VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Andy · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:53 pm Post subject: Pre-amp or why bother?

Hey gang. I am a silent lurker and post quite rarely but I do have a question and here is where I KNOW I will likely find the most learned and wisest answers... (nice huh?)

Quite simply, I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 DAI and it does a pretty damn good job overall for me. I am wondering, though, if I should invest in an inexpensive pre-amp. Yes, the 2i2 has them but, often, the ones in DAIs arent all that--at least at the price point I buy. I've been scanning the less then $200 range of pre-amp (the Presonus TubePre V2, the ART Tube ones etc...) and there seem like good options but I have to wonder if its truly worth it. (My mic is a AKG Perception 220.)

The gain on the 2i2 is at that sweet point were its a good sound but low which requires more normalzing and then some soundgating. I'd like the pre-amp because as i understand it-- (if I understand it all)-- I will get a louder and richer sound and less background noise...

Any input would be of help. Buy. Don't buy. I have recorded three audio books with the 2i2 alone and they sound pretty good-(much better than my first DAI-the Fast Track Pro)-to me but I feel the big boy itch to spend a wee bit on something that may actually help me.

Thanks in advance for your sage and thoughful insights!

Frank F · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 2:14 pm Post subject:

Let me see if I am reading this right. You desire a good pre-amp for cheap, you are looking for something to replace or augment the Focusrite, and your budget is around $200.00; correct?

Do you need two Ins and two Outs (dual pre)? Do you need or want USB? What sound card are you using? Do you want solid state or tube? What is the "sound" you are looking to hear? What does the Focusrite 2i2 NOT do that you want or desire? These are some of the things YOU need to know before you go shopping for a preamp.

Gear-itis" is an affliction which gets all of us once in a while. Before upgrading or downgrading think of your needs and what you want to accomplish. This idea will help you decide. Also, do not rely on others to make your decision, find out for yourself if it fits your requirements by demo-ing the product IN YOUR STUDIO environment and making your own choices.

Good luck.

Frank F
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Andy · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Frank! Excellent questions indeed. I want to augment the Focusrite with a single input pre amp. USB is not needed as I imagine I will run XLS or TRS from the pre amp to the 2i2. I simply want to gain "gain", if you will, and make the sound richer with less noise. Pretty straight forward want, louder and quieter. I may be simplifying it but that's what I believe I can gain with the preamp. If any one has a recommendation in my price range let me know.

Frank, I will re-evaluate what I do have with what I think I want and take a final decision. Thanks a bunch.

BruceG · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:00 pm Post subject:

Andy · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:20 am Post subject:

Thanks Bruce. I think I'll give the TubePre a shot and see how it works out. The worst case: I return it and work woth what I have--which ain't bad. I am not into blowing $$$ for Ss and giggles so we will see!

I appreciate the comments and advice!

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Get a dbx 286a used on ebay for just under $200. It's the best VO preamp & processor at that price - you get good LOUD sound and a good compressor and gate. Forget gear-itis...treat the acoustics in your room (that will cost more than $200, btw) and go for a great mic down the road when it makes sense (what you currently have will work great for now - I like those for VO). Honestly, the 286a will do the job perfectly. It was the first preamp I ever had and wished I had kept it for a long time instead of giving in to GEARITIS. The cheap $200-$500 preamps I bought afterwards all sounded lousy compared to the 286a.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

+1 on what Lance said. I've tried preamps up to the $1000 range and nothing clearly beat the sound of a 286A for spoken word. Buy a new one. Don't equate price to quality. They really work well.
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Bish · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:00 pm Post subject:

+1 to spending money on the environment as a first priority. Even $200 worth of OC703 & burlap will usually make an immense difference.

+1 to the dbx286a. I got one after hearing glowing reports here (specifically from Bill). I don't use it all the time, but if I need anything outboard, it's sitting in my rack, ready to go. Best $200 equipment spend ever!
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georgethetech · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

Might I invite you to share an audio sample from your studio with us?
All this gear talk is a waste of time without hearing the results you are getting now. A good preamp won't reduce the background noise if said noise is environmental. The 2i2 is one of the best bangs for the buck out there, and the other is the dbx 286a, IF you REALLY need to process audio real-time (on the way in). I think it's completely unnecessary for most non-ISDN/SC users to do so.
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heyguido · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:45 am Post subject:

And once again, George gets straight to the heart of the matter....
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Andy · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:10 am Post subject: The help!

Thanks to all of you for the advice and thoughts! That 286 is something I have seen and heard much about here--all good! Yes, George, I will do a sample as soon a I can and let you hear a raw- unprocessed example of my environment as soon as I can. My day job gets in the way so I will probably on Mon or Tues but there is no rush. That 2i2 is pretty damn good on its own so I may be looking to spend money I truly dont need to spend. I dont have or use ISDN or SC. Right now I'm neck deep in audiobook production/narrations so maybe I don't need to spend...but why do I want to!? HAHA

Thanks!