More Cheap Pre Amp Questions

[oceantracks]

OK, first off, yes I have read past posts up here and on the net about this, but just wanted some more specific feedback.

Limited budget right now.

Need one channel. Using Neumann TLM 102 into Digi 192.

I record acoustic guitar, bass direct, and electric guitar direct AND live through amps from time to time. Finally, about once a month a female vocalist who sings lighter pop styles, no screaming heavy rock vocals.

Though I grew up loving the sound of Neves, I find "Neve style" pres a bit dark without the benefit of EQ...even a tiny bit...going in. Like API.

Like clarity more than dark thick glue.

So in the budget category I've narrowed it down to:

1 ISA One
2 Daking Mic Pre One
3 Grace 101

The Grace in particular interests me because other than "boring" I've never heard anything bad about it. I've heard REALLY opposites opinions on the ISA DI....some just hate it.

Daking gets good marks but really isn't that cheap, and some people have spoken of build quality issues.

Anything I'm missing?

Thanks for input. And again, I tend to like clarity, without something that rips your head off with it.

TH

[Tone Laborer]

Your missing something. Audition the pres. Disregard the internot opinions.

You seem to be letting the opinions sway you more than actual experience.

I've used the Daking and <edit; heard> the Focusrite, both delivered what I consider "clear" sound.

But if you hear API as dark thick glue then we don't hear things the same.

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by Tone Laborer

Your missing something. Audition the pres. Disregard the internot opinions.

You seem to be letting the opinions sway you more than actual experience.

I've used the Daking and the Focusrite, both delivered what I consider "clear" sound.

But if you hear API as dark thick glue then we don't hear things the same.

Said nothing of the kind about the API.

Can't audition all those pres in my studio, where it counts, without paying for them all first, so must go greatly by the opinions of people I trust. Thanks.

TH

[Chrisc_o]

I'd say that what's been said in all the trillions of other threads should be enough to help you out, but then of course I'D say that!

How many years did that take you btw? I gave up decades ago.

[oceantracks]

Sometimes when gear is out for awhile, those old threads aren't as relevant...new stuff comes out, etc. Or something people initially like a lot proves to be unreliable, etc.

I think it's coming down to the Daking or the completely clean Grace 101. Hmmm.

TH

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Sometimes when gear is out for awhile, those old threads aren't as relevant...new stuff comes out, etc. Or something people initially like a lot proves to be unreliable, etc.

New stuff comes out, but opinions remain relevant and helpful, even if they change.

Add to an existing thread instead of starting a new one. The same basic discussion doesn't need it's own thread.

[oceantracks]

Thanks for the advice...any comments on the subject or questions themselves though?

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Thanks for the advice...any comments on the subject or questions themselves though?

Ummm....yeah:

Originally Posted by Chrisc_o

...the trillions of other threads should be enough to help you out...

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by Chrisc_o

Ummm....yeah:

They say every forum has an aspiring moderator, looks like you're it.

I've explained why new posts on a given subject are relevant, if you can't accept it, why not just move on to police some other posts?

TH

[ivmike]

ISA Mic Pres

Daking Pres

Grace 101 Review

[Tone Laborer]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Said nothing of the kind about the API.

Can't audition all those pres in my studio, where it counts, without paying for them all first, so must go greatly by the opinions of people I trust. Thanks.

TH

Your API comment is unclear then. I can't tell if you like api or not.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Why not check out one at a time if that's what you can afford to do. Then report back with your decision. BocaRafukinton, what is that? Some distant atoll in the Gulf of Mexico where UPS won't deliver?

There's nothing wrong with gathering up all the conflicting and self-assuring internet opinions. Every once in awhile you can actually even trust one of them. Listen to the pres..there your ears, it's your tracks, your mics and your money. Don't let someone else decide for you.

In reality, its always a leap of faith on some level. You won't really know the pre/mic until you used it several months, mixed with it, listen to it as it translates to other systems. Taken it through the entire process.



Best of luck with the decision making process. Always tough...

[cdog]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Need one channel. Using Neumann TLM 102 into Digi 192.
TH

Changing your preamp wont make the TLM 102 sound better.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

They say every forum has an aspiring moderator, looks like you're it.

I've explained why new posts on a given subject are relevant, if you can't accept it, why not just move on to police some other posts?

TH

Moderator? No. More like seeing eye dog

As for your explanation: you didn't really respond to my argument. I don't ask you to, and I actually hope that you don't for fear of dragging your thread too far off topic, but you didn't really explain anything, nor did you disagree.

actually, you never answered as to how long it took to read all those preamp threads either.


Good luck in your search.