Preamp suggestions, Upfront vocals, $600 price range

[statixx]

I would like some suggestions on which preamp to purchase for upfront yet smooth vocals. I have been able to capture this sound with my beloved la 610 but i have to downsize my studio. I would like too know which PA in the 600 dollars price range will give me this sound.

ive been looking at:

chameleon labs 7602 CONS: ive heard vocals isnt its strong point PROS: people love its EQ

BLA Auteur CONS: are trs outputs gonna be a noise issue? heard it takes alot of stacks to create big vocals PROS: this is a very clean pa. supposidly has a big bottom end

used UAsolo610 CONS headroom issues, gets noisey at high gains. PROS its the same amp as my la 610 no comp.

what about a Daking one pre? ive just recently heard about them.

i would like to know which preamp would be my best bet. i know this can be a subjective question but since i know exactly what type of sound im going for, i figured you guys would be able to help me decide which one would best suit my needs. any suggestions are greatly appriciated. please try and stay in the price range.

btw, the microphone i will be using is a shure ksm32.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by statixx

chameleon labs 7602 CONS: ive heard vocals isnt its strong point PROS: people love its EQ

um, i love the CL's on vocals. they are my go to pres for vox. i have the pre only models right now(7622), but have a pair of 7602's coming in on monday. everyone keeps telling me that if i love the pres(which i do), i will love the eq that much more!

[Ca$h Marty]

610 all day. If you like it keep it going.

[dickiefunk]

There's a couple of Focusrite ISA One's on ebay at the moment for around that budget. I absolutely love mine!! Very smooth and extremely quiet!!

[statixx]

Alot of people tell me that a Chameleon labs 7602 is the best bang for your buck in this price range. would i be sacraficing quality if i went with this chain?

gap73-->RNC-->DAW

the reviews i read about the GAP are just OK but i have yet to real a CL bashing review. everyone raves about the CLs eq but the GAP is the exact same pre no EQ if my research is correct. can anyone comment on the GAP? i hear it gets grainy past 45 db. can anyone confirm this? is this a usable pre for hip hop vocals? im really intrested in the GAP hope to hear good comments.

btw ive read the threads on the GAP most people on there talk about modded ones though right? i dont wana have to mod it. is the CL leaps and bounds better then a GAP or is the diffrence subtle?

[RTR]

Originally Posted by statixx

Alot of people tell me that a Chameleon labs 7602 is the best bang for your buck in this price range. would i be sacraficing quality if i went with this chain?

gap73-->RNC-->DAW

the reviews i read about the GAP are just OK but i have yet to real a CL bashing review. everyone raves about the CLs eq but the GAP is the exact same pre no EQ if my research is correct. can anyone comment on the GAP? i hear it gets grainy past 45 db. can anyone confirm this? is this a usable pre for hip hop vocals? im really intrested in the GAP hope to hear good comments.

btw ive read the threads on the GAP most people on there talk about modded ones though right? i dont wana have to mod it. is the CL leaps and bounds better then a GAP or is the diffrence subtle?

I use the gap with my sm7b for hip hop vox. and bass guitar,,and sometimes electric guitar and I LOVE IT...

[statixx]

^^ do you have any vocal examples? If i got a gap i would be using it with a ksm32 i used to own a sm7b but i sold it for the 32

[RTR]

Originally Posted by statixx

^^ do you have any vocal examples? If i got a gap i would be using it with a ksm32 i used to own a sm7b but i sold it for the 32

You can click the link on my post (sound click) to hear the gap with a sm7b..the first tune on there!! I know that wont tell you much but its all I have right now!!

[Blast9]

Originally Posted by statixx

chameleon labs 7602 CONS: ive heard vocals isnt its strong point PROS: people love its EQ

It sounds great on all vocalists I've used it with. Fat clear and smooth

It can sound grainy when the input gain is pushed over 70db, but I personally don't use it for "pushed" sounds - I'd rather used distortion plugins/amp sims.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by Blast9

It sounds great on all vocalists I've used it with. Fat clear and smooth

It can sound grainy when the input gain is pushed over 70db, but I personally don't use it for "pushed" sounds - I'd rather used distortion plugins/amp sims.

[Webb]

Daking Mic Pre One will get you great sounding vocals.

Shameless plug *ahem*... http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...c-pre-one.html

[Tomer1]

BLA : what TRS outputs have to do with noise?

Gap73,good choice for vocals

Either choice will be a good choice.

Why get the 610 solo if you already got the pre+comp one. a waste of money to get the exact same thing.

[art_z]

+1 on the Daking.

[Heartfelt]

Originally Posted by art_z

+1 on the Daking.

+1 and more

The bottom is not extended, the top is not harsh nor is it muted. It is a bit mid forward and is punchy.

[pour the cure]

Originally Posted by Heartfelt

+1 and more

The bottom is not extended, the top is not harsh nor is it muted. It is a bit mid forward and is punchy.

How is the DI?

Thank you thumbsup

[Heartfelt]

It is awesome on guitar. It really adds a depth that I wasn't expecting. On bass, it is also great but it is a different sound. If you are looking for a "bassin" ultra low end bass sound, it isn't here.

I like my bass to be present but to leave a nice place for the kick. The Daking does that very well. I do modern pop rock and things towards progressive country. It does well, especially with compression.
Rob

[D K]

used UAsolo610 CONS headroom issues, gets noisey at high gains. PROS its the same amp as my la 610 no comp.

what about a Daking one pre? ive just recently heard about them.

I have both of these pres - Not really finding the headroom issues you speak of - I thought it was the other way around - Less headroom issues on the Solo then on the la 610 - could be wrong about that though... I really love mine as a DI for bass and guitars.

The Daking MP1 is an amazing pre - I just got it so there is definitely "new lover" syndrome going on but this thing is just fabulous sounding with every Mic I throw at it - The DI sounds very good to me but this is undoubtedly a micpre destined for vocals and miced guitars .. what this thing did with an SM57 should be criminal it was so good - I have never heard a SM57 sound like that....

[statixx]

my neighbor has been pumping up the daking mp1. ill get a chance to play with one soon it sounds like it could be a 610 replacer. we'll see.

all the threads i find on the daking are regarding drums. apparently its great for drums. what about vocals.