small mic preamp suggestions
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Posted on Apr 24, 2005 10:29 am
vizo
Member Since: Apr 20, 2005
I'm looking to purchase a small preamp to put in the front of my chain, after my guitar, to beef up my sound a bit. I've been looking at a few.. especially the Behringer Ultragain MIC200 Mic Preamp service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear and the Presonus TUBEPre Microphone Preamp service.bfast.com/bfast/c...mp;bfmtype=gear . Of the two, which would you prefer and why? I'm going to be replacing the stock tube in the one I get anyways, so don't bother with the tube that comes with any of them. Are there any others you'd recommend in about the same price range?
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 24, 2005 12:10 pm I'm a little confused. Are you using the Mic pre to plug a guitar in? Or are you using the mic pre to plug a mic in that is micing your guitar amp?
Honestly the Presonus has afew moer bells and whistles, but I am not sure it is worth the extra $40.00. A few people around here have been using the Behringer and seem to like it. Maybe wait for one of them to pop in and comment.
vizoMember
Since: Apr 20, 2005
Apr 24, 2005 12:22 pm I'll be using it to plug my guitar into, then off to my BBE SM then to my amp. I've gotten a few replies in other boards about people liking the Behringer as well.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Apr 24, 2005 12:39 pm Yes, I as well as many here own several pieces of Behringer gear. My main desk is a 32 X 8 Behringer as well. I have been using their stuff for years and never had one lick of trouble.
As for putting the pre-amp first in the signal chain, I would be carefull going into the BBE as they tend to not like a very hot signal. If your BBE has a clip indicator watch it carefully.
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Apr 24, 2005 03:50 pm the MC200 is grovy little pre, not to exciting or anything but it does it's job. Mine isn't noisy but i spoke to some that have had problems. I've found this to be an on going problem with gear, that is mass produced at a inexpensive level. as for the Presonus, unless you're going for there higher end stuff you won't know the difference for most of the pre amps in that price range.
vizoMember
Since: Apr 20, 2005
Apr 24, 2005 07:33 pm Thanks a bunch for the replies guys, much appreciated. I'm set on the MC200 for now, but if anyone has anything else to add that would be great.
Apr 25, 2005 11:41 pm odds are you will make the sound worse going to a cheap pre first. i dont get it. guitar-cheap pre-sonic maximizer-amp - ?? mic? DAW?
get a pod pro or v-ampire or something and record direct.
What kind of amp are you using? what sound are you going for?
Use the maximizer post rather than pre.......or just throw it away.
I have a Mackie 1604 and a presonus tube pre.......there is next to no difference except that the tube pre is easy to clip when i want distortion.
If you want a pre to fatten up sounds get a Groove Tubes brick. I have one and I can say that NOTHING under $800 sounds as good (api 512 is the cheapest better preamp out there at about $750) while it does not have alot of features it is hands down the best sounding mic pre under $500.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Apr 26, 2005 06:29 pm i use the behringer one and it works great.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Apr 27, 2005 11:25 am I gotta agree with Josh here. If you're looking to "beef up" your sound, a budget preamp isn't going to do you any favors. And those BBE sonic maximizers tend to do more damage to guitar tone than good, at least for recording purposes.
No gear profile, so I'm not sure what type of amp you're using, so I'm coming up short as far as suggestions. Surely there's a way that we can get your rig sounding good without the preamp and BBE. Are you using a seperate power amp and not a combo or powered head? Just curious about the need for a preamp in your rig.
sticadokid*sticado: short and LOUD!*Member
Since: Feb 25, 2005
Apr 27, 2005 01:23 pm dont get the presonus one if ur looking at turning the amp loud. the tubepre gives out a lot of feedback. there could be a way to get rid of that but i havent messed with it enough.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Apr 27, 2005 05:08 pm For about $50 you can't really go wrong with this little beaut. I put it in my guitar signal chain and I love it. Not a lot of gain, just a little warmth....It makes a huge difference. Not sure about the BBE in there, but I don't have one to try...
This recording thing is all about your ears. Listen and then make up your mind. It's a nifty little gadget to have around anyway. You'll be surprised how often you use it. It does have it's own voice, so you can't go pretending it's a big expensive tube pre, but it doesn't have a bad voice. I use it all the time.
