Mic preamp sub $500 that is GREAT for bass too

nemo · #1 02-01-2008, 12:31 AM

Hi, our band is equipping the rehearsal room recording studio and I am in charge of selecting the gear within the sponsor money budget.

Now I am looking for the mic preamp for recording the vocals. I would like to have some tips, and since I am the one who is selecting, I could as well benefit from choosing the option that will be excellent for the bass recording too.

I just found the acclaimed Avalon U5 does not have the mic input so this option fails, damn..

The budget for mic pre is about $500 and can be single channel or if dual channel, the better.

**Jim Roseberry** · #2 02-01-2008, 12:48 AM

At ~$500, GrooveTubes "The Brick" is about as good as it gets.

At ~$800, the UA Solo 610 is excellent.

If you weren't looking for a mic pre, the Reddi Box a fantastic Tube Bass DI for ~$600.

Jim Roseberry
www.studiocat.com
jim@studiocat.com

nemo · #3 02-01-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Roseberry

If you weren't looking for a mic pre, the Reddi Box a fantastic Tube Bass DI for ~$600.

I know, I know...

But no money for extra bass di....

Thanks for help, will check the brick.

Tenma4 · #4 02-01-2008, 12:54 AM

I like the PreSonus TubePre for single channel, or the PreSonus BlueTube DP for dual channel. Either have phantom power, 1/4" & XLR I/O, 80 Hz filter, phase reversal, input pad, and a nifty looking analog display. Uses 12ax7 tubes. You can blend tube drive or pristine solid state gain, and lots of it. Both are easy on the budget. I just recently sang the praises of the TubePre for bass on another thread.
The downside? No onboard EQ.

kerryg · #5 02-01-2008, 01:01 AM

and have more time than cash, the Seventh Circle Audio units are supposed to be the bomb and you could build a Neve or API pre clone for around $649 - and then it's expandable for a few hundred bucks a channel - peanuts. You buy the eight-channel chassis from them and fill it with modules that you build from their kits (or have them build for you) as you need them.

http://www.seventhcircleaudio.com/

Built for you it's still only around $819. These things are getting a great reputation on the street as *killer* pres. It will smash most other pres in that price category flat (the UA610 is very nice too though).

i_got_a_mohawk · #6 02-01-2008, 03:29 AM

Presonus Eureka:

M-Audio Tampa:

Both are pretty good, but my personal preference goes towards the eureka, just like the way it sounds more.

bluestarbass · #7 02-01-2008, 06:22 AM

FMR Really Nice Pre. Better than anything listed so far (except the 7th circle stuff) and its cheaper and in your price range (which the 7th circle stuff isnt). The 7th circle stuff doesnt have a DI yet either. The RNP will give you 2 DI's/Mic pres and is amazing for the money.

dunamis · #8 02-01-2008, 06:37 AM

An ART Pro Channel might fit the bill. Pretty decent report on this at Basstasters (I think Vanselus said it's a 'sleeper') and it can be had new for less than $300...

i_got_a_mohawk · #9 02-01-2008, 07:01 AM

+1 The ART stuff is pretty good

Also, the Grace 101, apparently demolishes the RNP

bluestarbass · #10 02-01-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Also, the Grace 101, apparently demolishes the RNP

Are you just saying that or have you tried both? I have and I will say, while the grace is a higher quality pre, id pick it on less stuff. Its a really really clean pre. Great for classical, country, some pop. I woulnt put it on a guitar, a bass, a drum set or a singer though. The RNP is a little like a SSL pre, not amazing on anything but pretty darn good on everything.

cnltb · #11 02-01-2008, 08:25 AM

I'd try a millenia media hv-3c or, the buzzaudio ma 2.2, which seems even more open and clean.
Buzz also make a DI box.

i_got_a_mohawk · #12 02-01-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestarbass

Are you just saying that or have you tried both? I have and I will say, while the grace is a higher quality pre, id pick it on less stuff. Its a really really clean pre. Great for classical, country, some pop. I woulnt put it on a guitar, a bass, a drum set or a singer though. The RNP is a little like a SSL pre, not amazing on anything but pretty darn good on everything.

Ive not tried, it was from various reviews id read, thats why i put "apparently"

fokof · #13 02-01-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnltb

I'd try a millenia media hv-3c or, the buzzaudio ma 2.2, which seems even more open and clean.
Buzz also make a DI box.

Where can you find a hv3c for 500$ ?

+1 for the RNP

The Summit Audio 2ba-21 is also very flexible , with a tube stage output
http://www.summitaudio.com/2ba-221-mic-line-module.htm

But it's in the 600$ range....

cnltb · #14 02-01-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fokof

Where can you find a hv3c for 500$ ?

+1 for the RNP

The Summit Audio 2ba-21 is also very flexible , with a tube stage output
http://www.summitaudio.com/2ba-221-mic-line-module.htm

But it's in the 600$ range....

I guess you got a point there.

On the other hand... I have never heard anything "great" sub 500, when talking mic pre.
I'd save a little longer.

Carl999Pop · #15 02-01-2008, 03:33 PM

Hi try the Joe Meek ones....very very good at reasonable costs. I use one with two channels, opto compressor, meequlizer and some other quite clever stuff.

projectMalamute · #16 02-01-2008, 04:48 PM

RNP is great, GT the Brick is also great. Best bang for buck I know of (without soldering anyway) is the Sytek mic pre. About 900 bucks but four channels.

agreatheight · #17 02-01-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Presonus Eureka:

+1 Eureka. Used one for several sessions, works nicely for both vocals and bass, and it's a good value. I usually don't care for one or the other on most boxes, which is why I have both an Avalon DI for bass and a Blue Robbie for vocals.

Good luck!

Cory · #18 02-02-2008, 08:35 PM

I've heard good things about the symetrix sx202 with the monte mods. I think you can pick up used ones for around $200.00 or so and then have it modded. You might even find a modded one for that.

nemo · #19 02-03-2008, 07:37 AM

Thanks a lot so far!! Looks like there is a number of good viable options. UA Solo 610, The Brick, Eureka, Grace..

I think, in the end it boils down to whether we go for "colouring" or "transparent" type of preamp.
It depends also on the pairing with type of vocal mic we will have, which is still not decided, but leaning towards Rode K2.
We will have funds in about one month time. I will then choose from your offered options.
I appreciate your input. Thanks.

AlunJWDavies · #20 02-03-2008, 09:08 AM

En-Voice Mindprint. Used it would be less than 500. I've had this for about 6 years now. Gorgeous sound on bass. The compression is buttery. There is a tube circuit but I don't use that often as I like the clean sound. I've brought it to studio sessions and used it over an Avalon and Millennia(the engineers all went, "Wow!).
Sounds great on everything btw. Stay away from cheap focusrite or presonus stuff.
They sound really sterile and brittle to me. You will get better value from smaller boutique companies in general. RNC is another nice one. I think they make pre-amps as well as the "compressor".