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marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 11, 2020 6:04 am

How do you like the ISA Two? That’s on my short list for new mic pres.

love it! i’ve had it about a month now, it’s a nice flavor. has a lot of air and depth to it, and distorts in a nice way when you push it - kinda sounds like a tamed neve, if that makes sense. the impedance function is nice for bringing out the best in a microphone.

postchrist wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:33 pm

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 11, 2020 6:04 am

How do you like the ISA Two? That’s on my short list for new mic pres.

love it! i’ve had it about a month now, it’s a nice flavor. has a lot of air and depth to it, and distorts in a nice way when you push it - kinda sounds like a tamed neve, if that makes sense. the impedance function is nice for bringing out the best in a microphone.

Cool. Sounds up my alley sonically. I love my MP-2NV, but am looking for something with those kind of attributes for a little contrast.

Also really like the combo of variable HPF and balanced inserts. It would be great to be able to patch my compressors in and click them in and out.

the mp-2nv has always been intriguing to me, i have yet to try one out!

i will say, in my experience, the isa is harder to push low-output mics with. my m-160 and sm7b tend to sound better with my dav pres - running with the isa tends to introduce a little bit of noise. they sound absolutely stunning paired with a couple mk-012s as drum overheads, or on guitars, and the di inputs sound a lot better than i would expect.

granted, the noise thing could also be a wiring issue - the electrical in my space is less than ideal, and i deal with ground noise problems occasionally when running amps in the room, so it could just as easily be that. too many variables, it makes my brain hurt.

postchrist wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:43 pm

the mp-2nv has always been intriguing to me, i have yet to try one out!

i will say, in my experience, the isa is harder to push low-output mics with. my m-160 and sm7b tend to sound better with my dav pres - running with the isa tends to introduce a little bit of noise. they sound absolutely stunning paired with a couple mk-012s as drum overheads, or on guitars, and the di inputs sound a lot better than i would expect.

granted, the noise thing could also be a wiring issue - the electrical in my space is less than ideal, and i deal with ground noise problems occasionally when running amps in the room, so it could just as easily be that. too many variables, it makes my brain hurt.

You could also look into some kind of inline phantom powered preamp for your low output mics (Cloudlifter, FEThead, etc...).

I am literally running an extension cord from my garage over to my rack because my basement is all two prong and noisy as hell.
I have a power conditioner for my stuff, but I'm pretty surprised it isn't noisier.

Thanks for the mini ISA Two review. The noise thing concerns me a little, but I tend not to use low output mics on quiet sources. Really dig the MP-2NV. It was a big expense at the time, but I've never found myself wishing for something better, just something different. Like, if I want a "texture" acoustic guitar to keep pretty low in mix I want something more immediate sounding. For more stripped down arrangements a little more honest sounding pre for vocals can be nice. The DIs are great.

a joyous day! ordered this a little while ago and after a tuneup at transaudio it arrived on my doorstep this morning. running some drums, sax, guitars, and full mixes through it to get the idea. so far seems to be the versatile desert island comp i was hoping it would be.

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:19 pm

You could also look into some kind of inline phantom powered preamp for your low output mics (Cloudlifter, FEThead, etc...).

I am literally running an extension cord from my garage over to my rack because my basement is all two prong and noisy as hell.
I have a power conditioner for my stuff, but I'm pretty surprised it isn't noisier.

Thanks for the mini ISA Two review. The noise thing concerns me a little, but I tend not to use low output mics on quiet sources. Really dig the MP-2NV. It was a big expense at the time, but I've never found myself wishing for something better, just something different. Like, if I want a "texture" acoustic guitar to keep pretty low in mix I want something more immediate sounding. For more stripped down arrangements a little more honest sounding pre for vocals can be nice. The DIs are great.

cloudlifter/fethead is on the list - been thinking on whether to order a couple or just go for the full cloudlifter rack unit.

an isolating transformer might be on the list as well - proposed in that rod gervais book as a good solution to ground noise issues when rewiring isn’t an option. maybe something to look into?

