Joemeek Studio & Home Studio

This is one ugly unit, its GREEN. I've been tempted to repaint it but just never got around to it but anywhere lets let at what we're getting out of this channel strip pre Mic Preamp Compressor Equalizer Insert Point Dual Outputs Mic/Instrument input Ugly green color Phantom Power UTILIZATION This preamp is easy to configure (manual not needed. The manual is very easy to follow, I mean my son can go over it and understand what the preamp does and exactly how to use it. The features (listed above) are simple to use and modify the manual even gives some tips on how and when to use them. Most people use mic preamps to amplify their mic signal others use it for instruments as well as other audio signals SOUND QUALITY Unlike a lot of other preamps in the price range of $100-$250 this one has a very unique sound. It's very warm and crunchy but not the crunchy you'd hear from like an S950 sample. It's sound is called the "British Sound" in fact, the best comparison I can give is the sound the Beatles had back in their day.. The meek sounds good on both and male and female vocals. I haven't tested many mics on this unit the only ones I have tested were the following: Behringer B2 Studio Projects B3 Nueman U87 Nady Scm 90 JM47 (joe meek) all mics complimented well. OVERALL OPINION My only gripe with this preamp is it's cosmestic look (the green color) aside from that it's a great unit. I use it a lot for sound designing (more than vocals) my clients have no complaints and neither do I. There are a lot of other preamps out there and maybe I'm attached to this one because it was my 1st? There is some truth to that but for the money its a steal, especially these days because they're cheaper than what I paid for it back in 00. Other preamps I've worked with over the years include Mindprints Art (Pro channel to be specific) Avalon Grace I've worked with a lot of quality once but the meek get's my vote because it's quality and the sound is unique.

The Joe Meek ThreeQ is an analog based, solid state channel strip that contains a preamplifier, an optical compressor and a four band equalizer. It has 1/4 inch connections as well as an XLR input for your microphone. It is powered by the 12 volt power supply that comes with it and it is not a standard rack mountable piece of gear. UTILIZATION The configuration of the Joe Meek ThreeQ is pretty easy to follow all together. From left to right, it has a knob for preamp gain, while the optical compressor has parameters for compress, attack, release and the EQ has a low filter knob that is set on 80 Hz, a mid frequency knob that you can choose your desired frequency with another knob to set the gain, and a high filter knob set at 12 KHz. There is then an output gain knob and buttons to set the compressor and EQ either in or out and another to choose either line or mic input. It also has a series of LED meters that measure a variety of things and come in very handy. The manual for the Joe Meek ThreeQ is pretty complete, but really isn't necessary to learn the unit. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of the Joe Meek ThreeQ is really good overall, as I'm a big fan of the preamp as well as the compressor and equalizer. The preamp won't color your sound at all and definitely will reproduce the sound of your microphones well as accurately. The compressor and the EQ are both very clean and respectable sounding. I really can't complain at all about the overall sound of this unit, especially when you take into consideration what you are getting for the price. OVERALL OPINION I've been using hte Joe Meek ThreeQ for only about a year but I've grown to love this unit in this short time. While its certainly not the best channel strip I've ever heard, it is respectable across the board and is always reliable for me. Its basic form makes it easy to use and the price really can't be beat. You're getting a nice preamp in addition to a clean compressor and EQ all for a one low price. If you are a home studio owner looking to expand your set up with some nice channel strips, picking up a few of these is definitely a good start!