Good Tube Mic Preamp

[bilbert]

Hi all - first time poster here.

I'm putting together a budget recording set-up. I currently use the Zoom H4N, AT-2035 mic's and Cockos Reaper software.

I've heard that a tube mic preamp might be able to improve my sound (which I'm pretty happy with already!). I'm recording solo vocals and acoustic guitar.

I'm looking at the Presonus Bluetube DP2, and the ART Pro MPAII, and both are about the same price. I realize I will likely need to re-tube either preamp, but that is no problem.

Any folks here have experience with either product?

Thanks!

Bill

 

[miroslav]

Improve your sound in what way?
What is it that you think needs to be improved?

A tube preamp is not a magic pill...those are just bad myths that *a tube preamp* = sound improvement. Sure *some* tube preamps will certainly sound great, but then some might sound just a little different than what you already have.
The tube preamps that are guaranteed to raise the bar for you, cost in the $1k-$3k range....everything else is just a try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it-more category.

I had an ART Pro MPA quite a few years back. It was "OK", kinda dark, but usable on some things. Once I got some high-end pres, it never saw any more use, so I sold it. Not sure how your Zoom H4n sounds or if either of the other ones will really be an improvement. Also, the AT 2035 isn't going to really shine even with a $3k preamp...so in the end, to really up your game you will need to improve that entire signal chain.
If you are happy with your sound already...don't upgrade in nickle-n-dime steps. Save up and then get a high-end pre.

 

[Absolutepower]

I thought the same thing as you when I first started out. Tube would make it sound cooler. Know that most of the great records of all time were actually done with solid state preamps, and that includes all through the 60s. Not many of those used tube pres.
Also I would NOT recommend the EHX 12ay7. I have this and it makes way too much noise (buzz and hum) to be useful. There are mods you can do on it, but its usually not a good idea to get something that has to be modded in order to use it. Tube mic amps are generally REALLY expensive. I probably wouldn't get one even if I did have a lot of money to burn.

 

[miroslav]

A nice tube/ss preamp that's not too expensive is the Sebatron stuff.
I have a 4-channel, but the 2-channel units are reasonable, though still way more than the ART kind of stuff. The Sebatron preamps have a tube front-end with a solid-state back-end. They provide a lot of different colors, and come with some cool EQ options.

 

[bilbert]

Thanks for the feedback. From reading reviews from both systems, a number of people said they got a "warmer" sound using them, especially on vocals.

Since my setup is all brand new, maybe I'll start saving for a better pre, and focus on my recording technique, mic placement, and mixing basics in the meantime.

Bill

 

[miroslav]

I have a Groove Tubes, SuPre tube preamp that is anything but "warm". It's actually very crisp, Hi-Fi sounding.
My Sebatron on the other hand can get some of that "tube warmth", but only if I really push the front end hard.

There are solid-state pres that can sound "warmer" than tube pres.

So there's no "tube=warmer" absolute. I think in most cases, your mic will be a better starting point for a "warmer" sound.
I find the AT mics to be a bit "stark", depending on the source (and model mic).

Check out the ADK Hamburg MKII mic...it has a lot of that "chocolate/warm" vibe you might be after, but you might still want to grab a better preamp at some point. There are some decent sounding inexpensive pres too, that may not be really "upscale", but certainly a step up from the Zoom. I'll let others here recommend specific models. It always comes down to you budget.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

I love the Avalon M5 on vocals. But that costs a fortune! Anyway you should try out preamps before you buy.