Preamp Purchase: Audient Mico Vs Focusrite ISA One

[PD-John]

Looking to buy a preamp that'll be a step up from my Saffire Pro 40 pres - main use will be for tracking vocals.

I know the Mico and ISA One are miles apart (Mico = clean, discrete, AD conversion, 2 channels. ISA = coloured, transformer-based, no conversion, 1 mic channel...). Each of these have features that I really like and I'm finding it hard to decide. At the moment I'm leaning toward the ISA One because I know it will be a different flavour to the Pro 40 pres and will probably sound better than the Mico, but the Audient is enticing because of the AD conversion and dual channels. I love the flexibility with the ISA because of the DI input and Amp output, the Insert point and the Impedance switching too.

Any thoughts? My main question is if I buy the ISA One, will the conversion in my Pro 40 do it justice, or is the difference negligible? I can't afford the ISA One Digital atm.

Thanks for any advice

[albee1952]

Are you into soldering? fivefishaudio.com has some very good preamps, and some are available as kits. Their X-12(I own a pair) has become my "go to" for a lot of stuff as its voiced like the old API 312(never heard anybody complain about that one!). They have some other choices and are worth a look. The ISA-ONE is a nice pre, but its mostly a "clean" pre(not a lot of "character"(I also own an ISA-428).

[77pro]

The MICO is very nice, and because of the A/D can run into spdif freeing up other inputs on the sapphire. Also, the 2nd channel has a variable phase adjustment ( great if 2 mics aren't exactly 180 out of phase with each other), and channel 1 has a harmonic drive adjustment. I use it along with a UA 2-610 and a vintech 273 with great results.

[PD-John]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Are you into soldering? fivefishaudio.com has some very good preamps, and some are available as kits. Their X-12(I own a pair) has become my "go to" for a lot of stuff as its voiced like the old API 312(never heard anybody complain about that one!). They have some other choices and are worth a look. The ISA-ONE is a nice pre, but its mostly a "clean" pre(not a lot of "character"(I also own an ISA-428).

Thanks Albee. Unfortunately, I'm pretty bad at all things electronics and I can't afford a 500 series rack at the moment either. Definitely will look into it when I can though! Thanks again.

Oh, and I was looking at the BLA B12A - supposedly a very convincing API 312A clone in a 1/2U space for $300.

[PD-John]

Thanks 77pro, yes I've read only good reviews for the Mico. The A/D is definitely a big plus point. How do you think the preamp quality compares to your Vintech and 2-610?

[77pro]

Originally Posted by PD-John

Thanks 77pro, yes I've read only good reviews for the Mico. The A/D is definitely a big plus point. How do you think the preamp quality compares to your Vintech and 2-610?

It does very well against them...mostly comparable to the vintech for clean sound. Of course you can't color the sound as much as either one, but the mmx on channel 1 does allow a slightly driven sound.

I was going to get the api 2d, but the budget shrank too much after the UA and Vintech purchases...but definitely not disappointed with the mico at that price point...it is a great piece of gear that gives me 10 inputs on my 003r.

[PD-John]

Originally Posted by 77pro

It does very well against them...mostly comparable to the vintech for clean sound. Of course you can't color the sound as much as either one, but the mmx on channel 1 does allow a slightly driven sound.

I was going to get the api 2d, but the budget shrank too much after the UA and Vintech purchases...but definitely not disappointed with the mico at that price point...it is a great piece of gear that gives me 10 inputs on my 003r.

That's really good to know, thanks a lot!

[PD-John]

So... after much deliberation I ended up buying the ISA One, and I'm very impressed. Like others have said, it makes the interface pres comparatively sound like there's a towel over the mic (not saying the Pro 40 pres are bad, the ISA is just better). I'm sure I'll notice a big improvement when I track all the instruments in a song through it.

Thanks for your help guys

[paul psilas]

One thing to remember about the ISA One is that its great for layering multiple tracks. ISA amps were essentially designed for console use and the more tracks you record with them,the more colour/vibe you get.

Some say they are a bit sterile but thats patently untrue,the transformer prevents that,they're just not as 'overly' coloured as some alternatives.

The ISA's are great preamps (as is the MICO,Townsend uses those) and it should last you a life time.

[PD-John]

Originally Posted by paul psilas

One thing to remember about the ISA One is that its great for layering multiple tracks. ISA amps were essentially designed for console use and the more tracks you record with them,the more colour/vibe you get.

Some say they are a bit sterile but thats patently untrue,the transformer prevents that,they're just not as 'overly' coloured as some alternatives.

The ISA's are great preamps (as is the MICO,Townsend uses those) and it should last you a life time.

Sorry, only just saw your post.

That's very true, I'm finding tracks do stack very nicely, and it certainly doesn't sound sterile (clean, yes.. but with a touch of colour).

Thanks for your post