Groove Tubes " The Brick" Mic pRe

  • Thread starter Thread starter cradlefish
  • Start date Start date
C

cradlefish

New member
I just got this great tube mic pre after doing a bit of reading and research. Although there isn't awhole lot info on it because it's quite new and not many people have it. I decided to get it because first it was more than reasonable for the price and also I was in market for another mic pre to go along with my sytek. I really didn't want to spend 1k for mic pre but, I would if i have too. After i made to decision to purchase the Brick I was skeptical for a tube mic pre costing just 400.00. I had other affordable mic pres but, they really didn't cut the mustard and of course i had to go spend more money for higher end gear to solve that problem. I had the DMP3 which is solid all around budget mic pre. The VTB1 didn't do it for me. Had the Avalon M5...that was just too clean sounding....better for hip hop and pop music. I then got the RNP..which is really nice, but the slight coloration it had just didn't inspired me with the rock music that i play. Of course landing the sytek was fantastic!! I love everything that i've used it on. Drums, Bass, Guitar and Vocals!! A great mic pre! But, again I wanted a high quality mic pre to go along with the Sytek and was debating on API, Great River, Sebatron, A Designs and others. But, I hated the fact that i had to spend 1k for it! Along came the Brick.... and found what a great price it was and not to mention that the concept was base off of the Vipre ..their award winning mic pre and which many pro studios love. I took a chance at it and was very please from the get go of the brick! The construction is top notch! The quality of components and materials are right up there with the big name brands. But the real test is how does it sound. From my initial tests of various instruments like bass, electric guitar, acoustic, and vocals. All of them sounded very impressive!! I really dig the DI for bass! Very full and warm! It made every thing sound warmer and not to mention with depth, clarity, and fuller sounding and it's also quite transparent for a tube mic pre! These are just initial tests so far but, I certainly think it sounds fantastic!! I'll experiment with swapping different 12ax7s to see if I like the chinese in there or other brands including NOS.

if i could recommend a first quality mic pre, it would be the brick...i think it's hard to beat it especially when it cost only 400.00 and you're not only getting a high qualty made product but also that it sounds wonderful!


IMO i think it's a better bargain than the RNP
 
Do you still have the RNP? I've seen several people saying lately that they prefer the Brick to it, but I haven't seen a clip comparing them. That would be awesome if someone could do that. ;)
 
Hey,

Where did you fing one at? It is just a 1 channel isn't it?

Thanks,

NL5
 
I think Guitar Center had them on sale awhile back for around $200.
 
Ya, the brick is supposed to be $499 retail...don't see it selling for $200.

I still have not seen one for sale.

Anybody know where to get one?
 
I don't know how much they are but Guitar Center does carry them
 
No I don't have the RNP and sold it awhile back. You can get the brick for 399.00 including shipping at Macmidimusic. They sent it to me within 2 days of ordering one...fast!! Yes, it's a one channel mic pre with a great DI! The mic pre is great also but, didn't expect the DI to sound this good in this price range.
 
My local Guitar Satan carries them as "normal" stock for $399.00 + tax. They will match any online price you find, as long as you bring in a copy of the web page with the price on it. Oh yeah, they'll look it up online too, so I would not suggest any "creative" .html file editing to get that "way, way too low" price. ;) :rolleyes: :eek:

-mr moon
 
Sorry, I was thinking of the Ditto, and it was $100 not $200 that they were blowing them out for.
 
I came across this thread researching the brick as my next mic pre. I already have the DITTO and have been amazed with its direct bass sound, and overall build quality (especially for the $99 i paid for it! thanks GC).

I have been looking for a decent tube mic pre for vocals and guitars (electric and acoustic) and like the original poster would spend $1000 but don't want to. So I will be looking up the Brick too. Friends have been touting the Eureka (i know, not tube), and I have been considering the Hamptone ($1000 but 2 channels).

Just wanted to mention the great DI bass sound of these units. More specifically, it has a very motown/jamerson sound to it with my godin a4 frettless. In fast I often prefer the sound through this DI through my monitors, compared to my 68 bassman!

BTW, can you use the Mic pre and DI at the same time - say for mixing mic'ed and pick up sound? i don't think so, but just wanted to ask.
 
Got the guitar center mailer yesterday, they are offering the GT55 and brick for 500 I think. I'll double check when I get home. That seems like a great deal, especially since I can probably Ebay the GT55 for 300+. :D
 
Do you think it would be a bargain, even if the DI was crap? I'm asking cause i would be using it for vocals and acoustic guitar....Tell us some more :D
 
Marcellovalerio said:
Do you think it would be a bargain, even if the DI was crap? I'm asking cause i would be using it for vocals and acoustic guitar....Tell us some more :D
Click to expand...

Well, essentially, I would be buying the brick for the mic pre. The DI would be an extra, since I already have one of those, and at this point I don't need stereo DI or di'ing more than one think at a time live (though that can always change. BTW, I don't love the DI on electric guitar. It sounds ok, but not in the same league as the bass sounds. But I have other DI type devices if need be.). So i guess i need to hear the pre section myself.

But, you shouln't have any issues because the DI isn't crap!
 
Yep, the December 2004 mail catalog for GC: $499.99 for GT55 and THE BRICK combo package. (list 1099.98)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top