New gear help (preamp, mic, etc)

[villa12]

Hey guys what’s up. After asking some questions and reading many pages of info on this forum, I’ve come to the point where I need to finally buy some stuff. Which is always a good thing : )

Here’s what I currently own:

Rode NT1A mic

Presonus FP10 audio/midi firewire interface

Logic Pro 8

Here’s what I’m looking to buy:

Shure SM58

Shure SM7b

Preamp: I have no clue! This is where I need the most help.

I’m pretty much sold on the Shure mics listed above and would like to purchase a quality preamp that really makes my NT1A, 58, and 7b mics sound great! I would like to spend less than $500 on the preamp if possible. I’m just not that familiar with preamps and would really appreciate your input and insight on all this. By the way, feel free to recommend both single and multi-channel preamps.

Once again, thank you for all your help and I really look forward to your replies. Take care.

Peace.

[Smithcok]

Some additional questions:

Just wondering, why are you set on picking up those mics? (I like them too, just wondering)

Also, does that mean you have around $1000 total budget?

What sort of projects are common for you (aka - what will you likely be using this upgrade for)?

[villa12]

Some additional questions:

Just wondering, why are you set on picking up those mics? (I like them too, just wondering)

Also, does that mean you have around $1000 total budget?

What sort of projects are common for you (aka - what will you likely be using this upgrade for)?

1) The 58 and 7b are used extensively by musician's I really respect and admire.

2) Yes, I would like to spend $1,000 or less on all this. But now that I think about it, I don't think I really need a preamp since my FP10 already has class A preamps built into it. What do you think?

3) I produce rock music. Industrial, experimental, ambient and all that good stuff. I need these mics for male lead rock vocals (mine) because my NT1A is just too delicate for that type of sound.

[yeahforbes]

I know you're set on your microphone choices whatever the reasons may be, but for my two cents, I have a few 58s and they've never seen a recording session (except back when I had no other mics whatsoever). There's just always been a better choice in the work that's come my way. Naturally they do have their place, and I'm positive many people on here record great stuff with them. But if you're building up a collection of gear specifically for recording, you MIGHT be happier putting that $100 elsewhere.

[Smithcok]

Yeah, I would agree^^

(Especially if you have an SM7,) I find it extremely rare to see a 58 in most of my sessions. I am a big fan of the SM7b, and would recommend it (especially for rock vocalists)

There are definitely reasons to believe that external preamps would give you some different (and/or) better than the onboard pre's of the Presonus. However, I would recommend looking at your whole path first

(For instance, what are you using for monitoring? Is your room treated? etc...)

[michaelhoddy]

I think the SM7b is going to do a better job at anything a 58 would do in the studio. It's sort of a "studio 58" anyway, at least in terms of application. I think you will find them redundant, at least for studio use.

Also, any external preamp that's $500 or under is going to, in most cases, not be enough of an improvement over what you already have in the Presonus to be worth spending the money on. Granted, I haven't used everything out there in the sub-$500 range, but let's just say that the circuitry, topology, and components that make for a worthwhile standalone mic pre easily push the end-product cost over $500. If you really want a decent preamp that will grow with your rig, it's worth holding off and saving a little more money- at least $750-1000 per channel in almost every case.