Confusion About Joe Meek Products

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Member Since: Mar 13, 2003


Hello-

From what I've learned so far I think I want a Joe Meek Pre-amp for vocals, with compression and EQ. Key words "I think".

I want the preamp to have EQ and compression. For a $600 & under budget, most opinions I've gotten have been good for Joe Meeks.

All the Joe Meek models that people mention are not on the Meek website, and I know the company is going through some changes. These models are the "VC6Q" and the "VC1Q" I think. Also I think Jues mentioned using an "M3Q" as a vocal pre-amp. But there's no "V" in the model name? I get real anal about these things. I want to get this straight -

so if anyone can help, my questions would be:

1)is it safe to buy stuff on EBAY?
2) would any music store still have these models I referred to? (although I do see the M3Q on the Meek website)
3) we have a Meek rep down the freeway here and I wondered if they would be honest or be all Guitar-Center on me. Anyone had any experience with them direct?

4) OR I've seen some Focusrite with EQ and Comp in my price range, like the "Penta" and one other one.

I have seen gillion opinions on mic preamps and am now completely messed up in the head.. Some say go for "colored" and some say "uncolored". I don't know much about different manufacturers' coloration, but all I care about is having EQ and Compression. Some say they've heard side-by side tests of $2000 preamps and $500 preamps and heard no significant difference. Really?
Help!

thanks for your patience

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Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Jun 26, 2003 02:58 pm

well i can answer one question:

1) sorta. i've made dozens of transactions over ebay, and only ever had one problem. i once sold an item on eBay and the idiot who agreed to buy it changed his mind and now i have to relist it. there's alot of things to watch out for. my "deadbeat bidder" had zero feedback meaning he was a brand new user. for now on i will not sell to anyone with 0 feedback. and ditto on buying, i won't buy from anyone with 0 feedback because there's no way of knowing if they're going to rip you off. and if you do get ripped off, don't expect eBay to do anything about it. They'll cancel the offender's account, It's up to you to take legal action, which is more than likely going to cost you more than the amount you lost. So try and buy from sellers who have at least a couple successful transactions complete, and take a minute to read thru some of their feedback. If they have alot of negatives, scan thru the list abd find out why. Maybe they just ran into a few bad buyers along the way. Be aware of what you're getting into. A bid is a binding contract and you are expect you follow thru with your end of the deal, as it is in writing on the auction page, or you'll be banned from the website. Be aware of where your seller is located and understand what the shipping charges will be. I once bid on some hardware that was being shipped from the Netherlands. The shipping ended up being outrageous because I failed to look at where the guy was located. My fault, I paid the price. The number one point is to be aware. Take the proper precautions and you'll be safe.

Oh, and another important warning about eBay... careful, it's addictive! ;O) -j

Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Jun 26, 2003 06:13 pm

And to answer the others (or attempt to :)

I use an M3Q, which is reffered to also as the VC3Q. It's the single little channel strip that has compression, EQ and a pre-amp. I am very happy with it and have no major quarms (other than the fact that the compresor is a VCO and can, if your not careful, do some pretty hardcore compression!

However, the Focusrite range are also highly regarded, a friend of mine uses one of their channel strips and swears by it.

If possible you should check both the units out at a music store, have a look at all the controls and decide which one you want to go for. Both would make an excellent addition to your studio for the price.

jues.

Freeleance Producer/Engineer/Gtr
Member
Since: Aug 11, 2002

Jun 28, 2003 02:06 pm

for the ebay question... personally i'd only buy from CONUS (continental United States)... but that's just me. if you have your ducks in a row you can get a local offender prosecuted... good like with someone from another country. friends of mine bought 2 mackie digital boards from some guy in singapore... wired the funds and no word from him. they are still dealing with this by contacting a laywer and local translator that has ties in the singapore authorities... as of right now they lost 9k and it seems that none of it will be recovered.

Member
Since: Mar 13, 2003

Jun 30, 2003 01:51 pm


Oy, I'm back.. I was moving

anyways thanks you guys for the help

I think I will give the Joe Meek guys a call and see if I can drive down there

thanks for the clarification on the M3Q


Show me to the beer....
Member
Since: Mar 23, 2003

Jul 07, 2003 07:21 am

Ted Fletcher ( Joe Meek Founder ) has a new company called TF PRO. Check out the website, they have some P3's for £99. This model is an update of the green VC3Q's and M3Q.

I got one and i like it.

Mark

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Jul 07, 2003 07:35 am

mac74, link: tfpro.com/home/index.php thanks

these things look cool. all oldschool with the needle VUs and simple design. I want an "Edward". It's a big bright red stereo compressor.

Member
Since: Mar 13, 2003

Jul 07, 2003 12:41 pm


thanks you guys-
I was just about to click the "submit" button on this Focusrite Voicemaster Pro.

I originally thought the whole Joe Meek/Fletcher situation was a mess, so I had been looking elsewhere, but now it looks simple.

I want simple, with EQ and compression, and this Fletcher P3 looks like the thing. The Focusrite may be better put off until I have some training with this simpler P3.

Question:
in effect this Fletcher P3 will be like a stomp box for vocals, like in line before my soundcard right? No A/D conversion or any stuff to worry about ?

thanks

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002

Jul 07, 2003 01:16 pm

yeah, the P3 is a channel strip with "mic pre | op-compressor | EQ | +48V"

my only problem is it's not rack mountable. but it *is* tiny and desktoppable :O) here's the full sales pitch tfpro.com/products/info/1.php

the P1 and P2 "Studio Channel"s are more what I'm looking at. but expect to spend a little. Someone's got an "Edward the Compressor" on ebay right now for $1500 .... cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...;category=23790

Member
Since: Mar 13, 2003

Jul 07, 2003 01:25 pm


hey thanks

anyone have any word on USA stores/dealers yet?
their website lists none but "list coming soon"

thanks

Show me to the beer....
Member
Since: Mar 23, 2003

Jul 08, 2003 02:51 am

The P3 is very simple and fletchers stuff very well respected. If it's your first go at the mic pre-amp thing, the P3 is ideal.

My only gripe is that you can't run a mic into the line input when you're using a condenser with the phantom power.

Mark

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