Between Complicated Decisions... Mic Preamp and Les Paul Chain

[Nostalgic]

Now this isn't easy for me... never is when it comes to buying new gear...

This conversation is going to go where most net threads go on here and that's how 5-7K won't get me what I need... but I'm just looking for opinions on the following.. and possible better suggestions...

By the way... I record everything from modern pop, hip hop and rock vocals... so I need something versatile... I know nothing is the best at everything, but I can at least hear what people think in their experience.. There are times where I do a lot and minimal stacking...

The mic pre's I've been looking at are..

UA LA-610 mkII - I know this thing is classic.. you can't go wrong with it, but how does it actually sound? Through research I've heard creamy... but muddy when you stack with it? So I guess it's a little thick and cloudy? Either way I heard it was beast in it's own class..

Great River ME-NV1 - Now... it's making me sick how much great things I hear from it that it's the fattest thing out there... and how versatile and go-to it is... but I've never used one. It's ugly and it seems like all the magic must be happening in the box because nothing but beautiful comes out of it... seems strange to me...lol but anyway, this thing is apparently the shit...

Pheonix DRS-1 - I read the review here.. Amateur Review: Phoenix DRS-1 and lots of other crap on it and people are saying it's even better than the great river for the modern sound...

The last one I was considering was...

The Chandler Limited Germanium - but this was at the bottom of my list... but it was really able to impress me in some audio samples here at Audio Examples « Suburban Pro Studios It's got a smooth but bright top end... but it's pushing harsh a bit... but idk that's kind of the modern sound.. it's coming from a Peluso 22-51 mic though so maybe a smoother mic like the 22-47LE or U-87 will do good for a better all around mic...It seems like it stacks well with limited stacking though..

And then......... I was considering a 2 slot lunch box... but I'm just iffy on comparing them to the real deals... for example is the 500 series great river the same as the real thing (the me-nv1?)... Need help here... cuz I was considering a LaChapelle..

And for Avalon lovers... I'm just not a super huge fan of it but I do like it.. it's too expensive and not quite the best sound I've ever heard even though its the most awesome looking one lol... It just that I've gotten better results using Waves Mercury plug ins over that... idk, maybe I'm wrong.. but it's a little bit to bright for me...

For right now I would be hooking a Solitube up to the preamp, but have an idea of the mic I'll be getting anyway...the 2 I mentioned earlier, like the U87ai or 2247LE by peluso

So thats the first topic... any input like I said for the all around modern sound woul be awesome... but I got a second topic to cover here too... so sorry about that..

I also record guitars... electric primarily... so I wanted to hear some good suggestions on a modern solo blues style chain for that really smooth mid-high end guitar.. (simular to the one here).. listen to the guitar in the intro.. I think it sounds awesome...

YouTube - Por Amor a Ciegas (ORIGINAL) - Arcangel (EL FENOMENO)

Any suggestions for achieving a similar sound? Techniques and combos for micing a guitar and using certain amps and cabinets to get this sound?..I need to start fresh here... new mics.. new amps.. etc.

Thanks in advance guys.

[Nostalgic]

By the way..

I already use Guitar Rig 4 for processing guitar digitally..but I'm not sure about it... it's cool.. and by experimenting.. I'm not sure line in is the way to go for electric.. idk.. thoughts?

[robmix]

I've used the UA a few times, and I'm just never "wow'ed" by it. If it's in the room while tracking I only use it for scratch tracks.

The Great River and the Chandler OTOH are great, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them on everything.

YMMV . . . . . .

[Nostalgic]

^ Is that with the MKII or just the regular UA?

How do you think the Chandler and Germanium differ in sound?

I also noticed you had a Manley tube pre in your arsenal.. how does that rank with these pres? Manley I know has a rep for the good stuff...

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

For right now I would be hooking a Solitube up to the preamp, but have an idea of the mic I'll be getting anyway...the 2 I mentioned earlier, like the U87ai or 2247LE by peluso

i wouldn't say these 2 choices are an either/or pick. the only thing in common is they both require phantom power.

[Nostalgic]

^ Arn't they similar in that they are pretty versatile? The LE has multiple polar patterns like the U87ai... but of course they both will give a different sound... wanted to see how each of them fair for the type of vocals I need... I just heard that the 47LE would sound good on my voice, but I also heard the U87ai would be a good all arounder... not saying they are the same, but I gotta pick one for now..

[Nostalgic]

trying to get some opinions quick.. since I'm jumping into this is as soon as the VA blizzard clears up..:-)

[Audio Hombre]

all i can suggest is that you try both the 87 and the 2247le out first. many seem to feel the 2247se is better. i tried a 2247le and was let down. try before you buy. regardless of the rap the 87ai gets around here by some, it's in another league as far as i'm concerned. but again,my word is nothing more than a prod to try for yourself.

[superama]

I recently purchased a pair of U87ai and the big problem I'm having with it is that I didn't buy them 10 years ago. Really great mics. Completely different league than all the budget mics out there. IMO U87ai is the bottom rung on the High End ladder. Start Climbing!

[Nostalgic]

^ Just purchased a U87ai and Avalon 737... gonna record and see how I like it soon..

still want some guitar input for that sound..