What Outboard Preamps, Compressors, and EQs are you using?

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by midwinter

I have it and a pair of LA610s as my tube pres. I use the Sebatron when I want whatever that magical warmth + sheen that it has over the LA610, which is more, uh, "pillowy and thick" and tubey. Lately, I've been using the LA610s for my vocals and one of my bandmates' (pretty much regardless of mic, but usually a 414) and the Sebatron more for instruments.

But if the LA610s are coloring the vocal too much, I go right back to the Sebatron.

With that said, I built a little 500-series strip a while back (Heritage Audio 73jr > Wunder Audio Allotrope > AudioScape V3A) that I'm loving on one of my other bandmates when paired with the Amethyst Violet Vintage.

Just reading this post makes me think just how much of your money I've spent for you. Not the little hamster wheel pre-amp lunch box thingy, hahahaha, but the big iron and the mics. Man we could have put a kid through school Now go out and spend some of that cash on one of those Austrian Audio OC818 mics so that you can spend some of my money for me

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Just reading this post makes me think just how much of your money I've spent for you. Not the little hamster wheel pre-amp lunch box thingy, hahahaha, but the big iron and the mics. Man we could have put a kid through school Now go out and spend some of that cash on one of those Austrian Audio OC818 mics so that you can spend some of my money for me

Hahaha yep. BTW the ghost struck again. RME ADI 8 is in Ohio for repair. Started outputting crackling sounds even when completely disconnected.

[lkingston]

Do FetHeads and Cloudlifters count? I’ve been using them not just on the SM7B, but on 57s and other dynamics when recording. It makes a huge difference.

[Cocobolo Kid]

For outboard mic preamps, I use an Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E ($1,699), which is a single channel mic pre/instrument DI and compressor, and a True Systems P2 Analog dual channel mic pre. The P2 Analog is discontinued, and used prices are usually under $1,000. The P2 Analog is a super clean mic pre with built in phase metering and mid-side decoding.

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

but the big iron and the mics.

This reminds me. My next task (we're live-tracking a bunch of stuff right now) is to find the spot in the room for that Peluso.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by lkingston

Do FetHeads and Cloudlifters count? I’ve been using them not just on the SM7B, but on 57s and other dynamics when recording. It makes a huge difference.

Those are devices that work in conjunction with a preamp to boost the signal. They may meet some technical definition of a preamp, but they're obviously not something we'd recommend as a standalone preamp, so I'm not going to include them.

[KevWind]

Jim

Pre Amps
I use an A-Designs MP2A 2 Channel Tube $2595
I also have a Langevin (by Manley) DVC 2 channel Solid State , Pre ,EQ. Limiter. (now discontinued) $1745 mint used on Reverb

Compressor
IGS Tubecore 3U Mastering Edition 2 channel tube (Veri Mu design) $3195

[anton]

This is a relevant thread, as I was thinking about getting a two channel pre to plug into the line inputs on my RME Babyface Pro, which would give me four inputs total. Probably all I would ever need for home recording.

Lots of nice and spendy options here.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by anton

This is a relevant thread, as I was thinking about getting a two channel pre to plug into the line inputs on my RME Babyface Pro, which would give me four inputs total.

Very often, line inputs are tied to preamps inputs and using the former negates the availability of the latter. I looked up the Babyface manual and was surprised to see that's not the case with that unit. That's a nice option to have.

Originally Posted by anton

Probably all I would ever need for home recording.

Famous last words, uttered by many.

Originally Posted by anton

Lots of nice and spendy options here.

With the exception of just a few pres with which I'm unfamiliar, the list so far is comprised of really excellent choices.

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by midwinter

I have the 4000. Man, that thing is BUTTER.

Yes, sir! Soundpure did this nice demo about a decade ago.

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by midwinter

Hahaha yep. BTW the ghost struck again. RME ADI 8 is in Ohio for repair. Started outputting crackling sounds even when completely disconnected.

That is a bummer. Time to find a new room, there is something wrong with the power in there! I've never known anyone with a project studio that has had half the problems you've had!

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by lkingston

Do FetHeads and Cloudlifters count? I’ve been using them not just on the SM7B, but on 57s and other dynamics when recording. It makes a huge difference.

They preamplify, they count! And my Cloudlifter Zs are cool gadgets that I use with my ribbons!

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by midwinter

This reminds me. My next task (we're live-tracking a bunch of stuff right now) is to find the spot in the room for that Peluso.

Have Carrie move the mic around while you and Shane play, and listen with headphones. That will get you on the map fast enough. I'm assuming you mean all acoustic instruments, not Shane playing his keyboard. Put the mic in Omni.

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

That is a bummer. Time to find a new room, there is something wrong with the power in there! I've never known anyone with a project studio that has had half the problems you've had!

If I have to move ALL THAT STUFF I'm gonna weep.

[midwinter]

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

Have Carrie move the mic around while you and Shane play, and listen with headphones. That will get you on the map fast enough. I'm assuming you mean all acoustic instruments, not Shane playing his keyboard. Put the mic in Omni.

Good idea. (BTW he's quarantined right now until he gets a negative test. Someone in his office tested positive.)