I most often just go through an API pre. Neve, Great River, Manley are other popular folks that will get you really good results, but like any of the high end gear, it all comes down to how it compliments the sound. For some things a straight-wire (transparent) sound is really the best thing...

A common setup is using a mixing board with microphone inputs. You could run either a buss output, a tape output or a master output of the mixer(usually -10 or +4 dB) into your soundcard's input.

Another option is an outboard mic-pre. A good inexpensive choice is the Art MP1. Simple, cheap ....lots of gain and not too bad as far as the noise floor is concerned.

I personally use Avalon mic-pre's and I also have 16 outboard Neve N72 mic-pre channels.

You can get an Art MP1 for under $100.

You can spend as much as $15,000 (& up) on high-end mic-pre's.

what do you guys think of the joemeek threeq?

http://www.joemeek.com/threeq.html

If you've got a good 24/96 soundcard, the worst disservice you can do is run a cheap (read that noisy) preamp into it.
I'm excited about the sound of the M-Audio preamps, and extremely glad I retired my $100 mixer (name withheld on purpose).

what do you guys think of the joemeek threeq?

The Joe Meek stuff is the worst crap I've ever used.

I bought 16 Joe Meek Mic Pre's sight unseen and received them on their first manufacturer's shipment. Four units didn't work at all. They all went back to the dealer I bought them from. Pure crap.

They have absolutely no gain. Not a good amplifier IMHO at all.

You would be far better off using the ART mic-pre.

If you want something mid level, look at the dbx stuff...

You will not be dissapointed at all by the Art MP1, It will blow away the Joe Meek mic pre for a third of the money.

I'm glad to see someone else getting thru the "joe meek" hype

You know where I can find those N72 kits nowadays? does it really sound like a neve?

I use the N72 kit from seventh circle audio and it doesn't "sound like" a Neve .... it is a Neve.... electronically that is... it doesn't have his name on it, but it is the exact same components as the ones with Rupert's name on it.

http://www.seventhcirclestudios.com/SCA/SCA.htm

You'll like these boxes.

Speaking of vintage gear -- I ran across a couple of Dynaco Stereo 120's in a box of garage sale stuff -- they were a blessing to poor rock bands in the seventies.

Anyway, I plugged 'em in and they both work -- awesome, clean sound!

"it is a Neve.... electronically that is... it doesn't have his name on it, but it is the exact same components as the ones with Rupert's name on it."

Hmmm, the website clearly states otherwise, but hey, still looks interesting...

Hmmm, the website clearly states otherwise, but hey, still looks interesting...

If you are referring to the addition of an input attenuator/gain control switch, output fader, phase reverse and phantom power switches, and XLR connectors to the same printed circuit board, there is a difference ... but the remainder of this circuit (the mic-pre itself) IS identical ... read the schematics... We are talking about "Mic-Pres", aren't we?

...The circuitry of the N72 is exactly the same as that of the BA183/283 amplifier used in the 1272, 1073, and other Neve modules ....

That is a direct quote from the site I provided. I'm not sure where you get your information from, but your information is incorrect.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTTMPSTU

r u talking about this>?

Is the amplifier itself the only thing that makes up the sound of the device? And surely modern components sound different then they used to, right? I was also told by a former Neve employee (Geoff Tanner) that they never used ceramic caps in the originals, doesn't that make a difference as well? I only ask because I'm curious, not because I want to prove you wronge just for the sake of it.

regards

Is the amplifier itself the only thing that makes up the sound of the device? And surely modern components sound different then they used to, right? I was also told by a former Neve employee (Geoff Tanner) that they never used ceramic caps in the originals, doesn't that make a difference as well? I only ask because I'm curious, not because I want to prove you wronge just for the sake of it.

I won't be drawn in this direction on this forum ever again. Your two week old background in this forum knows not where these argumentitive discussions can lead.

If you want to talk to me, argue with me or ask me questions, feel free to contact me directly RIGHT HERE.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTTMPSTU

That'll be an excellent choice at an excellent price.

The MP1 is the exact same model without the meter. The meter makes for a very nice addition.

You won't be dissapointed at all with this $69 investment.

what exactly is it going to do that a phantom power source doesn't?

what exactly is it going to do that a phantom power source doesn't?

Phantom power will only give your powered devices power to operate.

This is an amplifier. A mic preamplifier that will match your microphone's low level and impedance to your sound card's input level.

If you use a phantom power device with a phantom microphone and attempt to plug it in to a line level input, you will not have enough gain on your track to record your audio at a sufficient level.

Mic level generally runs at approximately -50 to -60 dB and line level is either -10 or +4 .... which would make the signal from an unamplified microphone about 50 dB too low.

I should also point out that some sound cards have microphone inputs with a mic pre for bringing in mic-level signals. Because this is not the norm, I have provided information based on the simple subject that started this thread:

What do you run your mic through before the soundcard?

my sound card has a mic 1/4 on it and has it's own control knob for recording....would this be what you're talking about?

I've used this forum for the past couple years and never felt that a few simple in-depth questions regarding the topic at hand could lead to something other then useful information.

One of the questions was "what's a really good setup?” and I know that for many people of us we’ve come to appreciate the sounds that were produced back in the days when lots of things were recorded using products (not just pres) by neve, chandler, langevin, etc… and my main concern was, simply: Can we truly reproduce those “really good setups” these days? How, and if not, why? If I am going into territory that is not suitable for this forum then I apologize, I wrongly assumed we were here to freely share each other’s knowledge and experience.

my sound card has a mic 1/4 on it and has it's own control knob for recording....would this be what you're talking about?

Please tell me what make/model sound card you are talking about so I can better answer your question.

Youn Said:
I've used this forum for the past couple years and never felt that a few simple in-depth questions regarding the topic at hand could lead to something other then useful information.

According to your history, you started posting here on Friday, 9-17-04...

Hmmm...

"I've used this forum for the past couple years and never felt that a few simple in-depth questions regarding the topic at hand could lead to something other then useful information.
"

WOO HOO!!!!!!!

be afraid, be very VERY afraid