PreSonus Tube Preamplifier Help

[BIG Fate]

Not sure if this is in the right section, couldnt find the sub forum.

I recently bought the Presonus Tube Preamplifier, And I'm not sure how to get the right settings for the type of music I do and a bit lost. I do hip hop/Rap music with Singers included on Hooks every now and then and just looking for a standard good Medium/warm sound. Can anyone help me achieve this? Dont wanna start recording till I get it down right. Thanks in advance!

TUBE PREAMP
Gain:
Tube Drive:

COMPRESSOR
Thresh:
Ratio:
Attack:
Release:
Gain:

PARAMETRIC EQ:
Low:
Mid:
High:

Level:

 

[bouldersoundguy]

The gain is set to whatever it has to be to get a proper signal level. The rest is a matter of taste. There is no "standard" setting really.

 

[BIG Fate]

Sup Boulder,

I heard that, but, for someone who doesn't know any settings it should be at its a bit confusing. Its like pulling up to a 4 split forked road, you know 'where' you wanna go but, you just need to know which road to take out the four to get on your way.

Thats kinda how this situation is, I know how I want it to sound, but I just need the basic standard setting for a warm/med sound to start with then adjust as I go. Can anyone help me with this?

 

[cobaltaudio]

If you know how you want it to sound, then that's your biggest asset.

You need to try out stuff and experiment with eq first and maybe then dynamics, and work towards matching what you actually hear against what you expected to hear.

It's a difficult excersize to do when you're not experienced but it is by far the best and quickest way to get the sound you want, and learn a huge amount in the process.

I really can't stress enough how well off you are already for knowing what sound you want. Most aspiring engineers haven't got a clue what they want it to sound like, and just try to make it sound how someone else thinks it should sound. You need to keep that sound carefully stored clearly in your head, and just keep working towards it until you get there.

Keep trying stuff, and maybe post the occasional snippet in the MP3 Clinic. Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way, that's half the fun!

 

[BIG Fate]

Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way, that's half the fun!

Never scared to make mistakes, you live and learn from em and like you said thats half the fun.

Only problem is when you have x amount of time to complete x it gets a bit frustrating pressed for time.

I guess my question now for you engineers out there is, if you were recording a hip hop type track which settings would you start with? Maybe I can start from there and tweak a lil.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thats kinda how this situation is, I know how I want it to sound, but I just need the basic standard setting for a warm/med sound to start with then adjust as I go. Can anyone help me with this?

The settings on your preamp don't dictate the outcome, they only influence it. It all starts with the performer and mic. If the signal from the mic is already too "warm" then you need to make one kind of adjustment. If it's too bright then another kind of adjustment. There is simply no setting that will automatically lead to a "warm/med" sound with any vocal performer.

Try starting with the compressor bypassed and the eq flat. Use mic choice and position to control the basic tone of the recording. Then, if you deem it necessary based on what you hear, you can adjust the eq to taste. Unless you are very confident in your ability to use the compressor just leave it inactive and do any compression later when you have the option to undo.

 

[benherron.rrr]

. . . and if your going to use a compressor jus set the attack and release low and forget about them, if your new to compressors those two parametres will just add to the complexity.

And take what everyone else says. We're not being difficult for the sake of it, we're been difficult because recording is difficult and there are NEVER any solid answers as easy as the ones you seek

 

[bruiser1964]

It's always difficult with new kit cos you want to be able to hear what you've spent your money on but with compressors its different, generally speaking if you can hear the effect working you are probably using too much.

I'e added a useful reference table to get you started.
Luck

 

[BIG Fate]

The settings on your preamp don't dictate the outcome, they only influence it. It all starts with the performer and mic. If the signal from the mic is already too "warm" then you need to make one kind of adjustment. If it's too bright then another kind of adjustment. There is simply no setting that will automatically lead to a "warm/med" sound with any vocal performer.

Try starting with the compressor bypassed and the eq flat. Use mic choice and position to control the basic tone of the recording. Then, if you deem it necessary based on what you hear, you can adjust the eq to taste. Unless you are very confident in your ability to use the compressor just leave it inactive and do any compression later when you have the option to undo.

Thats a very true statement and I understand. So when you say compress later do you mean skipping the preamp and just going plugin?

. . . and if your going to use a compressor jus set the attack and release low and forget about them, if your new to compressors those two parametres will just add to the complexity.

And take what everyone else says. We're not being difficult for the sake of it, we're been difficult because recording is difficult and there are NEVER any solid answers as easy as the ones you seek

I understand that recordings difficult period. I'm just a bit frustrated, I'm not an engineer, just a vocal artist. I know the basics, but, not enough to master. Spent alot of money on equipment and just wanna hear what I pay for. But, I'm willing to learn and take in any advice given. Who knows, maybe one day I will be an engineer.

It's always difficult with new kit cos you want to be able to hear what you've spent your money on but with compressors its different, generally speaking if you can hear the effect working you are probably using too much.

I'e added a useful reference table to get you started.
Luck

Thank you sir, you hit it right on the nose. Just would like to hear my money at work lol... I'll try those and tweak from there.

Only question I have is, it says for vocal RELEASE 0.5s/Auto. What do they mean by that? I just have a setting for fast and slow. Also it dosent have a listing for THRESH?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thats a very true statement and I understand. So when you say compress later do you mean skipping the preamp and just going plugin?

Yes, I mean leaving the compression on the preamp inactive and using plugins later. Compressing on the way in commits you to it. That's great if you get it right. It's not so great if you miss your mark and over compress. Get to know the gain and eq of the preamp. Save using the compressor for later when you've developed some mixing and hearing skills.

 

[BIG Fate]

Thanks for the advice...