Re: inexpensive small true mic preamps

["Matthew F. McCabe" <mmccabe@finleysound.com>]

Rick,

Why do you want a tube preamp?  If you are looking to impart a little  
more vibe in your recordings and get a less "digital" sound, I'd  
recommend picking up a ribbon mic.   I purchased a $250 ribbon mic  
from Shiny Box (after it got a rave review in TapeOp) and it has  
become my mic of choice for vocals and guitar.  Much more open and  
natural sounding than my dynamic and condenser mics.  I hardly use my  
AKG 414 anymore.  SM57 for guitar?  Forgot about it.

The only downside is that you need a mic pre with a lot of gain if  
you recording quiet instruments.

Matt

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King Never
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