Getting some new gear. Budget 2500-3000k

[jujumies]

Hi,

I'm getting new gear and my budget is around 2500-3000k. I would like to get a nice stereo signal path to my system and the idea would be to get a signal path that would beaf up my "digital" sound a bit. Currently I am running everything straight to my Fireface 800 and I must say that I am quite happy after all I got pretty good mics etc.

But anyway what stereo preamps would you recommend? And If I want to get more like an analog type of sound, should I get tube preamp immediately or could I go for solid state preamp and beaf up that with a tube compressor (lets say neve 1081 & UA1176)???

Best regards,

Simo Orpana
Studio Bad Mama

[larry b]

Personally i'd go for a dual tube pre of some sort. Maybe a UA 2-610?

Oh and the 1176 is not a tube comp.

[jujumies]

Originally Posted by larry b

Personally i'd go for a dual tube pre of some sort. Maybe a UA 2-610?

Oh and the 1176 is not a tube comp.

Oh, its not a tube comp!? Ok, thanks for the info.

[larry b]

No sir, it is not. It is a FET (Field Effect Transistor) design.

[George Necola]

Originally Posted by jujumies

Oh, its not a tube comp!? Ok, thanks for the info.

we still have a pair of VIPRES, but this is more then yuor budget.

I would go with a UA then,if you want tubes.

I would look for a coloring preamp too. Phoenixaudio DRS-2 is a great product.

[jujumies]

Originally Posted by George Necola

we still have a pair of VIPRES, but this is more then yuor budget.

I would go with a UA then,if you want tubes.

I would look for a coloring preamp too. Phoenixaudio DRS-2 is a great product.

I definitely want a preamp that has nature...

[George Necola]

there are a lot of options. contact me via pm or search the internet. a lot of great advice on the forum!

[Hammer Mark]

API A2D or
Pacifica or MP-2NV -> (used) Apogee Rosetta AD

Tube designs don't necessarily provide the "warmth" or "colour" you're after. Each of the SS pres above have their own character and coupled with a stereo ADC, bypass the analog section of your interface.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by jujumies

Hi,

I'm getting new gear and my budget is around 2500-3000k. I would like to get a nice stereo signal path to my system and the idea would be to get a signal path that would beaf up my "digital" sound a bit. Currently I am running everything straight to my Fireface 800 and I must say that I am quite happy after all I got pretty good mics etc.

But anyway what stereo preamps would you recommend? And If I want to get more like an analog type of sound, should I get tube preamp immediately or could I go for solid state preamp and beaf up that with a tube compressor (lets say neve 1081 & UA1176)???

Best regards,

Simo Orpana
Studio Bad Mama

I would recommend the Great River MP2NV along with a set of really awesome condenser microphones, or really awesome Ribbon microphones.

Beefing up your tracks begins at the source, with your microphones. They are the key, and having a preamplifier that lets them be heard with the utmost detail and clarity will be key to laying in fatter, more alive recordings. Trust me when I tell you that adding a "toooob" preamp or a "toooob" compressor is not always the way towards warmer recordings. It can be, yes, but do you want to compress signals on the way in, or just record them better? Warmth is something that I think happens at the microphone, and source, that will eventually trickle though your gear, and be heard in the room. Obviously, everyone will define these terms differently, but that's how I define it generally speaking.

As others have mentioned "character" is not exclusive to these types of "tooob" circuits, although its squarely in regard to the design. There are plenty of solid state designs that offer unbelievable clarity/detail and warmth, the Great River being one of them. There are a ton of tube units that are wonderfully musical, but there are many that are considered more natural and transparent like the Pendulum MDP-1. I think that unit is not devoid of harmonic life though. I would also recommend checking out the Sebatron VMP2000 VU, which is a great unit for the dough, or the Manley TNT [off the radar unit that might interest you guys: as it has one awesome SS channel and one awesome "tooob" channel!!!] Those FF preamps are terrible in my experience, and you would be lifting a blanket of your microphones with the Great River.