Joemeek MicroMeek MQ3

It was an ebay purchase - no manual, but pretty much a new unit. My winning bid was $150. I needed it for my digital tabletop 8 track recorder (Tascam 788). I needed more gain and more warmth in the vocals and acoustic instruments.

The short answer - the sound. Very musical EQ, transparent compressor. Just using the mic pre by itself adds a lot of warmth to your recordings.

The el-cheapo wall wart is the only problem I've encountered.

It seems to be ruggedly built.

I did a side by side taste and compare with a friend's $3000 (no kidding) single channel mic pre and the Joemeek held up remarkabley well. This is the bottom line: if you want better sounding digital recordings, get one of these.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

It is analog, with a prampli transistor, an opto-compressor typical Joemeek, and a 3 band equalizer (80 Hz - 1.8 kHz - 8 kHz). The processed signal is mono, with the possibility of XLR (48V) or Jack. Each "part" possde its own switch.
The Casing is small, trs solid, and there (it seems) adapters for rack mounted.

UTILIZATION

Setting simple, one button = one function. The manual is in English, and relatively short. But invited to try, and it's essential.

SOUND QUALITY

This is the main reason for purchasing this "mini" strip ... Those looking for a prampli neutral, do not read further. There are other brands for cel.
The prampli itself does not have a lot of color. Trs is neutral, and stays clean even with a lev rglage. The knob notched to the level of input is enjoyable trs handle.
The opto-compressor really gives a touch of 70's sound. Do not try hsiter, whether on an analog synth, a drum loop, or a microphone. Opportunities rglages trs are important, and the passage of a compression lgre a monster "boooom" a kick is possible. The highlight of this unit.
The Meequalizer when it trs musical. Trs soft, warm and round. For the price, it's really gnial.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for several months dj. As pass an old 8-track Revox ProTools, I was looking for a small prampli, just to give a little heat my recordings. I knew those old Joemeek studio equipment, or of the tranches of Trident consoles. The small device MQ3 is still stamped "Made in England". Its production ceased there are over 3 years now dj replaced by the small ThreeQ, manufactured in China.
In my opinion much better than any prampli cheap lamp that has a tendency to saturate quickly rev ...
Great price quality ratio. If I find yet another era of Joemeek products, I would continue on this launch ...

Preamp manufacturing 100% UK. type with an analog optical compression and EQ (Meequalizer) 3 bands.
It comes into XLR or Jack. and there are several outputs: one for the recorder and one for the console if necessary.

UTILIZATION

The handling is quick trs. Just do some tests to determine what type of compression you need and APRS Wraps

The manual is clear trs. It yammer of the Ides of rglages by instrument preamp (bass, guitar, vocals ...)

SOUND QUALITY

I had read many positive opinion on this brand and their series of "mini" range. Well APRS several tests (on vocals, bass and flute traversire), I must say that this preamp is TERRIBLE!
The sound is very well reproduced at all ALTR. Compression is great, or powerful discrte. and the EQ is musical trs. (dosed with moderation)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months. I previously had a Presonus Blue Tube DP did not add anything, it amplifies it all. (This can be normal ... but good)
but with this preamp is another story!

The catch with it on their own are placed in the mix! it is a joy. It shows a real presence and its wide and round.

Having bought OCCAZ 100, the report qualitprix is ​​excellent! Since I bought a C2 and a VC3Q ...