preamp on a budget - what are my options here?

[rhinowing]

I have $100 to spend, give or take a bit. The box needs to be able to do plug-in for both CA-11 and SP-BMC-2 mics (and will hopefully running into a DR-2D for some matrixes). I am currently looking at something like a used UGLY, but would love some input here as to other brands, as I haven't ever purchased a preamp (just battery boxes)

[cashandkerouac]

with that budget your options are extremely limited.  you might as well look for a used Church preamp (ugly, 9100 or 9200) or a Sound Professionals SP preamp if you're running Church mics and Sound Professionals mics. 

[fmaderjr]

with that budget your options are extremely limited.  you might as well look for a used Church preamp (ugly, 9100 or 9200) or a Sound Professionals SP preamp if you're running Church mics and Sound Professionals mics.

I would stick with one of the Church models. Noise specs are better than SP's I think.

9200 is great, but I doubt if one can be had for close to $100.

I would go with an UGLY if you prefer battery box size and won't need to change the gain at the show. According to Chris Church, set the gain knobs at about 90% (1:00) for a loud show and all the way open for a quieter one and use the recorder to adjust your levels.

If you want to be able to tinker with the pre's levels at the show and don't mind the larger size, get a 9100. I prefer the 9100 since I don't find it a problem to stealth with.

[adrianf74]

I would stick with one of the Church models. Noise specs are better than SP's I think.

I would go with an UGLY if you prefer battery box size and won't need to change the gain at the show. According to Chris Church, set the gain knobs at about 90% (1:00) for a loud show and all the way open for a quieter one and use the recorder to adjust your levels.

If you want to be able to tinker with the pre's levels at the show and don't mind the larger size, get a 9100. I prefer the 9100 since I don't find it a problem to stealth with.

^^^ What he said.

I've used both the Ugly and 9100.   The Ugly is a quieter device (as per Chris), however, the 9100 is a lot easier to adjust on the fly. I'd recommend looking for a 9100 because of this.   I used my Ugly as a glorified battery box -- that is I set it to the levels I needed to counter my DPA 4061's 2dB differential).   Depending on what you're recording, you might be fine just using a battery box which can be had for around $30 used.

[aaronji]

If I were in your shoes, I would try to scrape up the extra $50 and get a tinybox...

[rhinowing]

If I were in your shoes, I would try to scrape up the extra $50 and get a tinybox...

not a bad idea at all - it is possible to get it without the mini XLRs, right? I would only be using 1/8ths

[adrianf74]

I'd grab the Tinybox for $30 more than the 9100.  Jon has it available right now so you'll have no "build time" to wait through and Jon does ship stuff quickly (and well).

[acidjack]

I have $100 to spend, give or take a bit. The box needs to be able to do plug-in for both CA-11 and SP-BMC-2 mics (and will hopefully running into a DR-2D for some matrixes). I am currently looking at something like a used UGLY, but would love some input here as to other brands, as I haven't ever purchased a preamp (just battery boxes)

Isn't most of the stuff you record loud/PA systems?  Why do you think you need a pre at all?  Are you not getting sufficient levels with your battery box?

That said, I'd agree that at that price, the tinybox is your move.  And it can "grow with you" so to speak if you upgrade to P48 fullsize mics that a tinybox v1.5 can power later (I'd assume).

[F.O.Bean]

Id snatch up the TinyBox Jon is offering you. They are truly TINY and sound AMAZING. Ive also used a CA 9100, and loved the results I got with that. But for most of the recording I do, a quality battery box is all that would be needed. Unless youre going to record classical stuf and acoustic/quiet stuiff, then Id go the 9100/TB route, otherwise, just keep using a HQ battery box and save yourself some $$