Can anybody characterize the sound of the UA solo 610?

[akjl4]

Could somebody try to characterize the way the Ua solo 610 tube pre sounds on vocals, I would be using it with a sure smb7. I am trying to get some vocals that are thick and and have a bit of presence and I will also be apply in pretty radical effects to the vocals at times, would a tube pre be a good choice for say applying pitch shifting and other powerful effects?

[tunasafedolphin]

Yeah, I love it on vocals, but I'm in the minority for sure. Most cats I know cant stand the thing. My advice is that you keep the input gain as low as possible, the output gain as high as possible, and the pad on no matter what. That'll help out with it's unruly distortion characteristic.

-C

[George Necola]

no headroom, nice distortionartefacts, does work quite well as FX-preamp

there are some people who like it.

[indravayu]

Originally Posted by tunasafedolphin

Yeah, I love it on vocals, but I'm in the minority for sure. Most cats I know cant stand the thing. My advice is that you keep the input gain as low as possible, the output gain as high as possible, and the pad on no matter what. That'll help out with it's unruly distortion characteristic.

-C

People don't like it on vocals?? I just bought one for tracking the vocals on my new album and am liking it so far - way better than what I was using, anyway (ART Digital MPA).

I use the opposite technique - jack up the input gain higher than the output gain, for a little more grit (I am mostly doing hard rock stuff).

- Chris

[basho]

On an SM7 the 610 should present no problems with "headroom", though it has a rather finicky gain structure so be careful when using condensers with hot outputs. However, if you can be bothered to learn how to use it properly it can offer you some very, very cool tones. It definitely has a "sound" of it's own. Whether you actually like it or not is impossible to tell until you try it for yourself.

As a general gauge though, if you are partial to the flavour of records like "Forever Changes" and the mono-mix of "Pet Sounds", there is a good chance you'll like it. Of course, it won't magically make you SOUND like those records, but there is a definite resemblance in those kind of tonal qualities that I can hear when using it. Best of luck!

[MickeySmid]

I like the stereo mix of pet sounds!

But I have only have only one 610. With some mics/voices it can get a bit mid forward if the you do not keep the input low. I think it's a really good preamp for vibe though. 50ies style thing, if you like old soul music etc.

[Jonboy79]

I love it on grity male vocals and dirty guitars, it really made mixing guitars easy for me.

[akjl4]

Is there any other tube pres in the same price range? And does anybody know and vocalists that use it so I can get an idea of the tube sound.

When I try to picture how its sounds I imagine that it could give those aggresive saturated vocals like that of ogre from skinny puppy, which is what I am going for!

[bexarametric]

I have one and love it. It gets used on vocals and acoustic guitar mainly. All the features are very usable and I like the results.

[AMIEL]

I only like it a lot on acoustic rhythm gtrs!

[Beardhead]

Originally Posted by akjl4

Is there any other tube pres in the same price range?

I think the Reußenzehn preamps have never been mentioned here. I've got an old one, no headroom but tons of colour.

[Zack]

I've been eyeing up this unit for a while now. But I am still yet to buy my first "good" preamp. I only have the pre's in my focusrite saffire and presonus digimax at the moment. Is this a worthwhile pre to buy first up? Or something cleaner first? What does it excel at? I see it's great for the distortion characteristic but obviously I'm not going to want too much of that all over my tracks when it comes time to mix...

[MickeySmid]

Here is a 30 sec thing I did, trying to sound a bit you know, old 50ies/60ies... everything recorded with the la-610 (also using the great compressor a bit).

You can hear a bit of the nasty distortion (some folks talk about, that I like) in the vocals when she starts to sing loud at 20 sec. This is just a vocal sound you can also make with it.

All other insturments + drums also recorded with the la610, layered.

Just a quik mix.

mickey

[akjl4]

Damn that was cool mickey, you really hit the 50's era nice!

[Emi]

indeed you hit the 50´s era. great sound to my ears.

I also have a LA610 an love it every day more. Great on vocals (it makes´em really big) and great on bass too. In fact I use it on this 2 things mainly and it does what is suppose to do.
I don´t know why people say it has a headroom problem, I can´t see to see it. I use it properly and it´s logical to know how to set the gain in this kind of preamp, but once you know the tool, it´s great. No headroom problem issue here at all.

[akjl4]

Hows the compressor on the la-610, could you live without it and could you acheive what it does in the box?

[miqer]

Originally Posted by akjl4

Hows the compressor on the la-610, could you live without it and could you acheive what it does in the box?

I don't know, try the URS Channel Strip Pro 1964 preset compressor. Really like the sound. Or offcourse the uad l2a.
They might be the closest.

I guess the la610 is a nice channel strip to have. The compressor is very simpel. Just one dial. That is a plus when recording. Too much compressioin? You just dial it back, no desicions about attack etc. The eq is also nice, simpel, not whoooo, just to add some bass for instance.
If you have a dynamic singer the compressor might be worth it. Makes life easy.

Also it does add to the oldskool vibe if you slam it.

I would say it's worth the extra $$, but only if you have the extra $$.

M.

[malice]

Originally Posted by Emi

I don´t know why people say it has a headroom problem

Because it clearly has.

I can´t see to see it. I use it properly and it´s logical to know how to set the gain in this kind of preamp, but once you know the tool, it´s great. No headroom problem issue here at all.

I can assure you that I did learn how to set a gain stage after 24 years of recording, but that won't change the fact that this pre has no headroom.


It might have other qualities, but not this one.

malice

[nickolo]

Fab sound mickey!!Check out Sebatron tube mic amps.I have heard mostly good stuff about them..!!

[akjl4]

Does the compressor smooth out the tube sound or add more harmonics because it is also tube based? I am looking for the distorted tube sound so I would not be interested if it smooths out the harmonics and only squashes them out. But on the other hand even more distrorted tube sound would be cool to me!

[Emi]

why don´t you demo a unit and see for yourself. I specially like the sound of it, but...you know...your definiton of sound may be different than mine

[akjl4]

I am upgrading from a vtb-1 do you think this a significant upgrade in tube quality? Id test it but I live in alaska, music stores here suck.

[MickeySmid]

Originally Posted by akjl4

I am upgrading from a vtb-1 do you think this a significant upgrade in tube quality? Id test it but I live in alaska, music stores here suck.

I still use the vtb-1 for bass. It's punchy and the color is great on a p-bass.

But for upfront vocals the difference is there. The la610 (only have that one) has a nice, more friendly (warm) distortion (= color) compared to the vtb-1. It breaks up more pleasant.

Still the vtb-1 is very good for the money.

[miqer]

I am trying to get some vocals that are thick and and have a bit of presence and I will also be apply in pretty radical effects to the vocals at times, would a tube pre be a good choice for say applying pitch shifting and other powerful effects?

Alternatives:

- Chandler Germanium Preamp, not tube, but does from trick and nice to the 'radical effects' you mention very well. The color on this baby is great. Very vintage, and huge. Perhaps safe up for this one.

- Try finding a second hand Altec tube pre-amp from back in the days. I see them sell for around 500/600 dollar in the 2nd hand department on this forum.