New quality cheap pre-amp!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Beezoboy
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CanopuS said:
Hmmm, what do you mean by the setting on the back? Our VTB-1 sounded pretty good, but distorted sometimes. I don't know whether it really WAS too high a gain or a problem.
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Theres a Mic impedence switch on the back that switches between 200 and 50 ohms.


From the maunal, ( which I didnt read before I started testing it) the 200 setting should be for everyday condensors while the 50 should be used for ribbons, etc. I think mine is set for 50 although I was using a condensor. I will check it this evening.

Malcolm
 
Re: Re: Re: hey malcolm,

billisa said:
You definitely want it at 200 (unless of course you have a 50ohm mic). Also, be careful about the VTB1 meter switch. It's possible to think you're metering input, when in fact it's the output you're looking at. This can lead to adding too much gain.

What I do (not the only way I'm sure) is to set the meter switch on INPUT and leave it there. I then add gain so the peaks hit in the yellow LED on the meter (as suggested by SP). With my trim all the way down on my recorder, I then use the output of the VTB1 to set the proper mic/line level as determined by the recorder's peak and LCD meters.

Unless your unit is defective, then the gain on the VTB1 should be noise-free (apart from the self-noise of the mic, or guitar, etc). Even with the tube dialed in, you shouldn't be hearing noise from the VTB1. On mine, the sound gets "thicker" after the 12:00 position on the tube dial, but this is a fairly subtle effect.
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Makes sense. Although my mixer has phantom power which I turn off when using the VTB-1. It also has a trim pot which Im sure is turned up too much. As a matter of fact, It's in the same place it was when I was using the mixer's Phantom and trim.

When I go to the studio this eveing, I will turn down the mixer's trim and push the VTB-1 for gain. This should sound even better, but I was still pleased with the results I just got,, even with incorrect gain settings. My input nor output meter never got anywhere near Yellow and it still sound pretty good.

Thanks

Malcolm
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: hey malcolm,

malcolm123 said:
Makes sense. Although my mixer has phantom power which I turn off when using the VTB-1. It also has a trim pot which Im sure is turned up too much. As a matter of fact, It's in the same place it was when I was using the mixer's Phantom and trim.

When I go to the studio this eveing, I will turn down the mixer's trim and push the VTB-1 for gain. This should sound even better, but I was still pleased with the results I just got,, even with incorrect gain settings. My input nor output meter never got anywhere near Yellow and it still sound pretty good.

Thanks

Malcolm
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Cool. Let us know what happens. From what I can recall, most people think the VTB1 isn't at it's best as a DI. Even so, last week I was lucky enough to be recording a California musician/performer who's does some professional soundtrack work and he loved the VTB1 with his fender and his bass plugged into it. We ran the tube setting at 12:00...

Anyway, good luck tonight!
 
Haha, I emailed my brother, we had it set to 50 too :D Will being at 200 alter the sound at all? Or just allow higher gains. Will it allow higher gains without hissing as much? :)
 
CanopuS said:
Haha, I emailed my brother, we had it set to 50 too :D Will being at 200 alter the sound at all? Or just allow higher gains. Will it allow higher gains without hissing as much? :)
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I beleive so. It's supposed to have low noise even at high gains.

I think that impedence button is used for say if you have a mic that not really hot you boost it. vice versa.


Im sure thats why I couldnt push it without it distorting. I think I remember pussing that damn button in and once I heard the mic, I starting messing around with it without ever reading the manual or altering the settings other than gain.

the manual says 200 for say a V67g or Sp B-1 and 50 for like a ribbon mic, which I guess is not as loud.

Malcolm
 
malcolm123 said:
I beleive so. It's supposed to have low noise even at high gains.

I think that impedence button is used for say if you have a mic that not really hot you boost it. vice versa.


Im sure thats why I couldnt push it without it distorting. I think I remember pussing that damn button in and once I heard the mic, I starting messing around with it without ever reading the manual or altering the settings other than gain.

the manual says 200 for say a V67g or Sp B-1 and 50 for like a ribbon mic, which I guess is not as loud.

Malcolm
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Before you blame *ANY* pre-amp for background noise, I thought my new Avalon was quite noisy. I tried every button and setting.
I finally turned down all the faders and the noise problem was evident...................The wife was yacking as usual.

