PREAMP - Is good Joemeek MQ3 or Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO ???
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PREAMP - Is good Joemeek MQ3 or Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO ???
Also check out replies here:
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... &forum=5&2
I would clearly get the JoeMeek if preamp is your main use (in this price range), but Mackie VLZs are nice little mixers with decent pres. I wouldn't spend that much on a Behringer unit.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: subhuman on 2002-03-13 14:26 ]</font>
http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... &forum=5&2
I would clearly get the JoeMeek if preamp is your main use (in this price range), but Mackie VLZs are nice little mixers with decent pres. I wouldn't spend that much on a Behringer unit.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: subhuman on 2002-03-13 14:26 ]</font>
I'm in now way an expert, but I just bought a Rode NTK mic and I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro and the advice I received was - get a dedicated preamp.
However, the JoeMeek was not the suggestion.
I bought an HHB Radius "FAT MAN" preamp on recommendation that it was better than Joe Meek and dbx equivalents and certainly better than the Mackie pres (apparently).
Of course the Avalon was considered better - no suprises there.
The prices I have to hand in Australian dollars puts Joe Meek VC-1Q at $1,595, dbx 376 at $1,795 and the "FAT MAN" at $1,299. I think I purchased the VLZ 1202 Pro at around $850, but I think the RRP was around $1000.
None of that really helps I guess because I'm not good personally at making subtle distinctions between nuances of sound. That's sort of why I go by the advice of "experts".
I haven't seen many people mention HHB for preamps etc. Is anyone else using them?
However, the JoeMeek was not the suggestion.
I bought an HHB Radius "FAT MAN" preamp on recommendation that it was better than Joe Meek and dbx equivalents and certainly better than the Mackie pres (apparently).
Of course the Avalon was considered better - no suprises there.
The prices I have to hand in Australian dollars puts Joe Meek VC-1Q at $1,595, dbx 376 at $1,795 and the "FAT MAN" at $1,299. I think I purchased the VLZ 1202 Pro at around $850, but I think the RRP was around $1000.
None of that really helps I guess because I'm not good personally at making subtle distinctions between nuances of sound. That's sort of why I go by the advice of "experts".
I haven't seen many people mention HHB for preamps etc. Is anyone else using them?
Caleb
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
Happiness is the hidden behind the obvious.
Hello,
I would advise the Joe Meek MQ3 for a budget preamp because the sound is close to tube preamps, vintage like and such (the circuitry is based on the 1960's circuits). It's clean sound, that can become fat. Above all it is a clean signal. I used it in studio, in a high end setup made of amek mixtable, Tube Tech compressor and Urey compressors (all can be used as "preamps" or "post amp/reamp"
, not only upon voice but also synth strings and guitars.
I have been advised to stay away from Focusrite because it "cold". matter of taste. the focustrite is certainly good, but i heard some of there old lines of products were good and not the modern one (i never tried personnaly, and the joemeek is what i was looking for).
However, it will depend on the microphone you are using, which may not need such a pre-amp. However, the use you can make of it is wide and you are not obliged to use the compressor or equalizer. (i found the medium a bit too high on some voices, i use a Rode NT2)
I think the only criteria is not that you are able to notice the difference, but wether you like the sound or not.
I always thought the mackie preamps were very good (although i'm of the very few people who really don't like the mackie sound, actually i hate equalizers whith only 3 buttons on a mixer).
In any case, when you record, the most important criteria is the noise that a good preamp will not include, and the flexibility of such a module (the meequalizer on joe Meek can be useful). But you don't need equalizing or compressing at recording, you need a sound that is clean and produce a sufficient output level to record in audio computers.
IF the HHB is not noisy and allows a good output level, it will certainly be good like any other preamp. More important in my opinion is the recording room isolation from outside noise, reflections etc. that's what makes the real difference when you already have a good mic and preamp.
By experience of different compressors (that i use as preamps sometimes) , it is clear that expensive gear has a better sound due to clarity, natural curves on compressions etc... I could not define it, i just feel it (and hear it on the recorded tracks).
Also, a stereo preamp (or 2 mono) allows you to play with more sources and add some guts to synths and stuff.
I posted a short recording i made with nt2+joemeek in a dirty room (no isolation), but it also includes vst equalizing (due to weak medium on Rode mics).
Download MP3-Test Rode NT2 - 2Mb-256kbs/44.1Khz.
Music : [/b] Starmania (the original version of "Tycoon")/La Serveuse Automate (Instrumental) by Michel Berger.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-03-22 08:39 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-03-22 08:51 ]</font>
I would advise the Joe Meek MQ3 for a budget preamp because the sound is close to tube preamps, vintage like and such (the circuitry is based on the 1960's circuits). It's clean sound, that can become fat. Above all it is a clean signal. I used it in studio, in a high end setup made of amek mixtable, Tube Tech compressor and Urey compressors (all can be used as "preamps" or "post amp/reamp"
, not only upon voice but also synth strings and guitars.I have been advised to stay away from Focusrite because it "cold". matter of taste. the focustrite is certainly good, but i heard some of there old lines of products were good and not the modern one (i never tried personnaly, and the joemeek is what i was looking for).
However, it will depend on the microphone you are using, which may not need such a pre-amp. However, the use you can make of it is wide and you are not obliged to use the compressor or equalizer. (i found the medium a bit too high on some voices, i use a Rode NT2)
I think the only criteria is not that you are able to notice the difference, but wether you like the sound or not.
