Some Mic Pre Advice.

tate · 9th July 2007, 02:11 AM

I am adding another mic pre to my rig. I already have a Grace 101, thinking of either a FMR RNP or ART Digital MPA. Can't decide which would be best, I mainly do acoustic music, bluegrass/newgrass. Any help would be appreciated.

Andrew Kinsey · 9th July 2007, 02:17 AM

I think you should get a preamp that will contrast your existing Grace 101, for this reason id say go for the ART over the RNP, however for a little bit more you could get a Sebatron VMP which would smoke the ART MPA.

Welcome to ~Sebatron~

davegibbon · 9th July 2007, 02:35 AM

Tate, how do you like the Grace? I'm looking at getting one in the next few weeks? What's the mai reason you're wanting another pre?

tate · 9th July 2007, 02:48 AM

I'll check out the Sebatron, thanks for the suggestion.

I've only had the Grace for a couple of weeks. I've been busy finishing a project and have had limited time to really check it out, but I like what I've heard. Vast improvement for me over my built in MOTU pres. The reason I'm looking for another is give me different options, different colors so to speak.

johnwayne · 9th July 2007, 03:17 AM

You might like the Dav since you do Acoustic music. You can do a stereo pre for around $700. The Dav sounds awesome when used on my Hummingbird and a Paul Beard Dobro. Really clear and crisp but also full. I have a solo 610 also and I like the Dav better for Acoustic instruments.

You could also record stereo.

ozraves · 9th July 2007, 06:59 AM

The Grace 101 and the FMR RNP complement each other nicely. The 101 puts a big image in the monitors and is clean, almost glassy. The FMR RNP is lightly colored and thinner. FWIW, the FMR RNP seems best suited for Bluegrass acoustic sounds.

CassidyGT · 10th July 2007, 12:38 AM

+1 on the RNP complimenting the Grace. i had that setup for awhile and it was great. In fact, thiking of getting another RNP to get two more channels

homestudioguy · 12th July 2007, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtGarceau

I'd shy away from the MPA and go toward the Pro Channel if I were looking at an ART product. Then you get more than just a preamp. The Groove Tubes Brick is a good low cost preamp. For more money I'd probably go with a Chameleon Labs 7602. Forget that it doesn't sound exactly like a Neve and think that you are getting a good pre, DI, and EQ for under $1k.

I get a nice warm and smooth sound from my ART MPA Gold going through my ART Pro VLA. The ART Pro Channel as mentioned above has a tube pre, 4-band parametric tube eq and optical tube compression that includes a Variable Mu circuit.
They go for about $319 so it is not in the league of some others mentioned in other posts. However, the Pro Channel got a ton of Kudos when it first came to market.

Link to ART: Applied Research & Technology: Tube Mic Preamps
Personal Comments: ART Pro Channel: Harmony Central User Reviews
Bass Guitarist Website: BGRA: Review of ART Applied Research & Technology Pro Channel

mixerguy · 12th July 2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homestudioguy

I get a nice warm and smooth sound from my ART MPA Gold going through my ART Pro VLA. The ART Pro Channel as mentioned above has a tube pre, 4-band parametric tube eq and optical tube compression that includes a Variable Mu circuit.
They go for about $319 so it is not in the league of some others mentioned in other posts. However, the Pro Channel got a ton of Kudos when it first came to market.

Link to ART: Applied Research & Technology: Tube Mic Preamps
Personal Comments: ART Pro Channel: Harmony Central User Reviews
Bass Guitarist Website: BGRA: Review of ART Applied Research & Technology Pro Channel

a pal of mine has an ART box and he tells me (and I can tell) that it isntr very good at all

just FWIIW

Nu-tra · 12th July 2007, 05:52 AM

I had an Art MPA Gold and the DI had a real nasal quality to it on both channels. The mic pre it'self is ok with a new set of tubes .I the goove tubes brick is ok. You can get into a seventh circle kit if you are handy with a soldering gun. A sytek would rock too.

homestudioguy · 12th July 2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nu-tra

I had an Art MPA Gold and the DI had a real nasal quality to it on both channels. The mic pre it'self is ok with a new set of tubes .I the goove tubes brick is ok. You can get into a seventh circle kit if you are handy with a soldering gun. A sytek would rock too.

