Which "mid-level" preamp for recording bass & vocals?

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 12-05-2006, 07:02 PM

I didnt want to de-rail the other threads on pre-s at the mo, wanted to be a bit more specific.

I was originally going to stick a bunch of the presonus seperates together to make a preamp (with eq and compression), this was for recording vocals and bass, and to be used as a bass preamp.

So, i have been having a look around, and would love to hear and reviews or comparisons on or between the following pre's:

Presonus Eureka
TL Audio 5051
ART Pro Channel Mic Preamp
M-Audio Tampa

Right now they are sitting in about that order, ive read good things about the Tampa, but I cant find anything on here, so its at the bottom of the list!

I tried having a look around recording based forums and the general consencus there was that its better to buy really expensive multi channel preamps as each individual preamp is cheaper than a single mid level preamp

, but as i only need 1 channel, thats what im aiming at! (plus i dont have money to spend on a stupidly expensive pre, im sure those millenias are nice, but, my wallet disagrees).

I just want honest down to earth experiences with these units

(I know ive hassled a few of you guys about preamps before, and that information is all duely noted, and is also one of the big factors in the arrangement of the preamps listed, aswell as many other reviews ive read over the net).

These will be used mainly for rock based music right now, but if they are useable across the board, then its an added bonus! (im pretty sure they will all perform well over differenct genres)

Cheers guys,

- Will

PS. please dont make any suggestions for more expensive units as these are pretty much at my limit as is! Thanks

ihateusernames · #2 12-05-2006, 08:26 PM

I really like the Studio Projects VTB-1. The routing capabilities of it are mindboggling.

It sounds nice with vocals and bass.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 12-05-2006, 09:20 PM

I have a Tampa, and I like it quite a bit. It does a nice job with vocals, is great with DB using mid-level LDC mics, and has a variety of different colors that can be gotten out of it. It's a little disconcerting at first, as the lack of a make up gain after the compressor seems odd, but once you get used to the layout, I really like the sound.

The Tampa is the pre for the bass on This cut, and I really like the sound. The bass has the first solo right after the head. I probably should have kicked up the level of the bass a bit during the piano solo, but that's my fault and not the fault of the pre.

msquared · #4 12-05-2006, 09:39 PM

I haven't heard anything that you've listed, but I would be shocked if the FMR Really Nice Preamp didn't absolutely massacre your entire list in a double blind preamp shootout. I have a RNP and it's what I use for everything that is vocals or has a lot of transients like acoustic guitar or snare/hats. I don't use it for bass anymore since I have the Demeter and Avalon U5 (and hardly ever record bass alone), but I used it as a DI for a long time and it rocks. And it's "mid range" in terms of price.

I recommend Humbucker Music as a source, by the way: http://www.humbuckermusic.com/fmraudrnreal.html

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 12-06-2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

I really like the Studio Projects VTB-1. The routing capabilities of it are mindboggling.

It sounds nice with vocals and bass.

Cheers, looks nice, ive not seen any of thier preamps before, onl a few of thier mics, i'll have a read into it! Im really looking for an all in one kinda channel strip, but with the cost of the VTB-1 adding a compressor and EQ is possible!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

I have a Tampa, and I like it quite a bit. It does a nice job with vocals, is great with DB using mid-level LDC mics, and has a variety of different colors that can be gotten out of it. It's a little disconcerting at first, as the lack of a make up gain after the compressor seems odd, but once you get used to the layout, I really like the sound.

The Tampa is the pre for the bass on This cut, and I really like the sound. The bass has the first solo right after the head. I probably should have kicked up the level of the bass a bit during the piano solo, but that's my fault and not the fault of the pre.

Now wow, thats a really nice sound! The only problem i have is trying to figure out how much of an impact the mic pre has in that situation? The DB is complimenting the piano perfectly!

Quote:

Originally Posted by msquared

I haven't heard anything that you've listed, but I would be shocked if the FMR Really Nice Preamp didn't absolutely massacre your entire list in a double blind preamp shootout. I have a RNP and it's what I use for everything that is vocals or has a lot of transients like acoustic guitar or snare/hats. I don't use it for bass anymore since I have the Demeter and Avalon U5 (and hardly ever record bass alone), but I used it as a DI for a long time and it rocks. And it's "mid range" in terms of price.

I recommend Humbucker Music as a source, by the way: http://www.humbuckermusic.com/fmraudrnreal.html

Cheers, ive looked at the really nice preamp and really nice compressor, im really looking for something thats an all in one channel strip right now, even though it isnt really the best option with great seperates out there like the FMR stuff, definately seems like top notch gear,
but it is more expensive, over here at least, the really nice pre is more expensive than any of the other units i listed, its almost £100 more expensive than the rest, and thats just the preamp, if i chucked in the compressor aswell i'd be shooting well well over my mark unfortunatly

Cheers for the ideas guys!

bassbrad · #6 12-06-2006, 11:34 AM

I voted for the ART Pro Channel Mic Pre. Being a long time ART fan, having several pieces of their gear that gets a real work out is a big factor for me. I like that they have 3 gain matching stages to really zero in on the right saturation and the naturalness of the compression.
I am using an ART TPS II right now in my studio and am getting excellent results for bass and vocals.

chrisp2u · #7 12-06-2006, 12:02 PM

Joemeek OneQ might be worth looking at.

I have a TwinQ and like it quite a bit for a lot of stuff. The meek stuff feels like it has a far more solid build quality than a lot of other stuff (focusrtite platinum series, presonus). I dig the compression, and they have some other cool options built in.

They include a digital out (ADAT and S/PDIF) as well if you want to avoid multiple levels of A/D-->D/A conversion (if your interface has the ins to accept them)...usually an add-on option with most other manufacturers.

There's the SixQ too (essentially the 1-channel version of the TwinQ without the VU) which caompared to the OneQ, has a lesser EQ, no De-esser, or Enhancer and the mic in is on the back.

FWIW, I chose the TwinQ over the Eureka.
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i_got_a_mohawk · #8 12-06-2006, 01:16 PM

Cheers for the comments guys, ive had a look for the joe meek oneQ and cant find many places selling it here, everywhere i look its a good couple hundred out of my budget

chrisp2u · #9 12-06-2006, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Cheers for the comments guys, ive had a look for the joe meek oneQ and cant find many places selling it here, everywhere i look its a good couple hundred out of my budget

The SixQ is usualy quite a bit less if you can find that one there.
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