What would you cop (preamp/compressor)?

Hey yall, I need some advice shopping for a stereo pre/ compressor.
Of course I would like 2 channels of SSL, and two TLAs, but that's not gonna happen this week. I been shopping around for other units, but I'd like to know from people using a particualr unit, or have a couple different ones and could tell me which one they feeling more. Something that sounds dope, stereo preamp and compressor in one unit. Eq and/or sidechain would be cool, but it's not necessary for me. Tube or solidstate, I don't give a fizzle, long as it's analog. This is for a vocal pre/compressor, or processing stereo material. Tell me what you would cop or what you like using.

If it's for vocals, there are many good units out there that combine a decent preamp and a compressor (and often EQ too) in one box.

Joemeek, MindPrint, TL audio... shop around. The Focusrite Platinum range is particularly good value for money - meaning you'd have to start spending crazy money to get a noticably better sound than one of these babies.

Word, I was considering the Focusrite stuff. Then I saw the M Audio Tampa. This sales guy was actually suggesting that, even tho it was cheaper than the focusrite. I was about to cop, and then I read a review that said how the attack time is not fast enough for vocals on the Tampa. It sounded good, but I ain't hear it on an MC tho. My man Bena likes his, tho...

Do you use any of the Focusrite joints?

This is a tough one.
The choice has a lot to do with the kind of sound you want...smooth, silky, tubey, warm, clean....blah, blah, blah.

That said, I have an old Symetrix 528 channel strip w/ mic pre, compresser/gate and eq. It's a single channel unit. A few years ago, I got it modified by Audio Upgrades. They replaced the mic-pre w/ one of their own, took out all the resistors, capacitors, op-amps and a few other parts. The thing is extremely clean and clear and very fast now. It's got enormous headroom too. Can't brag enough about it. It's definitely a high end product now. Cost me $150 used when I got it and $300 to modifiy. Well worth it.

Suggestions for you:
In the clean-ish realm.....
Have you considerd the FMR Really Nice Compressor & Really Nice Preamp combo?

Check at www.mercenaryaudio.com

Peace.

I actually have been checking out that FMR really nice series. Do you think this preamp is better than the preamps on either my yamaha 01v or my digi 001? Think combo of fmr units beats those focusrite combos? Very good info man, thanks...

I have an 01v and digi001 too!

Well, I think the RNP will give you a texture that will shine nicely in that environment. People that I respect greatly feel very good about both of FMR's products. It will be very clean with a texture. The 01v is cleanish with some smear, sorta like the 001.

I wish I could afford the 01v/96. That would clean up my sound a lil bit and allow me to keep the 001 for a few more years without worrying about the sound quality.

Good luck and peace.

Word, I feel you on that. Quality is OK with my setup, I even like the converters on the yami better than the 001, but I been eyeing that 96 fa sho, specially w/ the daw control spec. 'Smear' indeed...I checked out the FMR page and they had some well known people talking about it. Thanks for that.
I also been seeing alot of talk about that oldschool dbx118. I uses to use the 160vu (wood siding) for vox compressiion to tape, and it was the sh!t... but the 118 look like it's great for stereo program limiting. I dunno, could I use that for vox to tape, assuming you like those old woodgrain joints?

Try this: www.toftaudiodesigns.com

trupro;
A friend of mine here in Philly has a Pro Tools HD setup.
He has pretty much sold off all of his hardware.
He uses plug-ins for everything.
His stuff sounds awesome.

He tries to get the cleanest signal possible.
He uses an Octapre and and that Avalon Micpre/Compressor unit.
That's basically it, along with his mics.

I'll telling you his stuff is hot.
He did the new Zap Mama album.

So, it can be done without over reliance on hardware.
Without extra expenditures on hardware too.
(Although, I understand personal preferences too.)

Peace.

TLA do a budget tube pre/comp series, the FAT-1 and FAT-2, I have a FAT-1, the 2-channel box. Not the most radical distortion boxes, more useful at real tasks like warming up instruments and mixes. http://www.fat-man.co.uk/

Kilowax - have you tried the toft designs? I have recently been in studio using the last trident desk he made, and was completely blown away by the preamps and eq - massive sound and razor sharp highs. Was thinking of looking at his preamps and comps. Have you heard/used them?

Word up Homer. When I mix, plugins are great.
But on the way in, I definately need to squeeze
vocals on the way to the DAW a little, and have
a better signal chain than what I got goin on now.
We had a bunch of classic pres and a nice
dbx160VU (you know, with them woodgrain sides!)
which sounded great to tape, but now I got my
home studio for pre-production, so I gotta cop my own.
I'm glad you chimed in on this one; you know your sh!t.
I'ma keep shopping, and I'ma try one of those FMRs.
Anything above that range, but a little cheaper
than the Avalon that you can think of, post it up!

Yo Killa, good looks. I might have to get that EC-1.
Like the boy said: do you own any of the Toft joints?

Yo stereoroid, do you use the FAT to
compress vocals during recording?

Tru;
There are all kinds of flavors out there. I particularly like the good, but cheap flavors. Another jawn that I heard about that is supposed to be another quiet storm is the Broadhurst Gardens mic pre.

And couple years ago, when the dollar was higher and just before the development of the Euro, I copped two Telefunken 672 preamps from a cat in Germany. I then sent them to TAB-Funkenwerk for serviceing and rack mounting. Whole thing cost me about $650. Sounds beautiful!!

I got one more trick up my sleeve, but holler at me via email and I'll drop this other low-end jewel on you.

Peace.

Arctec- I was about the Toft, but I coped an UA 6176.
By the way, I heard the Toft, it's a real serious piece of gear, xcept EQ (high range) is not so great, and graphic not so clear to be read! The pré&comp has real good sound.
I don't know if you can compare with his Trident Boards, I never used one, but the Toft is a serious product, well built. Just, I will skip the EQ...

Peace.

Bellari RP503 two of them for like $400 can't beat that. IMO as far as the budget goes.