-ART Pro MPA II ($300) — 2 channel — pretty decent inexpensive tube preamp — I have heard of some replacing the stock tubes to get really good results. I like this one on my inexpensive sterile (Chinese made) mics.

-Golden Age Pre-73 ($300) — pretty colored but in a very musical way — also good with the inexpensive mics and ribbon mics — really good as a direct box for bass

-Focusrite ISA One (just under $500) — wow, LOTS of super clean gain and can be used a a direct box simultaneously with the mic pre — great for singer songwriters like me — and great with mics that already have a lot of character, such as tube mics — I really like this preamp — a lot

-Grace Design 101 — these haven’t arrived so I can’t say first hand yet — but they get great reviews — I picked 2 of these up for $400 each

Interestingly, I use a Presonus Firepod and the preamps on it are pretty clean, though you can’t push the gain without introducing some noise. So if you’re using dynamic or ribbon mics you kinda have to use a standalone preamp. All of the preamps I own provide more and cleaner gain than the Presonus when pushed (except perhaps the ART, which adds tube warmth but sometimes noise).

Great show! Many thanks for taking the time to put together these videos despite your hectic schedule. That you share your learned views with non-professional recordists such as myself is greatly appreciated. This pre-amp comparison was the first of your videos that I’ve watched, but now am looking forward to the rest of them.

Cheers and best of luck in all you do,

Ash

No, I have not had a chance to try those yet.

Not sure but this almost seems like an advertisement for P-solo.. 100%? how is that even possible.. I truly wish you had audio files to back up this comparison otherwise its completely opinionated, by who knows what circumstances..
the only way i see it going 100% is if the p-solo added some kind of color you were feeling that day..
I still thank you for the video and as for how long it is.. if you people don’t want to listen skip to the end.. duh? I enjoyed all of it except the lack of proof.
Please give us or at least me some files.

Hi Jason, Thanks for chiming in. Yes, everything I do is completely opinionated. That is all I really have to bring to the table. I do not know everything thing but I have made a few hundred more albums than most people on the planet, so I just try to share my take on things. I try to post files when ever I can, but sometimes I just don’t have to the time post post files in a way that would be meaningful (I will not post files unless I can do it in a way I think will be helpful to people). I am not sure if you are aware of this, but I do not make any money off the show. I do not take any advertising, no sponsorships, no subscriptions.. Doing the show actually costs me thousands of dollars every year. I just try and work on the show after sessions, or on my rare days off. So maybe some day I will be able to do it on a grander scale but for now I just do the best I can.

I preferred the P-Solo because it had the least color of the three. Generally with low cost mic pres, I am looking for he least amount of color. I am sorry if it came off as an ad, that certainly was not my intention. I was just very pleasantly surprised by the quality and shared my excitement.

Thanks againg or chiming in -Ronan

the only way i see it going 100% is if the p-solo added some kind of color you were feeling that day..

I still thank you for the video and as for how long it is.. if you people don’t want to listen skip to the end.. duh? I enjoyed all of it except the lack of proof.

Please give us or at least me some files.