You might want to switch off everything and try the same test. It sure solved my problem. Now I just have to fix the *source* of the noise.
 
Bobalou said:
whatever happend with the VTB-2?
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Dont know,
I recall reading about it but I havent heard anything in regard to details about it. Maybe Alan will jump in and give us a update. Is it supposed to be better or just 2 channels, etc?


Malcolm
 
acorec said:
Before you blame *ANY* pre-amp for background noise, I thought my new Avalon was quite noisy. I tried every button and setting.
I finally turned down all the faders and the noise problem was evident...................The wife was yacking as usual.

You might want to switch off everything and try the same test. It sure solved my problem. Now I just have to fix the *source* of the noise.
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I fixed that Noise Source back in 1998.

Now im about to pick up another source for noise and disturtion.
Im slap a Gate on this one though !! With a GOOD Threashold setting.

LOL
 
malcolm123 said:
Dont know,
I recall reading about it but I havent heard anything in regard to details about it. Maybe Alan will jump in and give us a update. Is it supposed to be better or just 2 channels, etc?


Malcolm
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It's my understanding it's better (new design) and 2 channels... but, don't hold me to it... hopefully one of the Hyatt's will chime in with more details.
 
CanopuS said:
Haha, I emailed my brother, we had it set to 50 too :D Will being at 200 alter the sound at all? Or just allow higher gains. Will it allow higher gains without hissing as much? :)
Click to expand...

The self-noise spec on the VTB1 is 129db! So hiss is not something you'd expect at all. In fact, any noise will most likely be from a given mic/guitar, not the preamp. These preamps are extremely quiet. I think you're in for a surprise (at least I hope so). :-)
 
chessrock said:
Whatever happened to the Rane MS1-B? I thought that was what this thread was about. :D My mistake.
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my bad, chess... i guess when i asked about a comparison, it kinda took off in a different direction. on your recommendation, i found a local shop that carries rane, and will let me check one out this weekend. i'll let you know what i think.
thanks - jv
 
chessrock said:
Whatever happened to the Rane MS1-B? I thought that was what this thread was about. :D My mistake.
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Yeah, I just went back through the earlier posts. This did get off track. Somebody post a new ( well another topic) for the VTB-1 or VTB-2 and lets see if the Hyatt boys chime in.

I trhink s few of us may have learned a little something from these posts though.


Malcolm
 
I have an even better idea: Let's talk about gear that's actually out right now. :D

lol. Just messin' with ya, guys. Carry on.
 
malcolm123 said:
Somebody post a new ( well another topic) for the VTB-1 or VTB-2... Malcolm
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Sorry for just dropping this in, but I seem to recall the VTB-2 was supposed to be intended more for PC interface...
 
johneeeveee said:
my bad, chess... i guess when i asked about a comparison, it kinda took off in a different direction. on your recommendation, i found a local shop that carries rane, and will let me check one out this weekend. i'll let you know what i think.
thanks - jv
Click to expand...

no need to apologize its all relevant when comparing pieces in the same class...make sure you post your experience with the Rane as its nice to have more user opinions....I know I'm interested.

thanks
 
Hey chessrock,

How do you think that the Rane MS-1B will work for mic'ing guitar cabinets? I've got all the usual suspects, SM-57s, 421s, 441-U, and some nice condensers too like the AT 4047SV. If you do not think the Rane will flatter the guitar cab application, what would you use in its place (that is roughly in the same ballpark pricewise)? I also do lots of acoustic too & you've already said that the MS-1B works really great there. Thanks for the advice!:)
 
It's not really designed to flatter anything. It's pretty no-frills -- no tubes or tranformers in there. It'll bring a mic up to line level --and do it pretty damn well for the money -- but that's about it.

I don't usually worry too much about what I use on guitar amps. It's not like electric guitar is a hi-fi application that requires all of the delicate intricacies of a high end signal chain. Most people just throw an SM-57 right up on the grille, for crying out loud. :D Although I'm sure some will disagree. Worry about getting the best amp you can afford . . . untill one day you've got the most bitchin' guitar amp on the planet.

Then stick any 'ol mic on it and run that through any 'ol pre, and you're likely to be thrilled.
 
I searched for this Rane pre-amp, and it's $149.99????
Is this right?

If so, how can this POSSIBLY compare to Avalons, I mean, this shits pocket change.
 
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