low end mic pre ideas

[KeithMoonwannabe]

ok so I'd kinda like to change up/improve my sound on certain tracks. I was wondering what opinions people have on a single channel mic pre sub $1000 please. I'd mainly be using the pre as a bass di and for vocals. Though the mic pre may see other uses perhaps kick drum with the PR40 or as a room mic pre to give more fidelity to my drum tracks. I know these discussions occur all the time but I just want some fresh ideas especially from people who use the PR40 and a mic like the ST79. I'd like to try and make a more conservative purchase I don't really want a mic that may pose reliablity issues or that is really trendy. I want an investment that I will still use 10 years from now.

My vocal mics (or that could be used on voice since I do change it up sometimes) are:
Sterling Audio ST79
Heil PR40
Sennheiser e945
Shure SM57

and eventually: CAD M179, Shure Beta 58, and likely other condensers (probably AT40 series products since I like those a lot think AT4033, AT4050, and AT4047)

Preamps that seemed interesting would be the UA Solo 610, Groove Tubes Brick, Blue's Robbie, the UA 710 Twin Finity (maybe), Art MPA (maybe), etc. To give you an idea.

I am a male tenor with a kinda gritty voice (I have a very unique voice I don't really have anyone that I can really compare to all the time), my bass is a Fender MIM pimped out Jazz Bass (I put on an ABM lockdown bridge, bone nut, DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pups, DR Marcus Miller Fatbeam strings). As my username implies I like blues-rock / classic rock type of stuff. I also do some alternative stuff but I'm definitely in the brit rock vein whether classic or contemporary.

My current stuff is a Mackie DFX12 (that I picked up for $100 to use as a drum submixer/practice mixer and then my Focusrite Saffire PRO 10 i/o audio interface.

Ultimately I'm just looking for some variety in tone for vocals and bass to help slowly "professionalize" my mixes/recordings. For most of my purposes the Saffire does a good-great job. My room and stuff can limit my recordings so just upgrading all my pres really won't solve my problems. I thought a decent tube pre may add warmth and a nice sheen to things though. If you think I'm wrong or crazy feel free to constructively criticize. I'm just looking for a better bass sound than just straight DI into the Saffire I don't own a bass amp since I'm not really a bassist so I don't have many options for bass.

Also if you have any decent suggestions on 4 channel pres that are relatively affordable that would improve my kick, snare, and overheads vs the Saffire let me know though I figure that will require a lot more money to make a difference and treating my room better and getting more mics will probably make more of a difference for the money I have to spend. Tuning and performance aren't really issues for me to focus on. I'm pretty OCD about that stuff.

I forgot to mention that when Tuesday Testers posts the preamp war I will check it out, lol.

[BOWIE]

Under 1K, some preamps I like are:
The old Demeter VTMP2
Blue Robbie (very versatile while always being smooth)
UA 610
Mindprint is a good value.

There's a thousand to choose from.

[Heartfelt]

there also is the new single channel daking... trident-esque, I'm told. They are shipping any time now and are $675. That's a big bang for the buck.

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

there also is the new single channel daking... trident-esque, I'm told. They are shipping any time now and are $675. That's a big bang for the buck.

Robert, thx for mentioning that. I haven't heard of it yet but I'm definitely interested!

[KeithMoonwannabe]

the daking sounds like it could also be a contender than. thanks for all the suggestions.

But it sounds as though Robbie or UA Solo 610 should be where I'm looking.

[useme2305]

for under 1k he can get the A Designs 500 HR two module rack and an Avedis M5A.

that way he will have one of the best preamp modules made today plus the option to add a second module like a good EQ or a compressor whenever he feels like it.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

ahhh the 500 series .... idk that can get awfully addicting

now another thing that might be tempting is to find a used Brick and then pick up that new Daking single channel that could probably be manageable with a grand.

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by KeithMoonwannabe

ahhh the 500 series .... idk that can get awfully addicting

now another thing that might be tempting is to find a used Brick and then pick up that new Daking single channel that could probably be manageable with a grand.

Never an easy decision! If I was in your spot, I think Robie and Daking would be at the top of the list. The only downsides to the Daking are that you'll have to pay full dollar since it's a new product (whereas you can find used Robbies for 1/2 of the $1k list), and also that the new Daking might be crap being that it's priced so low. I'm really interested in it but I've got some serious questions about them being able to sell a professoinal piece for that cheap...

[KeithMoonwannabe]

perhaps perusing around classifieds and ebay may be my best bet. let the luck of the draw when you never know I could score a robbie or solo 610.

[Heartfelt]

I have a seen a Robbie on ebay for $600. I thought about it but being that I will rely heavily on my first Real Pre, I wanted to get a pre with a good rep from a dealer with a good rep, in case of issues.

There isn't a lot of feedback on the Robbie but all I have seen is good. It looks like the only one there today is $899.

BLUE Microphones Robbie Mic Preamp - NEW Open Box! - eBay (item 350106965052 end time Oct-17-08 18:11:11 PDT)

Here is the Daking info from the dealer i bought from.
Daking Mic Pre One Single Channel Microphone Preamp
They are really kind people to deal with.

