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Aphex 230 users?
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Aural Exciter 45
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Charles Nove wrote:
After a period of evaluation, our Aphex 230 is about to be evicted from the studio rack on the grounds of excessive noise. There's a major league hiss level which we don't like at all.


Hello Charles... I've had the 230 for several months. Don't believe I've had the pronounced hiss problem you describe... although I have a single room for a home studio and have wrestled with fan noise from my PC. I isolated the computer the best I could... and then finally discovered I could use the parametric EQ on the 230 to dip out what remained of the offending frequency. It's pretty clean and quiet now. I use it with a Shure KSM-32 large condensor mic and am now pleased with the sound.

Must admit though there was a steep learning curve and several major tweaks of the 230 controls over the months until I got it where it sounds good. Please keep us posted on any further experimentation with the 230. Would appreciate knowing whether you have tamed the "hiss"

Good Luck
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Charles, et al,

Just a quick note: many times the problem with noise in even some of the best pre's are related to the tubes. I recently suggested an inexpensive ART MPA Gold to a fellow VO artist. Following, is the criteria I mentioned:

You might look into an ART MPA Gold, but switch the tubes out to Tung-Sol 12AX7 tubes instead of the 12AX7 tubes used in the stock unit. The 12AX7’s originally supplied by ART are cheap Chinese tubes and you would/will hear some hiss. And, add some studio quality cables like those from Evidence Audio to make this unit sing. If you can find some metal knobs to replace the plastic ones the unit has, this upgrade would also make this unit “feel” better.

This unit can be used in either the Solid State mode or in the tube mode, with the tube upgrade – the tube mode would definitely be a good choice.

This is more of a musician’s preamp, but with some TLC and some playing with the settings; the ART could be a good choice for VO. Oh, and you do not need to go with the $100.00 upgrade to the Digital MPA (you can find the MPA Gold for a few dollars less elsewhere, but it’s your choice**).


**(I had placed a link to an ART from a popular website supplier in the email I sent to this fellow VO artist)

With the Aphex the same thing applies. look to find what tubes will work better with the unit. A simple upgrade, to be sure, but the tube change cn make a big difference in many of the lower priced or less quality units.

Toodles

F2
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Charles Nove
Contributor III


Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Posts: 98
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting! Certainly it sounds like a Tube type hiss. But I'm not going to get into experimenting with changing tubes. I'd like to think that a respectable manufacturer would make a good choice in the first place.
Here, we're using the wonderfully quiet Gefell M930 mics and the difference between Mic 1 running through a Focusrite pre and Mic 2 on the Aphex is pretty stark. The 230 has already been struck out of front line service. I'll do a little more offline experimentation with it but, on performance to date, I fear it is heading for the big studio in the sky.
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Charles Nove
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11076
Location: Portgordon, Scotland

PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never quite understood the change everything mentality. I bought a Land Rover, removed the engine and swapped the body for a Toyota Landcruiser. I think Land Rovers are great but they're too much like Landcruisers, well mine is.
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Charles writes: "(referring to tubes in pre-amps) I'd like to think that a respectable manufacturer would make a good choice in the first place."


What an interesting point of view, to expect a manufacturer to do things that work properly and to the expectations of the consumer instead of doing things which are cheap.

By the way, it takes about five minutes to change the tubes in the ART MPA Gold. Five screws, two twists, a wiggle or two, a pull, a push, and your done with the project; except to replace the screws.

The Aphex 230 uses 12AT7/ECC81 Dual Triode tubes. Usually manufacturers find a bulk lot of tubes which can be purchased at very low prices, many Soviet manufacturers have beau coup cases and cases of old tubes hanging around today. An upgrade to the JJECC81 (about $10.00 USD), Electro-Harmonix 12AT7WC-EH (about $17.00 USD), Mullard 12AT7WA/CV4024 (about $30.00 USD) will produce an audible difference in the Aphex.

