Best Dual Chanel Pre & Comp on a decent budget ?

[dreamsongs]

Came into a little extra money this weekend. Anyone dare to guess where one would spend that if they post on GS to begin with ?

Anyway... I convinced my fiancee that my studio is a little thin and needs more gear. It took a while but I got the green light although it's gonna cost me a little extra cuddling every night. Hey! small price to pay...

Looking to add a stereo pre and stereo compressor to my line-up. All I have right now as front end is an Avalon 737sp as a pre and compressor and a Pre Sonus MP20 which is dual channel. That's it, it ain't much. I told you it's pretty thin...

I think I can get away with 5k as the limit for both, what do you guys think is the best bang for the buck on that limit ?

Let the suggestions begin... and thanks for your input.

Peace

[mltamisin]

Focusrite ISA428....has 4 channels of pre and EQ with an optional 8 A/D converter! Correction, pre and compressor not pre & eq! Mindprint DTC kicks ass. Toft makes one also. Or go modular. Get a Neve Portico (has 2 channels) and a stereo compressor like a Empirical Labs Fatso or Drawmer Mercenary 1968. The FMR RNC is cool and killer cheap for 2. You'll have to have some cables made up to use the piece but I like mine.
Good luck - Matt

[u b k]

what kind of music are you doing, and what qualities of sound do you favor? is the comp for tracking, mixing, 2 buss, or...??? what's your current setup and what makes you lean towards 2 pre's and a stereo comp?

$5k is a lot of money, at that point everything is top flight, you just need to choose your flavors. more info from you would be useful.


gregoire
del ubk

[dreamsongs]

I am a songwriter/Producer, I do all sorts of music but 80% is Pop and AC. I play and overdub all the instruments in almost all of my songs. I use a lot of sequenced drums and Bass from either my Motif ES7 or various other drum machines. I use a little comp during tracking but mainly at the mixing stage.

Right now I've been tracking my keyboard thru the MP20. My drum and Bass sound a little thin despite all the compression and eq. What I was looking for was 2 things... 1) To fatten and sweeten up my drum sounds, bass, strings etc. and 2) To maybe add a different color to my vocals and guitar tracks with a different Pre and Comp combo.

Right now, I have nothing dual to track my keyboards with. I have an Eventide H8000 in one of my buses that I could use later but I don't think it would do the trick as far as the warming and fattening of my tracks.

I'm happy with the Avalon but I can't write 40 songs all with the same pre... and the MP20 is a nice little unit for the price but not the best for the jobs I mentioned.

You say that 5k is a lot of money but I can definitely see myself going over that with a high end dual comp and pre.

I did look into the Focusrite actually, I also looked at some Manleys, 160dbx comp Drawmers etc. I'm not quite sure which way to go yet and I don't want to make a mistake.

Let me know if this helps...

I need some good choices, Thanks...

Peace

[Screws]

I love my Fatso for both its tracking and mixing capabilities. I especially love what it does to synths and samples.

Then I'd get a preamp with a Neve-ish fatness to it. I love the Seventh Circle Audio N72's for this reason. Add's character to bass, electric guitars and drums.

Good hunting!

[dreamsongs]

Keep 'em coming... I have my notepad out !

[No4PCs]

Did you hear DW Fearn pre?

[88fingerz]

From countless good reviews (haven't tried one myself), you might like the Manley/Langevin Dual Vocal Combo (aka DVC).

2 Channels of pre, comp, eq for $1800.00

[warhead]

Skip the MP20.

For 2 channels I'd go Phoenix DRS-2 and Drawmer 1968, both units can sound pretty clean or pretty pushed if needed.

War

[Krubbadoo]

After doing Neve and Api shootouts, I decided I needed both. Got the Averills 1272 and 312A and couldn't be happier.

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by warhead

Skip the MP20.

For 2 channels I'd go Phoenix DRS-2 and Drawmer 1968, both units can sound pretty clean or pretty pushed if needed.