Sytek!
Why have 2 pres when you can 4

tate · 12th July 2007, 08:41 PM

I went with the RNP, plus I got another RNC with the deal for $565.
I already have one RNC so that gives me another channel of mono compression, since the RNC is a permanantly linked stereo unit. I got it on eBay used, new RNCs are $575 and there's a 3 week backorder right now. So I feel pretty good about this deal.
I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about the ART stuff.

Thanks to all for the responses.

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9th July 2007, 02:11 AM	#1
tate Gear interested Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 10	Some Mic Pre Advice. I am adding another mic pre to my rig. I already have a Grace 101, thinking of either a FMR RNP or ART Digital MPA. Can't decide which would be best, I mainly do acoustic music, bluegrass/newgrass. Any help would be appreciated.

9th July 2007, 02:17 AM	#2
Andrew Kinsey Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 638	I think you should get a preamp that will contrast your existing Grace 101, for this reason id say go for the ART over the RNP, however for a little bit more you could get a Sebatron VMP which would smoke the ART MPA. Welcome to ~Sebatron~ __________________ Best Wishes, Andrew Kinsey High End Audio Equipment Specialists In the UK & Europe

9th July 2007, 03:17 AM	#5
johnwayne Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Athens, Ga Posts: 540	You might like the Dav since you do Acoustic music. You can do a stereo pre for around $700. The Dav sounds awesome when used on my Hummingbird and a Paul Beard Dobro. Really clear and crisp but also full. I have a solo 610 also and I like the Dav better for Acoustic instruments. You could also record stereo. __________________ www.learningguitarnow.com

10th July 2007, 12:38 AM	#7
CassidyGT Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Central PA Posts: 552	+1 on the RNP complimenting the Grace. i had that setup for awhile and it was great. In fact, thiking of getting another RNP to get two more channels __________________ THAT JUST HAPPENED!!! Ricky Bobby

9th July 2007, 02:35 AM	#3
davegibbon Gear Head Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 40	Tate, how do you like the Grace? I'm looking at getting one in the next few weeks? What's the mai reason you're wanting another pre?

9th July 2007, 02:48 AM	#4
tate Gear interested Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 10	I'll check out the Sebatron, thanks for the suggestion. I've only had the Grace for a couple of weeks. I've been busy finishing a project and have had limited time to really check it out, but I like what I've heard. Vast improvement for me over my built in MOTU pres. The reason I'm looking for another is give me different options, different colors so to speak.

9th July 2007, 06:59 AM	#6
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,116	The Grace 101 and the FMR RNP complement each other nicely. The 101 puts a big image in the monitors and is clean, almost glassy. The FMR RNP is lightly colored and thinner. FWIW, the FMR RNP seems best suited for Bluegrass acoustic sounds.

12th July 2007, 05:52 AM	#10
Nu-tra Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,535	I had an Art MPA Gold and the DI had a real nasal quality to it on both channels. The mic pre it'self is ok with a new set of tubes .I the goove tubes brick is ok. You can get into a seventh circle kit if you are handy with a soldering gun. A sytek would rock too. __________________ http://www.nu-tra.com

12th July 2007, 08:41 PM	#12
tate Gear interested Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 10	I went with the RNP, plus I got another RNC with the deal for $565. I already have one RNC so that gives me another channel of mono compression, since the RNC is a permanantly linked stereo unit. I got it on eBay used, new RNCs are $575 and there's a 3 week backorder right now. So I feel pretty good about this deal. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about the ART stuff. Thanks to all for the responses.

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