Clean and quiet pre

[musimedia]

Hi all,

I need a super quiet preamp (Single channel) to record soft acoustic guitar (mostly finger picking). Sub 500$ if possible.

I m using Digimax 96K preamps at the moment. They are realy nice for most things but a little hissy for realy quiet sources.

Thanks for you input
Michel.

[Chinowski]

Maybe this one: Grace Design m101 | Sweetwater.com

[chrysb93065]

Grace 101

[Gamelan]

Check out the Audient Mico. A little over budget but if you can find one used it would do the trick. Super clean and quiet and does very well with acoustic finger picking.

[musimedia]

thanks for the suggestion.

I have been interested in the Audient mico for quite some time now. The Digital out is a bonus also since I have an unused AES input on my interface.

[holdmyfinger]

Dav bg1

[Slikjmuzik]

I say True Systems Solo. If that's too much, try the FMR RNP.

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by Slikjmuzik

I say True Systems Solo.

Big + 1. Perfect!

[mcgruff]

If you're looking for high quality on a budget, and you can handle a soldering iron, a FiveFish DIY kit could be a good option.

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by baskervils

Big + 1. Perfect!

I agree but it will run a bit north of the $500 mark unless he can find one used.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Chinowski

Maybe this one: Grace Design m101 | Sweetwater.com

Originally Posted by chrysb93065

Grace 101

Well - I was going to suggest the Grace m101 but I have been beaten to it.




Though you could go for the m501 if you have a 500 series rack. It's the same as the m101 but in a 500 series format.

[musimedia]

Originally Posted by RCM - Ronan

I agree but it will run a bit north of the $500 mark unless he can find one used.

better wait a bit more and get the right tool for the job for years to come!

Thank you all for your input. I will consider these for now

• Grace M101.
• True systems P-Solo.
• Audien Mico.

I guess I could order the P-Solo and M101 from a dealer and return one of them after testing. Unfortunately, in my area they only sell the cheap stuff.

Hey Ronan! What happend to your great podcasts ? I miss em' !! don't get me wrong , I like Pensado's Place, but Ronan's Place was more practical and less of a sales pitch!

[CassidyGT]

Grace m101 or M501

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by RCM - Ronan

I agree but it will run a bit north of the $500 mark unless he can find one used.

Yeah...kinda got me on that. Another thing the OP may want to try, since he did mention he's using it for finger-picking. I have a Five Fish X12 and I gotta say, it's excellent on this source. It has transformers, but to my ears, it's quite clean for a transformer balanced preamp...and very quiet too boot.

Another that I've heard on acoustic guitar with outstanding results is the is the VP26(Classic Audio Products of Illinois), but you'd have a 500 series rack of some kind. It sits at only $35 above the asking price and I must add that this preamp is excellent on just about every source you put it on, not just the finger picking you ask about.

[Jim Williams]

Look for very low THD+noise specs, below .001%.

Look for low EIN or equivilant input noise specs. -129.5 at 150 ohms is good. If you don't see those specs, run.

[robertshaw]

SCA audio has a pre that is clean
can't think of the model#
it's like $150

[monkeyxx]

yes seventh circle audio C84 would be great

maybe the T15 also

[mcgruff]

A single C84 (DIY - add $150 for ready-made) would cost about $500. That's a good buy, IMO, but the best bit is it'll only cost $200-$300 per pre if you want to add other SCA pres to the rack later. Given the quality, that's quite a bargain.

[Fishmed]

Focusrite ISA One Classic Single Channel Mic Pre with DI

[Sean Sullivan]

Keep an eye out for a Studio Technologies MicPre Eminence on eBay.

[Gamelan]

Originally Posted by musimedia

thanks for the suggestion.

I have been interested in the Audient mico for quite some time now. The Digital out is a bonus also since I have an unused AES input on my interface.

The A/D converters in the Mico are quite good. Blows away anything else in the price range. One of the best buys for a clean pre with dig out.

[musimedia]

Thank you all for the help.

I think the Audient Mico is my ticket.

Cheers!
Michel.

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

Look for very low THD+noise specs, below .001%.

Look for low EIN or equivilant input noise specs. -129.5 at 150 ohms is good. If you don't see those specs, run.

What would you recommend in the $500 price range?

[electricthing]

I made myself very happy with Focusrite Isa One, in Musicstore Koln webstore it is 439 including the digital card that you have to put in yourself. A lot of bang
FTB.
I was feeling like, this is what I can buy if I sell this and so on... and it will be a compromise, but it is way better than I expected, certainly with condenser mic. Luckily I (almost always) only buy things that make a big difference, this has given me my voice back in my recordings.

For acoustic guitar it will be very clear and warm as for vocals.
+ DI.

On the website; Zenproaudio they have a clipalator, shootouts with a lot op pres ( also ac. guitar recordings)

I think the other tips in here will also make you happy.

Good luck

[Puffpastry]

+1 on the True Systems Solo.

I almost exclusively record fingerstyle acoutic guitar. I purchased a True Systems P2 Analog 2-channel mic pre and the improvement was very noticeable and beneficial. I was very impressed.

TRUE Systems

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by dickiefunk

What would you recommend in the $500 price range?

For a "Jim Williams" mic pre in the $500 range, I highly recomend the Symetrix SX202 purchsed used for $100 to $150 and then getting Jim's $350 mod for it.

I have two of them (4 chan) and it is well worth the money.