DW Fearn VT-1 pre is HOT HOT HOT

ethan_c · 30th March 2006

I've noticed that my VT-1 is considerably "hotter" than my other pre's. It's a little hard to gauge because the VT doesn't have a labled db knob but it's still pretty obvious.

This is what I am comparing it to... all of which are pretty hot pre's.

GML2020
MP2-NV
Flamingo
Neve 5012

Using the analogy of db being measured 1-10 on a volume knob if I set the above pre's to 55db of gain (let's say 7 on the scale) the same gain output on the VT-1 would be at about a 2. I have never turned it up past say 4-5.

Could there be any reason why this pre's output is much more hot? All of the pre's above feed into a Lavry Blue A/D then back out a Lavry Blue D/A. All cables are the same and I used the same mic (Phantom C) on all the pre's for the test.

Any ideas?

ethan_c · 31st March 2006

85+ views and no answer? Come on guys help a brotha out!

jdunn · 31st March 2006

I haven't used the Fearn mic pre, but I did notice that my VT-7 compressor has a ton of make up gain.

It looks to me like it's just the taper of the attenuator pot. The VT-2 doesn't have a preamp gain control and an attenuator like several of the other preamps you mentioned (Great River and Crane Song). So my guess is that on the VT-2, the amplifier stage runs wide open, and the attenuator is before the output stage.

There's a little less flexibility when you just have one attenuator, but it's part of the design and sound of some classic tube preamps. Tradeoffs on the taper of the gain pot are something you live with.

I could be wrong though.

It looks like there's a -20 dB pad on the input. You could try using the pad and driving the output higher for a bit diffrerent sound perhaps.

Improv · 31st March 2006

Yeah, his stuff is funny like that. Strange taper to the knobs. He apparently changed the threshold taper on the VT-7 for later models, but it's still pretty hairpin. The VT-2 gain is the same way. Either use the pad or don't drink too much coffee and you're fine. tough for repeatability, though...

castle · 31st March 2006

I'm currently recording a female vocal through the VT2 (47 - VT2 - Chiswick Reach). The gain on the VT2 is set to just under 9 o'clock, in other words very low. Like you, this bothered me when I first started using the Fearn (about 3 years ago), but I've learned that this is just how it is. The main thing is that even at these settings it sounds fantastic and isn't distorted in any way. Hope this helps!

Lynn Fuston · 31st March 2006

It's nothing to concern yourself about.

ethan_c · 31st March 2006

Ok good, this confirms that there is nothing unusual with mine. And like several had mentioned it does sound fantastic even with the knob where it is...

Thanks again!

Ethan

cmj2430 · 1st April 2006

Yep, I've found the same thing w/mine (I was watching for replies to this as well). I didn't think of it as a problem but I can't really record anything w/out the pad. Which I guess isn't bad but it seems wrong to pad even the quietest of vocals....what else are people using their vt-1/2 on--I haven't had much of a chance to try it on anything other than vocals but it seems way too hot to use on anything but the mellowest of acoustic guitars.

Improv · 1st April 2006

ribbon mics enjoy the heat (and I enjoy the sound). I've gotten it up well past half way with those!

Room micing of anything but drums will use it too. But yeah, for most condensers it's pad city.

joaquin · 1st April 2006

nobody uses it with a dynamic mic?....58 sounds great!

Quote:

what else are people using their vt-1/2 on--I haven't had much of a chance to try it on anything other than vocals but it seems way too hot to use on anything but the mellowest of acoustic guitars.

It's my go to pre for OH with 414s. Electric and acustic Guitars sound amazing, Vocals...

30th March 2006	#1
ethan_c Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 236 Thread Starter	DW Fearn VT-1 pre is HOT HOT HOT I've noticed that my VT-1 is considerably "hotter" than my other pre's. It's a little hard to gauge because the VT doesn't have a labled db knob but it's still pretty obvious. This is what I am comparing it to... all of which are pretty hot pre's. GML2020 MP2-NV Flamingo Neve 5012 Using the analogy of db being measured 1-10 on a volume knob if I set the above pre's to 55db of gain (let's say 7 on the scale) the same gain output on the VT-1 would be at about a 2. I have never turned it up past say 4-5. Could there be any reason why this pre's output is much more hot? All of the pre's above feed into a Lavry Blue A/D then back out a Lavry Blue D/A. All cables are the same and I used the same mic (Phantom C) on all the pre's for the test. Any ideas?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PCD Buttons - Hot! Hot! Hot!	C Heat	The Good News Channel	0	13th September 2006 05:53 AM
How Hot is Too Hot? (Mac G5 ISO BOX)	jaysunice	Geekslutz forum	9	15th May 2006 09:01 PM
hot	C.Lambrechts	The Moan Zone	13	1st July 2005 06:35 PM
How hot does the TG-2 get?	Scot Solida	High end	2	23rd October 2004 01:57 AM

31st March 2006	#2
ethan_c Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 236 Thread Starter	85+ views and no answer? Come on guys help a brotha out!

31st March 2006	#3
jdunn Head of Bumping Security (B.S) Joined: Feb 2004 Location: in the hills of Southern California Posts: 2,944	I haven't used the Fearn mic pre, but I did notice that my VT-7 compressor has a ton of make up gain. It looks to me like it's just the taper of the attenuator pot. The VT-2 doesn't have a preamp gain control and an attenuator like several of the other preamps you mentioned (Great River and Crane Song). So my guess is that on the VT-2, the amplifier stage runs wide open, and the attenuator is before the output stage. There's a little less flexibility when you just have one attenuator, but it's part of the design and sound of some classic tube preamps. Tradeoffs on the taper of the gain pot are something you live with. I could be wrong though. It looks like there's a -20 dB pad on the input. You could try using the pad and driving the output higher for a bit diffrerent sound perhaps.

31st March 2006	#4
Improv Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,365	Yeah, his stuff is funny like that. Strange taper to the knobs. He apparently changed the threshold taper on the VT-7 for later models, but it's still pretty hairpin. The VT-2 gain is the same way. Either use the pad or don't drink too much coffee and you're fine. tough for repeatability, though...

31st March 2006	#5
castle Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 284	I'm currently recording a female vocal through the VT2 (47 - VT2 - Chiswick Reach). The gain on the VT2 is set to just under 9 o'clock, in other words very low. Like you, this bothered me when I first started using the Fearn (about 3 years ago), but I've learned that this is just how it is. The main thing is that even at these settings it sounds fantastic and isn't distorted in any way. Hope this helps!

31st March 2006	#6
Lynn Fuston Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Spring Hill, TN, USA Posts: 2,244	It's nothing to concern yourself about.

1st April 2006	#8
cmj2430 Gear interested Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 24	Yep, I've found the same thing w/mine (I was watching for replies to this as well). I didn't think of it as a problem but I can't really record anything w/out the pad. Which I guess isn't bad but it seems wrong to pad even the quietest of vocals....what else are people using their vt-1/2 on--I haven't had much of a chance to try it on anything other than vocals but it seems way too hot to use on anything but the mellowest of acoustic guitars.