I really like my JoeMeek OneQ - it's very versatile (EQ, opto-compressor, de-esser, enhancer, etc.), has digital and analog outputs, etc. It's priced well below boutique preamps - I got mine for $500, but the street price for new ones nowadays are usually around $700. I see them on eBay stores brand new for under $600 on occasion.

In the same price range, the new Drawmer MX60 Front End One ($625) looks like a real winner. SOS gave it very good reviews. The only major drawback I can see is that it doesn't have a digital output, if that's a concern for you. It's got a ton of features on that 1U box, and it's a Drawmer, which speaks for itself. BTW, I haven't used it, so I can't vouch for it beyond specs/word-of-mouth.

http://www.drawmer.com/products/mx-...ont-end-one.php

A good reliable all-around mic is the Rode NT-1A, or better yet the NTK for a tube mic. If you've got a bit more budget, the AKG C414 is a great all-around mic.

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Shure Sm57 everytime, apart from the fact Its legendary for vocals its also affordable, durable, and sounds great for loads of applications. Especially good for female vocals.

That is if you want a dynamic mic, if you want a condenser mic which are even better for vocals/overheads/room micing etc then try a AKG Perception 120 but you will need to phantom power it from a desk of your interface.

Think about getting or making? a vocal booth we just use wooden frames with material and foam between on hinges so we can put them away. It keeps the room noise to a min, especially when working with more sensitive condenser mics.

Oh and definately beyond a shadow of a doubt get a pop shield to go in front of the mic.

Edit: if your going to record insruments as well dont bother with the AKG go for the shure sm57. Sounds great in front of guitar amps, bass amps, on top of a snare drum, or as I say for vocals.


Also cryo's suggestion of the c414 is a great one too.

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

Rode NT-1A is a very good option. I've used this in the studio a lot and always got nice results. The sm57 is an instrument microphone and doesn't sound very nice with vocals. Unless you mean the sm58.

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quote:

Originally posted by Simon_N Rode NT-1A is a very good option. I've used this in the studio a lot and always got nice results. The sm57 is an instrument microphone and doesn't sound very nice with vocals. Unless you mean the sm58.

yeah I did sm58, it was probably clear from my explanation.

Edit: I actually did mean the sm57. However I got my wires crossed on the vocal bit for vocals its the sm58 which is especially well suited to female vocals.

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Processing a highly structured and complex pattern of sensory input as a unified percept of "music" is probably one of the most elaborate features of the human brain.....understanding how music is perceived and how it may elicit intense sensations is far from being understood.

Last edited by Sonic_c on Mar-11-2010 at 01:09

These are excellent, you guys. Awesome.

Thanks for giving my research a leg up. Looking through the Sweetwater catalog is fun for developing gear lust but short on information of a practical regard. I really appreciate this.

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Bad choice of interface.

Get a decent interface, skip the preamp, get an Audio technica 4050/4040. Or the Rhodes are apparently quite good on a budget...

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips Bad choice of interface. Get a decent interface, skip the preamp, get an Audio technica 4050/4040. Or the Rhodes are apparently quite good on a budget...

Are you saying the 1616M is a bad choice? I've read some disgruntled murmurs but I like the specs E-Mu's touting for them.

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It's not the best bang for your buck these days. It's a rather dated interface and it's drivers haven't always been the most stable. quality wise it has a good reputation though.

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If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

How about the M-Audio - Audiophile 192?

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Dated as well, good quality too but a bit less than the e-mu, I've had the 2496 myself and never had a problem with it unlike my friend who had the e-mu.

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If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

The least you should be looking at is a motu or an echo, I'd recommend an RME if you can stretch it. M audio and E-mu are definate no gos. If you save $700 on a preamp, then you can put that back into getting a decent quality interface. You should really be looking to spend well over $500 to get anything worthwhile out of an interface.

Remember, if you actually want to record, this is your/your vocalist's performance that your capturing, you want it to be brilliant, it'll only happen once.

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