does that make any good sense to you?.. suggestions please

[activexjava]

Hi guys..
I need you feedback before dishing some $2000 to get a pre Amp ..

I have a Yamaha 01v96 mixer .. and I don't find the included preAmps good for Vocals .. so I am thinking of getting a much higher quality preAmp ...

the thing is .. with only $2000 to spend only for the preAmp part .. I will be missing the dymanics .. EQ and Compressor ..

I am thinking of using the EQ and Compressor on the mixer (only slightly during recording phase .. after that I use Plugins during mixing )..

I am thinking of getting the Focusrite ISA428 .. its got 4 decent quality Pre's and its a good bargin for what it does .. and I will have enough PreAmps to fulfill my recording needs...

at the end .. I am not sure if its a good idea .. after the signal from the ISA428 gets converted in the 01V96 .. the dynamics will be applied to the converted signal not the original .. AM I LOSING the Cream of the quality of the Peamps ?.. so basically its no different from recording using the 01V96 Pres.. or the high quality Pres will indeed improve the quality significantly..

there exists a converter card for the ISA428 which supposed to be very good.. but again .. its all a matter of cost ..

let me know what you guys think..

John

[warhead]

I'm in broken record mode, but the Safe Sound Audio P1 sounds right up yer alley.

War

[DeathMonkey]

I am actually looking at exactly the same thing. For a bit more, there are mix n match racks from API, OSA, and others, or the Vintech 473 for about 3k. But for the money ($1700 at sweetwater, I think), I have yet to find a better box. From what I understand, the only difference between the ISA pres and their premium pres is the chassis.

The converter card gets great reviews as well.

I have to say that I don't track with EQ - I really try to get the sound at the source - and getting a decent comp/limiter to keep your signals in check isn't that expensive... in fact, the 428 has a soft limiter circuit to prevent digital overs. I would bypass the mixer entirely.

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by activexjava

.. I am not sure if its a good idea .. after the signal from the ISA428 gets converted in the 01V96 .. the dynamics will be applied to the converted signal not the original .. AM I LOSING the Cream of the quality of the Peamps ?

No. Good quality pres will still be of benefit, even if the conversion and subsequent processing is less than ideal.

The benefit might be *greater* if the wholke signal chain were improved, but there will nonetheless be some benefit.

[cortisol]

I don't like Focusrite pres! Is uneuphonic a word! If not try harsh, charmless and sometimes synthetic on vocals. Try DAV Electronics or look for something nice on ebay or in the used section of this site.

All IMO off course!

Peace,
cortisol