The incredible value of Tube Mic Preamps

[Cast of Shadows]

I've been recording vocals straight into the board for some time now, and I never realized what I was missing. The vocals I recorded never had the "pro" sound I was looking for, even though the performances were usually dead on. I got my hands on a little BLUETUBE box by Prosonus, and I can't believe the difference. Going tube for vocals, I don't think I'll ever go back to solid state. Anyone else have a similiar experience? Anyone else use the Bluetube?

~Vince
Guitarist / Songwriter
www.castofshadows.com

 

[littledog]

Wait until you get the chance someday to use a real tube mic preamp!

 

[tubedude]

No kidding. I think he was just being sarcastic, as the bluetube pretty much sounds like grain.

 

[TexRoadkill]

I'm guessing the board you were using was a Behringer.

 

[StevenLindsey]

I've got a BT. It's not that bad an amp. Pretty quiet as long as you don't use the tube much or crank it too much. I use it for DI on electric guitar and for stereo input for a synth. I didn't like it much on vocals - seemed too dark. It does a pretty good stereo recording of mic'd acoustic. The pres in my old Soundcraft powered mixer sound more open and clear using mics, though. But the darker sound is good at times. The tube in the BT doesn't seem to do too much but it does fatten the sound up a little bit. I have gotten some pretty good recorded sound with it though. I can see that it would be quite an improvement over some mixer amps. There's always something better though. There's always someone who will sneer at gear that is lower priced and lesser quality than what they have. But then, there is someone higher up on the food chain sneering at what the sneerer has too. It doesn't matter. You can make a very decent recording with a Blue Tube. ( If you can make decent music in the first place of course. ) But you know you're gonna have to get a real amp one day though. Start saving up.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Upgradeing the tube to a nice Mullard really improves things with that unit.

 

[littledog]

I'm pretty sure no one was sneering. Rather just gently pointing out that making sweeping judgements about tube vs. solid state based on experiences with the Presonus and whatever (Behringer?) is sort of like comparing the relative merits of American vs. European automobiles after having driven only a Ford Pinto and a Yugo. While you may have a clear preference for one over the other, it won't have any relevence on whether you should buy a Corvette vs. a Porsche.

Let's see how quickly: "I don't think I'll ever go back to solid state" is abandoned once Cast of Shadows tries any Neve, Millenia, Avalon, Grace, Daking, API, Focusrite Red, Langevin, Trident, or Earthworks preamps. As a matter of fact, I'm betting if the comparison was between the Blue Tube and any of the above, Cast of Shadows might say "I don't think I'll ever go back to tubes!" (Which, of course, would also be silly, in the face of products from Drawmer, Manley, Tube Tech, Summit, etc.)

 

[volltreffer]

I'm pretty sure no one was sneering. Rather just gently pointing out that making sweeping judgements about tube vs. solid state based on experiences with the Presonus and whatever (Behringer?) is sort of like comparing the relative merits of American vs. European automobiles after having driven only a Ford Pinto and a Yugo. While you may have a clear preference for one over the other, it won't have any relevence on whether you should buy a Corvette vs. a Porsche.

LMAO!

 

[chessrock]

I guess you could also apply similar logic to having had a blowjob from your pretty blonde sister, and thus proclaiming that brunettes are forever cast from your list.

 

[James HE]

geeze go easy on the guy.



shadows obviously got excited about something he heard in his recording. You can't really fault him for that, despite his overzealous and likely misguided statement about not ever going solid state again. Hopefully you haven't killed his excitment by telling him his equipment is crap.

 

[Track Rat]

Littledog, I like you.

 

[rustyfingers]

~Vince
Guitarist / Songwriter
www.castofshadows.com [/B]

Congrats on the new pre...

If you like it, then that's what counts IMHO. Been thinking about getting one of the Presonus models myself...

See Ya
Dennis

Nice website BTW.

 

[littledog]

Littledog, I like you.

Thanks Track Rat. I just hope (for your sake) that you're not Chessrock's sister...

 

[NIelkc]

Europeon Cars Rule, love VW

 

[cavedog101]

At least the lights went 'on' upon discovery thats theres more noise available than that which is touted to be 'professional'(ie.all gear not in the 'pro' level).....ya gotta breathe a sigh of relief that one more ear has turned towards the light.....

 

[SawkenDotCom]

Yeah, I have two Prosonus' hooked up to a Rode NT1A and the ubiquitous SM 57. They do a good job for the price and while I will one day upgrade, I think that they are more than adequate for what I need right now.

Welcome to the next step! I am glad that you discovered tubes.