VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

tokyofan

Has anyone heard anything about this pre? Any first-hand experience?
I'm getting gear hungry again.

Using a Grace 101 now and it's ultra clean. So, I might add the UA710, M5, Great River, Summit, or something else for contrast. Wish I could audition these units. Of these what's your pick?
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Hey Chris...
I haven't heard it, but I read that one person who used it thought the tube side of it was more of a character/distorted sound than the UA 610, and that the clean side was nice.

Since you've mentioned ambience and noise floor concerns, I think you'd sound great on an RE20 or SM7b, and stick with the Grace preamp. That could be a greater difference. Some of my clients find my work with even an e935 to be heftier and more resonant.

For low dough, I run my TLM 103 into an ART MPA Gold with upgraded tubes, and it sounds quite different from my clean Speck pre in a good way for some reads.
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tokyofan · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:11 pm Post subject: re:

I did audition an RE27 the other day with the Grace and it sounded very flat and compressed next to the TLM103 and U87.

Any thoughts on Mojave mics? MA-200 or MA-201 fet

As for preamps I'm leaning towards the Great River ME-1NV as I've read great reviews and it's supposed to very versatile. Just wonder if it'll contrast enough with the Grace 101. Will it be tubey?
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Frank F · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

tokyofan · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Re:

Thanks for the comments!

As I'm all solid-state right now I'd like to add some 'tube' gear but not sure whether to get a tube (or tube-like) mic OR preamp. Would the Great River MN-1NV (coupled with a U87 or TLM103) give me more analog warmth and presence? Or would you recommend the Solo/610 or something else?
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:13 pm Post subject:

Presence can be arrived at through proximity effect; with your microphone. Warmth mostly comes from the type and style of microphone.

Since it sounds like money is not part of your criteria why not consider getting the U-87 with a "tube upgraded" ART MPA Gold or just go with the Grace. Only you can make the choice, but I always caution to be very selective with these types of decisions. Cost should not be a real factor in choosing a good pre-amp. The more the piece of equipment costs does not necessarily relate to the amount of quality gained.

Your first priority should be the microphone. Second, is the room/studio acoustics. Next is the cables AND interface (sound card, and mixer if desired, pre-amp and sound card combination).

As you have mentioned you are using solid state devices as your microphone and pre-amp, why not consider a new or at least different choice,; as in a tube pre-amp. You will likely find the tube makes the difference in sound you desire.

The microphone yu already own is a very good choice, but the SS pre-amp may be what is causing your need for something warmer and with more presence.

Hope this little discourse helps you choose wisely.

Toodles

F2
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