Help Me Spend $$$

[Greenshoe]

I'm looking at buying better preamps and a better mic for my Digi setup. I'm only using mics for vocals and acoustic guitar. After surfing this site and others, just wanted to get your views/experiences on the following:

PRES
- Sytek MPX-4Aii
- JoeMeek VC1Q
- Grace 101
- Earthworks 101

MICS
- BLUE Baby Bottle
- Neumann TLM 103
- Rode NTK

What combo Pres + Mic would you suggest given my voice and music style, which ranges from electro-folk to synthy rock stuff? (link below - excuse the crappy mixing) Any others you would suggest I look at in the similar price range?

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/439/greenshoe.html

Thanks in advance

[where02190]

the Grace is pretty sweet. The Rode NTK is amazing. Also check out HHB Radius and TL Audio preamps, very underrated.

[Greenshoe]

Originally posted by where02190:
the Grace is pretty sweet. The Rode NTK is amazing. Also check out HHB Radius and TL Audio preamps, very underrated.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Are you talking about the Radius Fatman?

[Shameless]

Don't forget to check out SolidTube by AKG. I have one and I have been very happy with it.

No, I don't work for AKG but my company did do a promotional piece for them.

Go to

http://kagimedia.com/Pages/Client_List/ Client_List.html

and click the AKG logo to hear the AKG solidtube capturing a violin and vox. Remember the sound file is mp3 and therefore looses quality.

If you want to step up to a higher end tube mic you could do that as well. the Solidtube is their reasonably priced tube mic.

I just happen to be pumped on the tube sound right now.

The most honest salesman I know told me that mic choice is an individual thing as one vocalist may sound great in a particular mic and another will not.

If you are near one...Your best bet is to go to the guitar center or another retialer with your acoustic and tell them to set you up in the Pro Audio room with all your favorite choices. Then shut the door and sing and play for a couple hours till you find the one you like the most.

I once went in to the GC ready to buy the highest end Mic they had and after spending the whole day there auditioning Mics I decided to get the CAD Equitek and love it still.

[Greenshoe]

Originally posted by Shameless:
Don't forget to check out SolidTube by AKG. I have one and I have been very happy with it.

I once went in to the GC ready to buy the highest end Mic they had and after spending the whole day there auditioning Mics I decided to get the CAD Equitek and love it still.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Thanks. Will add to my list. I have a copy of EW's "2003 Buyers Guide", and while it lists the tech specs of all equipment, the list is a bit overwhelming to narrow down to a couple that I want to try out,

[john1192]

i have been using the Great River MP-2NV for several weeks now. can be very clean or you can bring a nice warmth to it...ala Neve...nice piece of gear...bass sounds great through the Hi-Z input...also has anopther output that you can send to amixer for no-latency monitoring while recording...

[ajazzie]

I have a limited budget, bought a compressor and pre in one with the Platinum Penta from Focusrite.
Good pre worth checking out and great compression.

If you are on a budget its a definate plus to try this out.

Mics, rode ntk and nt2 sound great for vox, akg are good too though I have had a few hassles with them in one instance. I wont knock them though.

[where02190]

I was refering to the HHB Radius 10 and radius 40. I checked out the AKG solid tube and preffered the Rode NTK, but hey it's all about personal preference.

[lamp]

I own the Sytek and its great. A nice step up from the digi.Get the burr brown output chips on two channels for a different flavor.
The Great River MP-2NV is next on my list and might be ideal for you. Its a little pricey though.

[kimaguresound]

don't forget to check out a 414. great great flexible microphone. relatively inexpensive. i've recorded things like entire drumkits with 414s on every piece, accoustic guitars, violas, bones, i've always been happy with the results. studio workhorse. you can prolly find one for like 500 used.

takecare