High end preamp for ribbons at low end prices?

[Shadow_7]

So I'm really wanting some ribbon microphones. But they seem to be recommending preamps that costs 3 times to 5 times more than a stereo pair of the ribbon mics. So what would be a more affordable preamp that would do a ribbon mic or two good? Something $500 or less.

For reference I'm looking at getting the Cascade FatHead II ribbons with the Blumlein stereo setup. $700-ish

http://www.cascademicrophones.com/ca...Stereo_PK.html

Which recommends a Universal Audio 2-610S preamp. $2,100-ish

http://www.cascademicrophones.com/Un...dio-2610S.html
http://www.uaudio.com/products/analog/2-610/index.html

Is there a $500 or less option for equal results? 2 Channels, +55dB gain or more, 2k ohm impedence. Or whatever else the manual is recommending. I feel I need the pre before I can seriously consider the mics. I'm a trombonist and software engineer, and hardware is a little out of my specialty. If you can't recommend something towards these mics, what would you recommend against getting? I'm leaning towards something like an M-Audio DMP3 or Art MPA Gold. But I have no idea if those will meet the needs of the ribbon microphones.

[scrubs]

Short of something like the AEA TRP (The Ribbon Pre), your idea of the DMP3 is probably a decent one. A pair of Studio Projects VTB-1's would also work in the budget realm - +72dB of available gain and variable input impedance make it a decent option.

[Shadow_7]

I remember looking at the TRP when I was looking at the AEA R84. But ultimately they're both out of my price range. Almost $1K for the TRP and with 18k ohm impedence it might not work well given the 1.2k to 2.5k recommendations for the FatHead. And the R84 also at almost $1K is out of my budget for now. But I like the idea of no phantom power, therefor eliminating the option of damanging the mics by accidentally using phantom power on a ribbon.

[tINY]

Are you sure that the 2k input impedance isn't a minimum?

Seems to me that the only issue with higher input impedances would be the noise, and that is more dependant on the mic pre itself....




-tINY

[Ironklad Audio]

Art MPA Gold

..you said it already

[Shadow_7]

I guess I did. And it looks like that at around $300 it fits the bill.

Applied Research & Technology: Tube Mic Preamps

-----

As far as impedence, I remember reading somewhere that it's a 1.2K minimum. And something like 2K optimum, with 2.5K maximum or something like that for the FatHead II. It's all fairly new to me. I can't seem to find where I read that though. Perhaps it was in a reveiw as I can't seem to find it in the manual. On the spec sheet it seems to suggest >= 1K Ohm. The fixed 18K of the TRP seems a bit excessive to me.

I'm more or less interested in the capturing of the actual sound without color. I'm not so much interested in making so and so sound better. I'm wanting to know what I actually sound like so I can adjust me from there. Ribbon mics seem to offer the most accurate and detailed input. Which is why I'm wanting to go in that direction.

[bluegrasser]

I'd really save up or sell gear that's fallen out of favor with you to buy the AEA TRP. It's really great. And the price seems pretty fair, given that's its two channels of GREAT SOUND.

[jnorman]

go to the taperssection yard sale forum and look for a used sonosax sx-m2. this is the preamp that royer used in his testing lab for their ribbon mics, and is what they recommened to me when i bought a pair of r-121s. super clean high gain, and perfect for ribbons.

[warlock110]

doesn't the grace 101 has a ribbon version? it's around 600 so it's in the midrange, but i think that's a better bet than going low range. ribbon needs alot of gain. most of the low end stuff works better with condenser.

[pan60]

if you get a BLUE Woodpecker you could just use what you have for pres?

http://www.bluemic.com/modules.php?o...816867f62d5cd6

just a thought.

[leddy]

It's two more channels than you need, but I run my Beyer ribbons into a Sytek. Four channels is about $900 new. Used, they run $600-$750 or so. Quiet, clean gain and plenty of it.

[Shadow_7]

Sytek Audio Systems

I guess I'm not seeing the model you're referencing. All of the ones there are $1,600 or higher.


SONOSAX SX-M2 MIC AMPLIFIER

This one has some portability options. Although probably not what I'm looking for.


