Focurite Penta tube sound ????

[formerlyfzfile]

Can anybody tell me how the tube simulation/saturation works in the Focusrite Penta.

It certainly doesn't sound like a "toob" type thing.
It actually sounds very good on just about everything.

Its very smooth and continuous from "cool" to "warm".
And its doesnt add a lot of sound coloration......well compared to my Toob MP.

I really like it.

I know it adds harmonics to the signal, but what kind of circut is it and how does it work???

I'm very curios.

Also, I know, or have read that the pre-amp in the unit is supposed to be quite decent and way above the level of my 286a, Toob MP, and mixer pre's (berry).....but is it the sign of a better pre to be a lot brighter sounding???

When i stick an SM57 center cone on the cloth of my amp thru any of the other pres, the sound is very close to the sound of the amp when I'm standing a foot or two away from it.
But the same deal through the Penta sounds like when I stick my ear right on the cloth....a little harsher....all of the sharpness and bite kind of stick out.


I guess that the pre is passing a truer sound but I've been so used to that slightly smoothed out, rolled off kind of sound ....its been quite an adjustment.

Just wondering.

Thanks

-Mike

[formerlyfzfile]

.....I know its not as interesting as Who is Fucking Over Who Harder.....these things seldom are.

..But I am not a designer or marketeer of electronic equipment.

I dont plan on trying to sell to the masses gear colored Christmas, under mine own or formerly mine own name.

And I dont really need any legal advise or conjecture or counseling about infringements or free speech at this juncture in my life.

I am just a humble home recording (hint hint) hobbiest looking to educate myself about why my little silver box sounds like it does.

Because I like the way it sounds ......mostly......and I am curious how my little silver box gets so warm and fuzzy.

My limited experience tells me that starving a plate with low voltage sounds toooooobbyyyyy and that this sound I am am digging is much more.....oooooooohhhhhhhheeeyyyahh.

But how do they oooooohhhhhhhh it??

Could someone down for the righteous cause of making and recording music for fun and enjoyment please help enlighten me.

-mike