Best preamp or channelstrip for 2000-4000€?

[Pekka Posio]

Hey guise!

I'm not sure which monster I should be GAS:ing, so could you please give me some directions. I'm looking for a really good channelstrip or a preamp + compressor, which is cabable of doing some really intense commercial level "speech" sound and has lots of gain. It should also sound ok with guitars and kickass vocals. I have had the possibility to use on multiple recordings Tube-Tech MEC 1A and Avalon VT-737SP, but my experience with other highend channelstrips is pretty negligible.

Also, I have at the moment Fireface 800 and Profire 2626 - if you think I should update the AD section, feel free to mention that. I'm mainly using Sm7b for vocals and speech at the moment, but I'm planning to buy U87.

My main vision is to achieve a competitive speech sound so I could do radio and other commercials for different companies.

 

[egan.]

I recently A/B'd the 737 against a bunch of other stuff and was seriously underwhelmed. There is nothing wrong with it but it's pretty boring IMHO. I haven't touched the tubetech.
I'd look at the Neve 8801 and the API. If it were me I'd probably go vintech x73 (EQ), A2D (2 channels) or greatriver 1NV (cleaner, no EQ) into a Purple MC76 or distressor (more flexible).

 

[amarshism]

the eq in the avalon is where the money is, i hate the rest of it

 

[Pekka Posio]

I recently A/B'd the 737 against a bunch of other stuff and was seriously underwhelmed. There is nothing wrong with it but it's pretty boring IMHO. I haven't touched the tubetech.
I'd look at the Neve 8801 and the API. If it were me I'd probably go vintech x73 (EQ), A2D (2 channels) or greatriver 1NV (cleaner, no EQ) into a Purple MC76 or distressor (more flexible).

My own opinion of the Avalon is almost the same! The High gain mode gives some good colour and tube sound, but that doesnt work well with condenser mics...

Any other opinions?

 

[jipchen]

I also think the Avalon is way overrated and not that special at all. I also know some engineers who really hate the preamp in it.

The channelstrips/preamps Egan posted would be my recommendations as well: Vintech X73i, API A2D and especially the Great River MEQ-1NV (that's the ME1NV preamp plus their awesome equalizer EQ1NV).
Then of course there's the API "The Channel Strip" (512 pre, 527 comp, 550A EQ) and Universal Audio LA-610 mkII or even the 6176 with the built-in 1176.

 

[LoftMusicRob]

I hated the 737 until I started playing with different types of preamp tubes. The stock tubes are flat and lifeless. The microphone selection is also key. Comparing one 737 to another is about as consistent as comparing one JCM800 to another. I have 3 of these and they all sound different.

My other go to unit is a Neve Portico 5015 (pre+comp).