PreSonus BlueTube DP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dannyjack
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Dannyjack

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Hi

I just bought a PreSonus BlueTube DP because I was not happy with the Art MP. I was getting a buzz and Art asks that for your out, you use a 1/4 inch. I've tried everything to get rid of the buzz, but to no avail.

I wanted the PreSonus BlueTube DP because of the Tube. I do acoustic music and I need some more warmth. I have a basic, basic setup. The PreSonus BlueTube DP will go into M-audio moblie pre usb.


So the question is: How is the PreSonus BlueTube? Does anyone use one?

Thank you for your help. :)

D
 
You bought it first and ask if its good later:confused::p

Anyways, I have it and like it. I know other around here use it as well, but most prefer the dmp3. My experience with it had been pretty good, I have used it for vocals, but I mainly use it to record acoustic. Not a bad box IMO. I bought it with the AT2020 and 2021 package. The first one I got was dead on arrival, but the next one was perfect.

All in all, you should be happy with it.
 
I've got the presonus tubepre, which is just the one channel version of the blue tube I think. I interchange it with my GT brick and I love both equally. I like the separate volume and gain controls. It makes me feel like I have more control over the overall sound going into the console.
 
Thanks for you response. I ordered it online from reading reviews and then I discovered this web site! : ) That’s why I’m asking now about the product after the fact.

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I own one of the older models and I am happy with it for a cheap tube/or not preamp. It's a little noisy at higher gain levels but that's kind of a given. I much prefer my Bellari RP220 as a tube pre though, as it actually hits the tubes with a high enough plate voltage to make the tubes work...
 
I have the older version of the 2 channel Blue Tube.
I like it very much but it's, in reality, a con. The signal is routed, to a degree dialled in by the user, to the tube not for amplification but to have tube noise commonly referred to as "warmth" added.
I also found that the phantom power isn't really up to "full" power - I bought a C1 large diaphram condensor & plugged it into the BT & had a LOT of noise come through with the weak signal. I then plugged the C1 into a little Behri cheapie with, essentially, the same tube diversion set up, & a nice, full boosted signal came through. I didn't have the same prob with an MSH1 or a 57 but it was/is a problem for mic selection.
 
I hate to say this, but there's no such thing as tube warmth. You'd better hop the solid state section in the BlueTube is good, because as rayc implied, the bringing the tube into the circuit may add something, but warmth probably isn't it.

A real transformer in and out high voltage tube unit is the Groove Tubes brick. The tubes actually amplify in this one. Not very expensive either.

Oh well, the BlueTube is probably better than the MP.

Dannyjack said:
Hi
I wanted the PreSonus BlueTube DP because of the Tube. I do acoustic music and I need some more warmth. I have a basic, basic setup. The PreSonus BlueTube DP will go into M-audio moblie pre usb.


So the question is: How is the PreSonus BlueTube? Does anyone use one?

Thank you for your help. :)

D
Click to expand...
 
I definitely agree that the GT Brick is more what people tend to look for in terms of adding that "warmth." I'm starting to use it more than my Tubepre, but both are useful :-).
 
Thanks

Thanks for your responses.

Living with the blue tube for a couple of days I feel that it is good for what it is, but it does sound harsh. I'm recording acoustic and I think this may be better suited for more pop or heavy electric guitar. Dialing in the tube is a joke and it does add distortion.

Though I'm a little new to the home recording thing, I can say I have recorded enough times to know what sounds right on an acoustic.

Oh Well. Looks like this puppy's gonna be sent bk or go to e-bay.


D
 
EVERY budget pre with tubes in it is a hoax.

real tube pre's cost thousands.
 
faderbug said:
EVERY budget pre with tubes in it is a hoax.

real tube pre's cost thousands.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with that (although I agree when referring to the ART, Presonous transformerless things). The GT brick has all the real tube pre parts. You can get a UA Solo 610 for $500-$600 used. Also, for just over $1,000, you can get a TAB-Telefunken V78. The last two are as real as you could ever want.

Craig
 
6 years ago I bought a bunch of low-end tube pre amps. The BlueTube was by far the most useful. Now that I have some high end stuff, I can definitely hear the low-endiness of the BlueTube. Its sounds more one-dimensional and limp. But for certain things its perfect. I like with just about any guitar acoustic or electric.

I opened it up and it had this cylindrical glass thingy with metal parts inside. I think they are called tubs or toobs or something…
When I adjusted the round thingies on the front the sound changed. When I turned the gain to about 25% and cranked up the drive (tube) I heard distortion, so that glass thingy must have affected the sound. Bygod it was a REAL TUBE AMP!!! Not a real nice tube amp, but a real tube amp indeed.
Without telling people what I used, I played several tracks for people and multiple seasoned professionals were impressed with the guitar tones I got through the BlueTube; both as a DI and as a mic pre. For $60 per channel (new) it’s a great deal.
 
drumzealot said:
When I turned the gain to about 25% and cranked up the drive (tube) I heard distortion, so that glass thingy must have affected the sound. Bygod it was a REAL TUBE AMP!!!
Click to expand...
The tube didn't necessarily cause the distortion, and it is most definitely not amplifying the signal. The signal goes through the tube to add noise. My Neve channels distort beatifully, and they're not tube.
 
it's a common misconception that tubes always sound 'warm' and solid state 'cold'.
 
isfahani said:
m'kay, my bellari RP220 was $200 used, and it's a 'real' tube pre. Wish I could get it modded so it's even more of a real tube pre, but the mod went offline a year or so ago...
Click to expand...

when it's a 'real' tube pre how can it become 'more of a real' tube pre.

it's either real or not right?
 
isfahani said:
m'kay, my bellari RP220 was $200 used, and it's a 'real' tube pre. Wish I could get it modded so it's even more of a real tube pre, but the mod went offline a year or so ago...
Click to expand...

Do you have any details about the mod?
There are a few technical people here capable of performing mods including myself. If I can find the schematic I would love modding that thing.
 
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