choosing a mic pre out of a restricted choice

[Bob]

Hi all:

I am about to buy a mic pre and have to choose from avalon 737, amek 9098, ISA 220 since these are the only ones my dealer can get hold of for a trial. I will be using this only for vocals and acoustic guitar. Vocals mainly my own voice. Ahem, now I have to come clean, if I have to find a well known type of voice to which my own resembles most it is probably that of Cliff Richard

At the moment I have tried the 737 and amek. I like the amek but am somewhat bothered by the fact that it does not have a compressor. How would you solve this. Which outboard compressor should I get, if any.
Still have to try the ISA 220.

I'll report back with some findings if you like.

Any opinions or points I have to consider greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Bob.

[Dave Martin]

Originally posted by Bob
Hi all:
I like the amek but am somewhat bothered by the fact that it does not have a compressor. How would you solve this. Which outboard compressor should I get, if any.

I would solve it by buying the mic pre you like the best, and then buying the compressor that suits you the best. Both of those are dependent on your voice.

[jon]

Bob,

I agree with Dave. You're either buying a pre, or you're buying a comp. One or the other. I prefer separate units...it's easier to mix and match in the studio.

The best way to choose a mic pre for your voice is to try it on your voice, with your mic, in comparison with other good units and decide for yourself.

If your dealer can't borrow them, who cares...that is what gear hire firms are for. Rent the ones you really want to hear, record with them, and decide for yourself.

Also, national/international dealers like Mercenary Audio and Brent Averill Entreprises and many others....can mail you pres if you give them your credit card number. If you don't like them, send 'em back...all you lose is the cost of shipping. I know guys who order delivery of 6-10 Neve pres by mail...they pick the 2 they like best and return the others. If you're upfront and honest about it with the dealer, that's kosher.

FWIW none of the three pres you mentioned would be in my top 5 or 10 choices.

[AudioGaff]

If you liked the AMEK then I would suggest getting the AMEK/Neve CIB (Channel in a box) The mic pre is better, the eq is as good or better and way more flexable, and it includes a very good compressor. I just bought my second CIB. You can't get much better performace in one box.

AudioGaFF

[Jay Kahrs]

I'm not a huge fan of the preamp on the 9098 pre/EQ. While it doesn't suck it's not amazing either, especially for the money IMHO. Out of the ones listed I'd probably get the Focusrite if it's similar to the ISA110. Those are pretty nice and I wouldn't mind having a pair around. But, I know people that like the Amek 9098 more then the ISA110 so it's pretty much a personal choice. I'd get a seperate compressor no matter what you get. Keep in mind that not everything needs to be compressed while recording.

[thethrillfactor]

Hi AudioGaff,

I am looking for a second myself. How much did u pay for your second? The best deal I've gotten so far is $2100 new. Also I am ordering it with the comp before the EQ(ala Fletcher).

Originally posted by AudioGaff
If you liked the AMEK then I would suggest getting the AMEK/Neve CIB (Channel in a box) The mic pre is better, the eq is as good or better and way more flexable, and it includes a very good compressor. I just bought my second CIB. You can't get much better performace in one box.

AudioGaFF

[AudioGaff]

I paid $1900 for a used one (3-months old) from someone who wanted a Focusrite 430. I just paid $1500 for another used one
(6-months old) from another guy who would rather have a 1073.

Last I had head was that AMEk was refusing to to do the eq mod? What I would really like is to be able to switch the eq before or after the comp. How much extra for eq mod? Mabe I can get mine modified.

I surely love having that quality stuff in one rack space and the clients (as well as I) just love the way it looks with all the buttons lit.

AudioGaff

[The Specialist]

According to my info from FR, The 110 and the 220 have the same pre, so they should sound the same from the Pre out.

My opinion was that the ISA series sounded more "exciting" than the AMEK, but they both sounded good. I have to say the low end EQ of the AMEK never made me as happy as a 1073 does, but then again I don't think anything does. I would love to own both, but if someone said I had to choose, I'd pick the ISA. They both have a character that makes signals recorded through them jump foreward in a mix (like vocals).

This could be tainted by the fact that I finally got a Red 1, and I LOVE it!

This doesn't help a bit does it?

V

[Darren]

I have the ISA 220 and the ISA 110 in stock. The ISA 110 is discontinued. If you want to try either or both out let me know and I'll fix you up. I personally love the ISA 220 haven't tried the ISA 110.

HTH

Darren
www.dixondigital.com