PreSonus TubePre vs StudioProjects VTB-1 vs Audio Buddy

[DuX]

Imagine it like this: you have something "going on", you make a drum track, a bassline, some themes..., you record a few takes of vocals and you build your mix around it... Guess what? It works that way!
Imagine it like this: You have something "going on"...bla..blaa..... you record a few takes of vocals but you have to tweak it, clean it... it sounds grainy and muddy and then you build your mix around it. Guess which one will sound better and which one is faster?

Cheers!

[dlt123]

I strongly suggest VTB-1. Get yourself their mic too. C1 or B1. Great combo for 200 USD

Their MICs do look interesting. Does anyone offer this deal in the US? I've seen them overseas, but not here.

Thanks,
DennisT

For the same price as SP-C1, you can get Rode NT1-A which is IMHO far better value, it depends a lot upon your taste, too, but from the practical and technical viewpoint NT-1A is the killa mike for like 200 euro, same price as SP-C1 here in Europe. When I say practical, I mean you can effortlessly record whatever you like with it and it turns out fine and from my point of view C1 is [only] a vocal mike, but as I've said already, everything is subjective...

"Subjective": I used to record my synthesiser on the left channel of an old tape recorder and me singing on the right channel . The "Synthesiser" was a Commodore64 computer and I sung on some Grundig plastic mike from the 60's. It sounded fine to me... Pure Stereo no phase alignement problems
Well, you must start with something. Later on I used chairs, hammers, screwdrivers, table... to record rhythm parts. Lovely ay?

Point? When you don't know better, you can settle for anything. When you drive a BMW once, you'll never drive a Volga again

Cheers.

You know DuX, I did some research on the Rodes mics. Their NT1-A mic for $200 US has received good reviews and looks like a winner. It is going onto my short list.

I've also looked at the NT2-A that has variable pickup pattern switching but it costs $200 more. Not sure these functions are neccessary or worth the extra cost.

What's your take on these two mics?

Thanks for stirring me towards Rodes.

DennisT

[tkmattson]

I know some people aren't fans, but CAD is my personal favorite of the low budget large diaphragm mikes....especially the e100, e200, & e300....yes, they are more expensive than Rode, etc., but yes, they are worth it.

[dlt123]

I know some people aren't fans, but CAD is my personal favorite of the low budget large diaphragm mikes....especially the e100, e200, & e300....yes, they are more expensive than Rode, etc., but yes, they are worth it.

Thank you for referring the CAD's. I personally don't care much if someone doesn't like my my choices, cause everyone has different ears, eyes, etc... and that's what make this world so interesting. After all, we always buy what makes our boat stay afloat.

I'll be doing research on the CADs.

Thanks again for the recommendation.
DennisT

[DuX]

CAD's are also a great value for the money and a workhorse mikes. Right on...

[Jaeson Merrill]

dont forget marshall mxl.. these things are so cheap, and seemingly well liked even by higher - enders

mxl 603s, 67, other ones..

[flugel45]

dont forget marshall mxl.. these things are so cheap, and seemingly well liked even by higher - enders

mxl 603s, 67, other ones..

I'll second the props for the Marshall (MXL) mics. REALLY good value for the money on most of their models (do a web search - you'll find they're the best-kept "secret" of a lot of high end studios).

And Dennis, yes, a decent condenser mic is indispensable. For your budget, I'd get the VTB-1 and add the Marshall V67 ($100).

JD

[jens]

I'll never change my opinion that cheap is just cheap, expensive is for rich idiots and just farfetched and that the middle is golden, so I always buy better but not the best, and avoid cheap at all cost and I must tell you I have no regrets...

me neither...

[cthmusic]

I own a VTB-1 and I also own the SP C1 too (actually I own a pair). I also own a Avalon vt737sp and a Nuemann U87. Heres my analysis: The VTB-1 is more of a "dirty in a good way" mic pre in comparison to the 737. I use the VTB regularly even though I own high end mic pres too, it just has a certain sound. Its not a cheap sound! I know what cheap sounds like and the VTB is not cheap sounding.

The C1: very hard to tell a big difference in sound quality between the U87 and the C1. But there are differences. The nuemann tends to be just slightly smoother. The C1 is a little brighter than the U87 and has slightly more harmonic distortion in the highs. But, these differences only come through on my high end apogee converters. Also, I use the C1's as my drum overheads always! Ive got a pair of 414xls's and those dont cut it for the overheads!

Hope that helps

[dlt123]

I own a VTB-1 and I also own the SP C1 too (actually I own a pair). I also own a Avalon vt737sp and a Nuemann U87. Heres my analysis: The VTB-1 is more of a "dirty in a good way" mic pre in comparison to the 737. I use the VTB regularly even though I own high end mic pres too, it just has a certain sound. Its not a cheap sound! I know what cheap sounds like and the VTB is not cheap sounding.

The C1: very hard to tell a big difference in sound quality between the U87 and the C1. But there are differences. The nuemann tends to be just slightly smoother. The C1 is a little brighter than the U87 and has slightly more harmonic distortion in the highs. But, these differences only come through on my high end apogee converters. Also, I use the C1's as my drum overheads always! Ive got a pair of 414xls's and those dont cut it for the overheads!

Hope that helps

I am thinking of getting the VTB-1 and replacing the existing tube with the Telefunkin tube. I'm also thinking of getting the Rode NT2-A mic, do you think VTB-1 would be a good pre for the NT2-A?

... and while I'm thinking, would the Telefunkin really improve the sounds of this pre or would I be wasting this tube?

Thanks,
DennisT

[dlt123]

Bump... Anyone else care to chime in on this?

DennisT

[DuX]

Seems like a great bang/bucks value. I wouldn't think too much about it. Except for that Telefunken tube... could you elaborate a bit why Telefunken [Telefunkin, Telefuc.... oops ] in particular? What's its model number?

[dlt123]

Seems like a great bang/bucks value. I wouldn't think too much about it. Except for that Telefunken tube... could you elaborate a bit why Telefunken [Telefunkin, Telefuc.... oops ] in particular? What's its model number?

I acquired several old stock 12ax7 Telefunken tubes from a friend who didn't want or need them. Their a nice tube and I believe some of the pres I listed have them as their tube.

The Teles are pretty expensive so if they're not going to effect the sound that much, I'll probably not put them in.

DennisT