Upgrading entire chain today,need your help

RhythmnPoetry · 2nd February 2012

So I've narrowed it down to two mics and two pres and I'm seriously stuck. I've done tons of.research, each piece is highly regarded, yet I don't know which route to go. Obviously ill never know until I hear myself in front of the chain, but I was hoping some of you have experience with these mics/pres.

First off, here's my inferior setup at the moment: AKG 3000b, mbox2mini, protools 7.4... I'll be buying protools 9 to eliminate the mbox. Here's the options I've narrowed it down to:

Mics
Nuemann tlm 102
Rode k2 ( not interested in swapping tube and voiding warranty)

Pres
Focusrite isa 1
UA 610 solo

This will be strictly for hip hip & r & b vocals. I want smooth, yet clear vocals that are soothing to the ear--- no sibilance issues. I know there's many threads about each of these pieces individually, but none that I can find regarding the combo of either of these pieces.

Anybody have an opinion from past experience with these combos? Please share your opinion. I'm ready to upgrade.

Thanks

Chris Lago · 2nd February 2012

The Tube Swap in the K2 is extremely easy to do, don't be scared to switch the tube, you can always put it back easily.

RhythmnPoetry · 2nd February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

The Tube Swap in the K2 is extremely easy to do, don't be scared to switch the tube, you can always put it back easily.

Ok swapped tube or not, what's your opinion on these pieces and which combo would help achieving optimum results for vocals? I do not have a professional studio, but I have a fairly treated room accoustically. Looking to step up my quality.

Chris Lago · 2nd February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhythmnPoetry

Ok swapped tube or not, what's your opinion on these pieces and which combo would help achieving optimum results for vocals? I do not have a professional studio, but I have a fairly treated room accoustically. Looking to step up my quality.

I think it depends more on the talent than you think. I mean the K2 is good enough that you'll get a good sound out of the recording, but the talent is so much more important. Put someone crappy with any of those chains and it really won't matter what you're using. You're looking for optimum vocals, well you need an optimum vocalist/rapper.

Also, most mics with High End spikes will be sibilant on the wrong voice. The K2 can be sibilant for sure. You need to think cost/compromise at this point. But I mean, it doesn't stop Nickelback from using the K2 and releasing Platinum albums. If he can make it work for his voice, so can a lot of people. But again it has to do with matching the source with the signal. Some of the people at my studio have sounded like poo poo with the c800g and sounded better on the MXL v69me.

markosmo · 2nd February 2012

you still need an interface/converter so what is gonna replace the mbox?

i like my 710, not in love, but i like it alot.
i bought a modded jj audio mic...stellar!

the focusrite does have an optional digital out you can use with the mbox spdif i believe...the 610 doesn't.

I would look at the gap pre73 i think it is, alto music. I like this on vocals i have heard recorded on it.

2nd February 2012	#1
RhythmnPoetry Gear nut Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 94 Thread Starter	Upgrading entire chain today,need your help So I've narrowed it down to two mics and two pres and I'm seriously stuck. I've done tons of.research, each piece is highly regarded, yet I don't know which route to go. Obviously ill never know until I hear myself in front of the chain, but I was hoping some of you have experience with these mics/pres. First off, here's my inferior setup at the moment: AKG 3000b, mbox2mini, protools 7.4... I'll be buying protools 9 to eliminate the mbox. Here's the options I've narrowed it down to: Mics Nuemann tlm 102 Rode k2 ( not interested in swapping tube and voiding warranty) Pres Focusrite isa 1 UA 610 solo This will be strictly for hip hip & r & b vocals. I want smooth, yet clear vocals that are soothing to the ear--- no sibilance issues. I know there's many threads about each of these pieces individually, but none that I can find regarding the combo of either of these pieces. Anybody have an opinion from past experience with these combos? Please share your opinion. I'm ready to upgrade. Thanks

2nd February 2012	#2
Chris Lago Project Code CL2465 Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Who lives? Posts: 10,767 3 Reviews written	The Tube Swap in the K2 is extremely easy to do, don't be scared to switch the tube, you can always put it back easily. __________________ http://www.chrislago.com http://www.youtube.com/chrislago http://chrislago.bandcamp.com/

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2nd February 2012	#5
markosmo Gear Head Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 64	you still need an interface/converter so what is gonna replace the mbox? i like my 710, not in love, but i like it alot. i bought a modded jj audio mic...stellar! the focusrite does have an optional digital out you can use with the mbox spdif i believe...the 610 doesn't. I would look at the gap pre73 i think it is, alto music. I like this on vocals i have heard recorded on it.