VTB-1 and others

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bloodloss

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I've been thinking about getting a VTB-1. Essentially what I am looking for is a quiet preamp, but also something that I may want to use to help color the sound in the unforeseeable future(you never know what you will need). I am going to be recording pretty standard rock band stuff... bass, guitar, drums, etc. So does the VTB-1 seem like a good choice, or did I miss something. All this is considering that I am looking to spend 500$ or less.

thanks,
frank
 
Yo Hemophilia loss:]

Before you buy VTB-1, check out the Grace Design 101, a single channel mic pre with very good specs.

You can raise Grace Design on the net and check out their products and specs.

Kind of hard to locate a place to buy the Grace Design but Sweetwater does carry the line. Another funny thing is that Full Compass does not carry the item and FC has a huge inventory.

The Grace Design will be a few more dollars than 500, unless the New Year brings a price drop. It runs between 500-600 dollars. You can also check out the price on an 800 [free] call to Sweetwater.

When I'm buying gear, I call many 800 numbers. Sometimes you can find more than 100 dollars difference.

As well, you may want to search this site and pick up what the other talented folks have to say about mic pres.


GREEN HORNET :D :D :cool:
 
for $500,

go with a VTB-1, a DMP3, and 2 Audio Buddy's....that will give you seven channels.......


the grace 101 is a great recommendation.....its an awesome pre....but if you are gonna be doing drums, 1 channel wont go far......
 
bloodloss said:
I've been thinking about getting a VTB-1. Essentially what I am looking for is a quiet preamp, but also something that I may want to use to help color the sound in the unforeseeable future(you never know what you will need). I am going to be recording pretty standard rock band stuff... bass, guitar, drums, etc. So does the VTB-1 seem like a good choice, or did I miss something. All this is considering that I am looking to spend 500$ or less.

thanks,
frank
Click to expand...

Something struck me as a little funny...

"I'm looking for a quiet preamp to record rock bands..."

I'm looking for a quiet preamp to do field recordings of nuclear explosions myself.

Sorry, Frank. There's actually nothing wrong with your question at all. I'm just in a weird mood after a double session today...
 
Re: Re: VTB-1 and others

littledog said:
I'm looking for a quiet preamp to do field recordings of nuclear explosions myself.
Click to expand...

I have a few people I would like to recommend for that project.
 
I've been considering getting a grace 101; however, I don't think now is the time. When I bought my soundcard, I knew it was going to have to last me a long time, so I bought more than I could ever use in my present state (hopefully I can grow into it). So I thought to myself why buy something cheap when I can be patient and save up and get something that will last me a very long time, which is cheaper in the long run. But it seems that preamps are a different monster. Even though you may buy an inexpensive preamp, you will not necessarily outgrow the thing due to the "personality" of that type of equipment.

So I'm looking for a decent preamp that has some flavor (but not a lot, since it's going to be used for almost everything right now). I imagine I will invest in a more expensive preamp in the future. All I've heard about the grace is good, and I'm sure I'll keep it in mind.

How does a DMP3 sound?

Thanks
frank
 
If your budget is $500, I'd definately follow Gidge's lead. I had a similar issue (moving into preamps) and picked up a Presonus Blue Tube and a DMP3. Of the two, the DMP3 is quieter. So now I have four channels of outboard preamps, any of which is an improvement on my mixer (which is OK) and which will give me a bit of variety. I think its a good plan.

The VTB-1 is the best of the bunch (other than the Grace, which is arguably a better preamp) but packs the best bang for the buck by far. If you have a little time, Alan is coming out with a two channel version of the VTB-1, with a potential street price under $500. More is better...:D
 
If and when I "outgrow" the VTB-1, the thing is built like a tank
so it would always have a place in rehearsals and onstage for
miking my vocals-unless a bass player takes it away from me
to use as a D.I. :)

Chris
 
And a bit of trivia!
What's the first Top 40 hit (only?) that used a recording of a nuclear blast...?

It was "7+7 is" by Love.
(call up Arthur Lee and ask what pre they used)
Great proto-punk song BTW.

Chris
 
Umm...

Wouldn't they need a pretty long mic boom to do that one? And a tough mic, I guess. Prolly an SM57, huh?:D
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the RNP--two channels for $475, and I hear it has some color.

I'm with chessrock on this one, though. For Rock and Country the Meeks are mighty, IMO. Nice preamps with that cool optical compression and eq--all in one box. You need at least one.

MQ3 = $200
VTB-1 = $180
Audiobuddy = $80

That gives you two clean pres and two clean/colored pres with compression and eq for $460--plenty of pres to record drums.

Or, you could just get a Mackie board.
 
Does a Mackie have all this colored/uncolored ability? Is it just a function of adjustments on the board? Are these pres inside the mixer better than the single units? Can you really hear the difference?

20 questions comin at ya. Anyway, I'm looking to buy some stuff, and a couple of years ago, I did not buy a Mackie mixer, and bought a Peavey instead, which I guess was a mistake, seeing as how all these people just love the Mackie. So, if I were to buy a Mackie, instead of a mic pre, is that better?

Thanks,
Kirstin
 
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