New interface or preamp?

[jhan]

Question:

I'm at the point where I need a decent, single channel preamp for vocals, bass and guitar.

However, I've been using an Edirol UA25EX for recording bass and guitar, and I'm just 'meh' about it.

I know that at some point, I''ll need a preamp. But I'm also going to need a better interface. Problem is, I only have the money for one or the other right now.

A guy at Sam Ash in NYC said that rather than get a preamp right now, I should get a better interface with better preamps and wait on the single channel pre. But my gut somehow tells me he's wrong.

So: do I get a better interface with better preamps now and wait on the preamp, or do I get a decent preamp now and wait on the better interface?

Does this question even make sense?

Here's the single channel pre's I've been looking at. I know that all pre's have their flavors. I'm looking for an all-around workhorse:

My price point is under $1000.

- Great River MP-500NV
- Focusrite ISA One
- FMR RNP
- Grace Design m101
- Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity

I've heard great things about all of these, especially the Great River. Seems like a hard choice.

Tks.

 

[newbold]

If you have a mac just get an apogee duet and spend your cash on MICROPHONES and a breakout box (the cables aren't built like a tank).

You'll get pro sounding stuff that'll fit in a passport pouch.

If you can get away with one channel worth of recording, there's a 1 channel model with built in condenser mic called the 'One'...again, mac only...but high end sound and ease of use for $250...

It's worth considering if you don't NEED loads of features.

if you NEED loads of features, check out the Novation XStation (fantastic HARDWARE SYNTH, 2 CHANNEL INTERFACE) or the Focusrite Saffire (great pres on a multi in/out box)

...and again - put the excess money away for MICROPHONES and the little odds and ends that add up...and pizza/beer/taxi rides/whatever else will get the players you need to record with.

As far as a mic pre goes, that UA 710 'twin-finity' is showing up a lot more and more for high end live performances in the country, classical, roots, and jamband/psychedelia avenues and it's on a GAS list of mine.

 

[jhan]

I'm PC, actually, but tks for the info.

 

[Nick Kay]

Decent preamps now, upgrade converters later on. Modern interfaces usually have half-decent converters, but on the lower end of the spectrum, the preamps almost invariably suck. You'll notice a bigger difference in sound quality by upgrading the preamps on a lower-end interface, 9 times out of 10.

Furthermore, a decent preamp now will serve a purpose for many years. The interface/converters might get replaced sometime soon down the line, but I find I almost never get rid of preamps (unless I find something that does the same sound but better). It's a better investment to get something you won't ever get rid of now, and pick up a top-notch ADC/DAC set and interface when you have the cash down the line.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I believe a good mic pre will do wonders for you and is something that won't be quickly outdated like a digital interface. I heard really good things about the Grace m101 especially considering it's price point.

 

[jhan]

I'm thinking along these lines exactly.

Decent preamps now, upgrade converters later on. Modern interfaces usually have half-decent converters, but on the lower end of the spectrum, the preamps almost invariably suck. You'll notice a bigger difference in sound quality by upgrading the preamps on a lower-end interface, 9 times out of 10.

Furthermore, a decent preamp now will serve a purpose for many years. The interface/converters might get replaced sometime soon down the line, but I find I almost never get rid of preamps (unless I find something that does the same sound but better). It's a better investment to get something you won't ever get rid of now, and pick up a top-notch ADC/DAC set and interface when you have the cash down the line.

 

[fokof]

Maybe an avenue you haven't thought about for the budget you have:
MOTU 828mkIII or the Traveler MKIII (around 800 and 1100 I think)

26 ins, 28 outs , can be used as a standalone digital mixer ( I do so everyweek with my band , very reliable), compressor and 6 band full parametric on each I/O (@44,1Khz)
The preamps sound very nice for the package/price.

If you need the software , it is Mac/PC compatible.

 

[fokof]

Decent preamps now, upgrade converters later on. Modern interfaces usually have half-decent converters, but on the lower end of the spectrum, the preamps almost invariably suck. You'll notice a bigger difference in sound quality by upgrading the preamps on a lower-end interface, 9 times out of 10.

Agree 100% if there is no budget limit. not the case for everyone.

I personaly paid 3000$ for one of my preamps (Bryston BMP2)
and around 4-5K for the AD/DA (HD192+BigBen)
And yes it's worth what I paid for
Not everyone have those budget though.....

 

[jhan]

What about the Ultralite MK3? I don't need all the I/O on the other units, and I heard they all use the same preamps.

Maybe an avenue you haven't thought about for the budget you have:
MOTU 828mkIII or the Traveler MKIII (around 800 and 1100 I think)

26 ins, 28 outs , can be used as a standalone digital mixer ( I do so everyweek with my band , very reliable), compressor and 6 band full parametric on each I/O (@44,1Khz)
The preamps sound very nice for the package/price.

