Best 2 channel mic/instrument preamp to go straight into Pro-Tools?

[Beedster]

Hi folks
Recent downsizing of the studio means I'm looking for a space-saving but high quality mic pre to replace my Mackie desk. Nearly all of the recording I'll be doing will be either one-track at a time or simultaneous guitar/voice (each mic'd separately). I'd like a unit that will run directly into Pro-Tools via my iMac (I can't see the point or running a decent pre into another interface before it goes into the computer, although i might be wrong here...). I'd also prefer a rack-mount unit, although quality/functionality is the primary concern, I cannot spend much more than £500. Although I probably will.
Any suggestions welcome
Chris

[Zenitram]

I read lots of [i]really nice[/i] things about these people:

[url="http://www.fmraudio.com/rnp.htm"]http://www.fmraudio.com/rnp.htm[/url]

Available here:

[url="https://www.kmraudio.com/brands/fmr.php"]https://www.kmraudio.../brands/fmr.php[/url]


Oh, hang on, you want to go straight to your computer from it... so it has to have A/D converters as well. Hmm.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Zenitram

[Beedster]

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1364298056' post='2024444']
Oh, hang on, you want to go straight to your computer from it... so it has to have A/D converters as well. Hmm.
[/quote]

Thanks Zenitram, yep, that's the plan. This is the kind of thing i'm thinking about http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/art-digital-mpa-ii-2-channel-mic-preamp-and-a-d-converter--76323

If I get a pre that doesn't have an A/D converter, is the best bet to buy an A/DC that goes straight into ProTools or to run the pre through a DAW? The latter seems a little daft but from reading around it seems to be what a lot of people do?

[51m0n]

Apogee Duet
RME Babyface

The Apogee is Mac only, the RME either Mac or PC. Both should do the job perfectly Chris, and should hit your budget.

[lowdown]

I don't know if it makes a difference to you Chris,
but the Apogee doe's not have any MIDI I/O's.


Garry

[Bolo]

How about the roland quadcapture? Not sure it's specced for your needs but I think it'll do nicely.

[urb]

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1364315354' post='2024748']
Apogee Duet
RME Babyface

The Apogee is Mac only, the RME either Mac or PC. Both should do the job perfectly Chris, and should hit your budget.
[/quote]

Based on my experiences with the RME Babyface - truly stunning sound both from a line in point of view - my bass has never sounded sweeter plugged in - and from a listening / mixing point of view - everything just sounds incredible. Add to that next to no latency and the RME is a total winner - and comes with a really cute bag and breakout leads for monitors and extra inputs.... I could go on - quite simply the best interface I've ever owned (I've owned about 4 others before this)

Hope that helps

[Beedster]

Thanks all. As ever, my brain is wandering......... Is it worth me spending the extra and getting a rack-mount pre with multiple channels such as the RME Firewire 800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RME-Fireface-800-Firewire-Audio-Interface-NEW-/310635049939?pt=UK_Musical_AudioMIDI_Interfaces&hash=item48534ab3d3? I really want quality pres with both economy of space and ease of use (which for mean means a rack-mount unit that sits under my iMac with as much as is possible being done on the screen). Whilst i doubt I'll be recording multiple instruments often, the option to do so without having to compromise on quality does appeal. By that I mean that if I have a two channel unit and want to record 4 instruments live I'm necessarily limited?

[urb]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1364337361' post='2025221']
Thanks all. As ever, my brain is wandering......... Is it worth me spending the extra and getting a rack-mount pre with multiple channels such as the RME Firewire 800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RME-Fireface-800-Firewire-Audio-Interface-NEW-/310635049939?pt=UK_Musical_AudioMIDI_Interfaces&hash=item48534ab3d3? I really want quality pres with both economy of space and ease of use (which for mean means a rack-mount unit that sits under my iMac with as much as is possible being done on the screen). Whilst i doubt I'll be recording multiple instruments often, the option to do so without having to compromise on quality does appeal. By that I mean that if I have a two channel unit and want to record 4 instruments live I'm necessarily limited?
[/quote]

All the RME units are amazing - my Babyface just sits on my desk like another harddrive - one thing you should know is that the Bsbyface is all metal - I know it looks like plastic in pictures but its very solidly built and the Total Mix software that comes with it is also great - I'm only saying this as its half this price of the 800

[6v6]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1364337361' post='2025221']
Thanks all. As ever, my brain is wandering......... Is it worth me spending the extra and getting a rack-mount pre with multiple channels such as the RME Firewire 800 [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RME-Fireface-800-Firewire-Audio-Interface-NEW-/310635049939?pt=UK_Musical_AudioMIDI_Interfaces&hash=item48534ab3d3?"]http://www.ebay.co.u...item48534ab3d3?[/url] I really want quality pres with both economy of space and ease of use (which for mean means a rack-mount unit that sits under my iMac with as much as is possible being done on the screen). Whilst i doubt I'll be recording multiple instruments often, the option to do so without having to compromise on quality does appeal. By that I mean that if I have a two channel unit and want to record 4 instruments live I'm necessarily limited?
[/quote]

With the babyface you're not limited to two inputs, it has ADAT, so you can add another 8 inputs by using an 8-channel pre/A-D unit or ADAT equipped mixer - so the limit is really 10 inputs.

[51m0n]

Yep I'm looking at something like an Audient ASP008 (but cheaper ha!) to snuggle up with my RME UCX, giving 10 mic inputs total, add an RME QuadMic and I'm up to 14 mic pres if I needed them (to be honest I doubt I ever would, and I may well look to getting some more colour preamps instead of more RME, for all that tehy are superb ).

The Fireface 800 is a great bit of kit, not as good as the UFX (for twice the money, but it does a lot more, with better ADA and mic pres etc etc and lower latency IIRC). A lot of people have built studios around them, but again for many inputs you are looking to add channels via ADAT, same as my UCX.

[Beedster]

Thanks very much all, RME incoming

[51m0n]

Oh you will like that!