Who sells middle budget pre amps?

[loba jet]

My budget is about 400$ maybe more of course.

the only music store around where i live is guitar center. (lets not use this thread to start telling guitar center nightmare stories)

Guitar center has audiogram3's, m-audio "boxes, cute little mini tube comes with cubase type preamps. And then of course they have the avalon and neve for 2-3 grand.


but what about me? I have a passion for quality. I'm fed up with my 16 bit interface. I have a real nice mic and it deserves a nice channel strip pre amp.

But i can't afford the avalon. Where are the middle budget preamps?

I wanna hear them before purchase but if that is not possible what are some preamps that you have heard that you would reccomend i look up on the internet.


Also, is 4-500$ enough money to cross the quality threshold?

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by loba jet

My budget is about 400$ maybe more of course.

the only music store around where i live is guitar center. (lets not use this thread to start telling guitar center nightmare stories)

Guitar center has audiogram3's, m-audio "boxes, cute little mini tube comes with cubase type preamps. And then of course they have the avalon and neve for 2-3 grand.


but what about me? I have a passion for quality. I'm fed up with my 16 bit interface. I have a real nice mic and it deserves a nice channel strip pre amp.

But i can't afford the avalon. Where are the middle budget preamps?

I wanna hear them before purchase but if that is not possible what are some preamps that you have heard that you would reccomend i look up on the internet.


Also, is 4-500$ enough money to cross the quality threshold?

You might as well just use a Mackie preamp, because what you can get for $400 will not be much better.

If you're on a Mac... maybe get a Apogee Duet to replace your interface. Those preamps aren't horrible.

[TH79]

the Black Lion Audio Autuer is a great preamp and its two channels. audioMIDI.com is selling one for $500 or you could buy one direct from Black Lion.

[fzit0]

Golden age pre-73
I've heard some samples that sound amazing for only being about $300
And theres a ua 610 solo thats about $600-700
I know Its frustrating to see that 2000$ preamps and not having the money to buy them I'd love to have one :(
do a search there are plenty of posts discussing this topic


Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by TH79

the Black Lion Audio Autuer is a great preamp and its two channels. audioMIDI.com is selling one for $500 or you could buy one direct from Black Lion.

I'll second that. Also check out there youtube videos. YouTube - Black Lion Audio Auteur Vocal Demonstration

A nice pre for the money and hard to beat two channels for that price.

[T.Johannsson]

Originally Posted by loba jet

My budget is about 400$ maybe more of course.

the only music store around where i live is guitar center. (lets not use this thread to start telling guitar center nightmare stories)

Guitar center has audiogram3's, m-audio "boxes, cute little mini tube comes with cubase type preamps. And then of course they have the avalon and neve for 2-3 grand.


but what about me? I have a passion for quality. I'm fed up with my 16 bit interface. I have a real nice mic and it deserves a nice channel strip pre amp.

But i can't afford the avalon. Where are the middle budget preamps?

I wanna hear them before purchase but if that is not possible what are some preamps that you have heard that you would reccomend i look up on the internet.


Also, is 4-500$ enough money to cross the quality threshold?

If your interface is only 16 bits.. I would upgrade to something 24 bits.

I dont know your DAW or how many inputs you need. But if you need 8 inputs you have few nice options at guitarcenter.

PreSonus FP10 10x10 Firewire Interface (Firepod) and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

PreSonus FireStudio Project and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

Mackie Onyx Blackbird Premium 16x16 FireWire Recording Interface and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.


and for a little more and if you want Pro Tools (m-Powered)

M-Audio ProFire 2626 and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

I have the Profire 2626.. very nice and clean.. but I have also some high end preams too and Im getting very good result.

but if you are only looking for one good mic preamp.. http://ronansrecordingshow.com/2009/...and-fmr-audio/

[loba jet]

Originally Posted by throstur

If your interface is only 16 bits.. I would upgrade to something 24 bits.

I dont know your DAW or how many inputs you need. But if you need 8 inputs you have few nice options at guitarcenter.

