VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

KaseyKruz · Club 300 Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 336 Location: Michigan

Just received an Electrovoice RE20 that I bought off ebay for a steal. Any suggestions on a preamp that will compliment this nicely. I know the ever-so-popular Symetrix 528 and 528e go nicely, but has anyone ever had a decent pairing with a less expensive piece?
I currently am using a Behringer MIC2200 and am finding that the Gain only goes up to 60 when 100 is recommended for these mics. Also, I am hearing some electronic "hiss" when I increase the gain to a nice level (about 50 on the in and 40 on the out). I am slowly working to upgrade each piece in the chain as the wife allows. I figured I would start with the Pre amp as it is next in line after the mic.
Thanks
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CurtZHP · Guest

What's your preamp budget? The 528 is very good for the money. You could certainly do better, but always comes down to a question of money. "How good do you want to sound?"

We've had good results at the radio station where I engineer mating the RE20 and RE27 with the Aphex 230. It's a couple hundred more than the Symetrix and has a digital output. It is a tube unit and does get pretty hot though.

The original Presonus MP20 (no longer made) was supposed to be pretty impressive for its price, especially if you could find one with the Jensen transformer upgrade.

Under $500 you're not going to find much that will sound decent and run quiet. The best advice would be to actually try one out before buying it.

Also bear in mind that many low budget preamps use gain stages designed around a reverse logorythmic slope. Basically, this means that you have to usually turn the gain way up when using dynamic mics (like the RE20). The problem is that, when turning it up that high, you start getting into the range where internal noise becomes amplified as well. Condenser mics tend to work better in this case. YMMV.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Mackie 1202 VLZ gives the RE 20 a nice, clean amp w/ plenty of gain.

You can get them second hand on ebay for around $150 last time I checked.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

The RE-20 needs 55db of preamp gain. A DBX286A works beautifully.
Less "pinched" sounding than a 528 IMHO.

Bill
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Monk · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:33 pm Post subject:

I use an ART MPA Gold with a vintage Mullard tube replacing the stock tube that came with the unit.

I really like it and like how it gives a nice sound to my RE-20.

The tube really made the difference, stock vs Mullard.
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KaseyKruz · Club 300 Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 336 Location: Michigan

Great suggestions to ponder everyone. Thanks!
ps... I love this mic...
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

You should.

That doggone Symetrix 528 seems like it was made for the RE20— I love that pairing but ya do need to crank the pre nearly all the way up.

I haven't tried my RE20 with my new DBX286 yet. Sounds like a good thing to faff about with this weekend.
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:03 pm Post subject:

Just installed two RE-20's with 286a's for a comedian's home ISDN studio.
I find they are a very good combo, and very cost effective.
We run the pre's two clicks from wide open, and add some "Drive" to make up a bit more gain. The gate on them works amazingly well, too.
I have more than one Promo VO client using 286a's, all day, everyday, big $$ work.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject:

Other options:

FMR Audio, RNP8380.

Speck 5.0
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chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Hard to go wrong with the DBX286a for the price. Haven't used it with the RE-20, but it sounds pretty darn good with my Shure SM7.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

what are all of you dbx286a/RE-20 folks using for audio interfaces?

how would you compare the Rode NT 1 to the RE-20?

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I use a TC Electronic konnekt 6 firewire interface. Built in control for monitors and headphone amp. Best I've used.
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Deirdre · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject:

I've got a Mackie 1202VLZ. I love it to pieces.
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Bill Roberts · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:38 am Post subject:

The Focusrite ISA One is about the best in price vs. features. It's portable with a flight case for road duty, I use the digital (ADC) card, and go direct digital to my mBox2. Paid 450.00 on ebay and 150.00 for the digital card.
Just my 2 cents!
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georgethetech · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: