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I know that there are a couple of other, older threads herein on topics like 'Best Mic Pre' etc. and I have combed those posts and many other sources for an answer, but...

Maybe what I want doesn't exist, so I thought I might ask before going crazy trying to find what I am looking for on my own.

I want:

• - a mic pre with tube/valve amplification (I want a bit of harmonic distortion, etc.)
  - an optical compression circuit (I just like that sort of compression)
  - prefer withOUT EQ
  - I can't spend >$1k

Am I just dreaming, or is any of that achievable?

As always, help from fellow Motunationers much appreciated.

Get a used Universal Audio LA610 should be around $1000, no? Sounds like that's what you're describing
I love mine!

Thanx for that.

Yeah - would love to have one of those.

New ~$2.5K here in Oz, second hand = rare, so its outa my price range.

Have you checked out any Grace Design equipment?

Yes - the Grace Design M101 is the kind of thing that is in my range, and I might end up there, its just that the Grace stuff doesn't offer either the compression or tube gain I also want. I could, of course, go with another compressor + the M101, but my preference is to have a consolidated and simple vocal channel strip.

One option that is consolidated, but not simple, that falls into this category is Focusrite's Voice Master Pro. The VMP probably tries to cram too much into one unit and reviews haven't been very flattering.

The gizmo I am currently using is SM-Pro Audio's TC 01. It was v. cheap, gives a funky sound that I like on guitars, but not so much on vocals.

What are your prices like for TLAudio stuff?

http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs/products/5050.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs/products/5051.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 5050 (1st link) is $660 USD, $1000 for the 5051 @ Sweetwater.

Thanx for that idea, I had looked at the 5050, but it kind of slipped out of my consciousness. Usually TL Audio stuff is ridiculously over priced here in Oz - the distributor seems to almost want to choke off interest, the prices are so high. The best deal I have found for a TL Audio 5050 is ~$850 (AUD, which is almost the same in USD). Might be an option, got investigate it a bit more.

I've found what looks like a really good deal on a Joemeek oneQ, so that is where I am leaning right now.

I have a oneQ, and love it. Features galore. I've mostly been using it for tracking acoustic guitar, and for me, the compression hasn't been a great fit (on acoustic guitar, anyway), but the EQ is nice, and I've been using the oneQ's digital conversion to bypass MBox converters on my portable system.
There's an "Iron" switch that I leave always on that brings a transformer into the circuit (adds some heft to the sound).
It's worked well as a DI for electric bass and guitar.
I haven't needed the enhancer section yet, but I like having the option. I find that mic placement is more important, anyway.
It isn't what I'd call a transparent preamp, but I like the character it has, and it handles signals in such a way that mild EQ after the fact has always taken the sound where I need it.

Current bid USD619 + shipping should end up at around $1000 no?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-Audio-LA- ... 2164wt_959
Might be an alternative, no?
Maybe there's also import tax or something?

I would try going that route before the TLA/Joe Meek. My only experience with Joe Meek is the VC7 which is not a tube pre and doesn't have a compressor. It's very clean and good but lacks 'mojo'

Cheers

The 610 looks yum, but I reckon it will end up >$1k, but I will watch it anyway.
The new oneQ I am looking at is $550 (AUD=$600 USD), and it comes with. JM mic too (which I don't need, but will be nice to have).

BKK-OZ wrote:The 610 looks yum, but I reckon it will end up >$1k, but I will watch it anyway.

Sweetwater has a demo unit for sale right now at $720. But I don't know what shipping to Oz would be...or if they even ship to Oz.

Phil

Shipping here for something like the 610 would be ~$150, which puts it close to my budget limit. I have managed to find a TL Audio 5050 for $850 (AUD), and I am still thinking about the JM. Oh dear, its all too hard.

Here's the way I approach buying gear:
For me music is all about emotion. And that applies to the equipment I use to create it too. I need to 'feel' something for the things I buy, need to like their look and feel. I buy the one I really want, even if it breaks the bank for a bit. Otherwise I just end up regretting my purchase, even if it was the logical and 'wise' decision. And I can't stop thinking about that thing that I really wanted.

FutureLegends wrote: I need to 'feel' something for the things I buy, need to like their look and feel.

I hear you brother, same for me, which, is one of my dilemmas, because apart from the stuff that is just too ridiculously priced to ever consider, I haven't found the one that hits that spot for me. I guess I want a much better version of the SM Pro Audio TC01 that I already have - and probably for the same reasons you outlined - I really like it, it speaks to me, and its great for guitar, but it just doesn't have the fidelity for vox. Maybe your take is the right one, when I see it, I will know, kinda like falling in love...