Im looking for a mic preamp that offers low noise operation for recording guitar amps.
The cheaper the better, possibly discrete circuitry with a basic hi and low EQ cut/boost.
Currently looking at:
Warm Audio WA12, WA73EQ and the Tone beast.
Golden Age Premier PREQ-73
Something portable is a plus
Nothing fancy.
Can anyone chip in and reel off a few mic preamps between £300-£600 that offer decent low noise operation, something warm that colours the sound a little bit. Im not after transparent clean preamps.
Just preamp recommendations please. I'm not after an audio interface with preamps or anything else.
Comments
They are on Reverb for £600.
Forget the copies.
If going Neve then the preamp is only part of it. It is the EQ too.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
Buy an SE Voodoo ribbon or Royer and put it alongside your SM57/Audix I5
I'm not looking for a fancy preamp, just something decent with a low noise floor for a relatively budget price. It's for recording demos in a small studio room.
What preamp do you use?
Ebay mark7777_1
Bandcamp
https://reverb.com/item/69515343-universal-audio-710-twin-finity-pre-amp-4
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
@stylesforfree you could make an offer on this: https://reverb.com/uk/item/65542445-great-river-electronics-me-1nv-mic-preamp-2000s-black
You might get it at the top of your budget. It's been there for a long time. Bit less exciting than the UA though
The WA73-EQ is nice and does the thing, but it is clumsy to carry around. The EQ is useful if you're multitracking electric guitar
This is the most sensible answer, but also the most boring : -P
If you are comparing them to the Warm Audio and Golden Age stuff then they are comparable but cheaper per channel.
Sonically cleaner- if you want something decent with a low noise floor then they are worth it.
Winton is right though, microphones (and mic technique) makes more of a difference.
I prefer Neve style to API for guitars, the low mids are just nicer- but API are great too.
I prefer the real deal/higher end options (BAE, Avedis, Neve, API, Great River) to the cheaper clones, which IMHO aren't really worth spending more than the preamps you get in your interface or in the Audient.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
You could do a lot worse than one of the SSL range, ie. one of SSL 2, SSL 2+, or SSL 12, depending on your requirements.
They've even got "something warm that colours the sound a little bit":
I've got the 2+ and can't fault it.
R.
Eqd Speaker Cranker clone
Monte Allums TR-2 Plus mod kit
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/60602/
@stylesforfree - what are you going to be plugging into and out of it (ie what mics and then what interface or recorder if not the RME)?
Im gonna check out the RNP. Looks like a good choice.
Now that Audient looks impressive. Thank you.
Would be awesome if there was just a 2 channel version too.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
That way I have my amped signal and also a dry for reamping or using VST amps. Or group the two tracks to align guitars to the grid (waveforms of the DI are much easier to see).