Happy new compressor day!

postchrist wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:18 pm

cloudlifter/fethead is on the list - been thinking on whether to order a couple or just go for the full cloudlifter rack unit.

Look into the Klark Teknik mic booster for $30 first. No reason to spend $100 on a Cloudlifter that I can see.

postchrist wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:33 pm

marqueemoon wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 11, 2020 6:04 am

How do you like the ISA Two? That’s on my short list for new mic pres.

love it! i’ve had it about a month now, it’s a nice flavor. has a lot of air and depth to it, and distorts in a nice way when you push it - kinda sounds like a tamed neve, if that makes sense. the impedance function is nice for bringing out the best in a microphone.

Well, I decided to join ISA Two crüe. Finally found a gently used one at a swingable price.

Larry Mal wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:22 pm

postchrist wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:18 pm

cloudlifter/fethead is on the list - been thinking on whether to order a couple or just go for the full cloudlifter rack unit.

Look into the Klark Teknik mic booster for $30 first. No reason to spend $100 on a Cloudlifter that I can see.

Having a cheap klark and a Fethead they certainly sound different even in my cheap setup. The klark just sounds like the preamp, Fethead clarifies the ribbons and dynamics due to the higher impedance. Other changes maybe noise, but that depends what its going to in either case.

jorri wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:03 pm

Larry Mal wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:22 pm

postchrist wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:18 pm

cloudlifter/fethead is on the list - been thinking on whether to order a couple or just go for the full cloudlifter rack unit.

Look into the Klark Teknik mic booster for $30 first. No reason to spend $100 on a Cloudlifter that I can see.

Having a cheap klark and a Fethead they certainly sound different even in my cheap setup. The klark just sounds like the preamp, Fethead clarifies the ribbons and dynamics due to the higher impedance. Other changes maybe noise, but that depends what its going to in either case.

Thanks for letting me know!

Larry Mal wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:31 pm

jorri wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:03 pm

Larry Mal wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:22 pm

Look into the Klark Teknik mic booster for $30 first. No reason to spend $100 on a Cloudlifter that I can see.

Having a cheap klark and a Fethead they certainly sound different even in my cheap setup. The klark just sounds like the preamp, Fethead clarifies the ribbons and dynamics due to the higher impedance. Other changes maybe noise, but that depends what its going to in either case.

Thanks for letting me know!

I think less noise on Fethead. Except it was picking up weird phantom power whines from my cheap tube pre. Given that the pre was £40 its probably the pres fault but the Klark didnt!
Anyway, i use for stereo ribbon on piano...unmatched models.
I think they may even do a low impedance model by fethead (i.e. standard youd find on a mixer, for condensers----that would be more like the Klark i suppose except it doesnt pass phantom power so you cant use with condensers without an extra power box!)

Your idea’s a very good one, but I think since you might have some issues with your neighbors than you should invest more in noise cancellation. It may sound pretty easy, but if you want a good result, you should pay attention to the details and contact a specialist. It doesn’t need to be a sound professional; a good interior design it’s enough. You should contact Kate Hartman interiors, she does an amazing job, and you’ll receive a good noise cancelation that looks incredibly good and pleasing.

Bruh, it’s one of the best home studios I’ve ever seen. It’s happy to rent that extra room from you just to be able to look at this room daily and maybe even touch something in it. I rent a house now, and the landlord doesn’t allow me to change the furniture arrangement. I hate that, but I have to obey because he offers a really good price compared to the others.
The only thing he allowed me to add to the interior was the l shape desk because there was no working table at all. I desperately needed it because I work remotely.
Hopefully, one day I will buy a house, and then I will make myself a cool studio too.

postchrist wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:33 pm

- kinda sounds like a tamed neve, if that makes sense.

Considering its based on the OG 110 ISA pre/Eq Neve made for George Martin to replace the 1073s in his console that makes all the sense..