Budget Minded Selection of Bulk (but decent) Pres...

JoHoozaFats... · 14th June 2003

OK... I've got a studio and am recording people for some extra $... But the main reason I built it is for my own production work (mainly electonic based).

I've been tracking overhead drums via an AKG D112, and a pair of overheads, Shure small condensors. Bass and Rhodes goes direct. If horns are needed, I use 57's for the job.

The mics go into my Whirlwind breakout box which go into the Mackie pres (CR1604) into a Behringer Multicom into my 1224.

This setup seems ok. The client is relatively happy and the sound turns out to be not so bad.

But I want to upgrade.

Upon reading many forums and whatnot, I've discovered that front end is indeed more important than convertors.

The one nice piece of gear I own is the Great River MP 1NV. Compared to the Mackie, its like night and day. Alaskan Nights and days.

This is great for vocalists and working in the electronic medium. I can run all the synths thru the DI to thicken tone.

But I want to get something for the musicians when tracking. Something that would sound better than the Mackie pres.

I was interested for a minute in the Presonus pres, but a lot of people said they're pretty much garbage.

So i'ld like to spend some money to get at least a 4 channels. I figure I can start here and build.

What do y'all reccommend? I can spend maybe $100 - $125 per channel...

Fletcher · 14th June 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by JoHoozaFats...
What do y'all reccommend? I can spend maybe $100 - $125 per channel...

Trying my best to not come off like a snot... I'd recommend you wait until you can afford something better.

cymatics · 14th June 2003

I'm inclined to agree with Fletcher. At your price range you're still within the domain of 'diminishing returns' on your investment. Having been in the exact position you are currently in, I'd say to hold off until you can get something that is an order of magnitude greater than the Murkie... I mean Mackie pres.

The four channel Sytek or a pair of RNPs might be a better investment.

- jon

Ruphus · 14th June 2003

But up from ~300$ per channel there is an option that I regard as definite bang for the buck. The Mindprint AN/DIpro is a good sounding two channel unit with decent pres and quite good converters included for around 600 to 700$ in US. ( available for 450 Euro in Germany, the only case of gear being cheaper over here than I´m aware of, BTW. Even the Adam speakers being manufactured in my town aren´t less than in US ).

If you are after very clean pres you could give it a listening at chance. It does 44.1, 48 and 96 and has AES/EBU, S/PDIF and EBU lightpipe. If you were to skip its converters for sake of coloured ones you could use its balanced inserts sends as outs.

StuartMac · 14th June 2003

I shall attempt (yet again!!) to elicit some responses to the Aphex 207 - anyone heard the thing yet?

JoHoozaFats... · 14th June 2003

ok... understood about saving bit more money part.

what about $200-250 *max* per?

hows the sytek compare to the RNP?

seems these names keep coming up in the budget minded ways.

How do they both compare to the Mackie pres on say a 57?

thanks

e-cue · 14th June 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by JoHoozaFats...
What do y'all reccommend? I can spend maybe $100 - $125 per channel...

Get the sytek... At around $700 for 4 channels (@$175 per channel) you can't beat it. Incredible on drums, and the BB mod sounds great on vocals. They sound tighter (faster rise time) than the RNP, and are similar to the Neotek board pre (which is the company that makes them) but have more headroom. $125 isn't a very realistic price range. My Sytek and Neotek pre's rank among my best gear deals.

chessparov · 14th June 2003

Stuart, I had the Aphex 107 and it seemed "decent" for a project level studio. Being that the 207 would be a refinement of it, it may
be upgraded to "O.K" now.

For that kind of money, however, you'd be better off checking out the other units mentioned here, IMHO.

Fletcher, how much do you think the Toft units with the dual pre's
are going to sell for respectively?
Those could be a terrific value...

Chris

Dot · 14th June 2003

Mike Stoica sells the Sytek MPX-4A on Ebay quite often. The one up for auction has the optional JFET IC's on channels 3 & 4 - which will give you a little more color.

