One Single Mono Channel Strip

swampfox · Post by **swampfox** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:48 am

Hi folks:
I am thinking of getting a channel strip to both record and process live sound for both male and female vocals. What can I get that is decent sounding for $300-$500, $1000 max?

I have an AT 4050, 4054, several Sure, Rode, EV and other mics.

I track to performer 5 and also for remote tracking use the alesis HD24. All sugestions will be considered and will be appreciated.

Wally

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:13 am

Well I'm a BIG fan of the Focusrite ISA220 which is about $1500---however with the AT4050, I think you're better off looking into something tube-based. Here's the deal....you could certainly get some really nice stuff for under $1,000---but if you're willing to go up to $1,000, spend just a little more and look at the Universal Audio LA610. If that means waiting longer to make the investment, then don't buy anything right now and wait longer. GREAT gear will make all the difference and you never have to re-purchase it again. Now if you had a really good tube mic, I'd say get the ISA220. But with the AT4050---the LA610 will do wonders on pretty much anything. It's the same price as the ISA220.

My point here is...it's not about the pre or the mic, it's about the combination of the pair. THAT is where your tone comes from.

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:35 pm

BradLyons wrote: But with the AT4050---the LA610 will do wonders on pretty much anything. It's the same price as the ISA220.

My point here is...it's not about the pre or the mic, it's about the combination of the pair. THAT is where your tone comes from.

I just got my LA-610 from Sweetwater this past week and have been running different mics through it (including the MA-200 - wink, wink) as well as bass and elect. guitar.

Sell an internal organ, or borrow the extra money. This is a great preamp that's worth the extra effort to buy.

Another great (clean) pre is the Grace 101. I don't work there, obviously, but here's a link to a new version:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/m101/

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:50 pm

LOL on that internal organ

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:55 pm

BradLyons wrote:LOL on that internal organ

Hey, was I kidding? You've heard them. They're worth at least a spleen.

OldTimey · Post by **OldTimey** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:33 pm

when you say "channel strip" do you just need a mic pre, or do you want mic pre/eq, mic pre/compressor, or all three?

swampfox · Post by **swampfox** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:26 am

I was thinking of one unit to handle one channel. mic to whatever to the input of my hd24 or 24IO which ever I'm using at the time. However I am not married to the idea of one unit. I may change my mind.

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:00 am

swampfox wrote:I was thinking of one unit to handle one channel. mic to whatever to the input of my hd24 or 24IO which ever I'm using at the time. However I am not married to the idea of one unit. I may change my mind.

The Grace 101 (the predecessor of the link I gave you) is a nice clean channel. It's just a preamp though. But still, what a preamp!

There's also another approach. You could buy a Mackie Onyx board, get several very good preamps for vocals and even have mixer like capabilities - eq, headphone and monitor out.

Just a thought.

daniel.sneed · Post by **daniel.sneed** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:20 am

I've made very good experiments with my first TC Electronic Gold Channel.
Specially on vocals. Holds ribbon mics very well.
Very picky and transparent pre to my standards, and powerfull digital tools included with user memories.
I've even bought a second one.

BTW each is a double mic pre or a super single pre.

But I think it's out of production now.

basstian · Post by **basstian** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:18 am

the new dbx 376 is a very good deal for the money (499 $ I guess). it is a match for way more expensive solutions. and you can spare the analog frontend of your interface.

Seb

INMT · Post by **INMT** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:20 am

bOing wrote:
BradLyons wrote:LOL on that internal organ
Hey, was I kidding? You've heard them. They're worth at least a spleen.

<<<<< spleen now on ebay LOL

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:47 pm

INMT wrote:
bOing wrote:
BradLyons wrote:LOL on that internal organ
Hey, was I kidding? You've heard them. They're worth at least a spleen.
<<<<< spleen now on ebay LOL

What year is it? Maybe I'm interested...

bolla · Post by **bolla** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:52 pm

Make sure the spleen has been vented before you buy.
Nothing worse than an unvented spleen.

bOing · Post by **bOing** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:48 pm

bolla wrote:Make sure the spleen has been vented before you buy.
Nothing worse than an unvented spleen.

It's okay. My friend has his own Spleenery where he vents unvented spleens. He's got his Certificate. Top flight service.

jlaudon · Post by **jlaudon** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:48 am

Any thoughts on the Focusrite IAS One, or UA Solo preamps?