I need an 8 mic-preamp, cheap.
July 27, 2010 10:13 AM Subscribe
Best 8-mic preamp to be used with a Korg D888 digital HD recorder?
Hi, I have a Korg D888. Love everything but the preamps, which require that the trim be jacked up all the way to get anything usable. Needless to say, that doesn't leave one with a lot of options. Korgs are known for their terrible preamps. (didn't know before I bought). Love the rest of it, and I love the 8 low Z inputs, allows for the dirty live recording of an entire band I like.
But I need to buy a rack 8 slot preamp. I've looked at a few:
SM Pro Audio
Nady
Shure
Behringer
Focusrite
I'm not looking to spend thousands on this, but I see so many different prices, I can't help but think that there is a wide difference in quality.
Note that I am not using a computer workstation on the front end of the recording, so solutions like that do not interest me for this particular question, as I cannot afford a completely new system with new software loaded on it. Thanks.
Hi, I have a Korg D888. Love everything but the preamps, which require that the trim be jacked up all the way to get anything usable. Needless to say, that doesn't leave one with a lot of options. Korgs are known for their terrible preamps. (didn't know before I bought). Love the rest of it, and I love the 8 low Z inputs, allows for the dirty live recording of an entire band I like.
But I need to buy a rack 8 slot preamp. I've looked at a few:
SM Pro Audio
Nady
Shure
Behringer
Focusrite
I'm not looking to spend thousands on this, but I see so many different prices, I can't help but think that there is a wide difference in quality.
Note that I am not using a computer workstation on the front end of the recording, so solutions like that do not interest me for this particular question, as I cannot afford a completely new system with new software loaded on it. Thanks.
Response by poster: There is no rack requirement at all. I just thought it would be cheaper and easier. Frankly, I don't even own a rack. Would prefer the complete solution, great idea. I can always use that board for whatever.
posted by Ironmouth at 11:30 AM on July 27, 2010
posted by Ironmouth at 11:30 AM on July 27, 2010
I own Focusrite and Shure products and recommend them. I own Nady products and don't recommend them. People I know own Behringer products and like them.
jeb has a great idea with the older Mackie boards, if 1RU isn't a limitation for you.
Overall, however, the mics you use have much, much more effect on your recording than the preamps. And your mixing and EQing comes next. Then mic placement. Then the venue.
Turning up the trim isn't a problem in itself. Turning up the trim and hearing the noise floor of the console come up *might* be a problem (assuming it's not the noise floor of the venue, guitar amp, or mic self-noise).
For the ~$400 you're thinking of spending, you might consider a pair of small diaphragm condensers. (Though I'll admit I don't know if there's anything in that price range that's worthwhile. I suspect there is.)
posted by lothar at 11:36 AM on July 27, 2010
jeb has a great idea with the older Mackie boards, if 1RU isn't a limitation for you.
Overall, however, the mics you use have much, much more effect on your recording than the preamps. And your mixing and EQing comes next. Then mic placement. Then the venue.
Turning up the trim isn't a problem in itself. Turning up the trim and hearing the noise floor of the console come up *might* be a problem (assuming it's not the noise floor of the venue, guitar amp, or mic self-noise).
For the ~$400 you're thinking of spending, you might consider a pair of small diaphragm condensers. (Though I'll admit I don't know if there's anything in that price range that's worthwhile. I suspect there is.)
posted by lothar at 11:36 AM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: Overall, however, the mics you use have much, much more effect on your recording than the preamps. And your mixing and EQing comes next. Then mic placement. Then the venue.
These preamps suck on my board. Because the range is so narrow, it is really hard to find the sweet spot between not enough and too much. It is a knife-edge. I looked up the problem and saw page after page of people complaining about the problem and my friend who dropped out of recording school and who shares the unit with me tells me it is a preamp problem.
I have excellent mics, that's not the issue.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:55 PM on July 27, 2010
These preamps suck on my board. Because the range is so narrow, it is really hard to find the sweet spot between not enough and too much. It is a knife-edge. I looked up the problem and saw page after page of people complaining about the problem and my friend who dropped out of recording school and who shares the unit with me tells me it is a preamp problem.
I have excellent mics, that's not the issue.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:55 PM on July 27, 2010
Response by poster: In other words, we are talking about a very specific problem, which I know the source of and I need a specific fix for. Getting a new mic won't fix it at all.
posted by Ironmouth at 12:56 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by Ironmouth at 12:56 PM on July 27, 2010
You've got to ask gearslutz.com
They have all the answers.
posted by fantasticninety at 1:32 PM on July 27, 2010
They have all the answers.
posted by fantasticninety at 1:32 PM on July 27, 2010
I bought a Behringer ADA8000 and it stopped working after about an hour, unfortunately.
posted by umbú at 3:16 PM on July 27, 2010
posted by umbú at 3:16 PM on July 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Another idea is keep using your crappy preamps, but start getting a handful of a good-but-affordable preamps, like the Electro-Harmonix 12AY7, and using them on the most preamp-sensitive channels you are recording. Over time, you can assemble a good set of pres that will survive upgrades to your recording setup.
posted by jeb at 11:19 AM on July 27, 2010