Which 2 channel mid-priced preamp?

richgreen101 · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2009 , 11:18 AM

I've recently been looking into buying a 2 channel preamp (roughly between £300-£400) as for all of my recordings so far I've just gone straight in to the pres on my Presonus Firepod. I'd like it to have a spdif output so I can bypass the A/D conversion at the interface if possible. Also I'd like to have a compressor to tidy things up on the way in.
I'd be using this to record acoustic guitar, bass DI, vocals and flute etc.

I've been looking at the Audient Mico and the Focusrite Twintrak Pro.

I like that the twintrak has more features such as compressor, EQ variable mic impedance and flexible monitoring section. Although when looking at forums a lot of people have said that it breaks after a year or twos use.

The Mico looks pretty impressive for the money, the HMX featue looks good and I hear the pres and digital conversion are very good, but lacks comp/EQ etc.

Any opinions on these pres?

Also I wonder if I should up my budget and buy a single channel pre with a bit more quality made by Universal Audio etc. but with no additional features like compressor etc.

Or should I get a tube preamp? I've been warned off tube gear thats low priced.

TrevCircleStudios · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2009 , 11:49 AM

I'll preface this by sating I haven't used the mico...

At this pricepoint there are really few choices. The best bang for buck are the fmr rnp and the dav bg1.

You aren't going to get something at this pricepoint that also has loads of features and 2 channels and still retain pro-level quality (unless you go secondhand and even them you'll be lucky.

Personally I'd say get a decent pre and do your processing itb until you have the money to spend on something much higher end (and I speak as someone who is selling both focusrite and joemeek channelstrips)

ecc83 · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd May 2009 , 12:32 PM

Just the culmination of a lot of reading but.
The Mico looks very good to me and the included conveter to S/PDIF. AES +clock would be a clincher for me.

Compression and EQ are best done in software (I am told) unless you have some serious bread to spread. In any case I prefer to record dry and flat and save that.

Valves just **** me off! I went thru' about 25 Russian jobs last week and could not find a fekkin' one that did not crackle!

Here's where I might get into even more serious ***t! Altering the load on a cap' mic generally does jack but drop the level a bit! Ok people say it can have an effect on ribbons but I am not in that stratospheric arena! Anyway, easy enough to make up some XLR adapters to try out various (wrong IMHO!) loads?

Dave.

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#1 (permalink) 2nd May 2009 , 11:18 AM
richgreen101 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1	Which 2 channel mid-priced preamp? I've recently been looking into buying a 2 channel preamp (roughly between £300-£400) as for all of my recordings so far I've just gone straight in to the pres on my Presonus Firepod. I'd like it to have a spdif output so I can bypass the A/D conversion at the interface if possible. Also I'd like to have a compressor to tidy things up on the way in. I'd be using this to record acoustic guitar, bass DI, vocals and flute etc. I've been looking at the Audient Mico and the Focusrite Twintrak Pro. I like that the twintrak has more features such as compressor, EQ variable mic impedance and flexible monitoring section. Although when looking at forums a lot of people have said that it breaks after a year or twos use. The Mico looks pretty impressive for the money, the HMX featue looks good and I hear the pres and digital conversion are very good, but lacks comp/EQ etc. Any opinions on these pres? Also I wonder if I should up my budget and buy a single channel pre with a bit more quality made by Universal Audio etc. but with no additional features like compressor etc. Or should I get a tube preamp? I've been warned off tube gear thats low priced.
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#2 (permalink) 2nd May 2009 , 11:49 AM
TrevCircleStudios Mic Check 1! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: England Posts: 2,094	I'll preface this by sating I haven't used the mico... At this pricepoint there are really few choices. The best bang for buck are the fmr rnp and the dav bg1. You aren't going to get something at this pricepoint that also has loads of features and 2 channels and still retain pro-level quality (unless you go secondhand and even them you'll be lucky. Personally I'd say get a decent pre and do your processing itb until you have the money to spend on something much higher end (and I speak as someone who is selling both focusrite and joemeek channelstrips) ______________________________ You can't polish a turd! (unless it's a jettsetty and urbane one!)
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#3 (permalink) 2nd May 2009 , 12:32 PM
ecc83 Super Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 400	Just the culmination of a lot of reading but. The Mico looks very good to me and the included conveter to S/PDIF. AES +clock would be a clincher for me. Compression and EQ are best done in software (I am told) unless you have some serious bread to spread. In any case I prefer to record dry and flat and save that. Valves just ** me off! I went thru' about 25 Russian jobs last week and could not find a fekkin' one that did not crackle! Here's where I might get into even more serious *t! Altering the load on a cap' mic generally does jack but drop the level a bit! Ok people say it can have an effect on ribbons but I am not in that stratospheric arena! Anyway, easy enough to make up some XLR adapters to try out various (wrong IMHO!) loads? Dave.
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