VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Gp · Guest

I was wondering today what the most common preamp is amongst VO people? I know the Avalons get used a lot...also the focusrite platinum pro.
let me know what you guys think

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I use a Focusrite and a DBX 286A. Avalon seems real popular.
Great River is a top one, too.
George will probably chime in. He's set up some big name VO studios.
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bigjames · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

I am using DBX 286A

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

I do love me an Avalon. That being said, I'm just a voice, not a whole band of instruments that run the whole spectrum of audio decibels and other technical thingies. For straight up VO, I love the little guy that keeps things in check inside my Mackie board. That's my vo vote.
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Gp · Guest

Mandy which Mackie are you using? An Onyx?

Thanks for the answers so far everyone.

Frank F · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject:

Summit Audio 2BA-221 is being used a lot lately. Also the ART MPA Gold with tubes changed to the Mullard's.

Toodles

F2
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:20 am Post subject:

I was using an ART Tube MP. then briefly tried an ART Tube MP Studio, then ultimately switched to a dbx286a.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Other usual suspects under $2k are John Hardy, Grace, and Universal Audio. I love the John Hardy.

Speck and ART MPA Gold here. I got the Speck because it sounds close to a Hardy with more sound shaping and routing, and it was a little cheaper (but that wasn't the selling point). The ART is solid, and you don't need to go NOS for the tube upgrade, although that is the best option. I'm not going NOS on principle because frankly they're all getting snatched up. It's time to support the Russian and Slovakian factories to try and make better new tubes - their tubes are good enough to make great recordings in a great preamp.
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asnively · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

I'm going to embarrass myself by asking what the importance of a good preamp is? How does it affect sound quality?
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I use an Avalon 737 going into a MOTU Ultralite.

The Ultralite, however, can function as a stand-alone pre-amp/interface and I've been using it more lately, and honestly, think it sounds pretty good without running the mic thru the 737....?

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:57 am Post subject:

I'm not quite the technophile that some of the others are, so I may be risking embarrassment with my answer, but, to me, a pre-amp is like an umpire. You barely notice a good one, but a bad one can stand out for all the wrong reasons. It's something you have to have in your audio chain but the best ones do their jobs transparently without inserting unwanted noise, distortion, or other artifacts.
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

OT here: Lance, you can find a good Mullard for the ART for around $26.00 to $35.00 and a Tung Sol is a bit less. I am one who advocates changing the tubes but have not found too big of a change in the normal ART MPA's. On the other hand, changing the tubes in in the MPA Golds will make a world of difference.

With tube changes inside the MPA Gold, you will earn yourself a preamp of the quality and sound shaping characteristics of the Speck or Great River. The tube change is a small investment worth a few dollars.

Now back to our local sponsor....

Toodles

F2
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Chuck Davis · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

I'm using the Focusrite Platinum. The only parts I use are the pre amp itself and the expander though. Compression, EQ and that goofy tube emulation thing stay off.

Someday when things clear up a bit more economy-wise I'll trade that out for the Avalon M5.
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mcm · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

Happy John Hardy user here.

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:10 am Post subject:

I have a dbx 586 dual tube processor.

I'm not using it, but it's here, in a drawer. Discontinued. Nice piece of gear. I should sell it.

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
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