What to buy: ART Tube Channel vs Joe Meek VC6

  • Thread starter Thread starter RWhite
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RWhite

Well-known member
There have been a few similar threads to this, which I have read, but I can't resist soliciting comments on my particular situation.

Most of my studio work involves a live loud rock band, and for my purposes dynamic mics (Shure Sm 58 / 57) are prefered for tracking. But I wanted one good condensor mic for doing vocal overdubs. Some time ago I bought a Rode NT-1 for that purpose.

Now (holding back opinions on the Rode for now) I have decided that I want a better pre-amp / compressor for this particular mic. I have been borrowing a Joe Meek VC6, which seems like a nice unit though the controls are set up a bit odd. The same friend who has loaned me the VC6 also has a ART Tube Channel preamp, which I have yet to test. He will be happy to sell me either one for $200.

From what I have researched, the plus/minuses of each unit seem to be:

Joe Meek VC6 - has the specific Meek sound, which you either like or hate; has the "exciter" built in which has some potentially interesting applications

Art Tube Channel - tube compressor reputed to be better for exciteable rock vocalists (like I work with); also has 2 outputs so you can run a output back to your mixer for monitoring.

So all you home experts out there, if it was your two bills, which would you get? And why?
 
you have a unique oppoptunity...get the friend to loan you both, even if its just for a few hours, and record them side by side....you can decide what flavor you like.....

my opinions:

the Joe Meek is a little noisier

you cant get as clean a sound out of the meek as you can with the Art...both have a good dirty/colorful sound......

which do i rather ?...the Joe Meek

which will u rather?....let us know....
 
I certainly will try out the ART, I'm just trying to get some opinions from people who used either of them over a number of years, in different situations, to see what experianced people think.
 
FWIW, I took my two bills and bought a VC6Q over the Art.
(Haven't tried one to be fair though)
The compressor on the the VC3Q I have also have sounds quite
"tubelike". Alan left some useful info on getting more out of the
meeks on the recent V3Q thread, includiing waiting till mixing
to use the exciter. Between the relatively hot output of a NT1
(I had one) and a loud band, you probably don't have much to
be concerned the relative signal to noise ratios of both units.
 
RWhite said:

Art Tube Channel - tube compressor reputed to be better for exciteable rock vocalists (like I work with); also has 2 outputs so you can run a output back to your mixer for monitoring.
Click to expand...

Rwhite,

The VC6 also has dual outputs on the back. There are twin 1/4" balanced output jacks, so you can send one to the mixer, and the other to the recorder.

The VC6 "Meekbox" like the VC3, needs to be pushed hard, so if you end up with it, push it well into the red led. Use the exciter for mixing only, and then only if the track needs it. The exciter is a tool to use when tracks sound dull, or even if you think the track is bad. I have saved countless tracks I thought were history simply by using the exciter. I was amazed at how many tracks it brought back and saved my ass on.

It is a good unit, but does have a sound, but that sound is very good for rock, hip hop, blues, metal, and country styles, especially on guitars and vocals. It is not good for piano's, brass, and synths.

Alan Hyatt
PMI Audio Group
 
Thanks for the info Alan! I'm having my band's vocalist over Sunday, we'll see then if either compressor can tame him... :D
 
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