What's so great about your snobby Mic Pre??

[maddnotez]

Why do ALL mic pre threads ALWAYS turn into pissing contests?

My pre is bigger.

 

[spguitar]

So it's safe to assume my first step should be to get a good interface with solid pres.

Guessing the TC Impact Twin is a turd?

It's probably a decent starting point. I started with a Maudio Fast Track then moved to a Presonus Firestudio Project. The Presonus was decent but when i plugged into this UA it's like the gates of heaven opened up all of a sudden. xD
I guess the main difference is the quality of the converters.

 

[maddnotez]

So it's safe to assume my first step should be to get a good interface with solid pres.

Guessing the TC Impact Twin is a turd?

It's probably a decent starting point. I started with a Maudio Fast Track then moved to a Presonus Firestudio Project. The Presonus was decent but when i plugged into this UA it's like the gates of heaven opened up all of a sudden. xD
I guess the main difference is the quality of the converters.

Well cool. Thanks for the info. I need to start saving for the gates.

 

[CEG85]

Mic pres are just different flavors.

Examples:

API have punchy, aggressive, mid forward sound
Neves have a fatter beefier sound.

Your mics, your source, and room have the biggest impact on your overall sound IMO.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Decent converter and neutral pre is good starting point. Don't break bank unless you can.

 

[GBR]

I recently got a couple nice mic pres (API 512c and Chandler TG-2) and I'd say it's pretty subtle. Mic positioning is (of course) still just as important. And your choice of microphone has a far larger impact on the sound than the preamp in my experience.

Now I'm fairly new at this and have a lot to learn, and definitely need to spend some more time experimenting, but I'd look at upgrading/adding microphones rather than outboard preamps given you have a decent interface. That will make an instant and very clear difference.

From what I've seen a good sounding end product is more about people with experience and good ears making the right decisions at every step of the process, as opposed to a gear competition. From the choice of instrument/amp/cab and it's positioning in the room, to the choice of microphone(s), to the mic positioning, to the EQ/compression applied, to the hundreds of choices made in the mix etc. etc.

That said, I guess it's one of those things you won't really know until you try it yourself (you could always rent some gear for a few days and try it out). And perhaps you need the proper recording space, overall audio chain and monitoring facilities to really be able to discern the nuances.

 

[tubortski]

Make a case why I should spend the bux on an expensive mic pre.

You can't polish a turd. Start with something good and you will be ok. Start with crap and you get crap. Performance, pickups, cables, amps, microphones, converters, sample rate... I'm not saying "buy expensive" I'm just saying it's a piece of the chain. Be mindful. I'm just a guy. Props for posing the question.


How about we start here: What do you have now? Are you tracking final takes or just demo/personal use recordings?

 

[SpiderWars]

Looking at a CL 4x12 later and the dude also has a Presonus Tube Pre v2 ($100) and an MAudio Mobile Pre ($75). I know are these not snobby and prices look high (I'm assuming he'll come down). Is either worth picking up?

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Looking at a CL 4x12 later and the dude also has a Presonus Tube Pre v2 ($100) and an MAudio Mobile Pre ($75). I know are these not snobby and prices look high (I'm assuming he'll come down). Is either worth picking up?

No.

ID14 on ebay.

OR ID22 if you have a bit more cash and at some point want to be able to bypass the onboard pres.

These won't break the bank and you will have a quality interface. My 2 cents. The next step would be the apogee and UA stuff but do you have the cash to shell out on it or want to shell out on it.