I always thought the mackie preamps were very good (although i'm of the very few people who really don't like the mackie sound, actually i hate equalizers whith only 3 buttons on a mixer).
In any case, when you record, the most important criteria is the noise that a good preamp will not include, and the flexibility of such a module (the meequalizer on joe Meek can be useful). But you don't need equalizing or compressing at recording, you need a sound that is clean and produce a sufficient output level to record in audio computers.
IF the HHB is not noisy and allows a good output level, it will certainly be good like any other preamp. More important in my opinion is the recording room isolation from outside noise, reflections etc. that's what makes the real difference when you already have a good mic and preamp.
By experience of different compressors (that i use as preamps sometimes) , it is clear that expensive gear has a better sound due to clarity, natural curves on compressions etc... I could not define it, i just feel it (and hear it on the recorded tracks).
Also, a stereo preamp (or 2 mono) allows you to play with more sources and add some guts to synths and stuff.
I posted a short recording i made with nt2+joemeek in a dirty room (no isolation), but it also includes vst equalizing (due to weak medium on Rode mics).
Download MP3-Test Rode NT2 - 2Mb-256kbs/44.1Khz.
Music : [/b] Starmania (the original version of "Tycoon")/La Serveuse Automate (Instrumental) by Michel Berger.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-03-22 08:39 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2002-03-22 08:51 ]</font>
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I have to repeat the same: glue yourself to Joemeek!!!
Yes, of course there are many better options, but you have to think about price-performance. And the Joemeek does it at it's best. There are many well known studios in the world using the Joemeek for their recordings, and it's not a matter of money to them, but a matter of sound!!!
I think that when you talk about preamps in general, you have to talk as well about your own test, about what you prefer.
There are very many preamps available at the price of the Joemeek, but it is important to get a try on it to see if you like it's sound. For me – I'm a guitarbass player - it's incredible helpful. I can get a lot of power out of it, a clean sound and a WARM SOUND as well. The last point I think it's very important.
Yes, of course there are many better options, but you have to think about price-performance. And the Joemeek does it at it's best. There are many well known studios in the world using the Joemeek for their recordings, and it's not a matter of money to them, but a matter of sound!!!
I think that when you talk about preamps in general, you have to talk as well about your own test, about what you prefer.
There are very many preamps available at the price of the Joemeek, but it is important to get a try on it to see if you like it's sound. For me – I'm a guitarbass player - it's incredible helpful. I can get a lot of power out of it, a clean sound and a WARM SOUND as well. The last point I think it's very important.
*MUSIC* The most Powerful Language in the world! *INDEED*
Also check out this link for choosing an appropriate mic pre:
http://www.rane.com/note148.html
http://www.rane.com/note148.html
Not sure if I can add any more to what's already been said here but my 2 cents....
Meek VC1Q sounds as good as Avalon 737 in my opinion although I'll give the Avalon the edge due to the tubes and more control features. But look at the price difference (Meek is less than half the price and no tubes to wear out). Meek definitely gets my bang for the buck award.
Actually to say it sounds as good is probably not fair. It sounds different! The Meek has a decidedly 60's vibe to it. Warm and phat. The Avalon is warm also but with a slightly more modern tube warmth. The Avalon is a much more transparent sounding preamp compared to the Meek's. Don't get a Meek if you're looking for transparency. The Meek's will definitely put their own sonic fingerprint on the sound. In fact, I think their sound actually can overpower the characteristics of the microphone itself. But this is kind of what Joe Meek was all about anyway. He was a pioneer in the studio and had a definite sound all his own. I suspect JoeMeek (the company) took that into account when they designed these products.
The VC1Q has a front panel mic input!
The VC1Q can be equipped with S/PDIF output!
The green paint adds a certain mojo factor
You will not be sorry you bought any of the JoeMeek products.
Meek VC1Q sounds as good as Avalon 737 in my opinion although I'll give the Avalon the edge due to the tubes and more control features. But look at the price difference (Meek is less than half the price and no tubes to wear out). Meek definitely gets my bang for the buck award.
Actually to say it sounds as good is probably not fair. It sounds different! The Meek has a decidedly 60's vibe to it. Warm and phat. The Avalon is warm also but with a slightly more modern tube warmth. The Avalon is a much more transparent sounding preamp compared to the Meek's. Don't get a Meek if you're looking for transparency. The Meek's will definitely put their own sonic fingerprint on the sound. In fact, I think their sound actually can overpower the characteristics of the microphone itself. But this is kind of what Joe Meek was all about anyway. He was a pioneer in the studio and had a definite sound all his own. I suspect JoeMeek (the company) took that into account when they designed these products.
The VC1Q has a front panel mic input!
The VC1Q can be equipped with S/PDIF output!
The green paint adds a certain mojo factor
You will not be sorry you bought any of the JoeMeek products.
I was just playing with an HHB preamp today actually. What surprised me about it was that it sounded better than the current Focusrite offerings (to my ears - it's a personal thing as usual).
I haven't compared it to the JoeMeek yet, so that should be interesting.
By the way, HHB are changing their name back to TL Audio here in Australia, and as a consequence they're selling off all their HHB-labelled gear at reduced prices. In light of that I hope the HHB is at least close to the JoeMeek in quality!
I haven't compared it to the JoeMeek yet, so that should be interesting.
By the way, HHB are changing their name back to TL Audio here in Australia, and as a consequence they're selling off all their HHB-labelled gear at reduced prices. In light of that I hope the HHB is at least close to the JoeMeek in quality!