Mic Pre-amp-Tube Mic ???/!!!

[ricoh]

I'm sure this has been discussed before but...... I was satisfied -w- the GT Brick which was suggested here. What about tube mics like the Audio Technica model or AKG Solid Tube. Any thoughts?
How about RNP's? Comparable -w-the ART tube pre-amps. Any others come to mind that are reasonable$$$$$
Thanks Rico

[Scott Peterson]

I have a tube conversion mic I did with the kit from Mojave Audio; I like it. It made a cheap $100 condenser mic sound like a $750 mic for $400. And I learned a ton doing it.

I will tell you right now - as a RNP/RNC user/owner - that the FMR stuff will BLOW away anything ART has or will ever put out. The preamp will compare with most any solid state preamp up to the $1000 a channel (think clean, detailed) ala the John Hardy school of clean preamp design (and I prefer it over the Grace stuff). I have owned a few preamps in the $1000 a channel level (A-Design Tube and Phoenix Audio). I speak as someone very happy with the FMR stuff.

The FMR RNC compressor I will put up against anything up to $1500.

IMHO - and very strongly - there is nothing that compares for the money. At all.

[MichaelK]

I don't what you mean by "reasonable," but forget ART mic pres. A tube does not guarantee quality audio. There are great solid state pres and great tube pres; don't base a buying decision solely on whether the thing has a tube or not.

I'm not familiar with with either mic you mentioned.

[jzb]

I agree with Scott about the Really Nice gear. However, there really is something special about a great tube circuit preamp. Some "tube" gear is simply not really a tube circuit. The ART gear is such an example.

I'm currently using Manley, Drawmer, and Avalon pre's. Each has a personality as distinct as each of the members of the forum.

The only tube mic I own is a Lawson L47mp. If your gonna do tube mic's... now your talking $$ and taste.

... explore and enjoy...


-j

[LSchefman]

The Manley preamp is very, very nice. I love the way a vocal seems to appear magically from a velvet background.

I like the higher end focusrite preamps, transformer based, and that is what I use. They're Rupert Neve designed, he was one of the focusrite originals after he left Neve audio. I actually prefer solid state mic preamps for general use, even though I greatly love the Manley.

I also prefer solid state mics, it seems. This is not an ideological preference, my favorite mics just happen to be solid state.

The best tube mics aren't good because they employ tubes to add "warmth"; they're good because they were designed to sound good in the first place.

Originally posted by Scott Peterson
The FMR RNC compressor I will put up against anything up to $1500

I'll trade you an RNC for a Distressor any day.

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by heinz
I'll trade you an RNC for a Distressor any day.

Got that right. Or a Tube Tech or Daking... I mean, come on.

[Scott Peterson]

Originally posted by heinz
I'll trade you an RNC for a Distressor any day.

Word; the point being that this little sub $200 box can hang with most stuff up to that level.

I'll take any of the fancy pants stuff you guys are offering up vs. the RNC; you are right.

And that was my point.

Name one other box in this little thing's price range or up to 3X or 4X the price (new price, now let's be fair) that'll beat it in the real world.

You can't.

You can name $1500+ boxes all day that'll kill it; and I would hope so!

Dat was my point man! I mean come on indeed!

[jzb]

You can spend alot or a little money and still get crap!

You can give someone the best thing made and watch them procede to fcuk up the track from lack of understanding or simply too complicated operating mechanics.

If you need to be able to get the sound your looking for from the piece. This transcends the idea of cost, size, and circuit design.

To illustrate this:

I've used many different mixing boards and their preamps. I've found that I don't care for most of them. Then I went out and listened, auditioned, and bought a number of outboard preamps. I've settled on a couple of brands that I can count on to get me the sound in my head to tape. Drawmer for Kick, Snare, & bass. Avalon for some vox and acoustic guitar. Occasionally I'll use it as a DI for bass too. Manley for drums, guitars, some vox, and anything else I want a total rock and roll sound for.

If I had my druthers I would roll around with 16 channels of Daking pres and compressors. For everything!

Funny... I just happen to pick on the high end... but I can hear the difference many others can't.

-j

Originally posted by Scott Peterson
Name one other box in this little thing's price range or up to 3X or 4X the price (new price, now let's be fair) that'll beat it in the real world.

You can't.

No ill will intended Scott. It's just that I've learned it's dangerous to generalize in audio gear. Because it always (for me) comes down to the application.

For example, if I want to compress a rock snare, most times I'd reach for a DBX 160x instead of an RNC. That's because I've found the RNC to be a bit mushier in this application than the 160x, which gives me nice crisp snap. And the 160x a sub-$200 box.

The RNC and all FMR gear is indeed a great value. But comparing it based on price alone may not always shake out.

Cheers

[ricoh]

Reasonable to me would be $ 200.00 to 400.00 The high end stuff would be great but the recordings are done for my own satisfaction. I can't afford 2000.00 on a pre or comp or I can't justify it at this time. Just looking for more sonic colors, more sounds to have at hand at that more reasonable price and checking out other thoughts on the subject...... Thanks Rico

[Scott Peterson]

Originally posted by heinz
No ill will intended Scott. It's just that I've learned it's dangerous to generalize in audio gear. Because it always (for me) comes down to the application.

For example, if I want to compress a rock snare, most times I'd reach for a DBX 160x instead of an RNC. That's because I've found the RNC to be a bit mushier in this application than the 160x, which gives me nice crisp snap. And the 160x a sub-$200 box.

The RNC and all FMR gear is indeed a great value. But comparing it based on price alone may not always shake out.

Cheers

Cool - but he didn't ask about drums in particular; had he I would have suggested the same thing. We cool on that.

I was coming from a "all-around" general use. I would not let a dbx 160x anywhere near my vocals for instance.

Everything has a use, every tool has a purpose.

I suggested the FMR stuff because it is indeed affordable and can be used on a variety of sources with great results.

Dat's all.

[enharmonic]

I personally wouldn't mess with a tube mic unless you've got a few thousand dollars to spend on a sweet high end mic...but that's just my opinion.

You'd do better to get a tube pre and a higher quality condenser if you must have tubes in your signal chain.

If you want a mic that will give you some variety in coloration...go with a Soundelux ifet7. If you want a pre that will give you a lot of bang for the buck, get a Crane Song Flamingo. Both are a bit out of the price range you have suggested...but both will serve you extremely well.

[ricoh]

[i]

If you want a pre that will give you a lot of bang for the buck, get a Crane Song Flamingo. Both are a bit out of the price range you have suggested. [/B]

Thanks for the advice. Where would I look into this item?
How much out of my price range? Thanks
Rico

[enharmonic]

http://www.cranesong.com/products/flamingo/

Street is about 2700 on this pre...worth every penny.