Advice on my next Mic Pre

[bigbubbaj]

Hey everyone.

So I am starting to get business in my studio and looking to pick up my next mic pre. Budget is an issue, and that is why I need some advice.

My current setup is:
Digi002R
Digimax LT
You can check out the rest of my gear at my web page if you care to. http://www.5198studios.com

I am looking for a preamp that will excel at vocals, snare, and guitars. For my money I need at least 2 channels.

My ideal budget is 1000, BUT that is where I need some advice. I could probably go as high as 1500 which gives me the following choices.

Trident s20 (1000) - how is this on vox and snare? I know its great on guitars.
Vintech 1272 - (1250) ?? Gritty? Colored?
Focusrite ISA428 (1500-1700) -Neve? Would get me 4 channels for a full 16 channels of PRE.

Any opinions on these?
$1000 will be easy, 1700 will stretch things but I would rather save and make the right choice.

Am I not considering good options in this price range?

Better sounds into the box = better sounds out of the box.

Thanks for the opinions.

[mcguin]

couple of maybes -
Sebatron VMP4000
Langevin DVC
You should be able to find either one used for your stretched budget.

dan

[axeman69]

For 1000 you could get the RNP/RNC combo in a funk logic rack and still have some cash left.

You could do allot worse.

[eventime]

I wouldn't go with the RNP. It won't be everything you've always wanted.

My suggestion: Get one or two N72 Seventh Circle Audio mic pres. Probably cost you around 1200, but you will not be disappointed. You will also have room to grow, as the chassis houses up to 8 mic pre's, including their A12 and J99 pres.

My $.02.

[bigbubbaj]

Anyone out there have any audio samples of any sebatron pres or the Toft atc-2?

Started looking into these also...

[beechstudio]

I would go with a modular system like the Brent Averill API series. You can get a rack and a pre for around $1100 then add components as your budget allows. I think the OSA pres will work in this also, so you can get different flavors all in one package.

[Fletcher]

As long as we're shooting random suggestions with no point of reference... the TAB/Telefunkenwerks "V-78M" is a pretty bad assed motherfukker... the Chandler TG-2 is no slouch, and for general purpose stuff, the Great River MP-2NV seems to have gained some acceptance as a good general purpose unit.

Best of luck with the search.

[max cooper]

Fletcher speaks the truth about the Chandler; just used one for the first time last week (ahhhh...nice!)

I always have to kick in my 2¢ about the API 512c (everyone groans). Two of 'em in a 6B Lunchbox will run ya maybe 1800 with room for 4 more pre's/comps/EQ's (be REALLY cool and get the graphic EQ!).

Hey, Fletcher, I bet you know where to get 'em, huh?

Also, too bad the RNP isn't the cool deal the RNC is. It's not bad, but it's more $ than the relative pocket change the RNC costs.

[NathanEldred]

You might want to consider a pair of the Old School Audio MP1-C, with the 8 module lunchbox they are in your budget....2 transformers per channel, serious bang for any buck IMO.

[bigbubbaj]

Originally posted by NathanEldred
You might want to consider a pair of the Old School Audio MP1-C, with the 8 module lunchbox they are in your budget....2 transformers per channel, serious bang for any buck IMO.

Those look pretty nice. Do you have any sound samples or anything?

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by bigbubbaj
Those look pretty nice. Do you have any sound samples or anything?

I'm working on some over the next few weeks...if you've heard a vintage 70's-something API preamp that and the "C" OSA are very similar, the other 3 OSA's are quite different than that as the various input transformers change the sound drastically.