Ultralite Mk3 preamps..

[jericho]

Hey folks,

I'm relatively new to all of this, have a basic recording rig up and running now. I'm recording spoken vocals (podcasting/broadcasting and the like) and I'm always looking at ways to improve sound quality. Having not a huge basis for comparison, I'm not sure where my weak points are. My current rig:

Macbook Pro 2.4 Core2Duo -- 2GB Memory/150GB Drive/500GB project drive (firewire)
Ultralite mk3

Mics:
MXL 990
Blue 8Ball

What I'm currently wondering is if I would benefit from instead of using the Ultralite's preamps, to get something such as a ART Tube MP? Without having a lot of experience or gear to choose from, trying to spend wisely.

Any thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated!

-Andy

[conleycd]

I'm not sure ART is really an upgrade from the Ultralite. ART to me is very similar to Behringer in concepts and design. You could always rent one and see how it compares. But... I think even Presonus would be better than an ART. Personally, I think it is always good to have some great preamps in your arsenal - either originals or clones. Something like an API 312/512 and Neve 1073/1290.

I'm a big fan of DIY so a lot of my stuff (less my API 312s) are clones of the originals.

Seventhcirlceaudio.com has a great clone of a Millenia preamp for about $150 (not including a power supply or case).

Even Really Nice Preamp (makers of the really nice compressor) might be decent.

It think it pays off though to have some high end staples as you move forward. You also are able to have your item retain value. API, Neve, SSL, etc - are going to depreciate much less than ART, Behringer etc.

Having said all that - I don't mind the Ultralite (mkI or II - don't know what the original is) preamps. I have an Ultralite.

Good luck.

CC

[BradLyons]

Congrats on your purchase, and welcome! The pres on the Ultralite aren't great, but they aren't bad. They are certainly useable, but you most certainly can do better. One that I like to recommend to my clients for something affordable that will offer a warmer sound and better tone is the DPS-II from ART. It's about $260 or so, a single rack space, but offers a lot of bang for the buck. Sonically, it's definitely an upgrade----but again, not great. However, it's enough for you to hear what's going on and actually warm up the sound a little bit.

[kassonica]

TRy this (highly recommended)

the brick

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Brick/

[XYZ]

The Brick looks cool. However, I'll respectfully offer a different perspective than everyone. I'm not necessarily a mainstream person, so maybe that all makes sense. Anyhow, here goes.

If you were doing singing vocals, like Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, choirs, etc. I'd be with everyone else. However, you are doing podcasting--I'll equate this to a talk radio station [if I'm close this will help the most]. Well, you don't see radio stations necessarily spending big bucks on "warmth" or "transformer coupled class A" preamps like we would here [including the guys responding]; and don't get me wrong, I love the sound of a Neve or Neve-class mic pre. But you won't necessarily see this at a talk radio station:

What you will see every time is two things:

1] Mic: Either an EV RE-20 or a Sure SM7B
2] Sophisticated expansion/compression/limiting


So, I would stick with your traveller preamps for some time, or go with the RNP [for the buck I don't think you can beat the RNP] if you want to go crazy.

Instead, go guy an EV RE-20 and get up close and personal when you speak. Your pod casts will all of a sudden sound bigger than life. You may even find yourself saying "this is KayCeeKaySum" into your headphones when you think no one is listening!

The next thing I'd suggest is a Vocal-oriented expander/compressor--a plug in that both compresses the loud parts, and expands the soft parts, so you get quiet when there is no talking, and you get clear consistent speech when there is talking. I can give you some suggestions, and this forum has plenty of experts in this area. The LA-2A clone in your traveller might be part of the solution.

Now if all this still has you wanting to buy an expensive pre--let me know. I have a DP project that compares this pre to a Neve class and a 610 tube pre--you can hear the subtle differences between them. I think you will find the RE-20 to be far more dramatic than the subtle nuance [in comparison] a pre might bring to the situation. Let me know, I can send you the link. You may hear the differences between the pres and say "that is what I'm looking for!" but if you want to sound like a pro talk show host, start with what they use all day ever day.

Anyway, hope this differing opinion is helpful, and I don't mean any disrespect to the excellent suggestions put forward so far.

[kassonica]

+11 on the RE20.

I bought one recently for tracking screamers and kick drums and have been using it on podcasts myself and indeed you are correct. Tis a great mic for voice overs (even my really crap voice)

[jericho]

Thanks to all who replied, it's nice to have a bunch of different opinions and options. I'm very much 'new into a hobby' here, so my experience and knowledge is pretty limited. I perhaps went a little above and beyond what I needed, going with the MOTU, but I'd rather not have a low quality piece of gear I have to ditch or sell once I want to upgrade. This should do me for a while.

XYZ, I did have a question or two.

If you were doing singing vocals, like Rock and Roll, Hip Hop, choirs, etc. I'd be with everyone else. However, you are doing podcasting--I'll equate this to a talk radio station [if I'm close this will help the most]. Well, you don't see radio stations necessarily spending big bucks on "warmth" or "transformer coupled class A" preamps like we would here [including the guys responding]; and don't get me wrong, I love the sound of a Neve or Neve-class mic pre. But you won't necessarily see this at a talk radio station:

Indeed, that's what it's going to be closest to. Whether or not what I do ever hears the light of day is another thing altogether.

So, I would stick with your traveller preamps for some time, or go with the RNP [for the buck I don't think you can beat the RNP] if you want to go crazy.

Just to confirm, the preamps in the Ultralite mk3 and the traveller are comparable/the same?

Thanks again, everyone!
-Andy