Tube or no tube
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Posted on Jul 29, 2004 05:16 pm
Djowel
Member Since: Jul 29, 2004
Hey there,
I'm looking for a mic preamp and a comp.
But I can choose between tube or solid state.
Is it okay to combine and a tube preamp and a tube comp. Or is it better to choose a tube preamp + solid state comp.
could somebody help me out?
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jul 29, 2004 09:13 pm Using both tube pre and comp would cause no problem. Some peeps like the tube comp for its purity, others prefer the solid state for its versatility. YOu just need to decide one which one is going to give you the best value and do just what you want it to do.
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jul 30, 2004 12:33 am Hi Djowel,
The tube helps out digital recording, without a doubt. The cheaper tube pres though, sometimes introduce more noise (inherent with all tube devices) than some people can tolerate. There arent many "less expensive" solid state pres around though. Most of the pres when you get to a certain price point, are solid state, and much quieter. You might consider starting with an Aphex 107 tube pre, they are rreal cheap on ebay and a real good unit, and getting a comp. later. Just learn the characteristics of the preamp for a while, and have fun.
Jul 30, 2004 11:28 am It's all about sound. Neither is better, per se. They all color the sound in one way or the other. Though I don't own one, I have heard nothing but good about the Studio Projects VTB1 tube pre. Fairly cheap too. I have a DMP3 that is SS but it is also very nice for the price.
Blessings, Terry
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Jul 30, 2004 12:52 pm This might be off topic for this posting, but recording some analog and then some digital in the same song, does it make a difference when your done? I haven't tried that but have wondered that.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jul 30, 2004 12:58 pm like, different instruments by different methods?
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Jul 30, 2004 01:07 pm Yeah, like the drums and maybe the bass in analog because it's all going in at once. Then, the guitar would be brought in and go digital since I have one digit in with an out on my board capability.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jul 30, 2004 01:11 pm cant see it hurting...digital sounds and analogue drums for example...i think its sounds cool
in fact, i like a bit of analogue noise to dirty up the digital sounds a little...
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jul 30, 2004 04:13 pm Avalondesigns explains it like this, one is a pinpointed spotlight, and one is a high wattage floodlight, or something like that. I personally know that I like the tube better on miked instrument sources, and the solid state more on vocals. They are both great on both though......
Aug 30, 2004 04:31 am If you want to capture the sounds exactly the way they are played and sound in the real world, then a solid state is what you need. Solid state add very little to the sound passing through it, so the sound on the recording is more accurate.
The only reason to get tube pres is if you want to color the sound (essentially just nice even harmonic tube distortion).
Some tube compressors add a very distinctive sound to the signals that pass thru them, also.
So it depends on what you want - clean or colored. I would suggest getting a solid state first, becauseit will be sure to give you more realistic sound. But when you have a little extra money saved, definitely get a good tube pre to add to your toolbox. Ilove my APHEX 107 tube pres. You can get clean sounds that sound sweet, but when you want to really add some good tube distortion, you can crank it up.
Aug 30, 2004 08:32 am Word of advice, take what you will from it.
From reading a lot on this subject all over the 'net, I have reached the following conclusions concerning cheep toob gear.
The tubes all run at very low plate voltages. This means that they aren't really providing any gain like a real tube pre amp would. Instead the audio is passed through the tube more for the sake of saying it's a tube pre then anything else.
Because of this, the pre can muddy up the signal pretty bad. This may not be a concern for a few tracks, but when you start piling up and get 15-20 tracks worth of the pre it can start to go south really quick. While comparing my Yamaha MG mixer pres to the ART Tube MP pres I found that I could not hear a difference on single tracks. However, I have found that my ART Tube MP when used over many tracks makes it harder for me to eq around the low end because it's so murky. I use it only for bass now and the Yamaha for everything else.
Another tip; (and I don't want to come off as some gear snob because I too believe in making the best of what you have and what you can afford) when looking at pro gear, how often do you see the word 'pro' in their titles? How often do you see exposed tubes lighting up the front panel? Just something to think about.
Remember that just because it's "tube" doesn't mean it's going to make up for poor micing techniques or poor playing, and depending on how much $$$ you want to spend it can muddy up the waters pretty bad.
With all that said, I have not read a bad review of the Studio Projects VTB1.
My $.02