It's still looking like the Art MPA Gold is good enough.

[bryanjforlife]

THEY ARE GREAT CLEAN SOUNDING PREAMPS WITH A SOLID STATE/TUBE BLEND OPTION.

[hopeless_opus]

The FMR RNP seems to be exactly what you're looking for.

here are two reviews:

The FMR Audio RNP 8380, An Overview... - Nathan Eldred. Enjoy. - Atlas Pro Audio, Inc.

Mojo Pie -- FMR RNP Really Nice Preamp review by Harvey Gerst

[warhead]

Bryan nailed it with the VTB-1 on a low budget. Plenty of gain and selectable input impedence make it a good choice for a poor man's pre for ribbons. The VTB-1 is overlooked lately as a decent inexpensive preamp option.

War

[mikebeck]

I have two of the VTB-1 preamps, and I agree that they're quite good. For the money, especially. Sure there's some noise when the gain is cranked, but they are relatively clean and the tube blend is nice to have. Works well with my ribbon (Electro-Harmonix EH-R1) as well as the Baby Bottle and Studio Projects C1. May try different tubes and/or opamps at some point to see what happens.

[Sultan of Swing]

I own the AEA TRP and highly reccomend it. Besides being great for ribbons it also is excellent for dynamic mics, like Shure SM57's and I understand it works well with tube mics, although I haven't tried one with it yet. I agree with the earlier posting to hold on and save up for this one. Maybe use whatever you've got until then.

[leddy]

Originally Posted by Shadow_7

Sytek Audio Systems

I guess I'm not seeing the model you're referencing. All of the ones there are $1,600 or higher.

That's list price. Read the smaller print by the "Buy Now"
Sytek Audio Systems

You know, I misread the "under $500" part in your post - sorry. For some reason I thought you said $500 per channel, so I thought the Sytek would be a bargain.

I have a VTB-1. It does have plenty of gain and can be had cheap.

[Shadow_7]

Has anyone used one of these Summit Audio 2BA-221:

2BA-221 Microphone & Line Module | Summit Audio

It seems to have the features I need. Although a little higher end price wise and only one channel.

[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by Shadow_7

So I'm really wanting some ribbon microphones. But they seem to be recommending preamps that costs 3 times to 5 times more than a stereo pair of the ribbon mics. So what would be a more affordable preamp that would do a ribbon mic or two good? Something $500 or less.

For reference I'm looking at getting the Cascade FatHead II ribbons with the Blumlein stereo setup. $700-ish

Cascade FAT HEAD II Ribbon Microphone

Which recommends a Universal Audio 2-610S preamp. $2,100-ish

Universal Audio 2610
Universal Audio | Analog Products | 2-610 | Overview

Is there a $500 or less option for equal results? 2 Channels, +55dB gain or more, 2k ohm impedence. Or whatever else the manual is recommending. I feel I need the pre before I can seriously consider the mics. I'm a trombonist and software engineer, and hardware is a little out of my specialty. If you can't recommend something towards these mics, what would you recommend against getting? I'm leaning towards something like an M-Audio DMP3 or Art MPA Gold. But I have no idea if those will meet the needs of the ribbon microphones.

The 70db Single channel Grace unit is nice in the $500 ballpark. I use GT Bricks with mine and they generally have plenty of gain except for the most quiet sources. They are around $400 each. A little above your budget for a pair, but will get the job done.

[kludge]

Why not just get one of those R0DE inline doohickeys that add 20db of gain from phantom power? That will buy you enough gain to use any preamp AND protect your mic.

[Shadow_7]

That GT brick looks nice. But without a variable impendance to optimize whatever mic I'm using perhaps not optimal for my needs. It doesn't have a 1/4" out for the mic after gain to go to my Delta 44. The 1/4" in and thru might be usefull if I played something other than Trombone. Nice device, but it doesn't satisfy my current needs.

The Brick @ Groove Tubes

[theom]

Originally Posted by scrubs

Short of something like the AEA TRP (The Ribbon Pre), your idea of the DMP3 is probably a decent one. A pair of Studio Projects VTB-1's would also work in the budget realm - +72dB of available gain and variable input impedance make it a decent option.