I agree in that price range the Sytek is the one to go with.

ozraves · 15th June 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by cymatics
The four channel Sytek or a pair of RNPs might be a better investment.

- jon

I'd agree with these suggestions.

Steve, www.mojopie.com

14th June 2003	#1
JoHoozaFats... Gear Head Joined: Dec 2002 Location: nyc Posts: 49 Thread Starter	Budget Minded Selection of Bulk (but decent) Pres... OK... I've got a studio and am recording people for some extra $... But the main reason I built it is for my own production work (mainly electonic based). I've been tracking overhead drums via an AKG D112, and a pair of overheads, Shure small condensors. Bass and Rhodes goes direct. If horns are needed, I use 57's for the job. The mics go into my Whirlwind breakout box which go into the Mackie pres (CR1604) into a Behringer Multicom into my 1224. This setup seems ok. The client is relatively happy and the sound turns out to be not so bad. But I want to upgrade. Upon reading many forums and whatnot, I've discovered that front end is indeed more important than convertors. The one nice piece of gear I own is the Great River MP 1NV. Compared to the Mackie, its like night and day. Alaskan Nights and days. This is great for vocalists and working in the electronic medium. I can run all the synths thru the DI to thicken tone. But I want to get something for the musicians when tracking. Something that would sound better than the Mackie pres. I was interested for a minute in the Presonus pres, but a lot of people said they're pretty much garbage. So i'ld like to spend some money to get at least a 4 channels. I figure I can start here and build. What do y'all reccommend? I can spend maybe $100 - $125 per channel...

14th June 2003	#3
cymatics Gear addict Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Charm City Posts: 303	I'm inclined to agree with Fletcher. At your price range you're still within the domain of 'diminishing returns' on your investment. Having been in the exact position you are currently in, I'd say to hold off until you can get something that is an order of magnitude greater than the Murkie... I mean Mackie pres. The four channel Sytek or a pair of RNPs might be a better investment. - jon __________________ There's nothing an agnostic can't do if he really doesn't know whether he believes in anything or not.

14th June 2003	#4
Ruphus Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2003 Location: Berlin / Germany Posts: 5,167	But up from ~300$ per channel there is an option that I regard as definite bang for the buck. The Mindprint AN/DIpro is a good sounding two channel unit with decent pres and quite good converters included for around 600 to 700$ in US. ( available for 450 Euro in Germany, the only case of gear being cheaper over here than I´m aware of, BTW. Even the Adam speakers being manufactured in my town aren´t less than in US ). If you are after very clean pres you could give it a listening at chance. It does 44.1, 48 and 96 and has AES/EBU, S/PDIF and EBU lightpipe. If you were to skip its converters for sake of coloured ones you could use its balanced inserts sends as outs. __________________ "Am I the only one that tires of this "everything is subjective" watered-down-pop-culture-pseudo-philosophy bullshit?" Bravin Neff Wolgang Burr, former office leader of the German Chancellor before committee of inquiry: "You would not believe what unusual happens daily." "Patience, young Skywalker - let the object of your desires come to you." JTR "All thinking men are atheists." Ernest Hemingway

14th June 2003	#9
Dot Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: on the beach in warm, sunny SC Posts: 872	Mike Stoica sells the Sytek MPX-4A on Ebay quite often. The one up for auction has the optional JFET IC's on channels 3 & 4 - which will give you a little more color. I agree in that price range the Sytek is the one to go with. __________________ Dan Richards Yackin' about gear and recording techniques at http://studioforums.com

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14th June 2003	#5
StuartMac Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 893	I shall attempt (yet again!!) to elicit some responses to the Aphex 207 - anyone heard the thing yet?

14th June 2003	#8
chessparov Jr. Gear Slut 2nd class Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,900	Stuart, I had the Aphex 107 and it seemed "decent" for a project level studio. Being that the 207 would be a refinement of it, it may be upgraded to "O.K" now. For that kind of money, however, you'd be better off checking out the other units mentioned here, IMHO. Fletcher, how much do you think the Toft units with the dual pre's are going to sell for respectively? Those could be a terrific value... Chris

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