ART Tube Preamp

[Rusty K]

I'm recording with a Sony MDM X4 and I've heard much said here about the necessity of a tube preamp to add warmth to digital recordings. I just brought one home and about all it does, besides boosting the signal, is add a hell of a lot of noise to my tracs. If this is "warmth" I don't want it.

I had the 9v converter pluged in sitting next to the unit and I eleminated some of the noise by moving the converter away. I could even hear the radio coming through. It's obvious this preamp is not shielded properly.

Perhaps I'm doing something wrong. Any Sony minidisc guys/girls feel the need for tube preamping.

Thanks
Rusty K

[Nilbog]

I have an ART effects box and it's not exactly a high quality piece of equipment. I have not found the need to use a tube preamp, but I'm sure a decent one would help a lot (I've just never heard what one does..). Anyway, you might get more help in "the rack" forum.
-Nilbog

[Rusty K]

Nilbog,

I have recieved help in the "Other Equipment Forum". I had a bit of a problem deciding which forum my question fit best in. Anyway I've already returned the "noise box". It seems I'll need too spend quite a bit more for a quiet preamp. Isn't that always the case?

Thanks,
Rusty K

[Loren Morehouse]

Rusty, I too have an ART Tube MP and seems to work and sound just fine, maybe you got a bum one. I have a friend who's got one that does the same thing but he never sent it back. Could be there's a bunch out there with bad tubes!! Mine is super clean and quiet!!
Loren.

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Trusty Rusty:

I use the ART dual channel mic preamp; it works very nice for me. But, if you are getting funny sounds, could be feedback from headphones, or some other interference.

If you want to investigate a real good mic pre, punch up Martinsound on the web. They make a couple of mic pres; one for under 1k and the other over 1k. It's expensive but so is good wine.

Keep trying,
Green Hornet