Help building my lunchbox/mic pre questions

I'm wanting to build a small desktop setup that will allow me to track bass from home. I have a few DI's (REDDI, JDI, JDV, BDDI, Demeter) and I want to build a lunchbox of a few Mic Pre's to help give me "color" and "flavor" options.

I have people that will be sending me Logic sessions, and I'll track 2 lines.

1: DI > apogee duet > logic
2: DI > mic pre > apogee duet > logic

I'll let the engineers handle EQ and compression if needed in post since I won't be around for the mixes.

I'm thinking of filling a Radial Workhorse cube with a Neve 1073lb, A Designs Audio P-1, and maybe a Chandler little devil or API 512c or something. Still deciding on specific options. But I'm thinking that I can chain whichever DI with whichever mic pre to get a myriad of flavors to choose from for the session.

Mostly I'm wondering if the Mic Pre's will give me enough color, or if I need to add an EQ or compressor. For example, will the 1073lb give me enough "Neve" color on its own, or do I need to add a 1073lbeq, etc.

Am I thinking about this the right way?

 

Haha. I think the suspense is just killing you and me

I've ordered a few to try out. A Vintech 573, a Great River MP 500, and a A Designs EM Gold. They should arrive Tuesday.

I'll be doing a blind shootout with them, along with a direct line from my Apogee Duet, and also a REDDI as "control" audio samples. Should be fun I'm glad someone else is excited about it! Thanks.

 

Haha! I'm glad you're excited too, thanks! Nah, it's just been a busy work week. But everything has arrived safely and I'll start tracking this weekend. Should have clips posted by Sunday night. Here's what we're looking at for tomorrow. I'll take more pics too.

 

I posted my own shootout here. Please take a listen if you'd like.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/blind-preamp-di-shootout.1128562/