The TRP is the best thing I purchased in the last 2 years.

Great for ribbons, Also for other mics.

I cant see how they make a dime on these. Great bang for buck.
If it was in a fancy box with more lights it would go for $2500 I bet.

[Shadow_7]

So I browsed sweetwater and came up with the following dual channel preamps for $500 or less. It's still looking like the Art MPA Gold is the way to go, or perhaps two single channel mic pre amps.

Aphex - 207 Digital
http://www.aphex.com/207.htm

Art - MPA Gold
http://www.artproaudio.com/products....79&cat=1&id=93
Art - Digital MPA
http://www.artproaudio.com/products....79&cat=1&id=48
Art - TPS II
http://www.artproaudio.com/products....79&cat=1&id=99
Art - DPS II
http://www.artproaudio.com/products....79&cat=1&id=97

dbx - 386
http://www.dbxpro.com/386/386.php

M-Audio - Audio Buddy
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_u...uddy-main.html
M-Audio - DMP3
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/DMP3-main.html

Personus - BlueTube Dual Path
http://presonus.com/bluetubedp.html
Presonus - MP20
http://presonus.com/mp20.html

TC Electronic - Konnekt 24D
http://www.tcelectronic.com/Konnekt24D.asp

What can anyone tell me about these options. I'm still wanting 1/4" TRS out(analog) and variable impedance. So not all of these fit the bill.

[Chrisc_o]

I have been testing an Apex 205 through a Joemeek ThreeQ. Plenty of gain. Been trying it on violin and it sounds really nice so far.

[mostlykeys]

Originally Posted by Shadow_7

Has anyone used one of these Summit Audio 2BA-221:

2BA-221 Microphone & Line Module | Summit Audio

It seems to have the features I need. Although a little higher end price wise and only one channel.

I have one. It works like a charm. Vocals sound great as do acoustic guitars and many other sources. The preamp is pretty fast - i have used in on percussion and liked it a lot. The impedance control is very nice and gives you some tone options (from mellow to clear sounding - subtle but noticeable). The DI is not my favorite but is does get the job done nicely and is very high quality. I have used this pre a lot without EQ. Basically from the 2ba into a DCL-200 and that's it. Hope this helps.

Orlando

[chris319]

Originally Posted by kludge

Why not just get one of those R0DE inline doohickeys that add 20db of gain from phantom power? That will buy you enough gain to use any preamp AND protect your mic.

I like this idea a lot. 20 dB from the Rode + 60 to 66 dB from your basic mic preamp and you've got 80 to 86 dB of gain — plenty for a ribbon mic. The Rode has an input imedance of 100 kOhms so it won't load a ribbon.

FWIW I own a TRP and it is a wonderful preamp. You can even use it with condensers if you have an external phantom power supply.

[vintagelove]

Hey a little late here, but you should check out jbl7510a (if you can find one) you should search gearslutz for a little more info butt,,,,
modular preamp, Urei designed, 4 channel blocks, up to 24
77 db gain, which is adjustable (can be too much for drums)
Great thick solidstate sound, dare i say, WARM
direct out on each channel, as well as a gate
Will plain kick anythings butt mentioned here, although the aea ribbon pre might hold its own. I would say the only comparable thing is the universal audio 1108 (i think) That many pres in a box that are actually good, tough to beat. Can be had for a few hundred bucks for 4 channels, up to around a grand for 24.

[metalmatt]

I have many ribbon microphones from cascade and the fatheads 2 they are amazing microphones and they sound just the same if not better than the ribbons that cost $1000 to $1500. Thats just my opinion from experience and i would recommend any one to get a mic from cascade.

[Roland]

The only thing I can add to the above is that you generally need an ultra quiet pre when using ribbons due to their low output, otherwise with quieter sources noise may be a problem. There are several pre's with variable/switchable impedence modes that some suggest help with ribbons too, personally I'm happy with good quality, quiet, transformerless ones. YMMV.

Regards

Roland