|
Re: Ribbon Mic Preamp - Focusrite ISA One vs. Grace M101
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
I posted this on gearslutz yesterday and, surprisingly, have gotten zero responses so far. So, I'll try here and see if anybody here has any experience/recommendations.
I just placed my order for my Cascade Fat Head II ribbon mic (standard transformer) and I'm considering buying a preamp that will be primarily dedicated to it and I've narrowed it down to the Focusrite ISA One or Grace M101 (new version w/Ribbon Mode). The mic and preamp will be used primarily for recording female vocalists and, occasionally, acoustic guitar. I currently work with 4 different vocalists, each with widely differing vocal qualities, so I'm looking to maximize my flexibility/options for the different singers.
I'm leaning pretty heavily toward the ISA One at this point due to its routing flexibility, adjustable impedance, better metering, and slightly lower cost, but would like opinions on the two preamps for my stated needs. Also, I've used Focusrite ISA pres before, so I'm familiar with their sound and quality. I've never used a Grace pre before, but it looks great on paper.
Anybody here used this mic and/or either of these preamps? It looks like they both have plenty of gain for ribbon mics, but I'd love to hear from anybody who has used a ribbon mic with one or both of these pres. |
Sorry Dave, missed the other thread.
I think you're doing the right thing about thinking of mics in terms of pre combination prior to buying but I'm a little surpirsed you're buying the Fathead primarily for vocals?
Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic mic and probably one of the best ribbons for that price, but I would reach for a number of other mics for vocals before I grabbed the FH-II. Also, with the ISA, it could sound a little clinical (not a bad thing) but more on that later.
I'd use it as a room mic or overheads for drums in a heartbeat - we uses the Royer 121's mainly for that but the FH is a very close competitor at a fraction the cost.
For acoustic guitar, flute or even trumpet the FH will do a superb job and I'd happily use it in a pro studio during a session for just that. Yes, I'd consider using it on vocals but It just really wouldn't be my first or even third choice at that price bracket.
The problem that I have with it is, that a lot of vocal mics will do a good job on strung instruments (as long as they are not too warm or smooth) but mics that are amazing for guitars or strings will not be perfectly matched for vox (hopefully you get what i mean). there are one or two exceptions to this but not at this price range.
I know it's a little more but I would go with a Mojave MA200 for vocals. It would be a beautiful combo with the Grace amp as the mic it allows a bit of the preamp to show through, the mic is superb for anyone that has a slightly dull voice and for pop voices (think edm) it is just flawless. You can use it on guitars, cabs - you can even use it a kick drum mic paired with d112.
For this reason, combined with the fact we do EDM, I feel if you're going to record instruments or vocals that's your chance to get a little warmth and character in to the mix so the Mojave is my primary. The only downside with the Mojave is that it cardioid.
The ISA has great fetures and I honestly don't know how they've done it for the price but my only gripe with all the focusrite stuff is just a little cold for me. Maybe it's becuase I've really only used them with digi interfaces but I always feel like they do a great got of getting a really clean signal but the rest is just too lifeless. It comes down to what you are trying to achieve with them. If you need the flexibility then the ISA wins, but if sound is your primary concern then go for the grace.
Here's my choice: If you're going for the FH then do it with the grace unless you need the features of the ISA.
If however, you were to reconsider the mic, I would hands down go for mojave MA200 with the Grace. That would possibly be the best budget combo I can think of.
|
