Tube preamp for tube amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter killthepixelnow
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killthepixelnow

killthepixelnow

Do it right or dont do it
Hello, I'm willing to buy a preamp to record my guitar. I'm planning to use two dynamic microphones on the 4x12 cabinet. So, since the head is all tube, I wonder if the right chose for preamp is one that have valves on it. Or... should I avoid it and go for the solid state? BTW I play death metal with tons of distortion.

Opinions and gear recommendations will be greatly appreciated!
 
Its all up to your ears, If you like what you hear then thats what you use.
Personally I prefer a nice tube pre, but have gotten very good results with both a Focusrite ISA and Goldenage pre-73.
Again, its all about what you prefer
 
Unless the amp is stereo (few tubers are) why two mics? Only reason I can think of is one close and one distant (about 10 feet away.)
 
If you wanted to record in stereo you will use 2 mics with the capsules at 90-110 degrees of each other. I believe it's called the x/y or coincedent technique. Or you can put as many mics as you want and decide which signal you wanna use later, each pointed at a different spot on the speaker. Or a different speaker if a multi speaker cab.
 
Yeah, I was planning to record the guitar using two mics at the same time but in different speakers. Since the cab has four, I wanted to have two tracks of the guitar. Concerning the preamp, tubes sound killer but prices are kinda high. The fact is I just changed my small amp tubes and the difference is really pleasant so... maybe it's time to start saving for a good valve pre.
 
Again, it personal preference but, this is an OUTSTANDING(and really simple to use) Tube Pre-Amp that guitarists love. Its single channel so it may not be a fit for you. But I love this crazy looking thingthing, I dont own one yet but its the next purchase on my list.

Blue Microphones Robbie | Sweetwater.com

Also here is a great read on selecting a Preamp that is right for your needs, gotta love Sweetwater!
 
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machinetodd said:
(...)
Also here is a great read on selecting a Preamp that is right for your needs, gotta love Sweetwater!
Click to expand...

What read? I only saw the link to that futuristic looking preamp (it looks weird and killer at the same time).
 
Unless the speakers are at least two different types, both tracks will sound exactly alike. I suppose that's been done, but really, there is so very little benefit.
 
stevieb said:
Unless the speakers are at least two different types, both tracks will sound exactly alike. I suppose that's been done, but really, there is so very little benefit.
Click to expand...


I don't see the point of having two close mics on an amp.I guess if their postioned differently than you'll get a diffferent sound even if they're identical speakers.Then blend to taste or choose which one you want to keep.The key to getting some good metal tones is gonna come more from double tracking and layering though.That and backing off on that distortion.

It's one thing to play with tons of distortion and to track with tons of distortion.Tracking with tons of distortion will leave you with a really muddy crappy sound and you'll lack clarity.If you layer and double track with a lot of distortion than you're adding more distortion on top of the tons you had to begin with.
 
Thanks to all for the advices. Well, I hve a question related to the topic, I own an ART TUBE MP preamp:

240250.jpg


I traveled overseas and forgot to unplug the device. I was out like a year, the preamp still works but I'm concerned about the life and quality of the tube inside. OK, it has been connected a year but nobody played so, in theory the tube remains unused? I recently ordered some Tungsol 12AX7 tubes, do you reckon I must change the valve inside my pre?
 
I record with two mics on one guitar all the time, a 57 and a 421. The 421 picks up everything that a 57 doesn't. It give you a much bigger, fuller sound.

Putting two mics on one cabinet does not give you stereo. The best way to do that is just to play the part twice and pan them.

There is no correlation between your tube guitar amp and the tube mic preamp. Cheap tube mic preamps (anything below $1000 is cheap for a tube preamp) are kind of a waste of time. Tube circuits are much more expensive to manufacture and implement properly than solid state. So for the same price, a solid state preamp will be of higher quality. Anyway, almost all of the most sought after mic preamps are all solid state: Neve, API, Trident, Harrison, etc... Name one classic mic preamp that is tube driven. There aren't any.
 
this is the link, that didnt post, its a preamp buying guide

Preamp: Buying Guide

I recommend throwing that cheap ART MP pre in the trash, it will hurt your sound
 
Farview, I am assuming that you put the 57 right up to the speaker, how do you place the 421 and do you have any phasing issues?
 
I have the 421 right up on the speaker as well. I have them lined up so the capsules are aligned, no phase issues at all. The 57 generally is aimed at the point the dust cap meets the cone and the 421 is generally about halfway between the dust cap and the edge.
 
machinetodd said:
this is the link, that didnt post, its a preamp buying guide

Preamp: Buying Guide

I recommend throwing that cheap ART MP pre in the trash, it will hurt your sound
Click to expand...

That's rather extreme.

starved-plate tube pre's ("TOOBers?") are not gonna give you as nice a tone as tube pre's that have "real" voltage going to the plate, but they do have their place. They CAN warm things up a bit, and the ART works well as a DI box- something we always never seem to have enough of. I would not trash it- but if you are gonna, I'll take it. PM me.

But, I would test the tube (tube testers used to be in every drug store,) or, if you can't locate a tester, 12AX7's are cheap enough, just replace the thing.
 
stevieb said:
Unless the speakers are at least two different types, both tracks will sound exactly alike. I suppose that's been done, but really, there is so very little benefit.
Click to expand...
With two different mic types like a Ribbon and a 57, blending them acts as an excellent EQ. Also, sample sliding can be very beneficial.
 
stevieb said:
(...)They CAN warm things up a bit, and the ART works well as a DI box- something we always never seem to have enough of.(...)
Click to expand...

The ART ain't no Avalon, but it's better than having nothing as a pre.
 
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