Each tube listed above will produce different characteristic, from more mellow, to brighter, or more sibilant (more upper mid's). Consider experimenting prior to settling on a choice for a new tube before discarding the Aphex 230. Since the Aphex is a dual pre, you might consider using a different tube for each side when experimenting.

I used to own a few Aphex pre's but have since upgraded to Focusrite Red's for the recording studios. I also have a couple custom designed pre's created by a friend, which are the best I have ever heard; but that is another story.

The decision is your companies, I am simply suggesting alternatives to develop the best possible sound you can produce without breaking the bank. Ultimately, it's your companies engineer's who will make the decision. I am not one of the "change everything" generation which Phillip so aptly describes. I am, however one of those people who know how to make some products better simply. I guess it is the MacGuyver in me (referring to an old but well liked television show).

Toodles

F2
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Aural Exciter 45
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Frank... I don't hesitate to get inside a PC and swap things out... but never considered tube quality and possible replacement tubes for my 230. Just want to make sure I understand you correctly. Are you saying to buy all of the tubes you mentioned... and try them in different combinations to see which sound best. I don't have prominent sibiliance but already have my 230 de-esser at max. So I'm guessing I could forego the tube that increases sibilance.

Also, have you actually done any tube swapping in the 230 and if so how easy or difficult was it?

Thanks for your guidance.
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
AE 45 asks (paraphrased): " Should I buy all of the tubes you mentioned?


No. Some tubes will give you this, some tubes will give you that sound... you would choose based upon your ears and needs. Buy only what you need and maybe if it's in the budget, buy another to play with later. If you do not like the tube, there is always eBay.

Quote:
AE 45 asks again: "...have you actually done any tube swapping in the 230 and if so how easy or difficult was it?"


Yes. Got a screw driver, a steady hand, and about 10 minutes? That is all it takes. Even an old VO talent can do it, I am living proof.

Just remember to "burn-in" your tube before playing with it too much, if not you can cause damage to the tube and your Aphex.

Caveat: Ooops, almost forgot to mention you need to wear lint-free cotton gloves when handling any tube; at all times. (I know this is old school, but the oils from fingers can ruin a tube quickly when the power is on and the tube heats up.)


Toodles

F2
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Lance Blair
M&M


Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tube swapping is crucial with many sub-$1000 tube preamps because they usually come stock with junk tubes. Everything is only as good as its weakest link, and I find it mind-boggling that some manufacturers think it's okay to sell a preamp with a sub-par tube inside.

For under $20, I recommend JJ (bright with sheen) and Tung-Sol (upfront sound) for vo.

I did the 5-minute tube swap in my ART MPA Gold preamp, and I like the sound a lot now for some narration, although I stick with my Speck for most reads. I did a A/B test with the stock Chinese tubes, and the stock tube sound was nasty. I also use the pre now for my synths and other instruments. BTW, the ART MPA with tube upgrades does a similar thing for bright mics like the TLM 103 that the UA pres (etc.) can do. It can really tame any harshness. One more thing about the MPA - it comes with sweepable HPF and Input Impedance which is remarkable for the low price.

Just remember...unplug the unit, and wear gloves! Smile
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Lance Blair writes: "Just remember...unplug the unit, and wear gloves!"


Whoops, my bad, forgot to mention that part of the game.

Since we do not know what your plans are for the Aphex, you would need to consider filling us in on how you are going to use the "toy". But Lance is correct, turn it off first, then play with the insides.

Toodles

F2
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Lance Blair
M&M


Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd unplug it, not just turn it off. You never know these days... Smile
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy


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Location: Park City, Utah

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gasp Oh my! Embarrassed

Laugh

FF
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Gp
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Want to know all about tubes... here you go. This will tell you what tubes make what kind of sound too. https://www.tubeworld.com/12ax7.htm You can buy a lot of cheap tubes that won't sound much better. Be careful what you buy, Vintage tubes are really popular right now and are at a premium. You can get some great tube for not too much money too.
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