Studio E Pre-amp Shootout

In this shootout I tested the tonality of 4 different pre-amps by recording an

acoustic guitar. The artist I brought in to record is Grace Kmiecik. I asked Grace to play

the same the phrase over and over as I recorded her playing through each pre-amp with

the Shure KSM44A.

During my research, I was looking for the best way to mic an acoustic guitar to

make sure I got the absolute best sound possible for testing the pre-amps. One article I

came across was, How To Record A Great Acoustic Guitar Sound from Sound On

Sound. This article explained multiple different positions that the mic could be placed to

achieve different sounds. For example, to get a good mix of resonance and string

sound you should aim the mic to the spot on the guitar where the neck meets the body.
To get less of the string noise, you can position the mic a little more vertical from the

sound hole and aim the mic down to avoid extra boominess. In the other article I found

by MXL, Mic Stuff: 7 Critical Tips on How to Mic an Acoustic Guitar, they talk about

different tips and tricks and things to avoid while miking an acoustic guitar. One of the

tips that they give is to avoid placing the mic directly in front of the sound hole. I

incorporated Sound On Sound’s advice by aiming the mic where the neck meets the

body, along with avoiding placing the mic directly in front of the sound hole and instead

placing it directly infront of where I was aiming the mic.

The first pre-amp I recorded Grace playing through was the Focusrite ISA 428

MKII. This preamp features a large gain knob paired with a smaller gain knob for finer

tuner to allow you to get your recording levels exactly where you want them. The 428

also includes phantom power, phase inversion, 30-60 switch for more gain, and an

adjustable filter.
 The second preamp I used was the Daking Mic Pre IV. This preamp features

features a pad, ¼” switch, phantom power and phase switch. It has one gain knob but it

is still easy to get the levels you want.

The next preamp I used was the Chandler Limited TG-2. This preamp features

two gain knob. The first gain knob is for macrotuning and the second knob is for fine

tuning. There is also a phantom power button, phase switch, DI input, and a high pass

filter.
 The Last preamp I used was the Universal Audio 4-170d. This preamp features

phantom power, a pad, mic/line switch, low cut filter, phase switch, and best of all, an

adjustable gradient knob.

 The Focusrite has a very clear sound. It provides a transparent sound without

any of its own coloration added. What you record with the Focusrite is what you get.

The Daking Mic Pre IV adds warmth and low end to the guitar while killing some of the

high end. The TG-2 is very bright with little low end. It makes the guitar sound very

brassy. The 4-170d turned all the way to tube is the perfect blend of highs and lows. IT

provides the guitar with lots of warmth and creates a guitar sound that is sure to

impress.

When it comes to my order from 1st to 4th (1st being the best), I have to put the

4-710d first. The overall quallity of the coloration and the quality of tone that it provides

is in my opinion superior than the rest. Following the 4-710d in second place is the

Daking Mic Pre IV. The Pre IV’s warmth and low end isn’t as great as the 4-170d but it

wins over TG-2 and Focusrite because it doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of

brassyness. In third place is the Focusrite, while the Focusrite doesn’t have any of its

own coloration, it gives you the freedom to color the sound of the guitar anyway you

want in mixing. In last place is the TG-2. The TG-2 is coming last in my opinion due to

the brassyness that it adds to the guitarsound. While brassy guitars may be someone

else’s cup of tea, it is simply not mine.