Stereo preamp or two mono preamps?

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fova

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Hi,

I use one Studio Projects VTB1 like a mono preamp for my vocal recordings. Because last month I bought a stereo pair of SE3 pencils for stereo recording of acoustic instruments I need to solve now preamp for them.
There is a possibility to buy M-Audio DMP3 but I suppose that DMP3 is a same level of quality like VTB1 and I would like to buy not only stereo preamp but also something on the higher level of sound. Next DMP3 can not supply tube sound which would be nice for vocals.
In Europe SPL Goldmike 9844 is now quite popular because of strong price reduction so it is one of my favorites. The only negative issue is that tube sound can not be by-passed in cases I could need dry signal. But I can live with that.
Today I got an idea not to buy any stereo preamp but only another VTB1. There can be IMO the only problem that tubes will not be matched like in stereo preamp so both units can play differently.
Do you think it can happen?
Or is it a good way to go?
Is anybody here who uses two mono preamps for stereo recording?
Is there any other solution in a price level around $400?
I know about ART TPS and DPS but I am afraid it would not be any quality jump from VTB1.

Thanks
 
Your major considerations would be any extra rack space it might take up, along with the extra power outlets. Other than that, if you're using the same make / model, then you shouldn't have to worry about matching for stereo recording. I also wouldn't get too wrapped up in the whole "tube" thing at this stage of the game. It's mostly a gimmick; and the effect won't be to "fatten up" the sound ... but rather to blur it a little and to smear the detail. If that's your thing though, and you actually consider it a positive contribution to your tracks, then disregard what I say about it.

.
 
Yes, I know that so called "tube sound" in this price range is not real tube sound. What I like on VTB1 is that you can set a level of mix of dry and "tube" sound. So this I would like to have also on other preamp to have more sound options for my records.

I have a home recording studio for a semi-profi records so it is not anything on the special level. My concern is now whether in my conditions two VTBs can supply at least roughly similar sound so I will not notice any difference between both channels.

Rack space and another power outlets are not a problem. :)
 
There are several people around, including myself, who think the DMP3 is just terrific for stereo recording of acoustic instruments. In that application especially, cheap tube preamps are probably best avoided. The "character" that they impart is good on some vocals, but for acoustic instruments I prefer a "wire with gain" kind of pre. The DMP3 does that at a remarkable price, and I think you have to spend considerably more to beat it on that application. On the other hand, it doesn't do it for me on vocals, and your VTB1 is probably better for that. So, if that's the kind of budget your working with, my 2 cents worth of advice would be to get the DMP3, and have a nice clean stereo pre for instruments, the VTB1 for a little more character on vocals, and the benefit of being able to do both at the same time.
 
Your suggestion generally sounds wise but actually I have only 2 inputs on my sound card (M-Audio Audiophile 192) so I can not record both vocals and stereo instrument at the same time. It is not also my kind of work - I record everything track by track.

If I will set tube blend effect on two VTBs to zero so it will give only dry signal it can work for me in the same way like DMP3, do not you think?
Or do you think that VTB is still coloring the sound in comparison to DMP3 even if tube is set to zero?
 
vtb1 and dmp3

Hi,

There is a user interface design flaw in the vtb1 that it took me a few thinks to realize.

When you said set to zero for clean sound that is not right. On the vtb1 zero is half tube half solid state and is marked with an =.

To get the clean sound you have to go all the way to the left past -4 and onto SS. This has no tubes mixed in.

This is also all the way off on every other knob ever invented so it is very difficult for people to set a knob all the way to the left.

As far as I am concerned though all the way to the left, SS only, is the preferred way to use the preamp. Set like this it does indeed have very clean gain and lots of it.

Even in the clean setting the vtb1 sounds different than the dmp3 or in my case the dmp2. I noticed more trebly treble or more high detail in the vtb1 than in my dmp2. If you are already using a mic that is bright this may not be good.

So yes, two vtb1s set to SS could give a clean stereo signal. Adding a dmp3 however will not cost much more than another vtb1 and will give you another sound. Not a lot different than a vtb1 but still noticably different.

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
As for the setting of knob I expressed myself incorectly. By zero I wanted to say "knob turned to left"

I was afraid that for some series of units Studio Projects ordered lamps from company XY, for another series lamps from another company and finally the sound from two units can be different. I am of course speaking about "tube sound".

As for a solid state sound of two units, there is probably no problem. Specifications for electronic components that are creating a SS sound are so strict so there is no reason for fear.
So when I want to record tube uninfluenced sound thru SE Electronics 3 pencils overall sound from both channels must be identical.

Is my thinking right?
 
fova said:
As for the setting of knob I expressed myself incorectly. By zero I wanted to say "knob turned to left"

I was afraid that for some series of units Studio Projects ordered lamps from company XY, for another series lamps from another company and finally the sound from two units can be different. I am of course speaking about "tube sound".
Is my thinking right?
Click to expand...

...as a "starved-plate" tube circuit design is utilized in the VTB-1, minor variations in tube source would hardly effect the sound...the tube is used more as a source of "dialed-in distortion"...you'd be fine with 2 VTB-1s...and since you record only 2 tracks at a time, the VTB-1s will give you the flexibility to record both "clean" for instrumental tracking, and dial in the "toob" effect when tracking vocals... ;)
 
I don't doubt that either option will work fine for you. Assuming you wouldnt be selling the VTB1 to get the DMP3, you'll have both sounds anyway, and if you change soundcards in the future to something with more inputs, you'll be a step ahead with the 3 channels of pre. But either solution will work now, and I wouldn't sweat the minor difference that may or may not exist between the two VTB1s. It's unlikely that the two channels of a DMP3 are painstakingly matched either at the price they sell for.
 
OK, thank you, all.
I will think about it little more before the final decision.
 
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