tom Hakala]

I have learned to like my DAV and Portico preamps a lot. Works nicely together.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

After my long term research, tests and trying to find the best possible preamp for recording acoustic instruments, I finally found two that sound above all the others I have tried and used and my search seems to be over:

For absolutely clean, detailed, faithful, musical, 3D sound (kind of a "big open window"):



For very clean detailed sound, with very decent touch of euphonic sweetness/honey



(from the latter category I also used/tried Pendulum MDP-1, DW Fearn, Fetcode and LaChapell 992 EG, but the Earlybird is truly exceptional in its solid, very detailed, yet sweet, euphonic sound quality).

That said, I consider Earlybird as an occassional special boutique sweet alternative, while Forssell is the fully open universal fountain through which everything sounds great ...

Ivo--

I know you searched extensively looking for a pristine pre. Did you happen to include any GML preamps in your comparisons?

[Dog_Chao_Chao]

Im using the flamingo for acoustic.
ISedlacek, How does the flamingo compares to the Forssell?

[nas]

+1 for John Hardy m-1. Just purchased a new one which is on the way. Have also used Millennia, Avalon, and Grace.

Loved the sound of of the Forssell and Flamingo based on samples I have heard but have not tried them myself.

Also consider the BuzzAudio MA-2.2 this is a great pre for acoustic instruments:

MA-2.2 Class A Mic Preamplifier

cheers,
ns

[u b k]

the single most detailed pre i've ever used, which also somehow managed to be incredibly euphonic and rich, was the peach audio m196.

it outclassed the mss10 in terms of clarity and size, not something i thought possible.

it'll breathe new life into every mic you own. i'd have one myself, but the pricetag is nothing to sneeze at and i keep getting these damn compressors.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[Audio Hombre]

op is afk

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Dog_Chao_Chao

Im using the flamingo for acoustic.
ISedlacek, How does the flamingo compares to the Forssell?

I have recorded lot of AB samples through Flamingo and Forssell ... Flamingo sounds nice, but comparing to Forssell sounds a tiny bit "synthetic", does not have that natural 3D rendering and sounds thinner in a way. I did not find much use for those "colour" options. Still quite nice preamp. I have not tried GML yet. It may however happen soon ... There is a great studio in Poland quite close from here with incredible set of equipment, including GML preamps. So I definitely would like to try.

[lane thaw]

Love the Cranesong Flamingo
Love the Early Bird by Thermionic

Both allow you to diddle (Flamingo adjust the Pre Sound - EB has EQ).

[Drlove]

Neve 8801

[drewgrass]

i had a gml 2032 pre and eq had to sell (had a baby) currently using a great river me 1nv witch everyone knows is a big time pre( i love it). but for acoustic instruments the gml killed it but that is my opinion and i know they are two differnt breeds of pre and alot of people would and do prefer the great river over the gml. but the gml sounds like what you hear in the room if it sounds good to you what you are hearing in that room at that time then thats what you going to get. listen to lyle lovetts joshua judges ruth thats the measuring stick for the gml sound i was told to do so on this site before i bought my gml and it has since became one of my all time favorite albums.. i have never used the forsell stuff but ive heard people say they are better cleaner more hi fi real than the gml stuff. check out mandolin whiz chris thiles album .how to grow a woman from the ground ive heard that and it sounds good they recorded it a sear sound. through forsells pres and u- 47 clone mics live to a ampex two track tape machine. it dont get much more high fi than that. its alternative bluegrass but that would be the best display for all acoustic instruments.

[analogjeff]

highly recommend Pendulum MDP-1 -- a two channel tube pre that's big, clean, warm and open...

[jayfrigo]

I would suggest Forssell and Martech.

[Baz]

[Lant]

Thank you for the interesting recommendations , they are very nice.