But so far, to my ears, it sounds like a jazzy "Pink Zeppelin Doors" thing, don't know how else to put it....

Sounds interesting...from what you listed instrument and genre-wise, I'd think, yes, you might do well to try some warmer preamps or maybe a nice older vibey console with decent pre's and decent EQ, just for contrast with (and in addition to) the Yamahas.

It's just like an important instrument for this kind of music is missing, if you know what I mean, one that is crucial to be able to progress with the music...
When it doesn't sound right, it's easy to think there's something you're not doing right, and start rearranging, switching notes etc, to try to create that special feel, and work for hours in vain....
I have an old analog Roland mixer, I'll try that out, it has less than mediocre preamps, but I guess I'll be able to hear whether it adds what I'm after or not...
Know anything about an 8 channel preamp from Presonus, called M80?

I think I get where you're coming from...it's nice to have things dialed in and just, well, work for what you're doing...

The M80...I've been around them in studios, but have never actually used one...it's one of the early 8-pre's in a box units, predating the current wave by a dozen years or so. I've never heard anybody trash-talk them, and presonus are generally considered to have good sounding pre's, so they're at least going to be decent if not good.

Try the Roland, if it's at least swinging things in a good direction, might be worth exploring a nicer option...FWIW, one of the mixers I love, that's cheap, small, warm & dirty -- sounds big on drums is the studiomaster XintoY units (8 into 4, 16 into 4, 16 into 8)...they were UK made in the mid '80s and have really nice sounding EQs and direct outs on every channel. Can often pick them up for around $75usd on ebay...well, now that I've written that it'll be $150 . The 8 into 4 rack mounts in 9 spaces so they're good for small setups. Others that fit this sorta bill (inexpensive, unique, big sound, directs) are the Soundcraft 400 and 800 series, Tangent boards.

Just a couple thoughts anyway...

Useful input, appreciate it, thanks!
I've heard good things about Presonus, so I've spent the greater parts of the evening/night (I'm in Norway) reading up on some of their stuff, looks pretty nice, when it comes to the price, which is over the top here.... But I'll try out my Roland, and check the web for the XintoY? you mentioned.
And hey, just came to think of it, a friend of mine has an old Soundcraft Live 32 channel mixer, that might possibly do the trick too...

ORIGINAL: tor
And hey, just came to think of it, a friend of mine has an old Soundcraft Live 32 channel mixer, that might possibly do the trick too...

That old Soundcraft mixer may have some really nice pres in it. What model?

If I remember correctly, it is a 24 (or 32) channel version of this one: http://www.soundcraft.com/product_sheet.asp?product_id=14
I liked the sound of it when we used it, back in the day before we went digital, just hope he didn't rid himself of it...

absolutely give the soundcraft a try...even if it's not what your looking for, at least it'll give you a good idea of what different input routes can sound like...some of their older boards sound great and are built like tanks, both in sturdiness as well as weight.

Here In Oregon

ORIGINAL: tor

I'm using a Yamaha 01v96 mixer, and have begun to wonder if it would be beneficial to use other mic preamps than the 16 internal ones.
Anyone have opinions on the quality of the Yamaha preamps, and perhaps suggestions for 8 or 16 channel preamps that might be better?

For overall general use the O1V96 has good preamps. Much better than the O1V and in my opinion better than the Mackie VLZ's.

However, just like an artist who paints with different colors, an additional preamp or 2 or 3 will help to round out your sonic palette. I would go with a couple of single or dual preamps that are really good and different from each other. You also have twelve channel inserts so you can bypass the O1V96 board's pres unlike the old O1V.

The converters on the new V are not bad either.

Nice board across the board. No pun intended!

Hi, I want to use an external preamp through the insert channel on my Yamaha 01v96i so I wanted to ask is there some explanation how to do it? I looked in manual but didn't found nothing there.. I know how to plug in 1/4 jack (it's not balanced needed?) but is there something that needs to be set inside of mixer too? 
 
Regards

you can use a non balanced TS jack, but you will have to 1 click it.
if you have an insert cable, use the send to feed your AI's input.
 
Nothing needs to be set in the mixer, as this is a direct out.
 
But lets not take for granite this thread is almost 10 years old, those mic pre/pre amps are simply adequate in terms of what can be bought for penny's now a day.
IE- a Focusrite 212 (around 100 USA) has pre amps that are possibly 5X better.
plus they are Award winning pre amps...what awards ? I don't know it just sounds cool.
what are you going to feed the Yamaha in to ? 

1st, mLan.  Don't do it.  It might be better these days but it was a real horrorshow after they did the first "update" last decade.  Bricked a Presonus - thanks.  I'd rather cut off a toe than try to get that dog's breakfast trying to work.  One of Yamaha's few failures.  It may be different these days, if you feel lucky.
 
Yamaha hardware - even the preamps - are high quality.  But unless you need the multiple pres I'd go with a more expensive, external pre.  Considering your music styles, a new RND pre or the ISA One would provide a different palette to work with.  Transformer coupled so they sound thicker and with more depth than most, if not all, built-in pres.  Obviously not in expensive boards, but then you are talking about 10s of K dollars.  The ISA is @$400+, while an RND runs twice that per channel or more, if you want.  Run the lead instrument through that for a different flavor than the Yamas and your overdubs.
 
My 2 cents worth, for what it is worth.