Best single Mic Pre for $500?

[stresstour]

Right now I am using the pres in my RME FF800 which seems to be more of a transparent sound. Looking to get a more colored but kool and warm sounding pre. I also don't want to buy something that is going to be totaly inferior to the killer stuff I plan to get in the future.

IF I had a lunchbox of some kind, I thought about a used API 512?

[chandlersonic]

Originally Posted by stresstour

Right now I am using the pres in my RME FF800 which seems to be more of a transparent sound. Looking to get a more colored but kool and warm sounding pre. I also don't want to buy something that is going to be totaly inferior to the killer stuff I plan to get in the future.

IF I had a lunchbox of some kind, I thought about a used API 512?

The A designs P1 used is about that price and you'll never outgrow it.

[stresstour]

Originally Posted by chandlersonic

The A designs P1 used is about that price and you'll never outgrow it.

Do you like the P1 beter than the API 512c?

[therodstu]

I really like the summit audio 2ba something when i heard it and i think it runs around $600. Colored when u want it to be. Personally am looking into getting a pair and would like feedback also.

[stresstour]

Originally Posted by therodstu

I really like the summit audio 2ba something when i heard it and i think it runs around $600. Colored when u want it to be. Personally am looking into getting a pair and would like feedback also.

That looks pretty cool, I wished I could A/B it with something like the A-Designs or an API.

[chandlersonic]

Originally Posted by stresstour

Do you like the P1 beter than the API 512c?

There is no better really...
For vox I'd go with the P1.

I like both for guitars ( acoustics and electrics) and drums, different vibe but both great. Both have a great D.I.
In the end you'll get both anyway...

[AllAboutTone]

API is all i can think of in that range

[barryjohns]

Used UA Solo 610

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by zaza

API is all i can think of in that range

Of course... but part of that is because API is all you can think of in any range right?

stresstour, good news and bad news.

The good news is there are a huge assortment of preamps available for the 500 series right now, things are exploding and there are more options that I ever thought would be imaginable.

The bad news is.... you are probably going to have to try a few before you find the one that is right for you.... sorry.

Now I am going to sound like a broken record here (like Zaza and his API's) but... Dan from Great River is about to release the MP-1NV as a 500 series unit. Probably a bit more than your budget but if it is less than the stand alone unit, and I think it will be, and it sounds like the stand alone unit, which I hear it does according to Dan, then I would put that on your short list of things to try.

Don't overlook the OSA stuff, sort of quite around here lately on that front but people were really digging them a while back and I hear they sound really good. And as much as my friend Zaza would tell you not to I think it is a good idea to try out the A Designs P1. I have not heard it in person but the things I have heard done with it have sounded pretty good.

Good luck!

[MixingStick]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

Used UA Solo 610

For $500 ....

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Of course... but part of that is because API is all you can think of in any range right?

stresstour, good news and bad news.

The good news is there are a huge assortment of preamps available for the 500 series right now, things are exploding and there are more options that I ever thought would be imaginable.

The bad news is.... you are probably going to have to try a few before you find the one that is right for you.... sorry.

Now I am going to sound like a broken record here (like Zaza and his API's) but... Dan from Great River is about to release the MP-1NV as a 500 series unit. Probably a bit more than your budget but if it is less than the stand alone unit, and I think it will be, and it sounds like the stand alone unit, which I hear it does according to Dan, then I would put that on your short list of things to try.

Don't overlook the OSA stuff, sort of quite around here lately on that front but people were really digging them a while back and I hear they sound really good. And as much as my friend Zaza would tell you not to I think it is a good idea to try out the A Designs P1. I have not heard it in person but the things I have heard done with it have sounded pretty good.

Good luck!

well you could go for a s20, but thats a dual preamp and not as good........Puck you Dog

[barryjohns]

I've got 2 of them in front of me right now that I bought on this site for 500 bucks.

Originally Posted by MixingStick

For $500 ....

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

I've got 2 of them in front of me right now that I bought on this site for 500 bucks.

damn what a steal......

[warhead]

How about an...

...EQ?

It will shape anything tonally more than any preamp could be relied on for.

Speck ASC-T comes to mind, adding a bit of vibe-y transformer goodness.

War

[skagoogee]

+1 for the Summit 2BA-221. thumbsup I have two of them and often use them for summing out of the DAW as well as recording vocals, acoustic, bass, etc.

They are very flexible - dial in tube or stay solid state. Nice coloration when needed.

[h-man]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Now I am going to sound like a broken record here (like Zaza and his API's) but... Dan from Great River is about to release the MP-1NV as a 500 series unit. Probably a bit more than your budget but if it is less than the stand alone unit, and I think it will be, and it sounds like the stand alone unit, which I hear it does according to Dan, then I would put that on your short list of things to try.

Don't overlook the OSA stuff, sort of quite around here lately on that front but people were really digging them a while back and I hear they sound really good. And as much as my friend Zaza would tell you not to I think it is a good idea to try out the A Designs P1. I have not heard it in person but the things I have heard done with it have sounded pretty good.

Good luck!

Even better news, the Great River 500 pre is out and I have one on the way. I also have the P1 and I love it on just about everything. If you can't pony up enough cash, check out the RNP(two channel) by FMR audio. It got me by with nice results until I was able to enter 500 land.

If you do go 500 and find a used P1, buy it asap. Those things get snatched up in a matter of minutes around here. Good luck

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by h-man

Even better news, the Great River 500 pre is out and I have one on the way. I also have the P1 and I love it on just about everything. If you can't pony up enough cash, check out the RNP(two channel) by FMR audio. It got me by with nice results until I was able to enter 500 land.

If you do go 500 and find a used P1, buy it asap. Those things get snatched up in a matter of minutes around here. Good luck

How much that great river set you back?

[CassidyGT]

Grace 101 is your best bet for under $500- actually I have one I can let go!! <shameless plug>