Advice on Mic Preamp and Mic choices... Joemeek or Focusrite??

[sj2six]

Hi guys. I listen mostly to Rock/Hard Rock and Metal such as Motley Crue, Sum 41, Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Matchbox Twenty, etc. etc. And I do not know how to differentiate between a vintage sound and a non-vintage sound, because when I listen to those albums, I do not know which one is recorded using the vintage gears and which one is not.

Well, my main concern is this, I'm getting a mic pre/channel strip and a condenser mic. (have a dynamic mic already)

For mic pre, I have already have in mind 2 models that suits my budget: Joemeek OneQ Master and Focusrite TwinTrak Pro.
For mic, due to the tight budget, I'm looking at like Rode NT-1A, NT-1000, NT-2000, Audio Technica AT4033, AKG perception series.

I couldn't make a decision and I need advice from you guys. I was told that if I'm going for the warm vintage sound, go for Joemeek, but if I want a clean sound, go for the Focusrite. But like I mentioned above, I do not really know how to differentiate between a vintage sound and a non-vintage sound.

I would be using it mainly for vox (music), and voice-over for video/film. And I wish to get those sound that's similar to the bands I mentioned above.

[DGrimmett]

I have a little low budget JoeMeek 3q that I really dig. Payed like $200 for it from front end audio. I can really dig the "color" this thing gives off, the compressor is nice, and the EQ is cool aswell. for $200 I really think I got my moneys worth. I use to have a focusrite pro trak or whatever it was called. I didnt like it. I just didnt really feel I got to much out of it. Sure its a cleaner pre, but I guess the results didnt impress me. At my level of recording a little "color" doesnt hurt ha.

take it easy!

[Jonboy79]

Having used both brands I'd choose the Joe Meek any day, in any situation, over the Focusrite. If you buy the Meek through American Musical Supply they'll give you a Joe Meek large condenser for free. Probably isn't the best mic in the world or even that great but hey, it's a free mic.

[rolo]

for an extra $100 or so, you have get the UA 710, or the Focusrite ISA One or the Summit TBA221 all of which will give you better results as the other two mentioned... you may have more bells a whistles by way of eq and comp on board, but if the pre aint doing the job right why bother... you can always add an eq or comp later as budget permits.

[NorseHorse]

Wise words from Rolo.

[sj2six]

ohh...thanks..but i need something which is rack mountable. Anyway, how able the mics?

[changeng]

been lovin' the Summit 2ba-221 mic pre with a NOS Valvo tube, and an Oktavamod219 - check out Oktavamod - the upgrades Mike Joly does are brilliant and you get a whole lotta mic for relatively little money!

[stafs]

Can't say anything about Focusrite, but i have Joemeek Twinq and i'm very pleased with the sound.

I would not reccomend Rode NT1A, because this mic is very(!) picky about sound source. From what You mentioned, AT4033 would be much better choice, than Rode or AKG. Of, course, if it's possible, check out all those mics, before You buy (same old story) .

[msm07]

Get the Focusrite VMP with digital board if your going to get any of the platinum series. The twintrack is poor feature wise. Pm me for some vocal clips recorded through a VMP.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

listen to rolo's advice. Along those lines the new Daking single channel pre looks kinda cool. It has a Trident-ish flavor to it.

because you are seriously not getting the PRE you are trying to buy at that price range with any of the focusrite or joemeek offerings. And why does it have to be rackmounted? I think a lot of those suggestions are actually rack mountable you just have to buy a kit to do it.

you are just getting a cheap channel strip which you will shortly outgrow. The JoeMeek isn't even a very versatile cheap channel strip it is kind of a one trick pony, it's cool, but not versatile. The Focusrite is ok, but it's nothing beyond meh. I like the nicer Focusrite stuff and I use a Saffire PRO 10 i/o but that platinum series stuff is just overpriced stuff for the misinformed.

I would advise starting with importance in signal chain and go for quality before quantity. If you aren't able to make a great sound without the EQ and comp, etc than what difference will it make having them there?

Meaning signal-mic-preamp-eq-outboard/plugins etc. And no gear will ever be a substitute for actual talent.

AT40 series (any of them AT4033, AT4047, and AT4050 are my faves, the 4040 and 4060 are also cool but the 4060 isn't exactly low end and I preferred the others over the 4040 lol) before anything RODE. AND DITCH AKG PERCEPTION, JUNK!

You may also want to check out the KEL HM7 and HM2, both are pretty cool mics. The Groove Tubes / Sterling Audio mics are also excellent for the money. I am actually thinking about selling my ST79 and I've had it less than a year so I could probably sell it for about $415 with shipping and paypal fees covered you could PM if you're interested. It's got a nice character and it's multi-pattern. I just need to get a new computer and could use the cash from that to buy it.

[voiceactor]

I have my summit 2ba-221 mounted in the rack. They make a rack mount kit for it...very easy to use.
It's a really nice and fairly versatile pre for the money.

[Jonboy79]

The UA 610 is a really nice preamp. Isn't worth a crap on drums but really excels at bass di, male vocals and amp mic'ing.

[Ludwig]

Originally Posted by sj2six

ohh...thanks..but i need something which is rack mountable. Anyway, how able the mics?

Why do you 'need' something that is rack mountable? Surely sonic performance should be your highest priority?