Mike pre-amp copies. Which ones are best?

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 11 Jul 2005 7:30 pm

I am thinking of adding a better pre-amp to my home recording system. I have a PC based system with Cakewalk Home Studio XL. I'm thinking it is overkill to buy a $2,500 Neve pre amp. I'm currently using Firewire 410 which has built in Pre's. I think I could do better fairly easily though. Are the Nevecopies good ?. Is there something else even more reasonably price that might be good?[This message was edited by W Franco on 11 July 2005 at 08:31 PM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 11 Jul 2005 10:08 pm

Hey Wayne. I love my Vintech two channel pre. It's modeled after the Neve 1272 modules and actually uses the original Neve/St. Ives transformers. Under $1400 for two channels. I would't want to be without it. Great on everything.

Brad

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 12 Jul 2005 3:45 am

I've head that the Presonus Eureka pre is very nice and if you're adept at rolling your own, Seventh Circle Audio has kits for Neve,API and Jensen nic ptes.

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 12 Jul 2005 4:04 am

Hello Wayne. I took Brad's advice and called Vintech. The owners name is Dallas Upton and he plays steel, so we had a nice visit and he recommended a new model for me. The 273. It is 2 channels of 1073 Neve with eq. I've taken it to some of the major studios here to compare it with the originals. First, all the engineers were very familiar with Vintech, then it held up to anything in the house. Several of the studios here are buying new Vintech units to replace their worn out Neves.

And if you're wondering if we can really hear the difference? After recording one track with it I knew I'd have to recut everything I had done without it.[This message was edited by Randy Beavers on 12 July 2005 at 05:08 AM.]

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 12 Jul 2005 8:03 am

It is amazing how fast a person can learn how to spend money. Thanks, that is exactly the information I wanted to know. The learning curve has been strait up for the last couple of months learning the software. I am hoping that with good information like this I can record something a little more than acceptable here at home.

Jerry...thanks for the advice. There are probably lots of forumites that can use that information but I think I would harm myself trying to do anything like that. : )[This message was edited by W Franco on 12 July 2005 at 09:07 AM.]

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 12 Jul 2005 1:11 pm

Count me in as another satisfied Vintech user--I have some X73's and will be adding more soon...

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 12 Jul 2005 1:24 pm

Are you using them as instrument preamps, or only as mic preamps?

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 12 Jul 2005 2:41 pm

Thanks for the question Earnest. I have 2 mikes I am using, the Beta57a and a Sennheiser 908 Silver. I haven't particularly liked the direct sound. Might be different when I plug in to a good pre amp. I'd like to try one of the real sensitive mikes but my enviorment is much too noisy.

Wayne Franco · Post by **Wayne Franco** » 12 Jul 2005 2:46 pm

I talked to Dallas Upton this morning when ordering the 273. The guy is really cool. Loved talking music and he related some great stories about some of the parties he has attended with great players and singers all over the place. Thanks Brad and Randy for your input.