Looking for Mic Preamps to compliment 002 preamps

[murr]

Basically, I dont know what im doing. I'd like to get a rack with a good number of preamps (a number which when combined with the digis would equal 8 or more) that can:

A)Obviously be used in conjuction with the 002.

and

B)Sounds similar to the 002's.

As for price, I realize that its ludicrous to ask for cheap gold. So, Im pretty much down with any price until it reaches the 1000+ mark.

I also realize, from reading other posts on preamps, that its usually a preference rather than a brand name. So I am going to trek down to guitar center and check stuff out, to get an idea for what different things sound like and what exactly it can do to the sound. But I still look forward to what you guys have to say.

-thanks

Steve

[Joe Evans]

I am curious about this myself. What external preamps are close to the ones in the Digi002 and 002r? I am thinking about buying an FMR RNP and I am hoping that it is higher quality than the ones in the 002. If it is kind of close in quality, I might save for a better pre.

[IntelDoc]

Guys,
This is something that I have been investigating for a few months now. What is the most bang for the buck? What are the intentions for what it will be used, and what are the goals. That is what you should look at. After a lot of discussion with studios, friends, and people here (Niiki, Cavell, Roy and Carl ) I came up with this.

The DIGI PRE - Most highly under-rated pre on the market. Works in stand-alone, and I believe it can be controlled with LE. (Still figuring that one) Clean as an API, but a tad darker and is 8 Analog channels. Run that to the patchbay and patch accordingly (Strings, drums, etc)

The API 3124 - CLEAN and VERY loud. A studio friend has to pad always with the thing! EXPENSIVE but very nice.

Vintech Audio 1272 - same parts as the 473, just not as much gain, and 2 channels (GREAT FOR VOCALS) at half the cost of the 473. Around $1250.00 ish. I plan on getting one soon for a vocal pre.

Vintech X73 or X81. Single channels - KILLER SOUND - Expensive

Focusrite ISA 428 - Clean, variable Impeadance. Very versatile. Expandable too with digital card

Focusrite RED 1 - Great pre ( I Want one) 4 channels, drawback is +/- 6db on the gain stage for every notch. (Too loud or too soft)

Earthworks - ABOUT AS CLEAN AS YOU CAN GET REALLY....

Trident S20 - 2 channel - Killer for guitars - I have heard it and it sounds great. Cool BRIGHT blue lights on it too!

Avalon 737 - BADASS!

IF I could go with these, I would take the DIGI PRE, the Vintech 1272 to save cost, and the TRIDENT. Run those into the patchbay and you have 12 channels of really nice pre at under $4000.00. Then you build up to the other stuff.

An engineer in D.C. told me that you can get all the big gear, but versatility in a pre is great. A lot of single channels are how he would go if he could redo it. Have a couple mid levels for things that do not matter, and then a few really nice ones for the important parts. (Vocals, Strings, etc)

So many to choose from, just need to figure what you are recording. No need for an Earthworks if you are recording a punk band ya know. Stick to the Vintech, or something along that line that is a little dirtier.

Hope that this helps - suite the need, and buy the gear that will make it work for what you need!
RESEARCH IT!

-Doc

[stewie]

doc that is an awsome post. im lookin for something to put my guitars through i want big warm tone. vintechx73 or trident s20 will do what im lookin for you say?

[tele_player]

I'll just add my $.02 - the difference in sound between my 002 preamps, Avalon 737, Studio Projects VTB-1 and just-completed Seventh Circle N72 (Neve 1272 clone) is very very subtle to my ears. It may be that I've never heard a truly bad preamp, but the ones I have all sound quite good.

I've used these with SM57, Soundelux U195, Neumann TLM 103, Sutdio Projects C1, Rode NT5 and Oktava Mk012. The differences just aren't as dramatic as some would suggest, at least to my ears.

I've read rave reviews about ALL the preamps above (well, maybe not rave on the 002, but positive) - the VTB-1 and 737 are excellent for direct guitar, despite the $1700 price difference.

[IntelDoc]

Stewie,
I was hanging with the guys at www.candcstudios.net a few weeks back. They had the Trident S20 running a AEA ribbon mic.

http://www.wesdooley.com/aea/R84.html

into a Mesa Boogie Combo amp and that thig SMOKED! Definitely a nice way to go. I am going to pick one up soon!

Should be a good thing for ya man!

-Doc

[tele_player]

What does LOUD mean in this context? Easily overdriven in the first stages, requiring a pad on the input? Or does the output level control just not go low enough?

Guys,

The API 3124 - CLEAN and VERY loud. A studio friend has to pad always with the thing! EXPENSIVE but very nice.

[nikki-k]

Hheehe- the ribbon and the Mesa were most of that sweetness
Only reason I dont own any ribbons is because I am one clumsy b---- (FCC regukated edit)

Actually, for a nice preamp, go outside the norm, but only once you have your clean channels.
A nice "coloring" pre is so sweet, but has it's place IMO.
If you are only doing work on your own material, and maybe to help some friends out, taking the time to choose one is the key.
There are tons of people making 'em in their garages and basements; a little researching and word of mouth could lead to a nice single or dual channel gem that few others have, affording you a nice, unique quality to your tracks. A gamble, but hey- no gamble, no win

If you are doing work for others, grabbing a "staple pre" here and there would eb the wisest choice. Doing the former could lead to clients claiming you are, "Brilliabt!," and "Whoa! The guy is a GENIUS!!!"
Or not... hehehe...

DigiPre can only be controlled remotely via MIDI inside Pro Tools with TDM software (currently).
However, I *think* a midi app could be used to change parameters if configured/written properly. The manual for the DigiPre is available in the documents section of the DOwnloads area on Digi's main site. I'm too lazy to go look right now...
I own one of these, and love it. Especially at that price point. Give me an unlimited budget, and I'd still have one (or more), but would (of course) have it complimented with a stable of "proven" pre's, as well as several "home brew" pre's that I have heard really good things about.
Got one I am itching to try...

(btw- nice post Doc )

[Chris Cavell]

Chris,

I was definitely wrong about controlling the pre from inside of LE, that's TDM only, but...you can use midi to control it with any controller, just a matter of mapping out the messages.

-Chris

[1Nation]

A sytek MPX 4aii with Burr browns on channels 3&4 fits nicely in your budget and sounds GREAT!

A great river MP2NV would be deluxe but four channels would put you at about $4300.

P.S. This is not just hear say, I use these pres everyday and highly recommend them both. Good luck, Paul.