Page 1 of 1

Recording Preamps?

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:13 pm
by delaydecay
Thinking about getting a Presonus Studio Strip tube preamp to use along with my focusrite interface for recording vocals, guitars DI and mic'd amps/cabs.

It has a tube preamp with gain and tube drive, VCA compressor, and parametric EQ. Seems pretty well featured for $299.

Anyone ever used one? Im using basic recording software for now with really limited plugin's.

Im trying not to break the bank, so this one seems pretty alright. Got any other recommendations, comments, pictures of boobs??

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:06 pm
by MannequinRaces
Pictures of boobs I can do but I have not used their studio strip. However based on my experience with my Presonus Firepod I would say it would be a good investment. The only downside is it's only one channel strip and if you want to record in stereo (guitars, drums, etc.) you're SOL, unless you buy two. But if you want to take your recordings to the next level this would be ideal. I say go for it... and then post before/after results. :)

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:14 pm
by sonidero
Yeah for that price range it's probably the best one... Art has some around that range that would do also but like MR said it's just mono so keep that in mind... Is the Focusrite not good enough or do you wanna do other stuff it can't???

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:45 pm
by erector
I've found the pres on my Scarlett 18i6 to be pretty good, actually. Not very characterful, but nice and clean.

The Studio Channel does look good though. Although if I were looking to add to my options what I'd do is probably get something with ADAT out and actually ADD to my inputs, instead of plugging a preamp into a line input.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:14 am
by The4455
For $300 yes, considering you couldn't get half of a one pre-amp, compressor, or EQ in rack format from some companies. I've used some pre-sonus stuff before and they're very reliable and built well, as long as you keep them cool, for whatever reason some of their stuff can get very hot.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 3:25 am
by univalve
For Starting Recording i suggest getting an Interface with built in Preamps. At least 2. do the Dynamics and fx digital later. Cheaper and in my opinion a better Way to learn what you do.
I Never Record with an analog Compressor e.g. I like to put it later on the Track... You can't remove the recorded Channel Strip stuff and it opens up too many possibilities and places for mistakes.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:27 pm
by MannequinRaces
His Focusrite should already have built-in preamps... maybe the OP wants/likes the idea of having a tube in the pre-amp stage along with the compressor and EQ. :idk:

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:39 am
by The4455
univalve wrote:For Starting Recording i suggest getting an Interface with built in Preamps. At least 2. do the Dynamics and fx digital later. Cheaper and in my opinion a better Way to learn what you do.
I Never Record with an analog Compressor e.g. I like to put it later on the Track... You can't remove the recorded Channel Strip stuff and it opens up too many possibilities and places for mistakes.


Univalve does have a good point here. If you don't like the way the recording sounds you can't just change it. Unless you want to get into re-amping, which I don't think you do at this point.

If I had $300 to spend on recording equipment I would buy a nicer microphone. A well recorded good sounding track is better than fixing up an okay track with pre-amps or plug in's.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:33 pm
by univalve
The4455 wrote:
univalve wrote:For Starting Recording i suggest getting an Interface with built in Preamps. At least 2. do the Dynamics and fx digital later. Cheaper and in my opinion a better Way to learn what you do.
I Never Record with an analog Compressor e.g. I like to put it later on the Track... You can't remove the recorded Channel Strip stuff and it opens up too many possibilities and places for mistakes.


Univalve does have a good point here. If you don't like the way the recording sounds you can't just change it. Unless you want to get into re-amping, which I don't think you do at this point.

If I had $300 to spend on recording equipment I would buy a nicer microphone. A well recorded good sounding track is better than fixing up an okay track with pre-amps or plug in's.

Thanks, that is how my Post was intended.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:02 pm
by rfurtkamp
What exactly are you trying to do?

If it's just to get better recordings, use that $300 and talk a couple days/week off of work or whatever it is in equivalent time and hit the mics!

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:28 pm
by sonidero
Ummm, it's Delaydecay... He uses computer doors and chains... I'd say get a good pre and NEVER fix it in the mix...

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:58 pm
by univalve
Read the 1st Post again: get reaper. Good Recording Software with pretty Good Plugins.

Re: Recording Preamps?

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 4:38 pm
by sonidero
Yeah I know what he SAYS he's going to record but with a new set-up it would be some guitar or vocal recordings then BAM right back to chains and metal... You can't De-Noise a Noisician...