Inexpensive preamp/channel strip capable of producing a fairly pro sound?

[dialectic]

I am looking to get a fairly inexpensive preamp / channel strip that is capable of producing a fairly pro sound (inexpensive/pro...some will say that this is oxymoronic language?).
This preamp/channel strip will be mainly used in conjunction with a Rode NT2A to track vocals. In addition to this it would also be used to record other sound sources/instruments with mics such the ubiquitous SM57. Ideally it would also have an instrument/line input though this is not essential.
What are your thoughts of the following:

JOE MEEK- VC3Q , MQ3, VC6, VC6Q, VC1
TL AUDIO- IVORY 5050
DBX- 286A, 376
LA AUDIO- MPX10
DRAWMER- MX20
FOCUSRITE- PLATINUM TRAKMASTER PRO

I may opt for a 2 channel preamp/channel strip in order to give me the option of using it to track stereo drum overheads etc. Any opinions on the following:

FOCUSRITE- TWIN TRAK PRO
APHEX- 107, 207D
DBX- 386
JOE MEEK- VC7
TF PRO- P4

I know that this is quite a long 'short list' but any advice would very much appreciated.

[we are analog]

I love my Universal Audio LA-610. Great sound, has a direct line in, built in EQ and compressor, and looks awesome in my rack

[gearaddict]

Originally Posted by dialectic

I am looking to get a fairly inexpensive preamp / channel strip that is capable of producing a fairly pro sound (inexpensive/pro...some will say that this is oxymoronic language?).
This preamp/channel strip will be mainly used in conjunction with a Rode NT2A to track vocals. In addition to this it would also be used to record other sound sources/instruments with mics such the ubiquitous SM57. Ideally it would also have an instrument/line input though this is not essential.
What are your thoughts of the following:

JOE MEEK- VC3Q , MQ3, VC6, VC6Q, VC1
TL AUDIO- IVORY 5050
DBX- 286A, 376
LA AUDIO- MPX10
DRAWMER- MX20
FOCUSRITE- PLATINUM TRAKMASTER PRO

I may opt for a 2 channel preamp/channel strip in order to give me the option of using it to track stereo drum overheads etc. Any opinions on the following:

FOCUSRITE- TWIN TRAK PRO
APHEX- 107, 207D
DBX- 386
JOE MEEK- VC7
TF PRO- P4

I know that this is quite a long 'short list' but any advice would very much appreciated.

Get a grace design m101..best pre I have had..if your trackin on a daw at 24bits you can do without a comp....you will not be sorry. I almost bought a meek first and then decided that I really dont need all the bells and whistles...I would rather have 100% of my money go towards a good pre..insted of splitting it on a channel strip..just mo though...good luck

[mikey]

the meek compressor is kinda cool

[dickiefunk]

I'm really impressed with my second hand M-Audio Tampa!

[svart]

what price range is inexpensive for you?

SSL has a couple different strips too..

[Audio Hombre]

you can bet that there are "pro recordings" using the TL AUDIO- IVORY 5050

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by Audio Hombre

you can bet that there are "pro recordings" using the TL AUDIO- IVORY 5050

The TL AUDIO IVORY 5050 was one of the main choices that i was considering but it seems to be met with mixed response. It seemed to recieve good reviews in the press but elsewhere on this site some people are really putting it down.
Anyone here own, or have used one of these?

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by mikey

the meek compressor is kinda cool

Which Meek pre amp/channel strips would you recomend? I have heard good things about Meek pres, even their budget range like the VC3Q and MQ3.

[Tubthumper]

Toft have a couple of kewl channel strips.... Toft Audio Designs ATB Home

Good luck!

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by Tubthumper

Toft have a couple of kewl channel strips.... Toft Audio Designs ATB Home

Good luck!

Have checked em out and they look good. Food for thought, thanks.thumbsup

[minus-sounds.com]

Originally Posted by dialectic

...It seemed to recieve good reviews in the press but elsewhere on this site some people are really putting it down...

It is pretty common to write nice stuff, to please your clients. dfegad

[nickolo]

The focusrite trackmaster pro is OK for the money they ask and Focusrite are a solid company [looked after me when a unit went down!!] ..BUT i think it better be avoided as its in general not great!However,go up to their blue ISA range and thats good stuff..
I would agree with getting a good pre first otherwise you risk doing what a lot of us have done-bought some strip at what looked like a good deal[pre/eq-filter/comp] all in but soon ended up loosing money and not using it much!! I m sure there might be a great strip but its likely to be £1200 + minimum.
I think the grace will be a good choice.DAV pres are very good and not too costly.
Perhaps start a small API 500 series lunchbox with a pre and build up modules in future.Have you checked out the Audient black series modular system as a 4 module rack[BB4]?? The SSL alpha unit might be one of the few within 1000 that could deliver the goods.
Good luck

[MR4791]

Safe Sound Audio P1

-= Safe Sound Audio =-

Single channel only but nothing better for the price IMO...

[nickolo]

I had a look at the link for the P1.Never heard of the unit but it does look interesting.Anyone else heard about this stuff?Is there a uk dealer?

[nickolo]

Stupid me!!I see Funky junk does them..

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by minus-sounds.com

It is pretty common to write nice stuff, to please your clients. dfegad

Hence why i have posted this thread...to obtain some intelligent independent opinions!

Have you actually used this unit?

[TurboJets]

It's not a channel strip but as a pre the sound is fantastic with more mojo than you could ever expect in this price range ($184 per channel) and that's the ElectroHarmonix 12AY7 tube mic pre.

9 times out of 10 the tracks I capture with the EH pre require no EQ and sit perfectly in the mix "as is". Hard to beat at that price. It's got focus, it's silky in the high's, produces tight, round lows and the mids aren't hyped and (again) are very focused.

Things it's not? Ballsy and wide open.

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by TurboJets

It's not a channel strip but as a pre the sound is fantastic with more mojo than you could ever expect in this price range ($184 per channel) and that's the ElectroHarmonix 12AY7 tube mic pre.

9 times out of 10 the tracks I capture with the EH pre require no EQ and sit perfectly in the mix "as is". Hard to beat at that price. It's got focus, it's silky in the high's, produces tight, round lows and the mids aren't hyped and (again) are very focused.

Things it's not? Ballsy and wide open.

Thanks for pointing this out. Hadn't heard of this tube pre before but looks interesting.
Obviously it's not intended as a pro end piece of equipment but has any one else used this tube pre before? Has it got a place in the recording studio? I am keen to hear other opinions from those that have used it.

[hgen]

Ok big call here. Soundcraft EPM6. About $40 / channel. 6 channels. Same quality/specs as a Grace 101 but with brit eq to boot!! Not fairly pro, is pro!

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by hgen

Ok big call here. Soundcraft EPM6. About $40 / channel. 6 channels. Same quality/specs as a Grace 101 but with brit eq to boot!! Not fairly pro, is pro!

.

Isnt this a 6 channel mixer? I already have a 16 channel mackie mixer (the original 1604) which has some great pres on each channel, but What im after though is something that can give me better quality than these channel pres and offer me a direct route into my recorder. Maybe something that offers tube/valve processing?