1-channel quality pre-amp

[Lifted]

Originally Posted by Lynild

Hi there...

Atm I have an Mbox 2 Pro where I just connect my mic and guitar/bass via XLR and DI input. It's ok, but I still have some problems with not enough gain and so on. So therefor I'm looking for a pre-amp.

I don't need more than one channel.

I've been looking on UA 610 Solo, SPL Gainstation 1, but atm they are to expensive for me, and I don't know when I will have the money to buy them.
Then I've been looking at Groove Tubes "The Brick" which seems a bit cheaper. But I can't really figure out what people think about it. Some say it really noisy, and not very good, and some say it excellent for that price - so I'm kinda confused as you could imagine.

My main concern is bass which does not sound all that good when you use the Mbox 2 Pro. Vocal and guitar is decent, but ofc could get better.

So what could be suggested if the pricerange is about the same as for "The Brick" ?

Thanks in advance...


Regards
Lynild

I have heard that The Brick is weak on vocals, and only good when used as a DI.

Get yourself a GAP73 for 300 bucks, or you can get GAP73 with transformer upgrade for 100 bucks extra, so that will take you to 400 bucks total like The Brick.

Golden Age Pre-73

Sound samples: 1073 Test: Chameleon Labs 7602 vs Golden Age PRE73 vs Neve 1073

[sleeper1400]

welcome!

somthing isnt adding up for me here.

so, your saying the preamps on the mbox arent loud enough?
how?

i dont want you to throw away money when u dont need too.
---------

either way, preamps by their nature arent cheap.

givin what info i got from your post, id suggest a trackmaster or rackmount channel strip of that ilk.

[Lifted]

M-Box 2 pres suck though, I would buy a new preamp regardless, those pres bugged me from day one.

[Turdadactyl]

FMR RNP would be a cost-effective step up from your stock pre's. It's not a UA or API, but it's an improvement.

The Golden Age Pre-73 is also a good option, and only $299 a channel.

[mattg082]

I looked at the 610 at it looked nice for the price range but it's $700 if you saved $400 more you could get a great river single pre. but if money wasn't much a problem and i had an mbox pro i would put an api a2d on it and never use the stock pres again and that would pretty much give you some really pro results in a mobile rig.

[Beiteltjie]

Try Getting a used apogee mini me . Then you score two channels using the SP Dif, good AD conversion and good pre all in one.

[steveyraff]

Hey man, I know you are looking at 1 channel pre's, but check out some of the great dual channel pre's we discussed recently in a thread I made when I was looking for recommendations on 'the best dual pre's for under $800'.

Some great suggestions such as the Audient Mico and the DAV BG-1 (which I eventually bought).

Best Dual Pre possible for around $800 ?

Hope this helps you somewhat!

Steve.

[Brackish]

For a good neutral (uncolored) pre, how about the Sound Devices
single. MP-1 it's called. About 70 dB of clean gain. Priced around
$400. Real solid build. Good customer service. Portable AA battery option.