What difference will an outboard pre make?

[AndyJCP]

Sorry, may be difficult to answer.
But I'm thinking about adding a decent pre-amp to my setup. Something like a Mindprint Envoice, SPL Goldmike or similar price range.

I want to use it mainly for recording vocals.
My main vocal mic is a Neumann KMS105. But I also use a simple SM58 for some vocals.
Currently, I feed the mic directly into my Digi003 pre-amps.

I like the sound, but I heard that a good pre can make a huge difference in several other threads.

What would you experts say? In the chain mentioned above, would a pre <1000$ really make a huge difference?

Thanks,

Andy

[RiF]

It depends on so many aspects if YOU will hear a significant difference.
I would recommend to order those preamps and A/B-compare recordings through these pres with those you do using your 003's pres. If you hear $1000 worth a difference, keep them, if you don't, return them.

[sw rec]

FWIW I NEVER use on-board preamps. Not in the 002R, not on my console. The Joe Meek VC1Q that I use with my AKG Solidtube sounds GREAT, and it was $600. Also using a (discontinued...) DBX 586 on my Groove Tube MD1 mics,(backed up by a Meek SC2.2 and a BBE 882i) and they sound killer as well. That pre was $750 for two channels. Cool thing is, you see stuff like this on Ebay all the time for pennies on the dollar.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Murt]

Originally Posted by AndyJCP

I like the sound, but I heard that a good pre can make a huge difference in several other threads.

Yes it can, along with a good song, good talent, good tracking, a good engineer, good equipment, good musicians and a good recording and listening environment.
I know....sorry to be facetious, but it's only one link in the chain, literally.

[GothicV]

All the difference in the world.

I own a Mindprint EWnvoice and it's great for the money, and the comp and eq sound really nice and smooth.

[Keybeeetsss]

If u have the money, get a pre..Just don't get addicted @ buying(like I & others did/do)

[The Weed]

G.A.S. is a dangerous obsession!

Cheers,

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by The Weed

G.A.S. is a dangerous obsession!

Cheers,

+1.

It should be a official diagnosis

[AndyJCP]

Originally Posted by Murt

Yes it can, along with a good song, good talent, good tracking, a good engineer, good equipment, good musicians and a good recording and listening environment.
I know....sorry to be facetious, but it's only one link in the chain, literally.

Well, yes, but it's one link in the chain that's easier to upgrade than talent, a good song etc.

[Benoni]

Originally Posted by The Weed

G.A.S. is a dangerous obsession!

Cheers,

I believe i have a terminal case