Bass Pre: VTB-1 vs. ART MP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mr. Moon
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Mr. Moon

Mr. Moon

Force of Naked
Hi.

From previous threads I've read here, people seem to agree that the VTB-1 does not work well as a bass pre, ....actually, most of you say that it sucks. I searched for previous threads on this topic and found several, one of which had sound files that compared the VTB-1 (SS and tube settings), the RNP, and the DMP3, but *no* ART MP.

I own a VTB-1, and it sounds a heck of a lot better than the pre's that came with my sound card, especially for vocals. How would the VTB-1 compare to the sound quality the ART MP would give me as a bass pre? Is it worth the $60.00? At this time, I do *not* have $200.00 to spend on the DMP3, ...would it be worth the wait until I do have enough for the DMP3 and just purchase that?

I am primarily a guitarist, and just need to record bass in my basement studio on various tunes of mine. I am working on developing my "bass ears," but they're just not up to snuff yet, so I'd appreciate any comments based on your more experienced ears.

Thanks!

-mr moon
 
I've heard comparisons of the VTB-1 and the Audiobuddy as bass DI's and the Audiobuddy actually sounded quite decent - fairly clean and tight, with good balance. The VTB-1 didn't sound nearly as good. I think it was ozraves who originally posted the comparisons. You might want to check with him to see if he still has the files.
 
I think in the thread jslator is talking about the M-Audio DMP3 was the favored bass DI if I remember correctly. Anywho, I have both the ART Tube MP Studio V3 and the Studio Projects VTB-1. I play bass and I like the Art Tube better than the VTB-1 as a bass DI, also try the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver.
 
I use a Sansamp GT2 into my VTB1 with a dbx163a in the insert and I get nice results.

And with a Mullard tube in the tube socket It sounds good on vocals.

Jslator, Have you switched tubes in you unit yet?
 
darrin_h2000 said:
I use a Sansamp GT2 into my VTB1 with a dbx163a in the insert and I get nice results.

And with a Mullard tube in the tube socket It sounds good on vocals.

Jslator, Have you switched tubes in you unit yet?
Click to expand...

I have the Tech21 Trademark 10 guitar amp that has the GT2 Sansamp technology built into it..., can I use this for the bass if I go direct out of it? I won't try to mic the amp, as the huge 8 inch woofer probably wouldn't handle the lows too well... :)

Is the "Mullard" tube supposed to enhance the sound of the VTB-1 very much? Where can I order one and about how much do they run?

Would this be a better route to go than spending the $60.00 (US) on the ART?

TIA!

-mr moon
 
DJL said:
I think in the thread jslator is talking about the M-Audio DMP3 was the favored bass DI if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...

There was that one too, but ozraves posted some VTB-1 and Audiobuddy comparisons on Harmony Central quite a while ago. The VTB-1 seemed to work better with a C1, but the Audiobuddy was the hands-down winner as a bass DI. No contest.
 
I'm in the same boat as Mr. Moon here...

I'm a guitarist. I just bought a used bass for direct recording -- right now it is stringless (flatwounds in the mail).

I have a Trademark 10 and an Audiobuddy, but I am considering buying either a Bass Driver or an ART Tube MP.

I consider $189.95 for the Bass Driver a very hefty investment for a non-primary instrument (my bass was about $200), but I have heard great things about it -- and I like my amp. I imagine the ART unit isn't worth $60 when I already have the AudioBuddy (thoughts?). I had not considered using my guitar amp as a DI for my bass -- does anyone have an idea for what settings I should test (calif/british/tweed; us/uk/flat; EQ; drive; reverb)?

If it matters, my bass is an Epi EB-0... I play blues/rock/country... I play lightly -- no slap, distortion, etc.

If you were me, what would you do? Stop me from being a total gear slut if you have to.
 
Low Country said:
I consider $189.95 for the Bass Driver a very hefty investment for a non-primary instrument (my bass was about $200
Click to expand...

I think you'd hear a much more dramatic difference by using the $200 you would have spent on the bass driver, and trading in your $200 bass for a nicer one, maybe $500 on up, and plugging that in to your AB.

But yea, once you get the best bass you're able/willing to afford, the bass driver is actually one hell of a great deal at $190. I'd call it a steal, but that's just me.
 
Update:

Well, I went out and ordered one of the ART Mp's, even without receiving too many people's feedback. I must admit that I am pleasently surprised with how well it sounds, especially when compared to the VTB-1. My bass tone sounds much more full and "there" than it did with the VTB-1, and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg either. I picked it up from musiciansfriend.com for a whopping $49.99 (US)!! Well worth the small cash outlay!

I have found that by using the OPL circuitry on the ART so that it just barely activates when I play the bass as hard as I can, I am able to record great sounding bass tracks without needing to add a compressor. ...Without the crappy "dynamics" that I used to get, drop-outs and the like, with my original preamps and to a lesser extent, the VTB-1.

...Never did try to use the Trademark 10 for the bass, may have to just try it for sh1ts and giggles sometime soon! ;)

-Mr. Moon
 
I have the trademark 10 but Ive never run the bass through it because I also have a GT2, which is on the bass rig. with the comp in the insert theres alot of improvement, the mullard tube lends less noise while the tube is dialed in. And its a damn shot better than my audiobuddy was.

The GT2 can be set up to emulate an ampeg svt. and smoothing it out with the tube in the circut does give it an old but cool sound.

I also read those reviews that osraves wrote and he said that without the tube dialed in the sound was close to the M-audio product. Its all in how you use it ultimately. I never would just run bass straight in.
 
darrin_h2000 said:
I also read those reviews that osraves wrote and he said that without the tube dialed in the sound was close to the M-audio product. Its all in how you use it ultimately. I never would just run bass straight in.
Click to expand...

I'm not talking about reading ozraves' reviews; I'm talking about listening to ozraves' clips. The VTB-1 sounded like ass, tube on or tube off. The Audiobuddy sounded pretty good. And, no, ozraves never said that the DI sounded similar to any M-Audio product. He said that it doesn't excel as a DI, and that the Audiobuddy works better for that. I concur.
 
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