#511860 - 04/07/04 08:25 AM
Pre question
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sonicbaz
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Registered: 04/07/04
Posts: 2
Loc: Brisbane Australia
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G'day great forum, first post, so here it goes.
I have a few pre questions. :p
Why are there so many pres to choose from?
Is a pre mission critical, sure I understand they may sound different, but what % of getting the pre right is getting the whole track right, can that be correlated.
Not trying to be obvious and I am thinking at the higher end of the market but.... will I get a better pre by simply spending more money?
If I need to buy multiple preamps which should I buy or at least tell me what you wouldn't dare not have.
........and the meaning of life...anyone know that? 
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#511861 - 04/12/04 05:13 AM
Re: Pre question
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natpub
Senior Member
Registered: 11/25/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Austin, TX
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Originally posted by sonicbaz: G'day great forum, first post, so here it goes.
I have a few pre questions. :p
Why are there so many pres to choose from?
Is a pre mission critical, sure I understand they may sound different, but what % of getting the pre right is getting the whole track right, can that be correlated.
Not trying to be obvious and I am thinking at the higher end of the market but.... will I get a better pre by simply spending more money?
If I need to buy multiple preamps which should I buy or at least tell me what you wouldn't dare not have.
........and the meaning of life...anyone know that?
Is a pre mission critical? Yes. Need one to get the mic level signal into your system--lol--just kidding around!
I gather you mean is getting the right one for each track so important. Well, if they are high quality, I think people made due rather well with only 1 kind of pre, that is, the kind that came on their console, for a long time.
Neve, SSL, API, Trident, all did rather well.
That said, the attraction of many outboard indivual pre's, to me, is that, like a mic, they can filter the signal (singer, guitar, etc) in a flattering, appropriate way, and reduce the need for adding EQ. If I can minimize the items in my signal chain at every step, I can reduce noise and wiring hassles.
Furthermore, the Mic and Pre offer a chance to add harmonic content and subtle distortions to signals that can be very beneficial. Depending on style of music, this can, again, save steps and help create an overall sound.
Finally, the various subtle quality differences between mics and pres can make mixing much simpler when it comes time to try and make different tracks stand out when they are competing for frequncy and dynamic range space.
Will you get a "better pre" simply by spending more money? No. While quality can sometimes cost, and very high quality can cost a lot, there are things out there that are either inferior for their price, or inappropriate for the applications you would be seeking. Conversely, there are some very inexpensive units which can be quite excellent, again, depending on application.
You might consider picking up the sample CD's that 3D Audio puts out, and check out the sound of many different pre's. I believe that they are coming out with a new one soon.
http://www.3daudioinc.com
Best,
KT
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#511862 - 04/12/04 10:56 AM
Re: Pre question
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where02190
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 11/06/01
Posts: 5402
Loc: Weymouth, Ma. USA
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Originally posted by sonicbaz:
Not trying to be obvious and I am thinking at the higher end of the market but.... will I get a better pre by simply spending more money?
_________________________
Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#511863 - 04/12/04 01:09 PM
Re: Pre question
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3D Audio
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Registered: 01/19/00
Posts: 1032
Loc: Franklin, TN, US
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I promise I'm not trying to lead people away from George's site, but this has been so exhaustingly covered in threads at my site that I don't feel like saying it all over again. You may find a lot of help, including my opinions, at these threads linked below.
"What Lynn Learned" in the last round of preamp comparisons This includes some fundamentals of preamp comparison knowledge that I recently acquired.
Home Run Preamps This is answers to someone who asked "If I can only buy one preamp, which should I get?"
Mic and Preamp Folder at 3dB This has lots of discussions about preamps, including feedback from the first 3D Pre CD.
As far as deciding if you can hear the difference between a great preamp and an average preamp, the best way is to get a bunch of them in front of you and listen and compare. Short of that, I think the Pre CD is the most cost-effective way to tell if you can hear the differences. Some people can't and don't need to spend $2500 for a stereo unit. Some people can and decide to spend $6000 for two channels. If you want to see what you can hear, try this out. $30 and you'll know for sure. It could save you thousands. Or as Michael Wagener implied "It could cost you thousands."
Click here to order. I would recommend the Pre CD Volume 1 to start. You can condense about a year of experimenting into an afternoon.
Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch. I'm just trying to be helpful. Moderator, please delete if I crossed the line.
_________________________
Lynn Fuston 3D Audio Inc Home of 3dB
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#511864 - 04/13/04 07:31 AM
Re: Pre question
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X-Facta
Senior Member
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 414
Loc:
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Cuz there is a big market for them, especially in this day and age of DAW recording / small project studios.
You really can't go wrong with any of the mid to higher end mic pre products IMO. The basic idea is the same - amplify the mic signal. Really the big diffs are 'colour' or 'neutral' and perhaps what extra features / bells and whistles.
For the cash some 'vintage' stuff is a good deal, considering the build quality, like Telefunken V72 or V276 etc...but then it could be a major headache once you add in getting racks, service etc etc..
Having gone down that road myself - I would therefore advise get something new, even if its a reissue of an old thing,.
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#511865 - 04/13/04 08:02 AM
Re: Pre question
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MixterRader
Senior Member
Registered: 09/12/00
Posts: 334
Loc: Madrid,,SPAIN
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Theres a lot to be said for using different pres during tracking so as not to overload the mix with one "flavor" of sound.
Brett
_________________________
Be a professional musician.
Or just sound like one!
Produce music with THOUSANDS of loops and effects.
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#511866 - 04/13/04 08:42 AM
Re: Pre question
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natpub
Senior Member
Registered: 11/25/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Austin, TX
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One more thing, if you are making music at home, and do not "need" to track more than one or two at a time, consider ending huge noise chains and wiring hassles with something like one of these top-drawer solutions:
http://www.mercenary.com/gmlmodel2020.html
http://www.mercenary.com/peauquiimeed.html
http://www.mercenary.com/manleyslam.html
While the SLAM! does not have EQ, it does have an A/D option that is totally fantastic--perhaps ones of the best deals in the audio world, amazing A/D. I wish GML and Pendulum would design and add A/D. That would be sweet!
I would also add that, IMHO, mic selection and placement are more powerful and worth your investment than loosing sleep over preamps. Too many people these days think preamps are the solution to their mix problems.
If you have a single solid, clear preamp, and a fair mic selction, you can achieve most any color or distortion quality you like with careful planning, experimentation, good production/arrangements, and working with the musicians and their equipment.
I spent the first many years of my musical profession with one or two mics, one pre amp, a tape deck (an old Revox), and a rather insane mind for experimentation. Listening back to those recordings, it seems like I am still chasing that evasive quality.
best,
KT
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