budget 2-channel preamps?

[sully]

I’m looking to upgrade my Art tube pre with one of the following dual pres. My main goal is cleaner baritone vocals from a Rode NT1 into a Delta 66, w/ secondary purpose of stereo miking ac guitar (although I‘ve never done it before) and I like the idea of variable tube drive:

Phonic T8100
SM Pro TB 202
Presonus Blue Tube DP

Budget = $300

Does anyone have experience with any of these or other suggestions?
Would these be better than a DMP3?


thanks

[qbert1]

I just upgraded my Art Tube MP with a Rane MS1b. Its mono but you should be able to get two for $300. It's a worth while improvement.

[tdukex]

Originally Posted by sully

I’m looking to upgrade my Art tube pre with one of the following dual pres. My main goal is cleaner baritone vocals from a Rode NT1 into a Delta 66, w/ secondary purpose of stereo miking ac guitar (although I‘ve never done it before) and I like the idea of variable tube drive:

Phonic T8100
SM Pro TB 202
Presonus Blue Tube DP

Budget = $300

Does anyone have experience with any of these or other suggestions?
Would these be better than a DMP3?


thanks

A DMP3 would be better than any of those IMO--although I've only heard the Blow Tube, and it does blow. The Phonic and SM Pro stuff just looks like cheap crap, and I bet they are. The DMP3, on the other hand, is clean without being strident--warm without being muddy; it puts a nice stereo image in your monitors; and it sounds great on acoustic guitar. Because of recommendations on this Board and others I'd consider the MS1b as well.

[sully]

thanks for the responses. I'll probably try an MS1b first. If nothin else, I'll have input for the next one who asks about it.

[paranoid]

have u tried the ART in "valve" mode (within the V3 options)?

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by sully

I’m looking to upgrade my Art tube pre with one of the following dual pres. My main goal is cleaner baritone vocals from a Rode NT1 into a Delta 66, w/ secondary purpose of stereo miking ac guitar (although I‘ve never done it before) and I like the idea of variable tube drive:

Phonic T8100
SM Pro TB 202
Presonus Blue Tube DP

Budget = $300

Does anyone have experience with any of these or other suggestions?
Would these be better than a DMP3?


thanks

I would recommend the DMP3 for a "clean" sound. I have the DMP3 that I use mainly for recording acoustic. I tried a couple of the cheap dual channels with tube drive (presonus, alto) and thought they were terrible (too noisy). I am much happier with the DMP3.

For a vocal preamp, I mostly use the Studio Projects VTB1. It is single channel, but is the only cheap tube-drive pre I've found that is both quiet and "warm" at the same time. The effect is very subtle, but nice. I also have an NT1 (and I am a bass/baritone). I used to love this mic when I was recording to analog (just enough brightness/air for my deep voice), but have been using it less for digital, because it just sounds a bit grainy to me in the digital domain.

[sully]

Yeah, it was a toss-up on which to upgrade first, the mic or the pre. I’ve done A/B tests on all the Art Studio V3 settings through great monitors and headphones. Some settings are better than others but all have upper-mids that sound kind of harsh to me and are hard to eq out. I thought I’d try the Rode through a cleaner pre. I just ordered a Rane 1b. I’m fairly confident that if it still sounds crappy, its not the Rane’s fault. I just want as much accuracy as I can afford. I’ll still need an additional pre and will likely go for a DMP3 or VTB1 and then start in on a better mic. Its possible that my ears have better judgement than my wallet has money.

[Warhead]

That Rane ain't a bad pre. Little light in the low end but typically that is OK.

War

[SonicAlbert]

Good call on getting the Rane. None of those others is really much of an upgrade, pretty much side-grades.

My first impression when I saw your question was that for your baritone vocals you should pick up a Groove Tubes BRICK preamp. I believe at street prices it's not too far above your $300 budget. That, along with your new Rane for guitar micing, would be a nice setup for what you need. It would also be much better than any of the other options you are considering.

[DC-XPL]

I also just got the Rane MS1b last week as an upgrade from an ART Tube MP. One suggestion: Don't get rid of the ART just yet. I upgraded the tube to a NOS Tungsram 12AX7. In my current project, I recorded every track through both the Rane and the ART (the anal tweaker that I am).

The Rane was everything Warren described it to be - exceptionally clean and transparent but a little thin in the low end. I loved it on acoustic guitar and vocals, but I prefered the ART when mic'ing guitar amps. It has a fuller bottom end and a midrange color that made the amp growl a bit more. The Rane had more air and transparency, but the extended high end made it sound a bit harsh in the mix.

My point: throw a good NOS tube in the ART and you'll have one clean and one decent colored preamp in your arsenal. All for the unbelievably low price of $175.00!!

[sully]

DC-XPL,

Your post caused me to go 1st-time tube shopping (coool). I wonder if a Mullard CV 4004 would be suitable in the ART and if I should pay double $ for a balanced one. They get good reviews ... for use in guitar amp pres, anyway.

BTW, I'm expecting the Rane today

[DC-XPL]

Sully,

Check out this site for NOS tubes:
http://www.kcanostubes.com/

Mike is a great guy and always very helpful. He did tell me at one point that the Mullard CV4004 is one of the best 12AX7 tube for mic preamps. At $85 bucks though it costs twice as much as an ART Tube MP! So he suggested the Tungsram at $40.00 and it's worked out well.

I wouldn't expect a dramatic difference in tone quality, but after the tube change, my ART is now dead quiet with a smoother, tighter low end. It's also less scratchy and nasal, but there is still that colored midrange. Like I said, for guitar amps it's a tonal color that I find pleasing.

Good luck and let us know how you like the Rane.