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andrewpeters
Joined: 05 Oct 2021
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:37 pm Post subject: How important is your preamp? |
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https://www.theproaudiosuite.com/podcast/episode/1ac06205/matching-a-mic-and-pre
We spend so much time when it comes to making a decision on the right mic we are about to spend a large chunk of cash on for our studio. But when it comes to the mic pre, we sometimes don't spend as much time procrastinating. Truth is, a pre can colour the sound of your audio more than the mic. In this episode, we check out a few pre's and the way they taint the mics 'clean' sound. We talk about how to set one up, and what you should be listening for when shopping for your next one. |
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FinMac
Lucky 700
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Posts: 702
Location: In a really cool place...Finland!
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 9:51 am Post subject: Thanks for the interesting podcast |
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Enjoyed the Podcast, thanks !
Good to know that I am not the only one who was “satisfied “ with a microphone and then about 8 weeks later gets tempted by some newcomer on the block.
Back in April I picked up the Focusrite Red 7  Best micpre I’ve ever used.
Love how it sounds with the 416, and every other mic. I am satisfied, and I really mean it !
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andrewpeters
Joined: 05 Oct 2021
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Red 7’s are really nice. |
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Bruce
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7892
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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Just like microphones, spending huge sums on a preamp (i.e. $2,300) is really unnecessary for anyone other than the wealthiest voice actors who have money to burn. Can we get some recommendations for under $300 here?
Thanks!
Bruce
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andrewpeters
Joined: 05 Oct 2021
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Under $300, SSL2. I have one of these and they are great. The 4K button gives the pre a vintage SSL sound from their 4000 series of consoles, it also has plenty of gain. The only thing I wish it had is an on off switch. |
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BruceG
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 01 Jun 2012
Posts: 251
Location: just south of Boston, MA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:32 am Post subject: |
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In answer to Bruce's question above - this just in from Sweetwater:
Universal Audio-Volt
Even the "low-end" models look promising, but I'm waiting to see how they prove themselves before even thinking about trying one out.  
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todd ellis
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Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10448
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:42 am Post subject: |
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i like the vintage construction!
since i will soon be re-working my entire studio around a mac mini m1, i will be watching this space. i'm looking to replace a rack the size of a steamer trunk with something along the lines of a handbag.
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Nik S
Joined: 11 Apr 2017
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| Bruce wrote: | Just like microphones, spending huge sums on a preamp (i.e. $2,300) is really unnecessary for anyone other than the wealthiest voice actors who have money to burn. Can we get some recommendations for under $300 here?
Thanks!
Bruce |
Under $300? What do you have now, just the ones in your interface? I've heard some of the ART stuff can be reasonably good for the money but if you want something that actually sounds properly good then keep your eyes out for a used SCA N72 ready-built 'one shot', they occasionally come up on Reverb. Other than that I'd probably look at upgrading interface. What do you use now? |
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Bruce
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Location: Portland, OR
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jim edgar
Contributor
Joined: 27 Jul 2015
Posts: 40
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| andrewpeters wrote: | | Under $300, SSL2. I have one of these and they are great. The 4K button gives the pre a vintage SSL sound from their 4000 series of consoles, it also has plenty of gain. The only thing I wish it had is an on off switch. |
Yeah... that glowing green LED always makes me want to have it sleep.
But, honestly why in the name of all that is holy did they not put a 48V status light onto each channel?
Though you can see the button, it would just be so much simpler for them to have added that...
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Nik S
Joined: 11 Apr 2017
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2021 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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I've had motu here over the years too, very solid.
After your last sentence I suppose the next question is, "then why?"
Particularly with external pres the point seems to be their particular character so starting with what you think you want and what is known to suit your mic is the way to go.
More ideas here too https://www.themusickitchen.com/mic-pre/best-mic-preamps-under-300/
You could also demo some plugin emulations to get a feel for the different styles and even end up just thinking you might as well save your money. All fine options. |
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todd ellis
A Zillion
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 10448
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2021 5:45 am Post subject: |
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my ancient motu just sits in the rack & works.
downside - i gotta buy firewire cables at yard sales.
upside - they're only a quarter
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2279
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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Bruce, I also have the SSL2 and love it. Nice clean sound but not very punchy, even with the tasty 4K harmonic distortion. Perfect for long form narration and eLearning?
When I want something with more punch and character, I use my Golden Age Pre 73 Mk III which goes for $350. With my shotgun and other mics the SSL picks up a wider sound and more of the room. The Golden Age sounds more focused.
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2279
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:19 am Post subject: |
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| Lance Blair wrote: | Bruce, I also have the SSL2 and love it. Nice clean sound but not very punchy, even with the tasty 4K harmonic distortion. Perfect for long form narration and eLearning?
Sometimes when I want something with more punch and character, I use my Golden Age Pre 73 Mk III which goes for $350. With my shotgun and other mics the SSL picks up a wider sound and more of the room. The Golden Age sounds more focused. |
But honestly, you know what I like better than that preamp? My plugins!
The saturation/thump feature on my Scheps Omni Channel plugin is perfect for voice and it was only $69 on sale. My Waves CLA-2A run as a gentle limiter also gives the voice more presence and sheen and again, only $29 on sale. Subtle, but if I process at all I do it subtly.
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tokyofan
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:33 pm Post subject: re: |
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Lance: can you bypass the pres in the SSL2+ (when you use the GAP) or do you just turn the gain down on the stock pres?
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