Do I need a tube microphone?

[octoruss]

I've currently got a Neumann TLM 103 and a stereo pair of Elation KM201 small diaphragm condensers (plus the usual complement of SM97 and 98s), but I was considering the purchase of one of the less expensive tube mics recently on the market, such as the Studio Projects TB-1.

My question is, if I already have a tube mic pre (the dbx 386), do I need a tube mic? I know that tube mics are supposed to be "sweet", but is having a tube mic pre not worth the cost? If so, why should I be convinced to buy a tube mic?

 

[Markd102]

I wouldn't say that you NEED one, but they are handy to have around. It's another string to your bow.
I use mine mainly on accoustic guitar and thinish female vocals.

Mark

 

[octoruss]

Would a tube mic going into a tube mic preamp be stupid? Or would I get double tube

 

[Markd102]

Yes would be doubling the tube, but that can be a desirable effect in some cases. On most tube pre's you can disable the tube stage or dial in varying amounts of it. It that the case with yours?

Mark

 

[octoruss]

Unfortunately it's not. It's a dbx386 with one setting. Does that help?

 

[Randy Yell]

I don't know about needing a tube mic but I am loving my TB-1.

 

[knownuttin]

Octoruss, the answer is yes, you do need a tube mic. So do I but I got no money.

However, I believe your rather nice mic collection might be better served with an upgrade in the preamp department first. For your next purchase, perhaps you should target a nice clean, non-tube mic pre with lotsa gain and headroom. Maybe something a little further up the prosumer food chain (in keeping with the quality of your mics) like the Grace 101 or one of the Great River units.

I say this because the lower end hybrids are not true tube devices. The shiny light bulb in them adds a little "toob" distortion to color the signal. It can sound cool on a track or two, but on several tracks it adds up to a muddy aggregate.
-kent

 

[octoruss]

knownuttin, this is probably the most interesting advice I've gotten in a long time. I've long suffered from what I thought to be "muddy" mixes, and I've never been able to pin down quite why. I wonder if a tube mic into a "toob" preamp might add even more distortion to an already muddy scenario. I definitely think I need some "tube" somewhere along the chain, since my Neumann into the recorder is very sharp and I think the "toob" in the 386 smooths it out, but might I be better off with a better quality tube mic pre?

 

[knownuttin]

If so then be wary of the difference between "toob" and true tube devices, which can be as clean as the best solid-state units. The lower-end "toob" stuff is preying on the home-reccer mindset which cannot afford a Neve. They are a consolation prize, and not much of one. There is a reason they are proSUMER.

Check out the Manley VOXBOX, of possibly you want the Neve sound.
-kent

 

[knownuttin]

Forgot to mention it, but that's not the first time I've heard that complaint about the TLM103 and the U87.
-kent

 

[tdukex]

Engineers have been running tube mics through tube pres for decades. It is a good thing, especially in the digital world. Equipment quality, of course, makes a difference.

Muddy mixes could be the result of many different things or a combination of several things.

I'm not that familiar with the 386, but I do think with your nice mic collection you need to step up in pre class.

One contendor should be the Davisound TB-3. RE, the forum moderator, has one and absolutely loves it.

 

[Speeddemon]

Knownuttin, I heard someone here around say that since he got a pair of Rode NTK's (tube mic), he's not using his U87's anymore.
Guess that's 1 fine and possible clean tube mic (self-noise = 12dB).

 

[c9-2001]

i can solve one of your problems...sell me your dbx 386 i want one..either the 386 or the 376...how much????