Mic Preamps

[fdeaves]

I'm looking for a good 2 chanel preamp in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. I will be recording mostly sax and trumpet through it, although I might do some vocals and percusion. I have a Rode NTK , a Shure KSM 32, and a bunch of SM 57 and 58's. I have been hearing about Toft, Presonus mp20, and UA solo 610 and 110. Any suggestions? Thanx for your help.

[jdjustice]

If you want a "clean", "transparent" preamp, which is possibly what you would want to look for when recording things like brass instruments, consider the DAV BG-1, which is a 2-channel preamp with a GREAT reputation for about $700 USD. Link below:

D.A.V. Electronics Broadhurst Gardens BG-1



Another preamp to consider: TAB-Funkenwerk V78, can be acquired through Mercenary, although it's a bit more expensive... check it out:

AMI TAB-Funkenwerk V-78M



There are lots of good suggestions that I am sure others will chime in with....

Happy hunting and welcome to the forum,

J.D.

[VivaLaVinyl]

I recently picked up a DAV BG-1, based on the input from people on this board, and I also have an NTK. The NTK through the DAV sounds so-so; the DAV really brings out the qualities of a mic, and so far I've found I have to fuss with placement quite a bit to get a good sound with that combo. But the pre, I like it a lot.

[fdeaves]

Hey guys, Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'll check these out.

[digibird]

For trumpet and sax, I'd be looking for a ribbon mic first, like the AEA R84. And, for the R84, I'd use the new AEA mic pre made especially for ribbons (84 dB gain), 2 channels for around $750.

So, you could have the mic and 2 channel pre for <$1800 - not too far off your mark, and a much better approach, IMHO.

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/TRP.html

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/R84.html

[Acoustic Cloud]

Ribbon for horns, especially good suggestion. But a mic "and" pre for those purposes, may be too pigeonholed, if there are other sources that may wander in.

Their new pre for ribbons, is that just a gain thing? I read about it, and as usual, cant remember... the 30's were pretty hard on me...

[vernier]

Something old and tube, hopefully similar to what was used on this album.

[Tim Farrant]

Based on your list, I would go with the UA preamp, but get it on demo-try-keep or return, 7 days.

But if you can save up a bit longer, then there is a "next level" you could achieve.

[Naren]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Based on your list, I would go with the UA preamp, but get it on demo-try-keep or return, 7 days.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/image.../leapfroga.gif

But if you can save up a bit longer, then there is a "next level" you could achieve.

I think Tim Farrant means maybe something like this:

http://www.buzzaudio.com/products/ma2.2.htm



I shouldn't have looked at the Buzz Audio site. I can feel my wallet getting lighter even as I type. Yes, I admit it, I am a slut.

-Naren

[PoorGlory]

I would go with the Toft.... I'm about to sell my car to afford one of their new consoles, so I'm all about them.

[Coldsnow]

I you are not looking for stereo recording, then one each of the Solo's would give you the most versitlity. I love the Solo 110, it is very versital on it's own (clean to crunchy). Also, the Vintech 273 would be slightly more, but a great preamp for the money and you'd get some eq with it as well.

[C/G]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Based on your list, I would go with the UA preamp, but get it on demo-try-keep or return, 7 days.

But if you can save up a bit longer, then there is a "next level" you could achieve.

Sure, there is a next level, but my UA pres continue to win out over ones that I have costing twice as much, and I'm talking about a 2ch UA 2108 that was about $1600 new. The solo 110 is somewhat based upon the 2108, which is no longer being made.

A Tab-Funkenwerk V78 was also mentioned, which I own as well and I can recommend. It is a solid performer that can be used on many different sources.

Tim gave you good advice suggesting a try before you buy if at all possible on anything you decide upon.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by fdeaves

I'm looking for a good 2 chanel preamp in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. I will be recording mostly sax and trumpet through it, although I might do some vocals and percusion. I have a Rode NTK , a Shure KSM 32, and a bunch of SM 57 and 58's. I have been hearing about Toft, Presonus mp20, and UA solo 610 and 110. Any suggestions? Thanx for your help.

I'm going to step out on a little limb here and say the best preamp for you is a ribbon mic.

Oops...that's not a pre.

A ribbon mic is going to do more for sax / trumpet recordings than any switch hitting pre. Keep your NTK around for acoustic guitar and some vocals, and your KSM32 as a vocal mic primarily or when you need that condensor sound. With 2 midrange condensors and 2 dynamics I think it's a bit early in the game to worry about your preamp (unless you just don't own one).

That mic's going to make the major difference.

For a directional ribbon the Beyer M160 rocks on those sources. CAD is releasing a $259 directional ribbon now that I'm waiting to test, but looks promising on a budget and they are known to deliver a ton on a budget. If your room has a nice sound and figure 8 pattern will work, an AEA R84 would likely rock your world.

War

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by Naren

I think Tim Farrant means maybe something like this:

http://www.buzzaudio.com/products/ma2.2.htm



I shouldn't have looked at the Buzz Audio site. I can feel my wallet getting lighter even as I type. Yes, I admit it, I am a slut.

-Naren

Well I'm not really supposed to do this on these threads, but given the budget I was thinking more along the lines of the Buzz SSA1.1 2 ch preamp for US$1399, which is pretty good value for money IMO and hardly ever mentioned on this site.

[eligit]

Originally Posted by digibird

For trumpet and sax, I'd be looking for a ribbon mic first, like the AEA R84. And, for the R84, I'd use the new AEA mic pre made especially for ribbons (84 dB gain), 2 channels for around $750.

So, you could have the mic and 2 channel pre for <$1800 - not too far off your mark, and a much better approach, IMHO.

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/TRP.html

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/R84.html

yeah, but has anyone actually heard these pres yet? i'd like to.

[Markd102]

Originally Posted by Tim Farrant

Well I'm not really supposed to do this on these threads, but given the budget I was thinking more along the lines of the Buzz SSA1.1 2 ch preamp for US$1399, which is pretty good value for money IMO and hardly ever mentioned on this site.

I mention it every chance I get. Great unit. Gets used every session without fail!

[fdeaves]

I would really like to thank you guys for taking the time to respond to my question. I've been a professional sax player for years, and done quite a few sessions, but I'm a complete novice when it comes to this end of things. The only pre amps I have at the moment are in my mbox2, which is why I thought of upgrading them first. I got a pretty good sound a couple of times using the NTK, but nothing like the fat sound I get in the studio. Although those guys are using thosands in equipment on me. I'm going to check out all of your suggestion, including the ribbon mic. Thanks again for all your help.