Daking Mic Pre One + Mic Combination ($400-500).

[Spitz B]

Heard very positive reviews about this preamp. I might be purchasing this gear (other choice would be the Universal Audio SOLO/610), but I want to hear more input from owners or people who have used Daking. Also, maybe you guys can throw in a microphone suggestion? Preferably between a budget of $400-500. Looking for a warm, upfront vocal.

SoundClick artist: SpITz B - Brian Spitz B Penalosa is 20, Filipino/Spanish, and nicer than EVER. I love to make quality music an

^You can hear my lovely voice by clicking that link. Hopefully that helps you guys come up with better recommendations. I like to think that I have a nice, smooth, bassy voice. I'm hoping to test out a few microphones by this weekend. I just need some options to consider. Thank you for your time.

[warhead]

Great preamp, but what kind of mic do you already own?

Most times the mic will make more difference than the preamp.

War

[Spitz B]

Thank you for replying, War.

I own a AKG Perceptions 200 Condenser Microphone. I bought it around 2005 because of the price and reviews, lol.

[warhead]

A lot of microphone in that price range would be the 3 Zigma with C-LOL-12 or LOL-251 capsule. You can add capsules later also for different sounds and swapping them out on the fly. The 67 capsule is very good as well.

The BLUE Bottle Rocket Stage 1 system is good too, and BLUE is giving away premium capsules via rebate right now to get into the system.

I would suggest the B0 capsule for hip-hop vocals, great presence and clean midrange, and the presence bump is higher than most sibilance.

I think swappable capsule mics are excellent for people who are primarily recording vocals, as having a few flavors around to swap out is quick and easy and covers all the ground you need with different styles.

My biased $.02.

War

[Spitz B]

^Great feedback. I was looking into the BLUE mics earlier. I will definitely check out your suggestions asap. Waiting for more input, guys! Thank you!

[Spitz B]

War - Wait, it's around $300 for only the capsules, right? And the Blue is out of my range lol

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Spitz B

War - Wait, it's around $300 for only the capsules, right? And the Blue is out of my range lol

The 3 Zigma C-LOL-12 complete system is currently priced right in your range.

Yeah, the BLUE is above it some...not too crazy...thought it worth a mention.

Both great swappable capsule systems to get into at a great price!

War

[Stepwise Sound]

I think the Audio Technica stuff (40 series) is a great bang for the buck.

I have had a pair of AT4040s and an AT4050.

I think if you want something that will work across a wide range of sources and voices.

If you get into color / flavor game you are going to find something that works well with some but not as well with others.

Why not get an AT4040 and a SM7B -- you may be looking at around $500 if you get one or both of them used.

It is good you have the Daking Mic Pre One -- the adjustable HPF is a nice feature so you don't necessarily need it on your mic.

[Spitz B]

War - it's cool.. I still appreciate the feedback!

Stepwise - At first, I thought the Audio Technica microphones were just OK (I listened to some crappy samples)..then I looked into a site that had clips of the AT4040 and AT4047 running to a MBOX 2.. They sounded great!

VO Mic Tests

^I found this very link around gearslutz. I can't exactly remember who posted it, but whoever you are, thank you!

Anyways, I'm definitely purchasing one of those two mics. I need to hear another clip of the AT4050. Overall, I'll probably end up with these combos:

AT mics with UA 610, or UA 710, OR Daking.

[djporter91]

three words: violet black knight.

[Spitz B]

^Looks a lot like BLUE, as stated in previous posts. Does anyone have any samples of the Violet Mic? I read a few threads on it, saying they are very skeptical about their products. Thanks for replying though!

Moving closer to my combo decisions. I'm wondering if I should buy a tube preamp (UA SOLO/610) with the AT4040 or AT4047. Still looking at the solid-state Daking, but I'm keeping the options open.

[thermos]

Personally, I would not buy a 610 as my only good mic pre. That thing is kinda weird sounding; fuzzy and puffy but no solidity. It sounds good for mushy bass or vibey vocals, but it's overly colored for a lot of things I think. Personally, I'd get the Daking. Great pre on everything for me so far.

[warhead]

Yeah, the 610 is sort of "soft" but in a cool way (not a way I'd want to record everything with either).

The 710 I wanted to love but just couldn't.

The solid state side was pretty good, actually.

The tube side was kind of a cheaper, fuzzier kind of sound that I did not find pleasing.

War

[Spitz B]

Thanks for the thread bump. Almost forgot that this existed, lol.

