Beta 57, 57 and SM58 MIC PRE

[dchrist7]

SMALL BUDGET PURCHASE CONSIDERATIONS FOR STUDIO DOING SERIOUS VOCAL RECORDING / CD PRODUCTION:

I occasionally hear about major bands using SM57, Beta 57 and SM58 to record vocals. In these situations, obviously decent mic preamps are being used. I have those mics and a Rode 2 and a 4033. I have a budget of 500-1000 and want to know which vocal mic preamps are worth considering. I want a big-budget sound... can a good mic preamp save the day? Which one? Keep in mind I may be able to find something used, so maybe that would allow me to get into an even better unit.

(I cannot afford expensive microphone right now!)

Vocals being recorded are for hard rock (i.e. Metallica), and it is a very serious project. Comments?

Thanks.

[NukleoN]

Preamps? I just ordered a Grace Design Model 101 and the Studio Projects VTB-1 looks quite promising, and it has an insert jack! :) It's also much cheaper than the Model 101.

[klozher]

behringer tube ultragaint1953 could start you out rite. no joke. i have an engineer friend (30 yrs exp) who told me that that unit puts out a quality sound that rivals units in the $1500 bracket. focus rite is also coming out with the new "voice master pro" it should sell for $600. look it up. tons of features tube voicing dials , hormonic shaping , pre & post eq buttons for the compressor section, it looks like it will carry a lot of character and presence to any vocal/inst. its on my list

[xstatic]

There are lots of good sounding preamps in the 500 -1000 range. I do however think that the proper used preamp will sound better. Sadly enough, you are in the wrong price range fro the BIG sounding preamps. I have been doing a lot of research on this lately. It seems like the really good stuff starts at around $2000. There are a couple of hidden gems out there though:) The grace 101 like previously mentioned, and summit audio I believe has some sub $1000 preamps. If you can save a little more, you can usually find an Avalon 737 for around 1500 or a Langevin.

[FT13]

go with the Midiman Audiobuddy.

its $80 and its got 2 ins/outs and it supposed to sound great!

im gonna get one, cause like you said, SM58's need pre's to record nicely...and i have a SM58 and although my Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro mixer has pre's in it, id rather hook through the Midiman...

plus im getting rid of my Mackie and getting a Behringer.

-Sin

[cmchamp]

Obviously in this discussion there's a misunderstanding between 'stock' pre amps, and studio quality pre-amps. Those of you consumers/users who seem really hip on the Behringer stuff, you should do a SEARCH on "Behringer" to find out what the 'pro' users really think about their business tactics, why they're products are so CHEAP, and why we choose not to purchase or recommend them.

Regarding Mackie/Behringer pres, simply put, heither provides the quality necessary to make it outside the project/home studio world, and the VLZPro pres are built with better components than the Behringer compact mixers.

USB/FireWire/PCI based solutions with pres for under $700. . . pre might be better than a project studio/compact mixer pre, but not what one would consider "Pro" quality.

Honestly, these types of decisions on product purchases are what will provide the most frustration down the road. Invest in top quality, well REPUTABLE manufacturers and you won't go wrong.

Stay away from scabbers. It's kinda like cheating on your final exam, you got the grade, but didn't do any of the work (research & development) to get there.

[reignstorm]

Hey~

My suggestion is wait a couple months till you have a few hundred more and get the following:

Vintech Audio 1272 ( 2 channels of neve...big and fat...good deal) - about $1350 - i think

You can also consider an Amek 9098 EQ(amazing pre with EQ section) .

The two of these are years ahead of anything I know of under $1000.

Also, If you are seriously doign vocals you will need to upgrade your mic as well, but i think you know that...and for now, the Rode is a ok.

good luck,
darren

[michaelhoddy]

The Vintechs are nice for the money, assuming you want coloration. The Great River MP1NV is a single-channel unit for $975 that's based on the Neve 1073 circuit, except quieter, and with a little more extended HF and tighter bass. Again, a colored sound, and very nice for guitars, drums, as a bass DI, and for rock in general. I have the MP2NV and love it, as does everyone else who's every used one.

Uncolored, straight-wire-with-gain stuff? The Grace 101 that was mentioned is probably your best choice. The Sytek MPX-4 is an intriguing idea if you need 4 channels for under $1000. Easily the best bang-for-the-buck for its type.

Depending on the vocal, an SM57 will work, although it will not be a first choice on many things. Don't underestimate your 4033. It's bright, but if you like that kind of sound, it compares surprisingly well with many much more expensive mics. I have a pair, and they're still first call for a number of key applications, and they reside in the same mic locker as mics that cost 10 times as much.

[jon_mc]

Universal Audio M-610 - $1,000