a very low end preamp thread

untitledtopher · 26th December 2006

hey guys i'm looking to add an inexpensive preamp to replace the pres in my soudcraft compact mixer and presonus firebox(not enough gain) i'm looking at the dmp3, vtb1, and tubepre. searches didn't turn up a whole lot on this site, i'll be mostly recording acoustic guitar and vocals, a tube would be something nice to play around with but i get the impression that tubes on the lower priced units aren't for much more than adding noise

any comments would be much appreciated, happy holidays.

topher.

Jonboy79 · 26th December 2006

dmp3, the other two use a starved plate tube design which just seems to add noise more than anything. I've owned all three pres and the only one I still own is the dmp3.

celticrogues · 26th December 2006

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=98404

The search function is a little hard to use at times, but there have been tons of threads about those exact 3 preamps on this site. FWIW, I own all 3 and although I do like each of them for some things, by far the DMP3 is my favorite/the best/the most versatile.

Cheers,
-Mike

untitledtopher · 26th December 2006

thanks so much for that thread! i rembered it existing but couldn't find it anywhere

Acoustic Cloud · 26th December 2006

Is the Rane MS-1 out of your price range?
I still have the VTB-1, and I think its a good sounding pre, but of course the tube is close to worthless, unless you want a nice Rat Pedal sound on a voice??

The M-Audio has had tons of praise, and I dont think I have heard anyone who didnt like it.

Sounds Great · 26th December 2006

I have an Aphex 207. Yes it has a toob though I doubt it does much, other than take 15 or 20 seconds before the preamp kicks in.

Not a great pre, but quite good for the money I think.

http://www.aphex.com/207.htm

Nosound · 26th December 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by untitledtopher

hey guys i'm looking to add an inexpensive preamp to replace the pres in my soudcraft compact mixer and presonus firebox(not enough gain) i'm looking at the dmp3, vtb1, and tubepre. searches didn't turn up a whole lot on this site, i'll be mostly recording acoustic guitar and vocals, a tube would be something nice to play around with but i get the impression that tubes on the lower priced units aren't for much more than adding noise

any comments would be much appreciated, happy holidays.

topher.

Actually your going in the wrong direction the Soundcraft pre's are better then the pre's you listed. I use a Soundcraft Ghost into a Alesis HD24XR and bought a Mackie 800R pre and I spent a grand on the Mackie Onyx 800R but I sent it back because the pre's in the Mackie didn't impress me enough to justify the grand I spent on the Mackie. What has impressed me is I took half the grand and bought a Rode NTK mic. I would suggest adding a comp/limiter into the the signal chain the comp. can raise the gain but don't use the compressor stage of the comp. I use a DBX comp. with a ribbon mic I have that requires high gain pre's and works great for me. I've heard rave reviews about the FMR RNP might keep saving up for one of those. Good luck

drummerboy1533 · 28th December 2006

You can find a Demeter VTMP-2b,(2 channels,DI)for about $1000 used.Talk about chocolately goodness!It really adds some warmth,even when ya run your synths through it.

26th December 2006	#1
untitledtopher Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 153 Thread Starter	a very low end preamp thread hey guys i'm looking to add an inexpensive preamp to replace the pres in my soudcraft compact mixer and presonus firebox(not enough gain) i'm looking at the dmp3, vtb1, and tubepre. searches didn't turn up a whole lot on this site, i'll be mostly recording acoustic guitar and vocals, a tube would be something nice to play around with but i get the impression that tubes on the lower priced units aren't for much more than adding noise any comments would be much appreciated, happy holidays. topher. __________________ Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it. - John Lennon untitled topher.

26th December 2006	#5
Acoustic Cloud Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2006 Location: around the corner Posts: 1,990	Is the Rane MS-1 out of your price range? I still have the VTB-1, and I think its a good sounding pre, but of course the tube is close to worthless, unless you want a nice Rat Pedal sound on a voice?? The M-Audio has had tons of praise, and I dont think I have heard anyone who didnt like it. __________________ If the Earth wasnt created, where'd all the dirt come from?

26th December 2006	#6
Sounds Great Gear Guru Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 15,301 1 Review written	I have an Aphex 207. Yes it has a toob though I doubt it does much, other than take 15 or 20 seconds before the preamp kicks in. Not a great pre, but quite good for the money I think. http://www.aphex.com/207.htm __________________ http://soundcloud.com/sounds-great-1 -Rob And these children that you spit on As they try to change their worlds Are immune to your consultations They're quite aware of what they're going through

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
No Low End on Low End Theory Speakers	EngineEars	Low End Theory	9	6th January 2011 12:03 AM
opinions - high end sound with low end gear??	NesNeedsGear	Work In Progress / Advice Requested / Show & Tell / Artist Showcase / Mix-Offs	5	7th January 2008 12:51 AM
Another low-end monitor thread!	PoorGlory	Low End Theory	8	19th December 2006 03:46 AM
High end Question for a low end choice	billydrummerboy	High end	3	4th July 2006 03:08 PM

26th December 2006	#2
Jonboy79 Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis MO Posts: 2,636	dmp3, the other two use a starved plate tube design which just seems to add noise more than anything. I've owned all three pres and the only one I still own is the dmp3.

26th December 2006	#3
celticrogues Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 709	http://gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php?t=98404 The search function is a little hard to use at times, but there have been tons of threads about those exact 3 preamps on this site. FWIW, I own all 3 and although I do like each of them for some things, by far the DMP3 is my favorite/the best/the most versatile. Cheers, -Mike

28th December 2006	#8
drummerboy1533 Gear addict Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Phx,AZ Posts: 390	You can find a Demeter VTMP-2b,(2 channels,DI)for about $1000 used.Talk about chocolately goodness!It really adds some warmth,even when ya run your synths through it.