warm single channel mic pre sub-$400?

gutsofgold · Post by **gutsofgold** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:50 pm

I am looking for a new preamp. Just a single channel pre that actually has some color to it. Im used to recording with the pre's on a motu 828mkII and I'd like to add some color to the sound now.

seaneldon · Post by **seaneldon** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:57 pm

groove tubes brick. you're welcome.

cwileyriser · Post by **cwileyriser** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:27 pm

The Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster channel strip - the cheaper 1RU one - is a good one for the money - around $200 used on eBay. Discrete pre, gate, opto-comp, EQ, de-ess, and a "vocal saturator" ("tube effect" I guess - actually can sound decent used judiciously). When we were doing some vocals last year with a U87 on our upcoming record, the producer/engineer we're working with actually preferred it over his Neve 1073 that he brought with him on the particular lead vocal tracks we were working on.

ciminosound · Post by **ciminosound** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:29 pm

I can't believe I'm saying this but even a starved plate tube unit like and ART unit would offer "some" color. (A lot of us berate staved plate stuff but the U47 has a starved plate too.)

Or, I don't know how good you are at DIY but that is the best way to get high quality stuff with unique tonal signatures CHEAP!

For instance...

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopic.php?t=28101

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:33 pm

I sure like my EH pre, and my ART MPA, but I guess the ART exceeds your limit with its two channels. Anyway, the EH is a little less gain (stock tubes, anyway) while the ART is a little more versatile with weird mics and quieter sound sources.

Anyway, with these two pres on hand I'm pretty much done acquiring more pres for the next few years.

KennyLusk · Post by **KennyLusk** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:31 am

cwileyriser wrote:The Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster channel strip - the cheaper 1RU one - is a good one for the money - around $200 used on eBay. Discrete pre, gate, opto-comp, EQ, de-ess, and a "vocal saturator" ("tube effect" I guess - actually can sound decent used judiciously). When we were doing some vocals last year with a U87 on our upcoming record, the producer/engineer we're working with actually preferred it over his Neve 1073 that he brought with him on the particular lead vocal tracks we were working on.

How is the gate on that focusrite, Chris?

cwileyriser · Post by **cwileyriser** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:48 am

I've not really used the gate much, so I can't say with any authority....

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:16 am

not too long ago I got an altec 1566a pre for about 400$ for someone on here..totally fresh 1950's tube preamp..

Dubious · Post by **Dubious** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 12:17 pm

i have a focusrite platinunm trackmaster.. i like it.. dont know if id qualify it as warm though...

just copped a burr brown moddified bellarri rp503 from a board memeber.. i think it fits the tube warmth bill quite nicely...

@?,*???&? · Post by **@?,*???&?** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 2:53 pm

Here's a great esoteric company up in Carmel, California:

http://www.summitaudio.com/

Their compressor/limiters kick bottom.

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:59 pm

I can't speak highly enough of the Meek VC3Q with its opto-compressor.

The Studio Projects VTB1 has a cool starved-plate tube option to use, and is fairly clean with it off, also.

Dave-H · Post by **Dave-H** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 10:15 pm

I really like my ART Pro channel . You would need two for stereo. I think you could get two for $600.00 I got mine in a pawn shop for $100.00. Best hundred bucks I ever spent. Tube Pre, tube compression & tube EQ in 2 rack spaces.
Dave Huffman

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:45 am

EH 12AY7. by far.

cwileyriser · Post by **cwileyriser** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:31 am

I've got a lot of decent pres, and have basically stopped looking so I can focus on buying a few other things I need, but the EH 12AY7 is one more pre I'd think about buying.

As for the "warmth" of the Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster, the Voicemaster does have the "vocal saturator" tape emulation thing, and the Trakmaster doesn't. In the right places the saturator sound can work well.

soundsubs · Post by **soundsubs** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:11 am

I have to chime in here and say to look at the NEW joe meek sixQ. they are much quieter now than previous versions. lots of color, very nice opto compression, DI, etc. etc. blah blah. no, i dont have it, i have the oneQ, and i love it on everything.

blah blah.

link.

http://www.joemeek.com/sixq.html

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warm single channel mic pre sub-$400?

warm single channel mic pre sub-$400?

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