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[Lynn DeWalt]

Sorry, I moved this topic to the LAB Lounge where it was more appropriate. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[Lynn DeWalt]

Since I just read the LAB or LAB Lounge? Post, go ahead and move this one over. I can't seem to figure out how to delete it on my own...

[John Roberts {JR}]

Lynn DeWalt wrote on Fri, 07 July 2006 20:00

Hi. I'm new to the live sound business, as our band has only had 4 gigs. So forgive me if I've come to the wrong place to answer this newbie question with our less than Pro-quality setup. We're constantly tweaking our sound, and I'd like to get some advice on Pre-Amps. I want to get a warmer sound for all the singers in the band (3 most of the time, occasionally 4). So I'm thinking about Pre-amp with a tube, reverb and chorus help, but I think we need a little more warmth... especially for our female. Now the questions start - I know you get what you pay for, but is there a good inexpensive tube pre-amp? And what about this for economy - is there any reason we can't run the 4 mics through a mixer (we already have an extra or two), then go to the Pre-amp, then the powered mixer instead of getting a tube pre-amp for each mic channel? Our setup is a Yamaha EMX5000 20 with two Club 115s. We have other speakers and amps available for monitor if neccessary (Peavey equivalent of the 115s and Crown amps, with the aforementioned mixer, a Behringer I think, and even a spare Mackie 808). Our mics are SM58s or equivalent. The Yamaha is dedicated to the vocalists and my keyboard at the moment...we hope to eventually put everyone through the mix (hence the 20). If you can think of a better next step for this setup, other than pre-amps, let me know... We have a few SM57s for the guitarists to go through the Yamaha, but no drum mics.. BTW we are a 70's band, doing Classic Rock, Disco, Funk and Acoustic Rock. Our main venue will be bars that hold 50 - 150 people, though we have already had one outdoor gig.

Yes your question is in the wrong forum... the Lounge would be more appropriate for beginner questions.

The quick answer is save your preamp money. No matter how much you spend on a pre the sound will still be dominated by the SM57 and strip EQ. A good early investment might be a mic that is a good match for the singer. This may involve kicking tires at a music store that lets you spit on their new gear, or rental, or borrow, or whatever.

JR

[John Roberts {JR}]

Lynn DeWalt wrote on Fri, 07 July 2006 20:16

Since I just read the LAB or LAB Lounge? Post, go ahead and move this one over. I can't seem to figure out how to delete it on my own...

With the edit button you can edit it to remove content and tell folks you've moved it yourself.

JR

[Alexandre Richer]

Two threads on preamps/channel strips-in-a-rack type things, and their uses/lack thereof:
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php?t=rview&goto=5 7451&th=6952
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/13216/0

One thread on what people use to "warm-up" their system.
http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/13216/0

And yes, different microphones or a console with more flexible EQ might be a better investment than a tube re-heater.

[ProSoundWeb Community]