• The Daking is supposed to be Tridentesque, mostly clean, a little color.
• The Robby is also a cleanish sound and has a rep for low noise.
• The solo 610 is going to be more colored.
• The MA5 is Neveish. One cool feature is a 28K button for highend detail.

I only mention it to see if you know what color direction you want to head.

Here is the Daking thread that got me excited.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-p...aking-pre.html




Rob

[KeithMoonwannabe]

I think for bass I probably want some color in the pre just to have a change from plugging direct to my Saffire.

For vocals an improvement in any character/color direction would be neat to have. The Saffire pres are good I would classify them as pretty clean and transparent, at least for the money. I figured with a PR40 and the ST79 more color might be a neat way to go with vocals especially since my voice is higher ranged and has some grit to it (that tube warmth might help smooth it out a little for some more sophisticated recording sounds). A little warmth and fatness could fill out my vocals in the mix and make them sound a little more robust. At times I guess I'm a cross between Geddy Lee and someone like Liam Gallagher. I think that's how I'd describe my voice. Not always really what I want it to be but that's what I have to work with, lol. Can't change what the big guy gave me to work with.

That's why I was almost tempted to get the UA Twin Finity thinking it might be a cross between the 110 which is a relatively clean/transparent sound to the 610 being warmer/fatter/more colored (and variations of both ends). But I'm not sure how good it really is. None of the local retailers have one in stock yet for me to give it a try. I figured that might give me good versatility even if I have to pay the $800 for a new one if it does what it's supposed to I think I'd definitely get my money's worth.

Really I think anything I'm looking into will be an alright direction to head into. I'll probably be more interested in a colored pre just to have variety I can always use my Saffire for clean/transparent stuff. Once I pickup my Reflexion filter a new preamp will be nice to have to really unleash some potential from my vocals. So at least for now time is on my side for doing research and stuff. I just want to make educated decisions and not buy completely impulsively or take a shot in the dark. Preamps can be tough because so many are trendy and without really getting to use them hands on and intensively you can't really know what you're getting.

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by KeithMoonwannabe

That's why I was almost tempted to get the UA Twin Finity thinking it might be a cross between the 110 which is a relatively clean/transparent sound to the 610 being warmer/fatter/more colored (and variations of both ends).

Take a look in the new product forum at the Twinfinity thread. There is a lot a dissapoinment mentioned there as it seems to neither be a 110 nor a 610. I thought about it too but don't take my word for it. Sorry to blab but I just did what you are doing.

Wish you the best and props to the big guy.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

no biggie.

I kinda saw some disappointment on there too that's why I kinda rehashed the preamp thing. Trying to seek other alternatives. I'm sure it's not a terrible pre it just isn't exactly what all of us were expecting it to be.

[warhead]

n/a

Sub $1000 it's hard not to mention the Safe Sound Audio P1 as a preamp (in the clean, decent console type of pre vein) but that expander / compressor / limiter with the on board stereo monitoring section make it sooooooo the vocal tracking box it's not even funny. Still, if you're only shooting for pre and not vocal dynamics control, there are better pres to choose from for sure. The P1 does make a great bass DI also though, and a fantastic bass compressor! Don't know if you read TapeOp, it's been reviewed there by Andy Hong.

The new Daking is ground breaking stuff in that price range, I was stunned at how low the price was. If you want present and detailed, yet kind of in yer face in a forward way, look no further. It also has the new hi-pass filter (variable) on board...wow.

The UA SOLO 610 is capable of fairly clean (not as clean as the Daking or P1) but can do a nice vintage-y / creamy tube thing that is unique. It has a lot of gain staging possibilities, oh and it also has a kick ass DI on board.

The Twinfinity 710 I posted about in the other thread, it's not a 610 / 110 thing but it's good. I think the strong point is the blend feature which I can't hear or null out any obvious phasing at ALL with. If you want to dial in some tube drive, the most obvious distortion kind, you can easily do it and still retain a nice detailed sound up front. I don't think it's a disappointment in its price range, seriously! I love the metering, it has some other nice features as well. The clean channel really is very nice, and that clean solid state side can be pushed for a bit of that classic UA style goodness unlike a lot of other solid state preamps that just fall apart when pushed.

Hope this helps.

War

[KeithMoonwannabe]

War I checked out what you had up so far. I love Tuesday Testers.

The P1 seems pretty neat. Perhaps the Twin Finity may be what I'm looking for while it may not be completely like an old UA piece it probably still sounds awesome and being able to blend with no phase issues is just cool.

At some point a dealer around me should get one in that might be a good thing to try out as a bass DI and maybe some quick vocals just to get a feel for it's range of sounds.

So far all advice has been good advice.

[warhead]

I'm glad you like that test, but you're going to love the fairness and presentation of the one that replaces it next week! thumbsup

War

[prslespaul]

The MPA Gold is a high plate voltage pre amp that sounds alright when you get some decent tubes in it. I made a little sample of one if you check out my thread.


Art MPA Gold Clips!

[sehnsucht]

warhead,
how is the build quality on the twin finity compared to the 610?