want recommendation for inexpensive 1 or 2-channel mic preamp

[Dean Gildsworthy]

I have a Korg D12 multitrack recorder that has a couple of XLR inputs
but it doesn't provide phantom power. I'm planning to buy a Rode NT1A
mic for (mainly) vocal work and will need a way to power it. I know
you can buy stand-alone power units but I figured it'd be a good idea
to get a decent preamp as well since I'm guessing there's a lot of
room for improvement in this area. I'm looking to spend $300-ish and
plan to continually upgrade my gear as I get more and more into
recording. Looking thru catalogs I see many units with processing
such as compression/limiting, EQ, etc. and I wonder if it makes sense
to go for something with these capabilities as well or to keep it
simple and put all my money toward a straight up pre.

Also, how will I connect this unit to the D12? With just a 1/4" patch
cable into one of the D12's line inputs?

Thanks in advance, -Dean G.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I figured it'd be a good idea
> to get a decent preamp as well since I'm guessing there's a lot of
> room for improvement in this area. I'm looking to spend $300-ish

I'd suggest that you look around for a used Symetrix SX-202. It will
be well under $300 (unless it's achieved cult status yet) and it will
be a good, clean, no-gimmicks solid state preamp with phantom power.
This is a reasonably safe e-Bay buy.

> Also, how will I connect this unit to the D12? With just a 1/4" patch
> cable into one of the D12's line inputs?

That'll work fine.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I figured it'd be a good idea
> to get a decent preamp as well since I'm guessing there's a lot of
> room for improvement in this area. I'm looking to spend $300-ish

I'd suggest that you look around for a used Symetrix SX-202. It will
be well under $300 (unless it's achieved cult status yet) and it will
be a good, clean, no-gimmicks solid state preamp with phantom power.
This is a reasonably safe e-Bay buy.

> Also, how will I connect this unit to the D12? With just a 1/4" patch
> cable into one of the D12's line inputs?

That'll work fine.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Arny Krueger]

Mike Rivers wrote:
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> I figured it'd be a good idea
>> to get a decent preamp as well since I'm guessing there's a lot of
>> room for improvement in this area. I'm looking to spend $300-ish
>
> I'd suggest that you look around for a used Symetrix SX-202. It will
> be well under $300 (unless it's achieved cult status yet) and it will
> be a good, clean, no-gimmicks solid state preamp with phantom power.
> This is a reasonably safe e-Bay buy.

The last symetrix SX 202 closed on eBay at $175.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15198&item=3724233000&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Looks like it is in pretty nice shape.

I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club meeting, and
3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself included.

[Arny Krueger]

Mike Rivers wrote:
> In article >
> writes:
>
>> I figured it'd be a good idea
>> to get a decent preamp as well since I'm guessing there's a lot of
>> room for improvement in this area. I'm looking to spend $300-ish
>
> I'd suggest that you look around for a used Symetrix SX-202. It will
> be well under $300 (unless it's achieved cult status yet) and it will
> be a good, clean, no-gimmicks solid state preamp with phantom power.
> This is a reasonably safe e-Bay buy.

The last symetrix SX 202 closed on eBay at $175.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15198&item=3724233000&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Looks like it is in pretty nice shape.

I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club meeting, and
3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself included.

[Carey Carlan]

"Arny Krueger" > wrote in
:

> I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club
> meeting, and 3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself
> included.

And if you later decide you want to upgrade, there are mods for the 202
that can bring it up a notch without much extra cash.

[Carey Carlan]

"Arny Krueger" > wrote in
:

> I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club
> meeting, and 3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself
> included.

And if you later decide you want to upgrade, there are mods for the 202
that can bring it up a notch without much extra cash.

[Arny Krueger]

Carey Carlan wrote:
> "Arny Krueger" > wrote in
> :
>
>> I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club
>> meeting, and 3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself
>> included.
>
> And if you later decide you want to upgrade, there are mods for the
> 202 that can bring it up a notch without much extra cash.

I'd like to see that claim supported with unbiased tests.

[Arny Krueger]

Carey Carlan wrote:
> "Arny Krueger" > wrote in
> :
>
>> I was talking to a number of recordists at a recent audio club
>> meeting, and 3 of the 5 people in the discussion had SX202s, myself
>> included.
>
> And if you later decide you want to upgrade, there are mods for the
> 202 that can bring it up a notch without much extra cash.

I'd like to see that claim supported with unbiased tests.

[Dean Gildsworthy]

Thanks--I appreciate the replies. I hear people talking highly of the
RNP by FMR Audio. Looks like they go for about $500 new--does anyone
know what they go for used? Many on the market? Also, beside the
Symmetrix that Mike recommended, what else is available for a pre for
$300 or so? Thanks again, -Dean G.

[Dean Gildsworthy]

Thanks--I appreciate the replies. I hear people talking highly of the
RNP by FMR Audio. Looks like they go for about $500 new--does anyone
know what they go for used? Many on the market? Also, beside the
Symmetrix that Mike recommended, what else is available for a pre for
$300 or so? Thanks again, -Dean G.

[Richard Kuschel]

>
>Thanks--I appreciate the replies. I hear people talking highly of the
>RNP by FMR Audio. Looks like they go for about $500 new--does anyone
>know what they go for used? Many on the market? Also, beside the
>Symmetrix that Mike recommended, what else is available for a pre for
>$300 or so? Thanks again, -Dean G.
>

You probably aren't going to find a used FMR RNP because they have been out for
a very short time and the people who bought them love them.

Symetrix can be found on Ebay and with a couple of mods really work well.
Richard H. Kuschel
"I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty

[Richard Kuschel]

>
>Thanks--I appreciate the replies. I hear people talking highly of the
>RNP by FMR Audio. Looks like they go for about $500 new--does anyone
>know what they go for used? Many on the market? Also, beside the
>Symmetrix that Mike recommended, what else is available for a pre for
>$300 or so? Thanks again, -Dean G.
>

You probably aren't going to find a used FMR RNP because they have been out for
a very short time and the people who bought them love them.

Symetrix can be found on Ebay and with a couple of mods really work well.
Richard H. Kuschel
"I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty