Cheapest stereo Mic Pre / DI worth bothering with?

[jsrockit]

Ok, I'm not going to give a price range...I figure I'll try a different route. Currently using only a Apogee Duet to record everything (drum machines, synths, and rap vocals) and use a AT3035 and a Shure SM7b as my mics. I'm looking for a stereo mic pre-amp and stereo DI (one box for recording mics and synths / drum machines) that would give me a different flavor to the duet, yet is not going to sound worse than the duet...however, at the cheapest price point. Any suggestions?

[buschfsu]

FMR RNP its the only option at a decent price.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by buschfsu

FMR RNP its the only option at a decent price.

Yep, I was thinking about it... anyone use the DI for synths and drum machines?

[GordZilla]

Originally Posted by buschfsu

FMR RNP its the only option at a decent price.

+1 on the RNP

[NorseHorse]

The ART DPS II is a nice pre for the money. Probably not as clean as the duet, but lots of options.

[Drumminkiger]

Chamelon Labs 7622 is a very nice pre for the money. Ive got one, and i think im going to try and get another one pretty soon.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Drumminkiger

Chamelon Labs 7622 is a very nice pre for the money. Ive got one, and i think im going to try and get another one pretty soon.

I was looking at this, but was kind of turned off by the size of the power supply.

[Pohaku]

+2 for the RNP.

A Peavey VMP-2 would also be pretty good if you can track one down.

[jsrockit]

Another thought would be getting two Grace m101s... but would that add anything that the duet isn't giving me?

[moon_unit]

Worth bothering with? M-Audio dmp3

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by moon_unit

Worth bothering with? M-Audio dmp3

You think that is going to sound better than the Duet's built in pres?

[ddageek]

Used 2 channel Presonus the baby M80 with Jensen transformers and a opamp Upgrade heard one the other night it wasn't a Neve but my Jaw was on the ground!

[jsrockit]

A lot of what was suggested would are too clean for my needs...so, I'm thinking I'm going to settle for a one channel pre-amp /di... and I want some color...since the Apogee Duet does clean well enough. I would be using it with a AT3035 and a SM7b and will also run BDs from my Machinedrum and Basslines from my Monomachine through the DI for a bit of warmth and low-end (both of which can be mono, so no need for stereo).

I was thinking about the following for one channel:

Great River ME-1NV
Universal Audio SOLO/610
Universal Audio 710
Summit Audio 2BA-221

And if I go stereo:

Sebatron vmp-2000e

Or if only DI (which I'm not sure I want to do):

Avalon U5
A-Designs Audio REDDI Tube DI
Summit Audio TD-100 Instrument Preamp & Tube Direct Box

Obviously, the cheaper the better... and I don't want the Brick. I can't think of anything else in the under $800 range (even though the GR and the Sebatron are even more, they may be worth going for).

[fiddler59]

Get the Sebatron,

I have one and love it !! can be clean and can have lots of color depending how you set the pad switch... the DI's are great also !!!