Gear rental in San Diego

[TYY]

I'd like to rent a nice vocal mic (and maybe a preamp) for an upcoming project. Does anyone know of any shops or studios in San Diego that rent "high end" gear or do I have to drive to LA?




Thanks,

Ty

[ron florentine]

I am not aware of anyone in SD that rents hi end studio rental equipment.......Guitar trader does, but thats mostly live PA stuff and guitar stuff...give them a call but I dont think it is very hi end......My crystal ball says a drive to Los Angeles is in the very near future for you!

Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[TYY]

I haven't been able to find any pro-audio rental places, but I figured some studios might loan out a U87 or something.

Then again, there's always the old "buy it at guitar center and return it next week", though I feel a bit guilty doing that without any intention to keep it...

[ron florentine]

You cannot return hi end microphones at guitar center as you can with other gear.....no 30 day period exchange or refund on microphones.....I think it is kind of like used underwear. (at least since that last time I dealt with them)

Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

PS....there are alot of half descent inexpensive condensor mics on the market....Audio Technica 4050 and many others. That coupled with a half descent mic pre with a compressor and your in business.......We have Many hi end mics here but alot of the time the less expensive ones do the trick to....may need just a touch of EQ to get you where you need to be...........Sorry we dont rent out our Mics here at the studio.... but I do have a studio dog you can borrow for the weekend!

[TYY]

I have found the GC will take mics back even though it is technically against their policy. As long as the microphone is not specifically a "vocal mic" they will take it back. Of course any mic can be used on any source so they will take anything back. Just talk to the sales dude in advance about it.


Funny you mention the AT4050; I have been about to get one, but have been a bit hesitant. I hear its a great utility mic on a bunch of sources, including vocals, but isn't really magic on anything. I figured if I can cut lead vox in a day or two, I may as well rent something real nice.

BTW, my preamp selection is pretty slim:

Mackie board
Presonus MP20 (with Jensen transformers)
Peavey VMP2


I had planned on using the Peavey for vocals.

[ron florentine]

The Peavey is a great mic pre for the money....I owed one when we first started the studio.....even though it was a Peavey it was capable of some groovey-tubey sounds......there are some mods you can do on those pre to take it up a notch....try a search and see what comes up...good luck!

Ron Florentine
Soundswest Studio

[boboji]

Hi,

Long time lurker first time poster. Thought I'd finally chime in to say hi to the San Diego boys.

There's definately no high end rentals in town!!!

What kind of project are you working on? What kind of music.
I could be tricked into listening in!!
I got some major stuff!!!!!!!!!

[Oldone]

Micworks in Costa Mesa. Lotsa high end mics and preamps, compressors etc. Great River, Manley, Focusrite Reds and about every Neumann ever made.

[TYY]

Costa mesa aint quite san diego, but it sure beats a drive to hollywood!

The project is an alt. country thing - (early) wilco, jayhawks, old 97s, townes, etc.)

[boboji]

TYY...when are you tracking and how long do you think you'll be in the studio. PM me at boboji@san.rr.com. I got an idea for you.