Turtlerock Forum

Looking for recommendations for mic pre. Current set up is
-02r96 console
-focusrite saffire pro 26
-motu 8pre
Realistic budget is <$1000, happy to go used if i can. The question is can i get a pre/channel strip that is significantly nicer than those listed above within the price range (i know... get what you pay for) Basically wanting an allrounder... particulary vocals. I record mosty rock bands, probably looking at something with a bit of character/colour. Thoughts / suggestions appreciated

What you need is a valve Sebatron Thorax and I happen to have one for sale (flashes evil grin) - $1250 ish though.....
There are a lot of good ones and it's one of many.
Cheers, Ross

Ross Muir
Alice Springs

Yes, certainly you can get something good. Build yourself a JLM Baby Animal (the original, not the neutral or dual), go with the 99V opamp and the JLM 1:4 transformer. Plenty of people have done so and would be willing to help if you need it. Don't be scared by the DIY aspect, its actually great fun.

The BA is an absolute go to pre for anything rock - drums, guitars, vocals. Its very quiet, with a simple signal path that provides great clarity with a dash of character to makes the sound come across just a little bit better than it seemed in reality. I have also used them to great effect on spoken word recordings.

That said, always remember that its the talent behind the mic/DI that really makes the difference, and don't get too caught up in the gear lust carousel.

JlLM Baby Animal's are awesome for rock. Or anything really. If you can build you can make a 4 channel for a bit over $1100 with Joe's screened case. A dual channel would be even cheaper.

Cheers guys I will suss out the jlm gear for sure... would be my first DIY project though

If you go with the JLMs, post here with your location and I am sure someone in the T/rock community would be more than happy to give you a hand to build 'em. PM me if you want to talk over any of the build options (to DI or not to DI, that is the question!)

tonnes of options. api style preamps are my current go to.. Rob had 2 channels of racked quad eight style pre's for not much cash recently i think? or something with DI etc i'd lean toward that if he still has them

I wonder about these - a bit more than just a pre...... not my ad, just happened to notice it as I had a TLA Fat1 that sounded quite nice so expect this would be as good or better.....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290750456574 ... 500wt_1413