Mic Pre/Dig out or Analog?

btate · Post by **btate** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:41 pm

I'm getting ready to do some upgrades to my DP rig and I'm trying to decide on a Mic Pre upgrade. I am using a MOTU 8pre, so I have the option to use a ADAT inputs. My question is, would it be better to find a Pre with dig outs or analog? I wonder if running the analog outs of a very good mic pre will be degraded by the MOTU input electronics.
If I go the analog route, I have a larger selection of mid to upper mid pres to choose from, wheras going the digital route the selection is a little smaller.

Thanks

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Thu May 17, 2007 2:12 pm

Here's a great, top-of-the-line solution that'll cover both matters:

http://www.apiaudio.com/a2d.html

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:22 am

Whoa... beautiful, Chrispick!

Oh well... one day.

daniel.sneed · Post by **daniel.sneed** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:44 pm

You could benefit of both worlds and some more with this pre :
http://www.tcelectronic.com/GoldChannel

I bought one a few months ago. Still stumped with it's value and power.
I've gone thru all types of mic, even ribbons. Very impressive IMHO.

A few internal digital treatments can be added if needed (eq, comp, gate, expander, and more...) and stored in 99 memories.

It's not on the "warm" pre side, but on the "surgical" pre side.
I can't tell anything about it's own colour : I find it totaly transparent and silent by my standards.

JadeLatrell · Post by **JadeLatrell** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:55 pm

To get the best out of the Unicornation lot, perhaps you can say what your budget is, what you will be recording with the pres, how many channels you need, etc.

There are SO many ways to go and it depends on price, application, skill, etc.

The board recently helped me make some pretty solid decisions once they understood what I needed. And they helped me see that what I was planning wasnt the best bang for the buck.

I'll also say that the least sexy parts of the chain, the monitors and the room treatment should get a heavy look too. Those two things alone can improve both your tracking and mixing.

btate · Post by **btate** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:57 am

Okay, here's some more info. I've been a recording engineer for 15 years in my day gig. I've done my fare share of music, a couple of national releases, but I'm mainly do post/sound design for tv & film now, better hours. Worked on Synclavier/PostPro, Studer Dyaxis, Fairlights, SSL, and of course ProTools for the last several years.
I will be primarily recording acoustic music(bluegrass/newgrass), but I compose and record for hire on the side doing various projects. Typically with my bluegrass band I track the basics live using the 8pre and usually recut each player individually to tighten things up a bit. I've been thinking about a couple of Grace 101's to start, and later adding a better A/D conversion. So that puts me in the $1000 range for a couple of channels. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't consider spending less if it's more cost effective. As far as mics go, I have access to a very good selection from my day job, Milabs, Soundeleux, Neumann, Royer, Sanken, Sennheiser, Coles, AKG, etc.
I'm also running DP5 with a Quicksilver dual 800, 1gig RAM with an EZquest FW drive for audio. I'm about to ditch the Quicksilver for a newer Mac, not sure weather I'm going intel or G5, but thats another post. Either way I'll be adding alot more RAM. BTW I also have PTLE with an Mbox that I use for some work that I bring home.
My room is okay, but I'm aware of it's weaknesses. I have completed construction on a building that I will also be finishing out in the year to come. So there I'll be able to take care of the room part. I live in the country, so noise level won't be a big problem.

Thanks again, I hope that wasn't info overload.

JadeLatrell · Post by **JadeLatrell** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:14 pm

You might check out the Apogee Mini series, the Mini ME:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/minime.php

It will give you some good conversion and pres. It looks like a good "step" between upgrading converters and building a collection of Mic Pres.

With access to the mics you have, a cleaner, more transparent pre is probably the way to go. When I upgraded from the Traveler to the Rosetta 800, I picked up a True P2Analog which I really like. I also have a Sytek and the Burr-Brown channels there are great. I havent tried the non-burr channels on anything that suit them yet, they were a bit harsh on the sources I tried.

I dont think the conversion on the MOTU units is bad. I dont know about the 8pre but the conversion on the Traveller isnt bad, to my ears. Its more the analog stages and clock that needs a bit of work (hence the popularity of the black lion mods).

That said, I would think about going with mic pres with an analog out to start. Those will be more versatile as you grow.

And Ill bet your talent will make up for any "conversion" issues. Talent and that mic locker.

wylie1 · Post by **wylie1** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:43 am

I was looking at one of these http://www.rme-audio.com/english/micpreamps/quadmic.htm
Because of price and I only need 4 more channels.
Is anybody familiar with RME stuff?

JadeLatrell · Post by **JadeLatrell** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:31 am

A lot of people here like the RME stuff. To be clear, the QuadMic is a mic pre only, it doesnt look like its a converter, you still need to get them to the PC.

I'm sure you know that, just clarifying per the sake of this topic.

Take a look at the Sytek MP4A pres, they are really nice, especailly the Burr Brown channels.

wylie1 · Post by **wylie1** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:43 am

I still have open channels but I've run out of Busses on my mixing desk.
This is just a way to add another 4 channels for extra drums.
I was thinking about buying a 8Pre but I'm trying to keep the price down.
Who makes these Sytek MP4A pres? can't find a link.

JadeLatrell · Post by **JadeLatrell** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:45 am

Cool. Here is a link:

http://www.sytek-audio-systems.com/prod ... amps/mpx4/