Matte_black Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Hello! I actually use an ART Tube MP, a PA power amp and a 3 ways speaker. I'd like to replace the preamp with something better. I used to own a Demeter preamp and I remember it being punchier and warmer (of course - it costs 7 times what I paid for the ART). I see there are lots of tube preamps. I'd like to get a studio quality tube preamp for mic... no eq. needed as I have a parametric equalizer but I hardly use it. I've seen the Electro Harmonix Mic Pre... with its small size and the two 12AX7 tubes it could be what I'm looking for. Besides it's priced pretty fairly (about €170 new). The features I need? Real tube circuit, enough power to drive a power amp, DI and 1/4 outputs. Any advice is appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Tried one live on vocals a few weeks ago and it sucked. It hissed really badly and sounded really poor. Just went straight into the desk in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted December 20, 2008 Author Share Posted December 20, 2008 Ouch! Any ideas for another preamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 if you want a proper tube preamp i'd look to spend a bit more than £150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Right. I guess I'll have to spend about €500 for a good used preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 well not that much but i'm sure you can pick up a svp pro for about €300 or something similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 The [url="http://www.avalondesign.com/instrudi.html"]Avalon U5[/url] is very highly thought of by some on this forum, and it also serves as a top-of-the-range DI box for live or studio work. I think Geddy Lee uses one too if that's any indication of quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Hei! Sorry for the delay, I didn't see there were new replies... I was keeping an eye on the TL Audio Ebony A1. It also has the "drive" knob... not a bad feature! Is the U5 able to drive a power amp properly? I see it only has the gain knob, no output knob... never tried one, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boneless Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 (edited) The Avalon U5... I'm no expert, but I've been going through an Avalon U5 in the recording studio, and it sounded pretty neat. Clear, punchy and rich tone. Could have recorded the bass only going through the Avalon pre, if I didn't use distortion (so I preferred combining it with my miked cabinet). And it costs 500€ new. Not tube though, I think it's solid state, but VERY good nonetheless. I don't think you should choose a pre basing on its technology, anyway Edited January 3, 2009 by Boneless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 [quote name='joegarcia' post='359737' date='Dec 20 2008, 05:43 PM']Tried one live on vocals a few weeks ago and it sucked. It hissed really badly and sounded really poor. Just went straight into the desk in the end.[/quote] What sounds good with a mic won't necessarily sound good with a bass, and vice-versa. They're completely different levels and impedances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 This is remarkably cheap - might be worth a gamble: [url="http://www.studiospares.com/Microphone-Preamps/Studiospares-Mono-Valve-Mic-Preamp/invt/348000"]Studiospares Valve Preamp[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegarcia Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 [quote name='bremen' post='369352' date='Jan 3 2009, 04:36 PM']What sounds good with a mic won't necessarily sound good with a bass, and vice-versa. They're completely different levels and impedances.[/quote] Yea true, but this particular unit is just a mic pre, I don't think it even has an instrument input so didn't think he'd want to use it with a bass. Besides, if it was creating excessive amounts of noise when barely even turned up I think that is gonna be a pain whatever you plug into it. It seemed really badly built too. Just my opinion though of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~tl Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I've been tempted by the TL 5050 recently: [url="http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5050.shtml"]http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/docs_07/product_07/5050.shtml[/url] Great price (£275 on DV247) for a simple tube pre and compressor. They get decent reviews as well, so might be worth considering if an EQ is not a priority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 [quote name='joegarcia' post='369405' date='Jan 3 2009, 05:24 PM']Yea true, but this particular unit is just a mic pre, I don't think it even has an instrument input so didn't think he'd want to use it with a bass. Besides, if it was creating excessive amounts of noise when barely even turned up I think that is gonna be a pain whatever you plug into it. It seemed really badly built too. Just my opinion though of course.[/quote] ah, well in that case it's definitely not suitable as a bass preamp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 I should be able to test a TL Audio Ivory 5050 tomorrow... a friend of mine owns one (and uses it in studio). The first thing I want to know is if there's a clear difference in use between my cheap Art MP and an Ivory, Ebony or ISA preamp. If I find the difference worth the cost I'll try to decide. The Ebony A1 looks nice too... and I've heard good things about the Focusrite ISA (small version, about £460). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Tried the TL Audio but it wasn't the 5050, it was the 5001 if I remember right. Anyway, there wasn't a great difference in tone. I've also tried an API preamp, both thru my cab and thru studio monitors... the difference isn't worth the price. The TL audio was slightly nicer on the high end while the API was warmer and crispier. I fear I should spend at least 600 pounds to have something _really_ better sounding than my ART. Opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 [quote name='Matte_black' post='370788' date='Jan 5 2009, 12:04 PM']Tried the TL Audio but it wasn't the 5050, it was the 5001 if I remember right. Anyway, there wasn't a great difference in tone. I've also tried an API preamp, both thru my cab and thru studio monitors... the difference isn't worth the price. The TL audio was slightly nicer on the high end while the API was warmer and crispier. I fear I should spend at least 600 pounds to have something _really_ better sounding than my ART. Opinions?[/quote] Had you considered upgrading the valve in the ART? Swapping the Chinese 12AU7s in my SVP made a huge difference. If it doesn't have the desired effect you still have a quality valve to re-use or re-sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matte_black Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 LOL! It's EXACTLY what I was thinking of 20 seconds ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toasted Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 The one I tried really sucked, but once I put some good valves in sounded quite a bit better. Still not sure that I'd like to use it "full time" tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.