Which is better? I need it as preamp for electric guitar (and maybe for microphone in future) and also as standalone eq/comp. Joemeek has digital I/O. Art has tube. So?

Thanks!

Most of my experiences with JoeMeek gear have been pleasent.

Most of my experience with ART stuff has been dissapointing and frustrating.

While I haven't used either of the peices you are asking about. I would have to advise anyone to stay away from ART stuff.

Better ................ ????
I have gear by both companies and have had good results with both.
Do you want to use the pre as a direct input for your electric guitar?
If so both will work but your sonic palette for guitar is limited to be sure.

Art stuff can be a little hit or miss but the hits are hits. Both the pro vla and pro mpa are hits, and while I havent used the pro channel I have heard that it is largely rooted in those two devices. Can't compare it to the meek from experience but I also have heard that the meeks comp is more of an obvious color comp where the vla is more transparent when you want it to be.

I have an ART Pro Tube Channel and like it quite a bit. I particularly like it for growly bass guitar tones. I also have used it to warm up and modify guitar played through a Pod. If you use a Pod I think you would find one of these quite useful.

I am having SixQ. Very good it is, buy it.

ART Quality Control has been very weak. I have to agree, it is either hit or miss. If the Pro Channel is in lines with the VLA and MPA I'd say go for it but check the return policy just incase you do get a dud.

.......

Haven't tried the Meek but I use a Pro Channel all the time and it's very cool on guitar and bass. Vocally, I get great results for other singers, but it's hard to dial in on my own voice. If you get it, change the tubes immediately. Just sent for a Mullard for the preamp section. Hopefully it will be all creamy-like. Very versatile unit, tho the eq section is a little harsh - I figured a tube eq would be smooth, but, well, it's great on guitars and bass. The opto compressor is great, pretty transparent and simple to use. The tube compressor isn't as versatile, but has a little faster attack than the opto and can be useful if patience is employed when dialing in levels. DEFINITELY worth the price, just don't marry it for vocals - may work for you, may not. and TUBES TUBES TUBES.

Both the Pro VLA and the Joe Meek are somewhat colored sounding units, albeit with different colorations. That's not a bad thing but it would be best to try before you buy and see if it suits your aesthetic. Some very highly regarded people like the Meek Stuff, others hate it. Same for the VLA. Which version you have also makes a difference. I personally like the very early Meek stuff better.

I own the VC1q and the Pro Channel. I have not spent a whole lot of time with these (or with recording in general), but I suspect that most people would have more uses for the VC1q than the Pro Channel. The Art tends to have a bit of a darkness (opposite of sparkle) that I tend to not like--especially on vocals. However, that darkness may be just what your guitar sound needs.

I suspect that the VC6 is pretty similar to the VC1q, but I am not for sure on that.

Prorec.com has reviews of both of these.

the PROMPA & VLA are at home in my rack and serve me well.

I agree about the Iron switch. This unit can do clean or creamy very nicely. The comp takes some getting used to, but nice outcome when you get it down. The features on it are amazing for the price. I compared it to my Hardy for a few hours one day on acoustic guitar, and was amazed at how it compared. It wouldnt make me sell the Hardy, but I wouldnt put off a session if the Hardy (gasp!) was out for repair..

You arent dealing with any noise either, that you may be with the ART units, I havent heard them.

i've posted here often about my threeQ which sits on my pedalboard as my guitar preamp and is the *dogs tits* for the job. quite incredible what this little unit has done for my guitar sound at a very reasonable price point.

i've also got an old school meek vc1 in my rack - different units, different preamps and different sounds. i do love this burr-brown flavour though, very big, very clear - the build quality is solid, more so than the old unit - i'd certainly recommend the new joemeek to you

plus optos are great for electric guitar

There was a real good review in Electronic Musician August 06 on the SixQ by Eli Crews. I had a link to it on my site, but they have since deleted it from their database. Its the yellow cover with a special on Ribbon Mics issue.

If you can find it, its a good read.


http://emusician.com/signalprocessors/emusic_joemeek_sixq/index.html

Wait here it is, they must have moved it...

I tried to use the ART a few times. I have given it chance upon undeserved chance...I just found it hard to get the signal to sit right. I believe we've used it for cutting reference vocals, tried it with guitar, tried it with percussion. Sounded best with the comp & eq bypassed to me. But that is just me. I am a firm believer in "the key is the man (or woman) behind the machine".

Actually, what lured me in here was the mention of the Meek unit. I wanted to see what people had to say about it. I've heard it, never used it. But based off of the countless reviews I found and read (thank you again google), as well as a few videos on youtube which show off the unit's colorful dynamics section, I decided to order one... about 20 minutes ago. I already have a more transparent, clean API 512c. So I've been looking for something on the opposite end. Something I can really color the signal with at the very starting point. We'll see how it turns out. I shall be back with a full review. Peace

DONT READ THIS. It's about a different preamp than the SixQ.
You're talking about the Joemeek OneQ (because you mentioned the 'iron switch'. The TS is talking about the Joemeek VC1Q, an older unit.

I've had good luck with the Pro Channel as a DI for electric guitar and bass in rock music. The gain/drive/compression options are very flexible.

The unit does have a "sound", so it's good to have a "clean" pre also, such as an FMR RNP.

The OP is talking about the SixQ, and yes, the SixQ has the "Iron" switch. I dont know about the Art stuff, but I do have a SixQ and love it for guitar and bass! Again, with the "Iron" switch you kind of have two pre´s in one which is cool and for the price, the SixQ dose a good job and has plenty of options. You can also have a look at the Toft Audio AFC-2, they have something to do with Joemeek, similar product but with a very nice EQ. Check out the Joemeek forum.

Good care,

Mike

Oops Mike, my bad.

Indeed the SixQ is the newer version of the VC6Q.
ABout the Toft; IIRC they both share the same basic pre-amp (with burr brown op-amps), but the Joemeek has a totally different compressor and the Toft is mentioned to have the upper hand EQ-wise.
Both Joemeek and Toft are now owned by PMI Audio group.

The art pro channel IIs have an issue with the power transformer shielding that caused acute buzzing when racked with other gear. I bought 2 pro channels. 1 Mpa, and 1 vla. Both the pro channels had the issue. ART and Thom Davis refused to honor the three year warrantee. Make your own decisions about ART products but make an informed one. In my opinion ART quality control is non-existent as is their customer service and supposed warrantee