SP C1 mic or VTB-1?

[lppier]

Hi, I have a SP B1 mic which goes like this

B1 mic -> mixer -> m-audio audiophile 2496

Would a change of mic (to C1) or addition of the VTB-1 preamp make a greater difference to the recorded vocals? Looking for a smoother sound, more silky, if you know what I mean.

Supposedly I got a VTB-1 , how would the signal chain be like?
Do I still stick the output of the VTB-1 to the mixer?

Thanks.

 

[lppier]

Oh, forgot to mention, my mixer is a Crate budget mixer
Will the VTB sound noticably better?

 

[jonnyc]

You'd go mic to vtb1 to soundcard and eliminate the mixer. I'd probably go with the vtb1 over the new mic. You already have what most people consider to be one of the better budget mics out there so get that shitty mixer out of the equation. All that being said, don't expect those small upgrades to be a massive, wow moment, change in your sound.

 

[lppier]

Hmm... I'm currently do record both vocals and acoustic guitar, is it possible to keep both plugged in to the VTB? Record it together?

 

[leddy]

Hmm... I'm currently do record both vocals and acoustic guitar, is it possible to keep both plugged in to the VTB? Record it together?

VTB-1 is one channel, so not really.

"Smooth and silky" can sometimes be elusive unless your whole recording chain is pretty decent (not to mention your room).

If I was trying to get silky on the cheap and easy, I'd probably use a ribbon mic - depending on the voice. I use them on drums all the time to tame the "trash" in cymbals. Of course, that may require buying a preamp anyway. The VTB-1 would probably suffice.

 

[lppier]

I understand that the VTB-1 is a DI as well as a microphone preamp.
What I want to know is :

Can I plug in my semi-acoustic guitar into the DI in and microphone into the XLR in and have the output as one single channel out to my sound ard? That would effectively eliminate my mixer from the equation.

Will the difference be noticeable, to say the least?

 

[SRR]

Its either XLR in or DI, not both.

 

[lppier]

So is there a switch to choose between XLR or DI?

 

[dickiefunk]

You may also want to check out the M-Audio DMP3. It is a 2 channel Pre-Amp so you can record your vocals and guitar at the same time! I also own a VTB1 and I prefer my DMP3. This pre-amp is extremely clean and low noise so would almost certainly be a step up from your crate mixer.

(the VTB1 does have a switch to choose mic / DI).

 

[dickiefunk]

Just thought I'd add - I also have a Studio Projects B1 mic. As a mike I'd say it's on the more neutral sound compared to some I've tried so replecing this may not give you a smoother sound depending on your voice? How would you describe your voice and what is your budget?

 

[lppier]

Great dickiefunk, I see that you have the VTB. I would describe my voice as slightly nasal, high, thin.. a bit choir boy-ish. Songs I sing are usually country ballads and pop.
Basically I don't really care whether a mike is neutral, it just has to make me (and my guitar) sound better.

What is the effect of the VTB on the B1 as opposed to normal mixer preamps if I don't dial in the tube?

My budget is perhaps < 300 ?

 

[dickiefunk]

I can only comment on my experience with my old Behringer MX 3242X. If found the VTB1 to be much quiter in terms of noise and I also found it sounded warmer and slightly more detailed? This was odd because the VTB1 and Behringer gear use the same 4580 OpAmps However there is a difference. I have noticed slightly more difference with my DMP3 though it has a different tone to the VTB1 ( DMP3 seems to be crisper with more sparkle ). The M-Audio DMP3 uses higher quality components than the VTB1.
I am in the process of modding my VTB1 by trying different OpAmps and I will post my results at some point in the future.

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

This was odd because the VTB1 and Behringer gear use the same 4580 OpAmps

Not odd at all. There's a lot more that makes up the sound of a mic pre than the opamp. ("Why does my tube screamer guitar pedal sound different to my Rane mic pre, they both use TL072s"! ).

The same opamp can sound different when used in in different circuit designs, heck, different brands of the same opamp can sound different in the same circuit.

And of course if their performing different functions within their respective designs then you're comparing apples with oranges anyway.

 

[dickiefunk]

Not odd at all. There's a lot more that makes up the sound of a mic pre than the opamp. ("Why does my tube screamer guitar pedal sound different to my Rane mic pre, they both use TL072s"! ).

The same opamp can sound different when used in in different circuit designs, heck, different brands of the same opamp can sound different in the same circuit.

And of course if their performing different functions within their respective designs then you're comparing apples with oranges.

Well it just goes to show that the Studio Projects VTB1 is much better designed than the Behringer stuff!

 

[lppier]

Okay... u're kinda veering me to the DMP3 now. However it's twice as expensive as the VTB where I live. Wondering if I should just bite the bullet and go for it..
How would you describe the sound of the DMP3 + B1 combo? Any clips?
Thanks!

 

[Neeps]

How would you describe the sound of the DMP3 + B1 combo? Any clips?

I once took my B1 and whacked it off the top of my dmp3. It made a thin clang with a hint of dunt.

 

[dickiefunk]

I've only used the DMP3/B1 setup with female vocalists and have been extremely happy with it! I don't have any clips here but the sound is detailed and very clean. My experience has found that this combo gives a pretty true represantation of what is being recorded.
If I were to characterise the sound of the DMP3 I'd say clean-crisp-airy. It has a brighter sound than the VTB1.

 

[dickiefunk]

Okay... u're kinda veering me to the DMP3 now. However it's twice as expensive as the VTB where I live. Wondering if I should just bite the bullet and go for it..

Where abouts do you live? All the places I've seen them the DMP3 has been like 20% more expensive than the VTB1?

 

[cusebassman]

I'm assuming the interface you have has more than one line input. In that case, I would go for the DMP-3, simply because it gives a lot of clean gain, and will give you two channels (both of which can either be used with a mic or direct input). You could easily record the acoustic with a mic as well as DI on separate channels, or if you purchase a mic later on for the acoustic so you can sing and play at the same time (during recording), you can also record with the two mics.

At that point (2 mic-style), there wouldn't be an available instrument direct input, but that's okay

 

[lppier]

Ok, I live in Singapore. After some scouting, I found that the prices for the
VTB-1 is ard US125
DMP3 is ard US253

I think the DMP3 price is crazy, even if you factor in shipping. I see it online for US159, but I'm rather hesistant to buy electronics online. And I'm rather keen on getting the DMP3 now that you say it's better than the VTB-1.