Avalon U5

to my knowledge, the U5 is a DI box, not a preamp. You should go to the Avalon web site and search for the M5, wich is a great preamp. see

The U5 is a D/I box and a preamp. But just a instrument preamp. Not a micpre. You can use it for gtr/bass/keys you can also use it like a bass preamp. Run the U5 into a power amp then to a cab. It sounds great. But if you are needing a micpre also you will need to get something for that. If money is tight and you not sure about getting both U5 and micpre. You should look at the Langevin DVC (Dual Vocal Combo) it's 2ch's of micpre/eq/limiter and very good D/I. The D/I sounds very good bass. But the one thing I like on the U5 is the pass thru jack. You may not use that in an apartment but I use it to run the bass signal into a amp. That way I can record the D/I signal and amped signal at the same time. But if you are not going to do a lot of micing because it's to noise then just get the U5 for your instruments. Goodluck

Thanks for the advice. I'm kind of torn now though. Do you know of a Website where I could do some research on the Langevin DVC? Mic Pres wouldn't be a bad thing to have, because I'm going to be doing vocals as well. I've alway's got the built in pres on the 002R though. I've heard that they are pretty good quality, but I really haven't had the opportunity to make a comparison yet.

The U5 is great! We use it all the time. Bass gtr, Acoustic gtr ( with internal pickups), keyboards, all sorts of stuff......we also have it's brother the M5 ( Mic Pre ) I highly recommend both units.... great sound and they even have a reasonable price. cheers georgia

Check out the FMR RNP and RNC. The RNP (Really Nice Pre-Amp) is a great sounding mic pre that also can be used to run direct. You get two channels of fairly high quality mic pre for about $500. The RNC (Really Nice Compressor) is a two channel compressor that does a great job for about $200. I've got the pair and the RNP is one of the Mic Pre's I use on my Mix Plus system (Along with my Grace and Great River). I know that you didn't ask about the RNP, but I thought I would offer it as a suggestion since you were looking for something like the U5 which is in the $500 price range. Good luck!

Are those also Avalon products?