War

The MP20 sounds ultra thin in bass and keys, is true. But don't get rid of it; I find it really good in percussion and very clean. Is not warm but is a decent pre. You don't know when you'd need more channels...
Now for your pre choice, I would go for: 1) API 3124+, 2) Portico 5012, 3) Wunder PAFour.
For compressor: 1) Fatso (if you're using it just for tracking), 2) Distressor, 3) UA 1176LN Dual

Good luck

_____________
Insomnio

[dreamsongs]

Thanks for the replies...

Although I was kinda shocked that nobody mentioned the Great River MP-2NV dual channel pre as a candidate. You guys don't like it anymore ?

I've been doing some research into what dual pre's and comps I can get for under 5k and I've been looking at the Great River/Fatso combo or maybe a pair of Distressors. Also the UA dual 1176, I think somebody mentioned that...

My question is "Can the Fatso do as good a job on compression as the Distressor" ? I like the idea of the Fatso thickening the sound, I need to hear a little more about this unit...

I saw at Mercenary an MP-2NV for $2,150 plus the Fatso at around $2,700. That would put me just under 5k. I might even have a little extra money for some good cables.

It's going to be a tough choice.. I agree with the post about the MP-20 sounding thin on keys, Bass... That's one of the reasons I'm determined to get a good dual Pre. I do a good amount of stereo sequencing out of my Motif ES7 and my only other Pre is a single channel 737sp. It won't work... I can find ways to work around that, but it would be time consuming...

I would like a little coloration of the sound... in a nice way that is. The Avalon is great but a little too transparent.

I'm still open to suggestions...
What else is out there ?


Peace

[Infernal Device]

Start a lunchbox, like Brent Averill.

You can have a GREAT start for 5k, and adding to it will no be bad.

[dreamsongs]

Lunchbox......... ???

[Tubthumper]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

Lunchbox......... ???

"Lunchbox" is a rack mounting system that, IIRC, is an API design. The pres, eqs etc slot into the rack vertically, kinda like a circuit breaker on steroids. Several people market lunchboxes these days, and most modules will fit it any rack.

[dreamsongs]

Ohhhh..... I get it.....

Thanks Bro ....

More suggestions boys, I need to make a decision soon !

[84K]

5k...

Pendulum MDP-1a (stereo micpre)
and (2) Purple MC77s....












might be a little over 5k, but under 6k..... not bad for a slut

[dreamsongs]

You guys are sending me in the wrong direction ..... to Divorce court !!!

I promised my honey under 5k, and that was pushing it. We built and just recently moved to a new home where I built a separate 18x18 detached studio just for my music needs at a cost of an extra $70,000.

If I can get away with a good dua pre and comp for under 5k I will be very happy. She still doesn't even know what a "Pre" is and why it's so important... Add your own typical inquisitive female voice on this one "Why do you even need one of those things, you have 5 guitars, 2 keyboards and 2 Mixers.... ? See what I mean now, that's what I'm up against.

Give me more suggestions before she changes her mind....please !

Peace

[pigpen]

Buy used and you can get a Fatso for around $1800.
An API 3124 for around $2200....
I am no genius, but I am pretty good at math.... thumbsup




Good luck

[WEAPON_X]

for 5k i would get:

- drawmer 1969 me, using the preamps as a compliment to the avalon, and having a nice tracking and buss comp (do not forget the di ) ~$2,750.00 at mercenary
- a pair of speck eqs ~ 1k-1.2k
- get a nice gift for your girl. i found out that everytime i buy gear and a gift at the same time, it is much more easier to convince the ladies of the pure necessarity of the purchase
- save the rest (do not tell her, burry it behind the garade, or it will turn into shoes) and buy some decent hi end preamps (chandler, api etc) when the clients pay more.

if you do not want to save, 2 512c in a lunchbox look great. you can use the oas or averill ones which are cheaper.
my, very 0.002 cent

[dreamsongs]

I'm going to look into the APi's and the Drawmer 1969 right now...

How does the Great River MP-2NV rank in this equation...?

[dreamsongs]

I checked the specs on the Drawmer 1969, where are the compressor ratio controls ? It doesn't have any I don't think... Good deal for the price, dual pre & comp for 2.15k at Mercenary.. Hmmmmmm.....

Anybody knows more about this unit ?

