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Preamp question

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LOwrestling2001
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August 22, 06 10:47 PM (permalink)

Preamp question

Hi All,
i just got a presonus tubepre amp, to my surprise, when i started to read on the forums..it got some pretty bad reviews from u all. However, i read and i also saw taht the studio projects vtb-1 had its share of 'issues' also, mostly being a power issue. anyways, i was wondering which u guys would pick between? The consensus seems to be w/ the TubePre is that it runs thru much power thru the tube, thus wearing it out faster. i also read a bunch of recommendations for the replacement tubes, so just wanted to get some more opinions on this. Also, i noticed the preamp is a lil warm just when plugged in, should i unplug it when im not using it? or is it ok to leave it on (as long as i keep the phantom power to the mic off)? thanks
#1

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    jacktheexcynic
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    RE: Preamp question August 23, 06 7:31 PM (permalink)
    i use the tubepre to warm up my guitar a bit. it doesn't get nearly as hot as my wireless router so i don't think the heat is a big deal. i haven't tried replacing the tube yet, and i haven't experimented with my new condensor mic yet to see what it does for vocals. i leave mine on a lot but i suppose i shouldn't if only to extend the life of the tube.

    basically it's been a good first preamp to have, but i primarily use my mackie's preamps (1202vlz pro) because they've got more gain. the tube bit actually adds more noise than anything that i've been able to notice.

    i haven't tried the studio projects preamp so can't compare it. for $99, if you don't have any other preamps, as was my problem at the time i bought mine, the tube pre is good. but next time i'm going to spend more and get something better.

    - jack the ex-cynic
    #2
    MarlboroMan23
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    RE: Preamp question August 23, 06 8:59 PM (permalink)
    I'd look into the ART Tube PAC. I have both the TubePAC and the Presonus TubePRE, and the ART TubePAC sounds better to me. The Presonus is useful for recording snare as I can mix in a little tube drive/distortion to get a more aggressive sound. The ART unit also feels a little better built. The photo-optic compressor on the ART also sounds nice, the ART also has an on/off switch so you can just turn it off and it doesn't have a wall wart power supply as a few extra bonuses. They should be about the same price.

    http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ART-131--brand-19--src-Y0604GL0GOOGLE00.html?gclid=CLvVjPmN94YCFQgiNAodR3gSYw

    http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/product/ART/Tube+Pac+Preamp%2FCompressor/10/1

    If you can swing it, get both. They're both good value for the money.
    post edited by MarlboroMan23 - August 23, 06 9:15 PM

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    #3
    left_of_the_dial
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    RE: Preamp question September 01, 06 4:24 AM (permalink)
    The Studio Projects VTB-1 sounds MUCH better than the Presonus preamps (even one of the expensive one's I bought). Unfortunately, my Studio Projects preamp had the same power issue you must have heard about because mine died out on me.

    Either way, I would still buy the SP VTB-1 over the Presonus TUBEPre even knowing about the possible power issues. I would also check out the ART Tube Pac MarlboroMan23 talked about, it looks like a pretty good bargain at a hundred bucks.
    #4
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