Introduction to preamps!

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by LeoRapture

Okay, so my Avid Mbox isn't quite pushing my new Mojave MA-200 as far as I would like it to go. So, I have decided to seek more power. I am unsure if I understand all this fully, but I have a good, general idea as to what I would need. My question is, should I go with a 1000 dollar single channel preamp, or should I get an API Lunchbox, and add a cheaper mic preamp, and maybe an eq or compressor module. Is having the lunch box also like having an upgraded converter? i have heard that if I use an expensive external preamp with my mbox, I might not have the converter to get the best out of my setup. I would appreciate all your help! Thanks in advance!

BTW, I'm Leo, and thanks for having me here!

Whatup Leo,

Let me ask you a few questions:

What do you mean by more power?

Is 1000 ur max budget?

What generation of mbox do you have?

What is it you don't like about your recordings?


Answers:

No a Lunchbox can combine single modules like preamps, Eq's and compressors (or margharita mixers) but not converters...

The converterquality of an mbox typically isn't the best but you would still hear / profit from an external preamp!

[moneyrollbeats]

what can you tell me about the joemeek? Is it any good im thinking about bying my friends

[LeoRapture]

Originally Posted by Danny Downer

Whatup Leo,

Let me ask you a few questions:

What do you mean by more power?

Is 1000 ur max budget?

What generation of mbox do you have?

What is it you don't like about your recordings?


Answers:

No a Lunchbox can combine single modules like preamps, Eq's and compressors (or margharita mixers) but not converters...

The converterquality of an mbox typically isn't the best but you would still hear / profit from an external preamp!

Thanks for responding! By power, I mean gain. I'm getting a lot of noise from my mbox Gen 3(just the standard, not the pro or mini) when the gain is turned all the way up. i'm using a MA-200 mainly, and it just doesn't seem to have the warm clarity that I'm looking for in it's current state. I was definitely just going to get an ext. preamp, such as a gracie m101, but the fellow over at sweetwater suggester a better converter, as the mbox wasn't the greatest. So, I would probably be fine with starting out with a preamp only? And should I go 500 for lunchbox, 500 on pre, or 1000 on pre alone. Single channel, or dual, by the way, and yes, 1000 is my current budget.

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by LeoRapture

Thanks for responding! By power, I mean gain. I'm getting a lot of noise from my mbox Gen 3(just the standard, not the pro or mini) when the gain is turned all the way up. i'm using a MA-200 mainly, and it just doesn't seem to have the warm clarity that I'm looking for in it's current state. I was definitely just going to get an ext. preamp, such as a gracie m101, but the fellow over at sweetwater suggester a better converter, as the mbox wasn't the greatest. So, I would probably be fine with starting out with a preamp only? And should I go 500 for lunchbox, 500 on pre, or 1000 on pre alone. Single channel, or dual, by the way, and yes, 1000 is my current budget.

OK look at the golden age pre73, there is a new version, you can get it modded and include a EQ module! I think sweetwater has them! Modded it's a really nice tool and with the EQ u can even do some pre Eqing!

[LeoRapture]

Originally Posted by Danny Downer

OK look at the golden age pre73, there is a new version, you can get it modded and include a EQ module! I think sweetwater has them! Modded it's a really nice tool and with the EQ u can even do some pre Eqing!

being that most of the vocals will be hip-hop/r&b, I'm looking for exceptional color, but clear clarity at the same time. I'm trying to reproduce that "larger than life sound, versus a squeky clean monotone sound. Sweetwater doesn't carry the Golden Age, by the way. I kind of have it narrowed down to either the UA 610, or the Summit Audio 2BA-221. Out of these two, which do you think the MA-200 would pair best with? Seeing how the MA-200 is a somewhat "bright" tube mic, this would obviously factor in to the preamp choice. I appreciate the help!

[jeremycox]

Originally Posted by LeoRapture

being that most of the vocals will be hip-hop/r&b, I'm looking for exceptional color, but clear clarity at the same time. I'm trying to reproduce that "larger than life sound, versus a squeky clean monotone sound. Sweetwater doesn't carry the Golden Age, by the way. I kind of have it narrowed down to either the UA 610, or the Summit Audio 2BA-221. Out of these two, which do you think the MA-200 would pair best with? Seeing how the MA-200 is a somewhat "bright" tube mic, this would obviously factor in to the preamp choice. I appreciate the help!

Have you looked at the a designs p1? I love it for rap vocals

[azwun25]

Daking Mic Pre One is a solid choice in under $1000 land.

If you have an Mbox version 3 the conversion is actually surprisingly good compared to earlier Mbox offerings.

I would think the Daking and the Mojave would pair nicely.

[Chris Lago]

Hey,

Get the BAE 1073mp.

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by Chris Lago

Hey,

Get the BAE 1073mp.

Yes thats a good option... If you want to go with the Universal Audio Stuff Id choose 710 over 610 in no time!!!

[scottdavidson]

No a Lunchbox can combine single modules like preamps, Eq's and compressors (or margharita mixers) but not converters...

thats not strictly true, audient do a 500 series ADC

[phillipc421]

Don't buy joe meek

[lemonsquash]

you can't go wrong with the 500 series. maybe you should consult the high end forum.