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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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Frank's right in that tube choice should be a personal choice based on your voice, mic, and what you want to do with it. Saying that the MPA is dark or muddy I meant more as a characteristic relative to other preamps, and not to suggest that it sounds bad, because I like it a lot and I'm using it more and more.
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and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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DanG
Contributor III
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject: |
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I agree also with trying different tubes and the good thing is that it has 2 channels so I can have 2 different tubes. Trial and error and having fun doing it. I guess if the tubes are not to my personel liking I can always sell them on Ebay and try again. In response to Franks selection of a couple of tubes he discribed The Mullard 4024 and the Jan Phillups 12AT7WC. I know Frank knows so much about this. The 12AT7 type tubes I have read lowers your gain is that true?
I am trying to dicifer what these each do, like black plate, grey plate, wide, narrow, ribbon where do you begin and which ones are the best type for V.O. or can any of these types work? kinda confusing. |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Don Writes: "...The 12AT7 type tubes I have read lowers your gain is that true?"
and,
"...I am trying to decipher what these each do, like black plate, grey plate, wide, narrow, ribbon where do you begin and which ones are the best type for V.O. or can any of these types work? kinda confusing." |
First : No and Yes. Depends upon the tube, the voltage requirements, and the particular pre-amp (see " voltage starved" below).
"...trying to decipher" - Don't! Unless you want brain freeze.
Many folks think the ART is a voltage starved Preamp - and with some of the less expensive ART's they are correct. The MPA Gold was the first of the higher voltage Pre's made by ART. This is good. It gives you more capability with power/voltage which translates into gain; when using the equipment - meaning more microphones can be used effectively.
An example of a voltage starved pre-amp is the USB Mobile Pre by M-Audio AND many DigiDesign devices. What this means is only certain condenser microphones (phantom powered) will actually reach their full potential when using these devices. Using an under voltage piece of equipment will usually result in thin sounding audio and no bottom-end. Color will usually be less than stellar also with ZERO "proximity effect" or presence which is what we as VA's desire in a microphone.
GP (Greg Phelps) can shed some light on several underpowered Pre's using different microphones.
Doing research on the web is interesting and educational, but really a waste of time. Determine which tube will work for your microphone and your voice by playing with everything you can get your hands upon. As stated Don, you can always "sell the tubes on eBay (or Craigslist)" if YOU do not like the sound developed with a particular tube; and find another to play with later.
Good luck on your choices.
Toodles
F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com |
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DanG
Contributor III
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Frank and Lance for all you knowledge and insight. I learned alot and now I'm ready to jump in next week when I get it. Buy some new tubes and have some fun. |
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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Jeffrey Kafer
Assistant Zookeeper
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4931
Location: Location, Location!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Frank F wrote: | | Many folks think the ART is a voltage starved Preamp - and with some of the less expensive ART's they are correct. |
I've got the ART Tube MP USB and at $99, I suspect this would be one of the starved ones. And with my AT3035, I feel like I'm getting a thin sound. Would replacing the tube in the Pre help with this?
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com |
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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| JeffreyKafer wrote: | | Frank F wrote: | | Many folks think the ART is a voltage starved Preamp - and with some of the less expensive ART's they are correct. |
I've got the ART Tube MP USB and at $99, I suspect this would be one of the starved ones. And with my AT3035, I feel like I'm getting a thin sound. Would replacing the tube in the Pre help with this? |
Starved plate isn't the worst thing in the world at all (I like the sound from a VTB-1), but I think you get a much more present and 3-D sound (sense of open space) with a high voltage plate. Perhaps wait and get an MPA Gold (or better) down the road. Replacing the tube in the Tube MP USB probably can only help, and then you can always put it into your next preamp.
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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What Lance said AND depends upon the tube and the microphone. Since you are using an AT3035, you will need a tube which will sustain the voltage needed for the Tube MP USB and give you enough gain (without being overcranked) on the microphone.
Have fun, I cannot think of a reason not to play around and find something which suits your needs and ears.
Toodles
F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com |
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Jeffrey Kafer
Assistant Zookeeper
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4931
Location: Location, Location!
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| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Frank F wrote: | | Since you are using an AT3035, you will need a tube which will sustain the voltage needed for the Tube MP USB and give you enough gain (without being overcranked) on the microphone. |
Cool, any recommended places to buy such tubes?
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com |
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DanG
Contributor III
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Hey Lance those JJ's sound really nice a very smooth tone for $16 you can't go wrong, I think I will try and find a new production tube to start with, also might go and get the NOS tube for the other channel. For $40-$50 for a NOS tube, whatever I may find you can't go wrong with that either, that's a great price. The Valvo's really bring out that lower end. A much richer sound and gives a little more boom to your voice. |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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DanG
Contributor III
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: |
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| Well I finally got my ART MPA Gold preamp and really like this preamp alot sounds so nice and love the gain I am finally getting for once. I wanted to put up file on how this sounds but I can't figure out how to put a file on here for anyone to listen to. I don't see anything here to attach a file can anyone help me here? |
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Diane Maggipinto
Spreading Snark Worldwide
Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 6679
Location: saul lay seetee youtee
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Tom Test
DC
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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By the way, if you DO go the eBay route to buy a tube, make sure you google the seller's user ID. I got scammed by a seller who had 100% feedback who upsold me twice (tried to 3 times!) and sent me a defective tube. When I googled his user ID (realjazzcat), I found he has man, many detractors in the tube world. Many of them told me he was talking serious advantage of my lack of knowledge to rip me off.
...he no longer has 100% feedback...
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Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com |
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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My guy is "cgvilela". Detailed description and tube photos, super service, and excellent packaging: moreover, the tubes are largely in excellent condition.
Actually, please don't buy from him...I want to buy more of his tubes!
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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