Tube DI for Digital DJ?

[cdog]

Pro MPA II will definitely be an upgrade, if you want to spend a lot of $, try the EL Fatso

[levlhed]

I thought I wanted to spend a lot of munee, but now I'm thinking about dialing it back. I might go with an MPA II and experimenting with some old iron transformers...

[levlhed]

Sonic Farm Creamer Plus FTW

This is the sound I've been after for over a year.

[Hobbs_Won]

So......

A $3,000 tube pre to run a DJ mix of mp3's through??

[levlhed]

Correct. Now tell me I'm stupid and I don't know what I'm doing or talking about. Because I am a DJ.

[Hobbs_Won]

I was just thinking more along the lines of "garbage in, garbage out" when it comes to an mp3 going through a high end piece?

But it's your tool and application so, clearly, you know better than I would.

[levlhed]

Yeah I get where you are coming from. And I can understand how many would argue that a mic pre of this caliber is some kind of ill-advised overkill in this application.

However, I do think there is a knee-jerk reaction out there these days that automatically associates MP3 with "garbage". Yes, there is a trade off. Yes, it is not the same as 24/96 wav or vinyl. But 320k mp3 played through a quality DAC is not a detail-less garble of bits that stabs you in the ears until you are lying on the floor writhing in pain.


To the curious, I've also tried a Peavey Tube Sweetener and a SPL Stereo Tube Vitalizer MK2-T in this application and neither were quite right.

[DirtyMan]

There are so many pres eq's comps and limiters you can add for flavor. And nobody knows what sound you hear in your head. My personal Dj opinion is moot as it's your gigs not mine, But you need to scale back the defensiveness and be more receptive (even if you believe the info is invalid) I'm glad you found a box that works. btw Your dj software's normalization isn't compression it just scans for the loudest peak and brings that level to a predetermined maximum with the rest following proprtionatly

Personally I don't think I'd want to ad tube flavor to a dj rig as dj rigs aren't usually the cleanest clearest playback systems and can get muddy or lacking definition quick and I'd like the audience to be able to discern vocals and instrumentation the best they can .. but in the end what works for you is just that ...

[levlhed]

If you heard what I am using you might begin to understand.
I do not have your average "DJ rig".

Defensiveness? Not quite, it's more like attempting to shift bias. But I suppose that is a Don Quixote kinda thing around here. I get it, there are a lot of moron DJ's out there that don't have a clue. I personally know more than a few.
It is only natural to assume I am one as well.

btw I know the difference between normalization and compression.


Just want to edit to say I appreciate the help and opinions I was given. I do understand that most Gearslutz don't have the perspective and experience needed to offer much help in my application.
Reading back through this thread that was started quite awhile ago I am sure I'm coming off as a little prick. I really am not like that.

[Hobbs_Won]

That Sonic Farm Creamer + looks like a bad ass piece though......wish I could hear some samples and other experiences with it as well.