Andy and friends...question about mic preamps

[acorredor]

Hello everybody...i am about to purchase my first outboard gear, and heres my options:

A pair of Focusrite ISA 220´s (they have mic pre,EQ,Comp)
A Focusrite Red 8 (dual mic pre) and a pair of dbx 160A compressors
A Focusrite ISA PrePack (4 mic pres) and a pair of dbx 160A compressors

My budget is US$2500-3000 tops.

One more question for those who know Genelec monitors:you guys think the 1031As are enough without the sub? a pair of 1030s and sub will do it?or the only choice for good low end are the 1032s?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy Sneap]

You should maybe look at API mic pres also, I have the Foc Reds....there ok, not great on everything.

If you're on a budget go for the 1030s + sub, I have 1031s + sub and they're good, but the 1030's definately have a certain charm. You can't hammer them too loud though.

 

[Forbiddenevil]

For what you need (vocals, guitar, drums etc.) the pre-amps???

 

[acorredor]

Thnks for the tips Andy...ForbbidenEvil: y have a PT system with a Control 24 mixing surface;it comes with 16 Focusrite pres...that´s all i have...i am looking for a pair of mic pres to do Kick/Snare and then bass, gtrs, vocals...a do-it-all kinda thing...i apprciate any comments/reviews .

 

[Forbiddenevil]

I have bought a TL Audio 5001, a Quad (4Ch) Valve Mic Pre-Amp. I use it for guitars now. Easy to handle with a great analog sound.

 

[acorredor]

Thanks FE...i´ll check the TL out!

 

[Andy Sneap]

sorry not liking the TL audio stuff, definately look at Api above that

 

[blackcom]

Someone told me the new Avalon AD2022 would be like the best mic-pre to get...anyone here tried it?... I'm thinking of getting some micpre's myself..
http://www.avalondesign.com/mp2022.html

 

[DigitalDevil666]

I know a guy building 2-channel MCI preamps with EQ. He started out stripping consoles, and selling them to close friends. Now he got a distributor in Britain, so when ever you get a chance to check them out, make sure to do so even if you've already bought your grear. They're about the fattest preamps I've heard. No bullshit.

Cheerz,
DD

 

[Kevin Kitchel]

API is great for kick and snare. I would also look at the 4 channel neve-esque Vintech pre. http://www.vintechdistribution.com/pages/599617/

 

[Forbiddenevil]

Wow, the api and the other stuff are condemned expensive. That is not any more my price class. No matter, I have also no commercial studio.
It is more for our band and for local demo-bands. For important productions we must rent ourselves a studio. At least for drums and the mix.

 

[Andy Sneap]

yknow what, after all is said and done, the mic pre is important I know, but I've done great recordings on mackie/soundcraft level stuff. So don't get too carried away, it's worth having a good chain for your main overdubs, but theres no reason why you can't get away with a mackie for say the majority of your kit if needs be...especially when labels pay next to nothing these days. I try not to be a gear snob, you always know a bad live engineer when he starts quoting model numbers to you, all I want to know is where are the 57's.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

thats fucken metal! tight

 

[acorredor]

Thanks everybody for the input!Andy, you mentioned you didnt like the TL Audio stuff...someone recommended me their M3 tube mixer...8 tube preamps/8 analog eq´s for US$3.500...it is from their classic blue line, do you have any experience/comments on TL stuff? Thanks again

 

[egan.]

For $2k you can buy an 8 channel trident mixer s-100. I've yet to hear it but the big trident consoles I've used sounded good.
http://www.tridentaudio.co.uk/s100rack.html

 

[blackcom]

Ok, so API is great for kick and snare?
But how does it work for vocals, guitars and overheads..?

I too am looking for a high-end preamp, but I cant afford several different ones. I allready have a Focusrite Octopre (midrange product).

 

[Kevin Kitchel]

From what I've read, the 8 channel Trident isn't the same. I haven't heard it myself, but the athoritative, but snobby people at Gearslutz have, and they don't recommend it.

API is great for guitars too. A Grace mic pre would be really great for anything, its so clean and musical, and you can always dirty it up later.

 

[blackcom]

Andy, perhaps you could give us the names of some albums you did using API on the guitars...? I'm soo curious.

 

[Andy Sneap]

Stuck Mojo albums were recorded through an API board!! It came from Radio City in New York. Very cool desk

 

[adrianvillan]

Hey Everyone,
This is first post here, hey Andy I love the new Arch Enemy Anthem of Rebellion Everything you do is crystal clear but still warm. Is there any software you use in PT to help with that , or is it all outboard gear?