What was the final word on the VTB-1?

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tubedude

tubedude

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Seems they were all the rage for a month and now gone...
anyone have one? Compared it to nice stuff? (API, Great River, Neve) Better than Mackie and DMP3?
Whats the word?
 
i have one. it does a fine job. sounds as good as or better than the pres on my mackie 24*4 (depends on my ears, the mic, the source, planetary alignment, warp core breaches, etc.). i like it better for lead vocals than the mackie, for sure.

haven't tried it against anything "better" or more expensive, so i can't help you there. the dmp3 would be a better "deal" as it's stereo where the vtb1 is mono, and the dmp3 is highly regarded around here, but i don't have one to compare against.

i mean, it's only $125 these days and has sounded usable with the small handful of mics i've thrown its way (B1, sm58, shure unidyne 545, senn e835), and i'm looking forward to giving my newly arrived RE-38 a go with it tomorrow or friday....so i really can't complain.

i've found it to be a really nice DI for my tele with the neck pickup and the toob slightly engaged (10-2 seems to be the "usable spot")--nice and bluesy, and far thicker than i'd expected it to be. with the toob fully driven and playing through the humbucker i installed in the bridge (Seymour Duncan Little 59 for tele), it sounded thin and anemic and far too crackly (rather than deep and ballsy). in other words, pretty much what i expected it to. haven't tried it on bass, but to be honest, i'm not expecting much there.

bottom line, would i buy another one if this one got stolen? maybe. would i buy a second so i had a pair? not likely. would i sell this one? prolly not. will i still pick up a dmp3 at some point? you bet.

the vtb1 is simply a usable preamp and can give you a couple interesting sounds. i think this pre was made with the B1 in mind (or vice versa), and does a nice job bringing out detail in a shure unidyne 545--switching the impedence to 50 ohms was the trick there. it's really nothing to write home about (although as mentioned, the DI had a shocking benefit and i'd keep it around for that, if nothing else).

given the choice to do it over, i'd prolly buy the dmp3 simply b/c it's 2 channels instead of one. but i'm sure the vtb1 has a far different sound, as well. and the blue looks cool glowing in a dark room. :D

i don't think you'd be doing yourself a disservice by checking one out if you get the chance.


wade
 
I have one

And I like it better than the Audio Buddy. I have never heard a DMP3. The VTB1 is quiet even with the gain turned up very high, has an impedance switch, optional use of "tube drive", high pass filter, etc. If I had $1,000 a channel, I would probably buy a Great River. If you want to spend around $100 a channel ($125), then you surely get your moneys worth with the VTB1. Bottom line, if saving up for something else in an entirely different price range is an option, then take that option. If $125 is what you want/can spend, then get the VTB1.
 
I've yet to do a direct shootout with everything that I have, but I did do tracks with the DMP3 and the VTB-1 when I got the DMP3. I like them both and think that they are useful for different things. The VTB-1 is a more subdued. The DMP3 is a more open pre, some would describe as being bright. They're simply better for different things.

Comparing the VTB-1 to the DMP3 directly---for synth pads and "middy" instruments (guitar), drum overheads I generally would reach for the DMP3. For synth bass, electric bass, kick drum, toms and darker sources, I reach for the VTB-1. Over the weekend, I had a rapper in recording. I had him miked with the MXL V69. Initially I put the mic through the DMP3. He didn't like it... emphasized too much nasal. We went back to the VTB-1. It tamed the nasal sound and gave a much more neutral character. Added a touch of the "toobe" and voila.... great sound. They're both good budget pres (certainly among the best of the bunch at this price point). But like most things, they excel at different things.
 
Re: Re: What was the final word on the VTB-1?


Tudedude,

The thread mentioned by DJL is certainly an insightful thread. But I would caution against any "which one is better" talk when it comes to decent gear. The main point should be "what color is best for my particular uses." This inquiry should better answer your question. Both pres have uses that they excel at, and it depends on what you want to do. Both would be better.
 
It's a good buy for the money. It doesn't compare to the RNP or the Grace 101 but they cost around four times as much and up so that's to be expected. I think it competes very well in its price segment as a mic pre where it might be the best along with the DMP3. As a DI, it's not so good but it is useable.

Here's a couple reviews: www.mojopie.com/vtb1.html

The VTB1 must still be the rage with someone because that page has been one of the most viewed at my site in the last year getting over 6,000 views by unique users.

Steve
www.mojopie.com
 
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Get one Tube, it'll be handy.
I got to try out a friend's RCA 77DX, and it sounded killer.
(like Harvey said)

Now the only "problem" is that I want a ribbon like that RCA 77!
(AEA R84? Beyer "DX'd" ribbon?)

Chris
 
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