I have a Groove Tube GT55 mic. I was recommended to go with a solid-state mic preamp instead of a tube-based preamp. I recently bought a Focusrite Trakmaster Pro Platium. After recording, I didn't hear a more noticible improvement from recording directly from a Yamaha 16 channel mixer. I am not sure if my expectations are too high for a $300 preamp and $300 mic.
I was thinking of checking out a ART MPA Gold tube preamp. Anyone have any thoughts with using a tube mic with a tube preamp?
Tube Mic and a Tube Miic Preamp
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 12498 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
If you're looking for a tube preamp don't even touch anything that costs less than $500. In fact, aside from the Groove Tubes Brick (which is the cheapest real tube pre I can think of), I wouldn't even consider anything cheaper than $750 per channel for tube pre's.
Why? Well, just because a preamp has a tube in it, doesn't mean it's a tube pre. Short of getting into a discussion about preamp design (which I'm not qualified to make), basically a lot of the inexpensive preamps with tubes used what's referred to as a "starved plate" design, which is a far way off from a real tube pre. On the other hand, the proper power supply alone for a proper tube pre, is going to cost more than any of those starved plate pre's (ART, Presonus, etc.).
Otherwise, no, there's no reason not to use a tube mic and a tube pre combo. It's just another flavor.
Why? Well, just because a preamp has a tube in it, doesn't mean it's a tube pre. Short of getting into a discussion about preamp design (which I'm not qualified to make), basically a lot of the inexpensive preamps with tubes used what's referred to as a "starved plate" design, which is a far way off from a real tube pre. On the other hand, the proper power supply alone for a proper tube pre, is going to cost more than any of those starved plate pre's (ART, Presonus, etc.).
Otherwise, no, there's no reason not to use a tube mic and a tube pre combo. It's just another flavor.
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- Banned
- 487 posts since 14 Nov, 2006
I use tube mics and pres all the time with great success. What you use is depenant on what sound you're looking for. If tube/tube achieves it, then go with it.