If you need the software , it is Mac/PC compatible.

 

[fokof]

Yes , they are all the same preamps.

It's a nice little unit too.
The're selling a lot of those....



PS; I also use my 828 as "plugins" when I do sound when I need good EQing or extra compressors....

 

[pbass2]

If you decide to get a mic pre, I recommend this to anyone on a budget:

Link Removed

I've been tracking bass(also with a REDDI admittedly, but would be fine w/o it), guitar(acoustic and electric), Wurly, synths, vox--you name it, with a variety of mics too(the variable impedance control is very useful) for indie and major label clients alike all through this pre, then through a long in the tooth MOTU 828MKII for several years---this thing delivers. The bang for buck, sound quality, and versatility are remarkable.
Worth checking out IMHO.
I never use the pres in the MOTU, unless I really need to. They're OK--transparent enough, etc. But for around 600 bucks with this Summit you have a serious contender . . .

 

[jhan]

Yeah, I heard great things about the Summit as well. Thanks for making my decision harder

If you decide to get a mic pre, I recommend this to anyone on a budget:

Link Removed

I've been tracking bass(also with a REDDI admittedly, but would be fine w/o it), guitar(acoustic and electric), Wurly, synths, vox--you name it, with a variety of mics too(the variable impedance control is very useful) for indie and major label clients alike all through this pre, then through a long in the tooth MOTU 828MKII for several years---this thing delivers. The bang for buck, sound quality, and versatility are remarkable.
Worth checking out IMHO.
I never use the pres in the MOTU, unless I really need to. They're OK--transparent enough, etc. But for around 600 bucks with this Summit you have a serious contender . . .

 

[Charling]

Its always going to be a hard decision, as for going interface, the motu stuff is pretty good, pretty good A/D's, nice feature set, lots of flexibility. onboard pre's not all that but will do A job if not THE job.

similarly there are lots of nice pres that will instantly make your current setup sound better, buying the pre first will give you a better sonic advantage, whereas buying the interface first will give you more stuff to play with an more options for the pre!

for example, If you get a motu with the aes/ebu input on it it opens up the world of preamps with digi outs, which not only improves your preamp quality but also your converter quality..

Also, if you spend enough you can get an interace which ALSO has some great pre's on it. For example the metric halo ULN-2, 2 GREAT preamps, comparable to all but the top seperate pres, great A/D's, great software great clock blah blah etc. Its a bit over your budget but second hand may not be TOO much over, they brought out versions with DSP and expansion cards, not to mention the ULN-8 which somethign else entirely, meaning that you can pick up the original ULN's second hand for mega cheap!

I got a basic uln-2 for £400, so about $700? it also has AES inputs, so I added a dual pre with digital out, sorted, 4 great pres and a great interface! if you want more ins and outs the metric halo 2882 is a bit more but has 8 pres (I think) though they are not quite as good s the ULNs.

there is also the apogee stuff or the rme fireface stuff, both very good.

 

[Kipaste]

It really depends of your priorities at the moment. If you already have good microphones, I'd go for a preamp.

 

[fokof]

I
Also, if you spend enough you can get an interace which ALSO has some great pre's on it. For example the metric halo ULN-2, 2 GREAT preamps, comparable to all but the top seperate pres, great A/D's, great software great clock blah blah etc. Its a bit over your budget but second hand may not be TOO much over, they brought out versions with DSP and expansion cards, not to mention the ULN-8 which somethign else entirely, meaning that you can pick up the original ULN's second hand for mega cheap!

+1 for the METRIC HALO stuff , real good gear ( and software too! ) if you have the budget.
For MOTU , I had a Traveler before going for the 828MKIII , and I can tell you that the pres and the clocking on the MKIII series is a big notch better than the previous MKII series.....
(just to add to your confusion )

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Maybe an avenue you haven't thought about for the budget you have:
MOTU 828mkIII or the Traveler MKIII (around 800 and 1100 I think)

26 ins, 28 outs , can be used as a standalone digital mixer ( I do so everyweek with my band , very reliable), compressor and 6 band full parametric on each I/O (@44,1Khz)
The preamps sound very nice for the package/price.

If you need the software , it is Mac/PC compatible.

Yeah look at the MOTU 8pre too. I have this and it's a really nice unit for a little cheaper than the 828mkIII.

 

[fokof]

Yeah look at the MOTU 8pre too. I have this and it's a really nice unit for a little cheaper than the 828mkIII.

Yes but the 8pre don't have any processing of the MKIII series.
Only the mixer , no EQ , no compressor , no reverb.......