PreSonus FP10 10x10 Firewire Interface (Firepod) and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

PreSonus FireStudio Project and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

Mackie Onyx Blackbird Premium 16x16 FireWire Recording Interface and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.


and for a little more and if you want Pro Tools (m-Powered)

M-Audio ProFire 2626 and more Audio Interfaces at GuitarCenter.com.

I have the Profire 2626.. very nice and clean.. but I have also some high end preams too and Im getting very good result.

but if you are only looking for one good mic preamp.. Mic preamp reviews. Black Lion Audio, FMR Audio and True Systems | Ronan's Recording Show

I actually took a look at the pre sonus but i really have no use for more than one input, long as i can record XLR input or stereo TRS input, I'll be happy.

someone above mentioned I move from 16 bit to 24 bit. I fully agree which is where i am now. But i don't just want 24 bit, i want an awesome signal path.

even if that means i need to buy a DI box for impediance, then a preamp and then a DA converter. (is that how you would set that up?)

I'm also kinda confused about that. A preamp usually just has stereo outs right? I would still need an interface to get it in my computer right?

so it would be dumb for me to buy this preamp and then plug it into my 16 bit interface right?

400$ is just what the lady said was cool, there's more availible, I just gotta come up with some explanation as to why i can't record without it. (this was hard to do with monitors and acoustic treatment and i imagine its gonna take quite the shpeil to convince her a preamp is worth it)

[phillysoulman]

To the op:

Please take my advice and save your money for a quality pre.
You wont be sorry.

[mattyblue]

+1 on the Black Lion Auteur. That thing is well worth its money and more. It is by far my favorite preamp and it wont kill your budget.

[damien907]

grace design m101 (clear sounding akin to the avalon for 565$)

fmr RNC for 475, (also clear sounding,but i like the grace better myself for a golden channel)

the rnc is 2 channel and the grace is only 1, but if thats all you need i would jump and get it.

[Obitheincredible]

The BLA Auteur is amazing for the price, very high quality for a great price. Its a bit over your budget but close enough to scrounch up 100 bucks more for it. I bought mine used for under 400 here on gs too!

[Docmattic]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

To the op:

Please take my advice and save your money for a quality pre.
You wont be sorry.

good advice here. if i could go back id do exactly the same thing. Otherwise you will spend the money twice.

[phillysoulman]

Heres the order of a decent chain....in this orded.

1. A wonderful,well treated recording room/space free of all room anomalies.

2.Several great mikes to choose from.

3.Several great pres to choose from relative to your choice of mikes.

4.Correct mike placement.
Experiment my moving the mike and/or artist until you hear the optimum sound you are looking for.
Allow youself a budget of at least $15,000.00 for starters.

5.Read all you can about recording.

6.Get yourself a nice day gig with which to save for sid purchased.
You will thank me later.

[atlpd3147]

Originally Posted by phillysoulman

Heres the order of a decent chain....in this orded.

1. A wonderful,well treated recording room/space free of all room anomalies.

2.Several great mikes to choose from.

3.Several great pres to choose from relative to your choice of mikes.

4.Correct mike placement.
Experiment my moving the mike and/or artist until you hear the optimum sound you are looking for.
Allow youself a budget of at least $15,000.00 for starters.

5.Read all you can about recording.

6.Get yourself a nice day gig with which to save for sid purchased.
You will thank me later.

Would you name a few pres,compressors,mics that you would feel a good starting point to spend with that kind of money. Minus the treatment for the room. Ive been looking at a la610 mkii. I wanted to keep my limit to under 2k for pre-compressors and 1500 or less for mics. Thats per purchase btw

[kenn]

Originally Posted by damien907

grace design m101 (clear sounding akin to the avalon for 565$)

fmr RNC for 475, (also clear sounding,but i like the grace better myself for a golden channel)

These are both good suggestions. Also, Groove Tubes the Brick should be around that price range.

My route, though, has been to buy stuff from DIY Mic Preamp Kits - Seventh Circle Audio. Even if you get them built, you're still getting a nice pre for less than $500. The initial cost is a little more, though, because you have to buy the case and power supply.