[LightningBefore]

Originally Posted by mltamisin

Focusrite ISA428....has 4 channels of pre and EQ with an optional 8 A/D converter! Correction, pre and compressor not pre & eq! Mindprint DTC kicks ass. Toft makes one also. Or go modular. Get a Neve Portico (has 2 channels) and a stereo compressor like a Empirical Labs Fatso or Drawmer Mercenary 1968. The FMR RNC is cool and killer cheap for 2. You'll have to have some cables made up to use the piece but I like mine.
Good luck - Matt

428 doesn't compress its just a 4-Pre-Pack. . . with filter option. . . I like mine though! . . . love that Avalon too, but I guess that doesn't help your search!

[dreamsongs]

Anybody have both the Fatso & Distressor ? I like what the Fatso does but can you really compress with it ? What's the difference between those 2 units ?

[GPl]

Originally Posted by 84K

5k...

Pendulum MDP-1a (stereo micpre)
and (2) Purple MC77s....might be a little over 5k, but under 6k..... not bad for a slut

Oh my...this is a good choice. There's got to be a slutz way to make it look like your still under 5K.

[contramark]

I think the mp-20 isnt a horrible budget pre. I used to have one and I felt it sounded cool for rock bass. This pre is somewhat clean and easy to mix audio recorded on it. However your not gona get close to any character out of this box, but what Im saying is that its just not BAD. It gives the bass a different sound from any other preamp ive ever heard as with most presonus stuff, a real low end cleanness good for rock stuff. Drum overheads sound ok, guitars kinda of bland and vocals came come out ok with good compression and character plugs on top. I have a great river mp1nv now and I would say its worth every cent more than a mp20. You have to understand that saying your on a budget means your going to have to make many compromises and Ive learned that there really is no way to get cheap gear that sounds better. If it sounds better then theyd prolly just sell it for more.

[contramark]

seriously just get a dual channel great river mp2nv with the two channel LA-3A and you wont regret it.

[chadly]

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

You guys are sending me in the wrong direction ..... to Divorce court !!!

I promised my honey under 5k, and that was pushing it. We built and just recently moved to a new home where I built a separate 18x18 detached studio just for my music needs at a cost of an extra $70,000.

If I can get away with a good dua pre and comp for under 5k I will be very happy. She still doesn't even know what a "Pre" is and why it's so important... Add your own typical inquisitive female voice on this one "Why do you even need one of those things, you have 5 guitars, 2 keyboards and 2 Mixers.... ? See what I mean now, that's what I'm up against.

Give me more suggestions before she changes her mind....please !

Peace

I'm a big fan of the Amek DMCL. I bought one at a decent price with the idea of reselling it for a couple hundred, but it's really been great, so I've kept it! Great Pres, Great comps, good HPF/LPF. Great for tracking and mixing. Buy 'em used for $1700 or so. There's so many great options, good luck!

[matt thomas]

I'd definitely go two distressors for the compression (not that I've tried the faso), they are the best combination of flexible and quality at that pricepoint. I wonder how much the new Buzz Audio comp will be..

I've just ordered a great river pre myself, so hopefully I'll be able to recommend it soon too

I would get something with a DI input (like the great river) too for your synths and drum machines

Narco

[ImJohn]

Super Phatt Lunch Box Attack :

6 Module Breant Averill 6 space rack - with power/48v phantom $499.00
http://www.brentaverill.com/api_rack/

1 pair of A-Designs Silver or Blue pres 2 x 700 = $1400 (total guess, don't quote that price!)
http://www.adesignsaudio.com/P-1_EMSeries.htm

1 pair of API 560b EQs 2 x $725 = $1450
http://www.mercenary.com/56tenbangrap.html

1 pair API 525 compressors 2 x $1050 = $2100
http://www.mercenary.com/525feedcom.html

So, close to $5500 and over budget but that would be one killer rack I'm sure. ( the A-Designs Silver and Blue kick ass but I haven't used the API EQ's or compressors. Just judging by reputation as any good internet noob should! )

If you ran Olivoil's nipples through that rack I bet you could make her 'sound' just like Pam Anderson . . . .or something?

sorry . . . going to bed now . . .