hey guys, i have 3 firestudio projects. i want to start recording bands, are the preamps in these enough, or should i get preamps for the drums? also is there an avalon 737 clone that is cheaper? what preamps do you guys use for bass and guitar?
pre amps?
- Thread starter tomrip
- Start date
Sloan
Sounds like shit!
You have three FSP's and haven't recorded anything yet? That's 24 xlr/inst inputs. You will be fine.
no, i have recorded my band, but i want to start recording other bands to make money. wasn't sure if i needed better quality for the drums.
The StabbinCabin
Member
BLA, CLAPI, Warm Audio, GAP, Sytek, Chameleon Labs and most of these Neve/API clones come pretty close to the same effect as the originals from what I've read from their owners. I'd focus on getting good mics first- then a proper room and get the nice preamps later. Maybe just a single nice pre for single tracks to start with- like a channel strip or something.
I think I'm personally going to go 500 series for preamps or find a nice used 4 channel pre- seems to be the cheapest alternative as most of these clones come in that format and are cheaper than the stand alone version.
With 4 channels of nice preamps, you could sample your kit from most aspects, then track with the 4 nice pres on the most essential parts like OHs/snare/kick or something and sample replace 50/50 on the toms. That would be my work-around until I could get more preamps.
Presonus stock pres are fine, but I think a nice pre alone would help a bit when stacked in a mix.
I think I'm personally going to go 500 series for preamps or find a nice used 4 channel pre- seems to be the cheapest alternative as most of these clones come in that format and are cheaper than the stand alone version.
With 4 channels of nice preamps, you could sample your kit from most aspects, then track with the 4 nice pres on the most essential parts like OHs/snare/kick or something and sample replace 50/50 on the toms. That would be my work-around until I could get more preamps.
Presonus stock pres are fine, but I think a nice pre alone would help a bit when stacked in a mix.
greyskull
Member
- Mar 22, 2006
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The StabbinCabin, what mics do you recommend? Do i need to get like senn 421s for toms, or are there good mics that are cheaper. i have the audix 8 kit now, but i am assume i need better. I appreciate your guys recommendations
BLUElightCory
Member
Start with a good pair of overheads - Oktava MK012s or Shure SM81s are great for the money.
You can use any decent dynamic on snare/toms, you don't need to drop the money on MD421s (As an owner of 3 421s I'm not even convinced they're worth the money). I'd personally get a pair of SM57s or Audix i5s for top/bottom snare, and then look for some used Audio Technica ATM25s for toms. For rock/metal kicks, I'd go for the Shure Beta 91 or Audix D6.
Always try to buy used first, you'll save a ton of money.
I would recommend either building a 500 series rack where you can buy a piece at a time or going for an API 3124. That is the best value for the money (but also expensive initial investment). As for mics, the suggestions above are fine. I would personally go for a pair of AT 4033s (in addition to some 57s). Cost effective and versatile. You could use them on anything just about. For toms, just use 57s unless you want to go for the ATM25s or ATM 23s. 421s are really great but I stopped using them to track toms a long time ago. They are big, clunky, hard to place within a kit, and get a LOT more bleed than the ATM25s/ATM23s (since the ATs are hypercardioid). With a few nice pres, you could capture OHs and kick/snare on tracking drums and then use them to track most of the other instruments. As for the comments on buying gear that is trying to "copy" the sound of other gear (BLA, CLAPI, Warm Audio, GAP, Sytek, Chameleon Labs, etc.), i wouldnt recommend. Buy the real thing. There is a reason why these pieces of gear are trying to copy the sound of other pieces of gear. While they may sound good, they will NEVER sound like the originals. Ive been down that road many times with the gear I've owned and you will never be happy with something that is trying to emulate something else. Hope that helps
amarshism
Member
Trevoire520
Member
At this stage don't waste money on preamps, there's a whole slew of stuff that's more important to get right first.
For snare and tom mic's SM57's or I5's will do you fine. Get some decent-ish overhead mic's (Oktava/AKG/Audio Technica will do the job) and a decent kick mic (E602/E902/E901/D6/Beta 91)
For snare and tom mic's SM57's or I5's will do you fine. Get some decent-ish overhead mic's (Oktava/AKG/Audio Technica will do the job) and a decent kick mic (E602/E902/E901/D6/Beta 91)
The StabbinCabin
Member
I played it safe and grabbed an Audix DP5 and Rode NT5s. Anything else anyone could recommend should be good too- but I just grabbed that bunch while I worked pro-audio at GC. I have 58s and 835s from church stuff and school stuff so I'm covered. I'd look at alternate mics after you make cash like Heil mics and other weird vintage mics. The preamp clone arguement is pretty wacky and opinion based too but imo most of those pres sound better than low-mid interface stock preamps. My Eureka pre made a difference with vocals and bass and it's not that great. Just don't cut corners with overheads.
Mikaël-ange
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- Nov 7, 2008
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I like it on female vox with a neumann m149 (worked better than 1081, 512 and the isa110 we had for this session).
egan.
daylightdies.com
Mikaël-ange;10550328 said:
That's an ultra modern chain! I bet you didn't need to add any high end.
Mikaël-ange
Member
- Nov 7, 2008
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In fact I did
Recording chain was the m149 through 737 pre follow by a black face 1176.
For the mix it was 1073 follow by a cl1B, and a 2055 as finisher (1db lift at 14k for the air).
Don't need to mention it was for a pop singer
