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DON'T buy a cheap enclosure (Midas, Lindell etc)
They can be noisy and don't have the build quality you need for this platform.
Get a 6/8/10 slot rack.
I have a pair of Rupert Neve R10's- they are the best bang for the buck.
They do an excellent 6 slot rack.
The API 6 slot lunchbox is a solid purchase too.
If you want a high quality 2 slot rack then Empirical Labs make one but it is the same price as the API 6 slot..
What sort of preamp do you want to get?
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
I could just get a Warm audio 1U rack unit ?
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Warm Audio are fine- they are good quality and they are reliable but from prosumer to semi-professional isn’t a massive jump, compared to something like a real API 512c or a proper Never 1073.
Also, don't buy new- there are LOADS of used bargains.
Find something that is a professional quality level and buy it, regardless of form factor- but make sure it is a bargain.
If you need to buy a 500 series chassis then get a good one.
FWIW I bought a couple of Burl B1's and a Phoenix DRS1R (500 series format) for about £450 a piece.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
I'd definitely favour Octatonics opinion over my own, but here is my two cents.
Chassis:
I settled on the Midas L6, here is why...
Undoubtedly the API an others have significantly better performance and are more well constructed. that said I was surprised at the construction of the Midas, its solid. The power supply does have an unusual high pitched noise but so far this has not made its way into the audio path. I've read online that sometimes this gets quieter the more current is consumed (the more units you use), but I can't test this theory just yet.
Your mileage may vary.
Preamp:
I did a lot of online research but was only able to physically test a couple. I settled one a Phoenix DRS1R like Octatonic. However, the first one arrived broken and the second one broke within an hour or two. Just unlucky I'm sure, but it has put me off getting a third. the retailer was really helpful, refund, no problem.
When it was working the DRS sounded pretty good. Not HUGELY different to the preamps in the Audient, but noticeable.
So I began again and this time cam across the IGS NE573, which I think is quite new and didn't come up in my research before Christmas.
I managed to get hold of one and I have to say I'm super impressed. the difference is MUCH more noticeable. Vocals (which is all I've been able to test it on thus far) are significantly clearer, words more intelligible and just has that 'studio' sound. Because of the design it is also much easier to drive and get some of that transformer 'gooeyness.'
The build quality is fantastic.
I'm really impressed with IGS. I'll be adding more of their 500 series in the near future.
Hope this helps.
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https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
Can you go into your mixer line in, rather than mic in?
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
But what I'd say to you would be to seek out some audio examples comparing different preamps and see what you think of the difference between them (if you haven't already. I could even send you a few links if you want it to be blind).
Someone could come away from many forums, online articles etc. expecting the difference between preamps to be massive but in reality any differences are very subtle. I would expect a lot of people unable to tell them apart in a blind test.
Whereas I think if you compared two mics that were similarly far apart in the range, there would be a more obvious difference (although less of a difference than I would have expected in my early days of recording).
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
You should always target the weakest area- if you have a decent interface preamp and no decent mics then you should buy a microphone.
If you have some pro level microphones (plural) and want to upgrade from a decent interface preamp then that is a good idea.
It is best to spend your money on transducers and acoustic treatment before anything else.
Microphones, monitors and making the room sound good.
Everything else can happen over time.
Technique trumps almost all of these though- you can't buy your way into having a good recording.
It takes time and work.
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com
https://www.studiowear.co.uk/ -
https://twitter.com/spark240
Facebook - m.me/studiowear.co.uk
Reddit r/newmusicreview
Studio: https://www.voltperoctave.com
Music: https://www.euclideancircuits.com
Me: https://www.jamesrichmond.com