whats a good low end mic preamp?

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DonLduk

New member
Im planning on buying a SM57 to start doing some better recordings with my PC, but I need a preamp for it.

what would a great low end model?

Ive been looking at rolands' and behringer's $50 dollar options...Please comment and dont hetistate to inform me ! if you have something to say, do it w/o doubt, im willing to listen all kind of opinions (im sure someone will come and say "buy the 1000 dollar one", but still I want to read)
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

If you can try and find a used Focusrite Platinum like a Trak Master series or a Joe Meek for the lo-end stuff.

I like the Joe Meek better on guitars.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

I use the Behringer low-end mic pre with an Audix i5 condnser mic, and I think it works a.o.k.

You've got limiter (so your signal won't over distort), warm/limiter (tube warmth), neutral settings- which I use the most, and percussions, guitars (elec. n' acoustic), etc;.

If you dial settings in properly, it's a low noise tool. It does not have an on/off switch, just an adapter to plug in- whatever.

I think it's worth it, but that's just my 2 cents.
 
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Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

Screw Behringer - Never EVER route audio through that crap.

I run a Studio Projects VTB-1, and couldn't be happier.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

I use focusrite pro trackmaster for vocals and art tps 2 for guitars and bass.
The art tps 2 have tubes in it!!!
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

For the absolute dirt cheapest usable preamp, the studio projects VTB-1 is pretty good . . .
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Screw Behringer - Never EVER route audio through that crap.
Click to expand...

Word. I wouldn't trust a Behringer preamp to record a voicemail greeting.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

Actually, I've gotten decent results with a behringer pre- but with a high end mic mind you. For vocals it's worked perfectly fine and for 50 bucks I couldn't complain if it didn't. Guitars on the other hand- well... it's a no no. I've heard good results with their ada800 on guitars and vocals alike though. But that's mostly for a/dat lightpipe interfaces anyway. My personal recommendation would be to look into the studio projects pre, or if you can afford to throw down more "the brick" by groovetubes approaches high-end quality for a reasonable price. Just depends on your needs really.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

I use a Behringer with good results... it's probably like any low end electronics - be it mixer/preamp, guitar, or amp - it's a crap shoot. You could get something really sweet, or a piece of junk.

You pays you bucks and you takes you chances...
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

ART Tube MP is fine for what you're describing. I use it all the time. I picked mine up for like 30 bucks off ebay. GREAT for doing bass guitar direct too.

don't forget the ES-57 deals on ebay. nice lil' mics.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

Used ART Pro MPA is probably the best for the cheapest. The VLA comp from ART is actually really nice. Both are modeled after expensive tube gear like Urei, so it's not bad for low dollars. The Studio Projects stuff isn't bad either, since it's made in China, and copies more expensive gear.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

If you've only got a couple three hundred to spend I'd get a GT Brink, an FMR RNP; or a new/used Smackie 1202.

The ART & Studio Projects "micamps" are cool FX & distortion boxes but not so good as micamps IMO. The midrange & top is all fizzy & smeary and the overall sound is 'pinched'.

Granted, I've got old Telefunkens, API, some Dakings & generally work on old Neve or Trident consoles so I'm kinda picky about this stuff...but it's only because I can't put up with cheap junk that gets in the way.

The question to ask before you spend ANY money though...is what is the purpose of recording? If your bangin' out songwriting "demos" then anything will do. If the goal is to record a finished master that you'd want to release to the public & have it sound "real" then you should pony up & drop $1 or $2K on a GREAT micamp or be forever doomed with medicore results.

Best regards,
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

Find yourself a clean Mackie 1202 Mixer. You get four pre's and a lot of flexibility
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

ok thanks a lot for all the replys. Im happy I got great responses.

My goal with this SM57 + Preamp is to record songs in an ok quality to share with my friends, the forum, and other guitarists and post online, and keep my ideas in a well made form... I had an awful experience recording an awsome song I invented (overload, see thread "an attempt to my riff", because all I had was an internet chit chat microphone, and comparing to other people's work, i was dissapointed with me, not by the music, but by the recording/mixing quality.

Im very inclined to the ART MP, just to fiddle around.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

I'd just snag the Mackie - it'll give you much greater flexibility in the long run. I really want to snag one, now, too.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

The ART is okay, nothing to write home about.
The PreSonus mic pres are inexpensive and very good for the price.

But, horses for courses, as they say.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

twilight, I checked the presonus TubePre for $100. looks awsome to me. thanks for ponting that out.
 
Re: whats a good low end mic preamp?

DonLduk said:
ok thanks a lot for all the replys. Im happy I got great responses.

My goal with this SM57 + Preamp is to record songs in an ok quality to share with my friends, the forum, and other guitarists and post online, and keep my ideas in a well made form... I had an awful experience recording an awsome song I invented (overload, see thread "an attempt to my riff", because all I had was an internet chit chat microphone, and comparing to other people's work, i was dissapointed with me, not by the music, but by the recording/mixing quality.

Im very inclined to the ART MP, just to fiddle around.
Click to expand...

In that case ANYTHING is fine.

Really.

Just make sure that you can get from the +4 dB output of the micamp to whatever soundcard you have. I've actually been thinking about getting one of those USB mics to connect to the office computer. I do mixing here & 95% of my clients never step into the room, I just email mixes to them for approvals & changes and most of the time we use the phone & email but I want to setup a Skype account & get that together.

I'm a "career" audio guy...I figure it should sound halfway decent even if the audio interchange is from PC to PC! :eek13:

Some of the ART stuff & the MP in paticualr aren't built all that well. Might be ok if you don't move it around a lot but I know some guys who toured with the MP's as acoustic guitar DI's (sounds good BTW) and were plagued with gremlins. The rackmounts are built better but that seems to be true for everything...built-in power supplys are almost always better then a line lump/wall wart deal.

I'd still spring for a Smackie. I hate their stuff, but you REALLY can't do any better for that little.
 
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