Mic Preamp advice

[pedrocosta]

Hi everyone,

I'm itching to buy my first mic preamp.
Currently I go straight into a TC Electronic Impact Twin.
I normally mute any pre-effects on the Impact Twin and just got clean through.
I'm told the A/D conversion is great on my interface so I was looking at adding a separate pre.
Any recommendations? I'd like to stay in the $500 range as a top end.

Some ideas include: Focusrite ISA ONE, Grace M101, FMR RNP.

Does this approach sound good, or am I better with a bigger upgrade which would include the signal path all the way to the PC?
Many thanks!

[andygabrys]

your stuff sounds great as is Pedro.

but if you are really itching, if you just get a decent front end preamp and run line level into your interface, that will work great.

then in the future, you can get a more high-end A/D convertor and D/A, or even a new complete interface (like an Apollo or something, or a Metric Halo or whatever) and still use the preamp. I think piecemeal works and you don't buy the same part twice.

If it were me, i would consider saving a little $$ and extending the range to +/- $1000 for a preamp. That would bring in the various Neve clones like the BAE 1073, the Great River, the True Solo, as well as tube stuff like the UA Solo 610. The preamps are already clean and hi-fi in the interface. If you got something with a different colour you would have two options.

My 2 cents.

[Kolstad]

I can vouch for the Isa One. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. The flexibility of this pre is very useful, and it sounds awesome. It's very clean sounding (but in a good way) and stacks well in a mix, and the DI is killer for guitars and bass. The impedance switch is really useful when dealing with different types of mics, and gives new options to dial in a sound you like with the mics you already have. I run it line level into the soundcard, as Andy suggests. I also have a compressor as an insert into the Isa One (for controlling levels when I'm tracking), and just push one button and it's in. Veery powerful item, you won't regret getting that. The Grace is supposed to be quite good as well, but I've heard the FMR pre is not quite competitive with the other two (their compressors are great value, though).

I used to have an Impact Twin too. It was awesome, but then I switched to MAC, and I had to let it go (driver issues). I loved that interface! The a/d conversion is really good and on par with a Apogee duet. RME, Apogee or UA might be a notch up on the converters, but I'd think you'll get a much bigger step up adding a preamp to the TC.

[Len911]

For $679 at sweetwater, the Summit Audio would be a great choice. Versatile for having both a high quality solid state and tube. Not to mention the variable mic impedence.

http://youtu.be/BFmgIi1m_No

[TimWalter]

For what its worth, I've heard great things about the FMR RNC (compressor), incredible for the money. Ronan Chris Murphy had one in his pro studio when I took the boot camp. However, from others I've heard that the RNP is not nearly as impressive for its money like the compressor is really impressive. Just what I heard from others, I have never had any experience with the FMR preamp. Tim

[TimWalter]

Pedro, one thing to consider is going the 500 series route, especially if you think you will continue to have gear lust (as I certainly have). There is an explosion options in the 500 series format, and they are cheaper than their stand alone sisters. Lindall has a 6 slot case for around $320. so if you did expand your budget to $1000, you could still get the 6 slot case and a quality preamp for under the $1000, and have 5 more slots sitting there looking at you egging you on to fill them with more gear.... lol.
Tim

[davekershaw]

For $679 at sweetwater, the Summit Audio would be a great choice. Versatile for having both a high quality solid state and tube. Not to mention the variable mic impedence.

http://youtu.be/BFmgIi1m_No

I've got this one going through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40. It's a great little unit, with lots of
possibilities. Couldn't find one anywhere at the time I wanted, so managed to get a used one off eBay.
I see they are now in stock at http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/2BA221/

Dave.

[pedrocosta]

Thanks a lot you guys!
For the time being I'm going to stick with my current audio device.
I've noted all the suggestions though for when I'm ready to make a jump.
Thanks again for all the help and advice!

[Len911]

For $679 at sweetwater, the Summit Audio would be a great choice. Versatile for having both a high quality solid state and tube. Not to mention the variable mic impedence.

http://youtu.be/BFmgIi1m_No

I've got this one going through a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40. It's a great little unit, with lots of
possibilities. Couldn't find one anywhere at the time I wanted, so managed to get a used one off eBay.
I see they are now in stock at http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/2BA221/

Dave.

If that's what you're using on your soundcloud songs, it really does sound great!