OK, gang! I thought I'd check back in, as I'm sure you're all waiting with baited breath to hear what I got... [crickets...]. I don't care, I'm telling you anyway!
So -- I mentioned that I did some test recordings as a little homework before buying anything, and I mentioned that they sounded darned good. But then two days later, I went to track some acoustic for an actual song, and it sounded hideous. What's the difference? Where I sat. Sure, I know, room acoustics. I'm not actually an idiot, but I was focused on testing the sound and clarity of the mics thru the TubeMP and basically discovered that I had room improvements that had to come first, or I'd be pissing in the wind to spend on a preamp.
During the tests, I sat right at my desk for convenience's sake. For the song takes, I pulled the packing-blanket curtain and moved into the other side of the room, where I always record, with a comforter, blankets, etc. surrounding me. Still, bad flutter.
So here's what I've done at this point:
- got EZMix and the DFH expansion for EZDrummer to satisfy the gear lust constructively (you can hear my first track with those on my taxi page -- Iron Ghost, for the paranormal cable show pitch; Paranormal Army is also for that pitch, but I didn't use the new stuff on it)
- got three Mogami XLR cables, for C1 to preamp, SM57 to MOTU, and guitar direct to MOTU -- all three sources that I'll grab to find a good combined sound (Interestingly, further tests had me liking the Studio Projects C1 at 12th fret thru the TubeMP, plus the direct signal -- not the 57 on the bridge -- not what I expected)
- borrowed some Auralex Wedgie panels from Univ of New Mexico (I manage the computer music lab, and these have been sitting unused for 2 years) to do some testing on different recording spots in the room
- took delivery of a freaking couch that we ordered in February (don't get me started), which means that will hit my card in the next week.
Next paycheck, I'll be getting Stylus RMX Expanded. And one day, I'll look at the Twinfinity and the GR again.
So, that's where it stands! I really truly appreciate everyone's input, and I have to say I'm glad I did the tests and discovered the more important issue.