Quality preamp utilized with firewire/usb interface?

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:50 am

Well, I've been using a MobilePre for the last 6 months and it's great, don't get me wrong, but I'm wondering if there's a way to integrate a good preamp with a fw/usb interface to take advantage of real tube technology. For 110 bucks the MobilePre does it all, but if you want to step up your game without getting a Firepod or MOTU interface, what can you do to get a discrete preamp with 24-bit usb/fw interfacing?

Discuss amongst yourselves

cochise

Post by jb » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:04 am

um, you're fucked basically. hard to increase quality like that without increasing financial investment. you cheap bastard.

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:24 am

Haha, the price isn't the issue, I actually want a better preamp than the Firepod or equivalent would put out. A dedicated preamp in the several hundred range isn't out of the question, just a matter of what interface would work.

Post by jb » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:43 am

Then get a tube pre-amp of your preference, and get a separate A/D converter box like a Delta 66 or something. It's the combination of the two that cause corners to be cut. Some dealywads cut fewer corners than others, but still. Invest in really good balanced cables for your connections, and you're as set as you can get.

If your question is "is there a better combo pre-amp/audio interface than MOTU or Firepod" then I'd probably say "MOTU is pretty fuckin' good yo".

ken · Post by **ken** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:45 am

You have a handful of issues here.

1. The Mobile Pre only records at 16bit. You cannot upgrade the converters.

2. You can't buy a decent tube preamp for a few hundred dollars.

3. The best lowest priced preamp you can buy is the FRM RNP. You could put this through the line inputs of the Mobile Pre, but overall, you are probably better off investing in a unit that records at 24bit instead.

4. I highly recommend the MOTU 828 MK2. I have it, and it works great. Spend the few hundred bucks to have it upgraded by Black Lion Audio, and you will not regret it.

Ken

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:40 pm

That's about what I've come up with too. I planned on ditching the MobilePre as well and getting a decent preamp and 24-bit interface to replace the former setup. I'm never working with more than 2-channel so the Firepod and MOTU were a bit of overkill for my needs was all. I've found a few things that may work out. I'll look into that FRM Ken, thanks

ken · Post by **ken** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:31 am

I know it is expensive, but I'd like to see more people using the Apogee Mini-Me. Two channels of excellent preamp and conversion. Check it out and think about saving up.

Ken

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:16 pm

Damn, that Mini-Me looks like an ass-kicking machine. Pricey, but designed for prime ass-kicking.

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:32 am

Presonus makes a Firebox. Firepod with 2 channels, almost.

The preamps in the Firepod are crystal clear. You wouldn't be doing bad to put a tube pre in front of it, or even to use a software tube simulator.

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:31 am

Funny you should mention the Firebox... That's tops on my list and I've been looking at some tube pres, just cause my AT3035 is pretty sterile

ken · Post by **ken** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:17 am

I've said it before, the ART Tube MP is pretty good once you change out the tube. For $50 + $20 you can't go wrong.

Ken

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:50 pm

Do you have a tube preference Ken? I mean, is it worth trying to find a genuine NOS Telefunken, Mullard or Sylvania or will an EH, Sovtek or Groove Tube do just as well?

ken · Post by **ken** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 5:36 pm

I put a repro Tungsol in mine. I love Mullards, either NOS or repro.

I like to call Lord Valve and see what he thinks.

Ken

cochise · Post by **cochise** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 11:00 pm

I don't know a lot about tubes, admittedly, but I'm learning. What's the general preference for strictly vocal use? Mostly baritone, some tenor.