Originally Posted by BIG JIM MERRILEES
As I have said before it is ALL down to the skill of the person using the equipment. I have heard great sound from cheap equipment and bad sound from expensive equipment.....it ALL depends on the skill of the person using the equipment.
Learn how to use the equipment properly FIRST then you will know what is best to buy and what your budget can buy.
The home studio market has become very sophisticated of late and some pretty good gear is available at budget prices BUT the best equipment is good ears and hands and the know how to set up and twiddle.


Just had to repeat what Jim said because this is the most sensible post I've seen in the whole thread.

A good solid state preamp that doesn't colour the sound is fairly easy to build nowadays. Your M-Audio interface may well be as good as any cheap add-on preamp. It certainly won't be the limiting factor in your recordings. In the whole scheme of things, your talent, your recording room and your mic choice are far more important than your choice of preamp (provided the preamp hasn't been deliberately designed to colour the sound like the ART does). Don't get hung up on things that aren't important.

James.

James Perrett, JRP Music http://www.jrpmusic.net

Della Perrett's Sweetedge http://www.sweetedge.com