What to do with $2k?

[scotsman]

Doc,

Thanks for the 2 files, nice sounds, the guitar does sound rich & full. Vocal through the TL103 then through ?

Notice you also have a few other pre amps, Digi, Trident, etc, do you put the API ahead for them all or what do you like it for ?

regards
Scotsman

[scotsman]

Guys,

thanks for all the great comments, its great to get some other views on what would best to add.

I'm really please with the sounds I get from my current set-up, returning clients are a testimony to that, but would like to make it just a bit better.

I'm tending to go down the mic or pre-amp route as for me it the capturing of the sound is the key.

Votes seem to be going for the API pre-amp (sounds different to the Focusrite 428?) or a great mic (not that the TL103 is bad), will investigate the Soundelux U99.

Thanks again for all your inputs, please keep them coming.

regards
Scotsman

[IntelDoc]

Scotsman,

I use the 103 sparingly on vocalists as it can literally pick up a knat farting. Certain people it works, others no way. The RODE NTK is a great mic that I now have 2 of. Using them for stereo room mics into my Tube 1985 Demeter Tube pre. The API is nice on vocals, but HOT and clear! Good for some, bad for others. The X73 or the 1272 is usually my GO TO pre for Rock vocals. That with the SM-7B into a Distressor and that is a sweet ROCK sound for the most part.

Tridents for toms, and guitars (sometimes0 I usually go to the Neve stuff for rock guitars, kick and snare. Trident for EQ tom applications, and Dememter for Bass, room mics....

Any choice you make afterthis thread will be good I am certain!

Good luck,

- Doc

[swayne]

What about the Neuman mics M147 or U87 ?

[Brent Hahn]

Spend $1500. on the closest thing to a mint U47 you'll ever find, but brand new and a fifth of the price. All those other suggestions are fine, but they'll improve your recordings a little. With this, the difference will be huge. I own 2 and I want more.

[Styles Bitchly]

Wow! I can't believe this coincidence! I've just written a book entitled "What To Do With 2K". It's packed full of great ideas, and it only costs, check this out - 2K! I'll gladly take your money order.

[Andre Knecht]

Single Malts. 2K worth.
The music may not sound better, but it'll sure seem like it.

This, from our Bonus Psychoacoustic Effects Dept: “And after enough of it you won’t even care anymore. ”

21-year old Springbank, he seemed to say.

[Andre Knecht]

Oh, actual gear suggestions?

Conspicuous for their absence from the list are any mentions of power management/conditioning solutions. I know, not at all sexy* like a spiffy mic or watchamjig, but if you haven’t protected yourself and your gear… now would be a good time to invest in just that.

* Although clean(er) power will result in better sound.

IHTH.

[jeremyroberts]

Andre,

I posted this early on in the thread, then everyone went back to a mic-pre/eq pissing contest.

What's your weakest link?

Do you have enough RAM?
How's your monitoring?
Backup/storage solution?
Are your room acoustics as good as it can be?
Is your CPU fast enough?
HVAC solution?
How's your workflow and room energy? Could you apply some feng shui techniques and optimize the flow of the chi?

Notice, I did not mention a single mic pre, eq or plug. Most people will not drastically improve their sound by buying one piece of gear... in my opinion, there are usually other factors that must be dealt with before a mic pre can add value.

Then the DUC continued to spew about this or that pre...

IN my experience, until everything else is in great shape, you won't hear the difference that a $2k box brings to the party... unfortunately, few of these things can be upgraded for $2k.

So, maybe a 1/2 case of The Balvenie Thirty would in fact be the better investment.

[MachineGun]

I'd buy some Waves plugins