Philip OKeefe Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Hello Everyone: I have a question or three: Which of you have Joe Meek preamps out there? Which model(s)? What's your impression of the 1) preamp 2) compression and 3) EQ? Is there a big difference between the VC1Q / VC6Q and VC3Q? I really have not used any of their stuff. Okay, everyone says they're "colored" sounding, but that's not a detriment to me. I already have a bunch of different pre's and comps, but I don't have a Meek, and I have a friend who has a couple of new VC3Q's at his store he will let me have for $200.00 each, out the door... Should I consider them just to have around for the extra "flavors" or should I get a VC6Q or VC1Q instead, or should I just go out and buy nothing but ---- (Insert your favorite high end preamp's name here)? Hey, I'm not a gear snot - I'll use anything from a Telefunken 251 E to a SM 57 if it gets the sound I'm after for that particular part. Oh, one more thing: Have they been reliable, or do they have any known maintenance problems? Thanks for the opinions! Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigpantsswbell.net Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I've had my VC1Q for about 4 days now, have used it on vocals, gang vocals, and acoustic guitar. So far, I'm pretty pleased. To me, the real "color" starts to happen once you compress 7 db or more. Up to there, it's fairly "transparent". ( meaning, it sounds like the Meek's pre-amp without any artifacts.) The pre has plenty o' gain and is pretty damn quiet. ( I'm used to the pres on my 1604 VLZ.) The Meek's pre seems to be a little smoother throughout than the Mackie, and seems to have a more sparkly top end. The "Enhancer" does some funky shit to the top end ( a little too harsh and bitey for my tastes ), but the EQ has sounded fairly smooth, so far. I'll be using it more extensively in the next two days, and I'll keep you updated. hope this helped, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Hi Phil, I've got 2 VC3Q's. Truth to tell, they aren't as nice as the VC1Q's, but 1) I'm cheap, and 2) I have a friend who's getting some, so I can borrow them if I really need 'em. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif If you have a commercial facility and/or you plan to use it on vocals a lot, you might be better off to get the VC1 - the preamp is the main difference, plus you get more control over the compression (something I don't personally care a whole lot about because I find either I want the "Meek sounding" compression or I don't, and if I do I just crank it up and forget about it!) The pre on the VC1 uses a real transformer instead of a chipset like the VC3 and VC6, and particularly in the bottom end you will notice the difference. The VC6 is basically the same pre as the VC3 with the same compression control as the VC1. All three use the same compressor technology (photoelectric like the old vintage compressors, not modern VCA), which means you can crank the hell out of 'em without destroying the top end. It really does sound like the 60's compression. It's an effect really; you generally wouldn't use it as a limiter or anything like that, although in a pinch you could, because at subtler gain reduction levels it doesn't sound too obvious. Bottom line, I'd give them a try with the option to return them, because it's the kind of thing either you like or you don't. Since I'm getting to know your taste, my guess is you would like it. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif I find myself reaching for it a good deal of the time on guitars, vocals, drums, just about anything that needs some extra "attitude" or sounds a little too squeaky clean on a digital recording. It definitely could save your butt one day if you have a client that wants "that sound" and you can get it in 2 minutes with the Meek. Well try it out and let me know what you think! --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulferpacific.net.sg Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 The September 2000 edition of Recording magazine reviewed and compared the VC6Q and the VC3Q. Here's a kind of summary excerpt: "While the less expensive Pro Channel Model (3Q) has fewer controls and connections and uses an external power transformer, you won't be short-changing yourself too much on the sonic side." I've got the VC6Q. I like the pre, the EQ, and the color of the compressor. It's tricky with gain - crack the input gain control up one click, and the level goes up a lot. The output gain control is more fine-tuned. The meters take some getting used to also - the compressor meter is staged in 3 dB increments, which are big chunks to work with. Strangely, the unit's level meter measures level BEFORE the output level control, and I wish it would measure both. But I'm happy with it because it sounds fine. The manual is a joke. I emailed Joemeek and they didn't get back to me. So don't expect much help in either of those quarters. As for reliability, I bought a demo model, and it's worked fine for three months. This message has been edited by paulfer@pacific.net.sg on 01-29-2001 at 10:56 AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyland Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I've had a VC6 for a couple years now, and a VC6Q for about six or eight months, and haven't had any problems with either of them. It's definitely a 'flavor' issue. I love using them on everything (although not at the same time, I'd rather mix it up a little). I really like running my POD and Bass POD through them. That rocks! Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansouth Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I'm using Ted Bundy preamps, and I've been thinking about getting a David Berkowitz electro-optical compressor. JUST KIDDING!!!!!!! OF COURSE!!!!!!!!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif I have a little half rack Joe Meek unit - I'll have to check on the model number - and it sounds very warm on vocals and bass guitar. I have never noticed any undesirable coloration. The green faceplate adds a nice "coloration" to the studio. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 Hi Phil I ahve had a VC1Q for about six months now and I have to say I love it for certain things. Its true to say that it is coloured but hey, for some things thats cool. I mainly use it as an alternative pre for guitars and for that I like it. I like the way the compression works although you gotta crank it to feel the benefit. The manual is a complete joke but there again I seem to recall that the concept behind it was to use it as a creative tool not just a standard compressor. Personally I don't particularly like the eq with the exception of and I'm sorry I can't recall what they actually call it, that part of it that allows you to de ess or add harmonics into a signal. I used it on a snare for the first time the other day with very interesting results. Nett is I wouldn't want to rely on it alone, but if you've got a bunch of other pres/eq's and compressors its a cool thing to have around for a bit of sideways thinking. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuntmixer Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I've got a VC3 whick I use regularly as my "bass-mobile" I love the way it sounds as a bass pre or as a side-chain compressor. Because the Meek does indeed have quite a fingerprint (just turning the compression section on has a very noticable effect even with the controls set to 0) I like the side-chain approach as to leave the original signal alone and bring the "Meeked" sound up under. I have also used it to great effect as a vocal pre and comp.... Charles Charles Rieser Southwind Studios Austin, Tx. www.southwindstudios.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted January 29, 2001 Share Posted January 29, 2001 I've got a VC3Q. Now all I need is the time to use it more. I'm sure it will suffice for the demo uses I have planned. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrock1san.rr.com Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 Randyland or anyone- If you are using a Bass Pod or amp modeler, do you plug the guitar into the Bass Pod/modeler and then go into the Meek channel strip, or do you plug into the Meek channel strip first ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbrock1san.rr.com Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 Randyland or anyone- If you are using a Bass Pod or amp modeler, do you plug the guitar into the Bass Pod/modeler and then go into the Meek channel strip, or do you plug into the Meek channel strip first ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchmo Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 Phil, I used to have a VC3Q and sold it for more then $200.00. I sometimes used it for kik, snare and Mini Moog direct and liked what happened. Bought some other stuff and sold it. I can't remember for sure but think it had an xlr input and 1/4", unbalanced output. Always worked, no reliabilty issues. For $200, you get a different pre and comp, could be an interesting thing to plug in once and awhile. Thinking now that maybe should have kept it. Anyway, hope you can try it before you you buy it. sp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip OKeefe Posted January 30, 2001 Author Share Posted January 30, 2001 Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond! I picked one of them up and can always take it back if I don't dig it. If I do, I'll go get the second one. I have not tried using it yet - been too busy with work for clients and trying to get my new Montana card to work (but that's another thread!) I'm looking forward to trying it. Phil O'Keefe Sound Sanctuary Recording Riverside CA http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html email: pokeefe777@msn.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyland Posted January 30, 2001 Share Posted January 30, 2001 I usually go into the POD or Bass POD first, then into the JoeMeek. The POD's don't have a line in (although the 'Pro' versions that I'm upgrading to do), so I haven't really liked the results the other way. I guess we'll see after the Pro's come in which way is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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