Preamp for horns/reggae music

[Hotsteppah]

Hello, Ive been trolling these forums for quite a while and this is my first post. I'm building up a little project studio and so far have a projectmix (got for REALLY cheap!), a balls fast computer with protools and Sonar7, an EV RE-20, 3 57's, and a U87 knockoff called a Dapro CR-1. This has been mostly for screw around stuff for the past year, like recording my bands practices, but now were recording a new album and they want me to record the overdubs (precussion and horns) so we don't break the bank. I'm more than happy to accept, but as you can see, I'm missing a couple things in my chain, like a good preamp! We recorded the rhythms in this nice old studio using mostly vintage RCA 77's and 44's through a neotek board and onto a 24 track all live style. Were now dumping the 24 track into digital land (not involved with that), but I have good faith that they are doing it right.
I don't have a ton of money, but have been looking around for preamps and a couple have caught my eye:
Joe Meek 6q
Joe Meek TwinQ (any difference in Sound from 6Q, I know it has 2 channels..)
The Brick
Art MPA gold

Please tell me if these are good preamps for horns and the paticular project I'm going to be working on or if you have any other ideas. Any other feedback is MORE than welcome. Thank you!!

[1monkey1]

a couple of comments:
i would say your choice depends on what reggae sound you're going for.
the old school stuff was very underfunded from what i've read.
lee perry had a discrete soundcraft and a couple of echoes.
if you're going for a new kind of dancehall sound, your choices seem right.

if you want old school i would think about trying a dynamic microphone and a thick old school board. i did some roots reggae on the old brown allen and heath board. people don't like those boards, but the low end is ridiculous and you can get a real tight small sound.

i would think more low end than high end.

steven walcott
Engine Studios

[Thierry]

waww reggae :) cool

Ask King Tubby or Augustus Pablo....but the secret is the Tape....

Peace
Thierry

[Hotsteppah]

Originally Posted by 1monkey1

a couple of comments:
i would say your choice depends on what reggae sound you're going for.
the old school stuff was very underfunded from what i've read.
lee perry had a discrete soundcraft and a couple of echoes.
if you're going for a new kind of dancehall sound, your choices seem right.

if you want old school i would think about trying a dynamic microphone and a thick old school board. i did some roots reggae on the old brown allen and heath board. people don't like those boards, but the low end is ridiculous and you can get a real tight small sound.

i would think more low end than high end.

steven walcott
Engine Studios

Saw this on E-bay, not the old brown model (MK-I / II) but an MK-III. What do you think? I'm in the area so I could pick it up
Allen Heath Systm 8 Mixer,Recording,PA 16-16 Trk Analog - (eBay item 280178081047 end time Dec-03-07 21:39:05 PST)

[GordZilla]

Irie Hotsteppah!

You may want to check out a Grace 101, or RNP. Both can be had for under $500 and are an excellent bang for yer buck. The RNP has two channels, while the 101 is a single. Both are nice and clean, with awesome detail. Will make any of your mics you already have sound great. The Joe Meeks are not too bad also, if you are looking for more of a "coloured" sound.

Respect

[Acoustic Cloud]

Hotman!

I would go with the SixQ. It can get very colored, when kicking in the features, but can be very clean also. The Grace is a great clean pre, but it, and all the others you mentioned have no EQ/dynamics control in the same price range. If you dont have a collection of pres yet, and you are recording band things like you said, the one trick ponies may leave you wanting more signal control.

Just the way I would do it, thats all.

Your mics seem fine.