People seem to have a lot of praise for both preamps. I think I've seen more gratitude towards the Daking.

If you listen to my music, you can tell that I have a very direct, baritone sounding voice, so I'm searching for a microphone that can bring it out more. Basically what I'm looking for are warm, fat, in your face, vocals. Do you guys think the Daking with...I don't know, say a Sterling Audio ST66 microphone can do that? Earlier, I mentioned purchasing Audio Tech mics, but I'm still open for more options.

Maybe I good example of the flavor that I am looking for would be LL Cool J's "Luv U Better".

YouTube - LL Cool J - Luv U Better

I was thinking maybe a Tube preamp with a Tube mic can do the trick.. The Daking with a tube mic could still give me a good sound. Unfortunately, I have no "good" music stores to try out the equipment.

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by Spitz B

Thanks for the thread bump. Almost forgot that this existed, lol.

People seem to have a lot of praise for both preamps. I think I've seen more gratitude towards the Daking.

If you listen to my music, you can tell that I have a very direct, baritone sounding voice, so I'm searching for a microphone that can bring it out more. Basically what I'm looking for are warm, fat, in your face, vocals. Do you guys think the Daking with...I don't know, say a Sterling Audio ST66 microphone can do that? Earlier, I mentioned purchasing Audio Tech mics, but I'm still open for more options.

Maybe I good example of the flavor that I am looking for would be LL Cool J's "Luv U Better".

YouTube - LL Cool J - Luv U Better

I was thinking maybe a Tube preamp with a Tube mic can do the trick.. The Daking with a tube mic could still give me a good sound. Unfortunately, I have no "good" music stores to try out the equipment.

For a warm vocals tube is DEF a good option.

I have low barritone and I have BlueBird (Solid State), I ran it through the ART Pro MPA 2 (tube), and was amazed how good the lows sounded (BlueBird has a nice bump in the lows too, so that's another factor)

Another good combination for you is SM7B running through a tube pre-amp, or even solid state (Daking Mic Pre), as SM7B is very warm dynamic mic, and if paired with a great pre-amp it can sound very beautiful

[Spitz B]

^I've also been looking for those two microphones. Heard nothing bad about the SM7B, but it's a hit-and-miss with the Bluebird's shockmount (from what I've read). Btw, do you have any samples?

At the moment, I'm leaning towards Daking more and more because of the positive feed it has been receiving on GS. I've also heard music being produced with the Daking pre and it sounds wonderful. Thinking of pairing it up with a Avantone CV-12, Sterling Audio ST66 or Rode K2 (a little higher than my budget, but I'm sure I can find a great deal)

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by Spitz B

^I've also been looking for those two microphones. Heard nothing bad about the SM7B, but it's a hit-and-miss with the Bluebird's shockmount (from what I've read). Btw, do you have any samples?

At the moment, I'm leaning towards Daking more and more because of the positive feed it has been receiving on GS. I've also heard music being produced with the Daking pre and it sounds wonderful. Thinking of pairing it up with a Avantone CV-12, Sterling Audio ST66 or Rode K2 (a little higher than my budget, but I'm sure I can find a great deal)

Never heard Daking, but I hear good things about it. If you like K2, you can get Rode NTK (very similar sound, slightly cheaper). Never heard Sterling Audio, but dude PLEASE DON'T buy Avantone CV-12, it's an Apex 460 painted red, same capsule, same design, same electronics, but 300 dollars more expensive. Apex doesn't sound good, unless it's modded, so that should tell you everything about Avantone CV-12.

[Spitz B]

I'm also looking into the Grooves Tubes MD1B-Vacuum Tube Condenser

Groove Tubes MD1b-Vacuum Tube Condensor Microphone | VintageKing.com

Also heard some good things, according to GearSlutz

Edit: Found out that they meant the old 90's version. Heard MD1a would be better...but I cannot find it!

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by Spitz B

I'm also looking into the Grooves Tubes MD1B-Vacuum Tube Condenser

Groove Tubes MD1b-Vacuum Tube Condensor Microphone | VintageKing.com

Also heard some good things, according to GearSlutz

Edit: Found out that they meant the old 90's version. Maybe MD1a would be better.

Yes, you got it. MD1A is def better. Sometimes shows up in classified section

[Spitz B]

^Btw, thank you for the help. And if you could let me hear some of your production, that would be greatly appreciated. If not (for certain reasons), it is definitely understood.