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Studio Projects VTB1 Variable Tube Microphone Preamp
48V phantom power. Phase reverse. Variable input gain control.
"potentialy highly flexible and worth $100"
Feature:
no on / off button, the tube blend knob brings gtr like overdrive to the signal. the buttons and knobs are not as "cheap" to the touch as the picture makes them look. the tube is baclit by a blu light which shines through the tiny grill on the front panel, and an insert. good enuf for me.
Quality:
no historical data on this to judge from. but the knobs are detented increments, for a 100 bucks i think the build quality id great.
Value:
well worth a $100
Desirability:
unless you make a hit record, it is definatly not gonna get you laid
Sound:
i used it with guitar direct recording and it had a highly unexpected chubby mellow overdrive that makes you want to listen to guitar allday. the player simply fell into a groove and ended up writing a whole new song simply by inspiration of the guitar tone. cool in its own rite. i have not used the unit for mic/vox recording yet, bet i am sure that i will find a use for it if not on thre main vox, for sure on backing vox.
Support:
i have no idea
Overall:
if some thing happens to this unit, i will replace it. now that i am doing 16 track recoerdings and i dont want to use plain interface preamps, i have been trying out my luck with low end tube pres (mainly for all the drum mics) and this and the hhb radius 5050 are my newest additions. the hhb sounds nothing like this unit. note that TL Audio still selles the same unit but only in white for $450. its a condenser mic pre and i have no opinion on that one yet, but using gtr it sound nothing like the vtb1
no on / off button, the tube blend knob brings gtr like overdrive to the signal. the buttons and knobs are not as "cheap" to the touch as the picture makes them look. the tube is baclit by a blu light which shines through the tiny grill on the front panel, and an insert. good enuf for me.
Quality:
no historical data on this to judge from. but the knobs are detented increments, for a 100 bucks i think the build quality id great.
Value:
well worth a $100
Desirability:
unless you make a hit record, it is definatly not gonna get you laid
Sound:
i used it with guitar direct recording and it had a highly unexpected chubby mellow overdrive that makes you want to listen to guitar allday. the player simply fell into a groove and ended up writing a whole new song simply by inspiration of the guitar tone. cool in its own rite. i have not used the unit for mic/vox recording yet, bet i am sure that i will find a use for it if not on thre main vox, for sure on backing vox.
Support:
i have no idea
Overall:
if some thing happens to this unit, i will replace it. now that i am doing 16 track recoerdings and i dont want to use plain interface preamps, i have been trying out my luck with low end tube pres (mainly for all the drum mics) and this and the hhb radius 5050 are my newest additions. the hhb sounds nothing like this unit. note that TL Audio still selles the same unit but only in white for $450. its a condenser mic pre and i have no opinion on that one yet, but using gtr it sound nothing like the vtb1
"Beats all others in its price range"
Feature:
For the price you do get a lot of good features like high pass filters, phantom power, etc.
Quality:
ugly but built like a tank!
Value:
good investment for the price. probably won't get much better till you break $500 or $1000
Desirability:
I'm thinking about picking up another so I have a stereo setup for running overheads.
Sound:
Its a good sound for the price. Only tube preamp probably worth anything in this price range. It is very low noise and has a great deal of headroom/gain. My only gripe is that it could handle low end a little better. The tube blend does warm the sound but only a little. Mine usually stays parked at 12 o'clock.
Support:
haven't needed it but have exchanged emails with studio projects before and it takes 'em a few days to respond
Overall:
I like it but could be warmer. Sometimes its a little to sterile but overall you won't find a quiter, cleaner preamp with this much headroom.
For the price you do get a lot of good features like high pass filters, phantom power, etc.
Quality:
ugly but built like a tank!
Value:
good investment for the price. probably won't get much better till you break $500 or $1000
Desirability:
I'm thinking about picking up another so I have a stereo setup for running overheads.
Sound:
Its a good sound for the price. Only tube preamp probably worth anything in this price range. It is very low noise and has a great deal of headroom/gain. My only gripe is that it could handle low end a little better. The tube blend does warm the sound but only a little. Mine usually stays parked at 12 o'clock.
Support:
haven't needed it but have exchanged emails with studio projects before and it takes 'em a few days to respond
Overall:
I like it but could be warmer. Sometimes its a little to sterile but overall you won't find a quiter, cleaner preamp with this much headroom.
"a great preamp and this is no B.S."
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:i use it in live performence, the sound is great, nice and full, plenty of tube, used with THD shure wireless, sm 86 shure.
Quality:
it is very well made, very road worthy.
Value:
yes it is worth the price and then some.
Support:
have not needed any support yet.
Overall:
yes i will keep it, i love the sound it gives, maybe buy another one for my drum kit.a great pre amp.
"Great Pre For Anyone On A Tight Budget!!"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:Very good features. Tube blend adds some nice warmth but this pre sounds better in solid state mode. The tube blend is nice but be careful not to add to much or the sound becomes grainy. Less is more in this case.
Quality:
Excellent quality for the money. I highly recommend this pre if you're on a budget.
Value:
Exceptional value.
Sound:
The VTB-1 is an excellent sounding pre for the money. I also have a Great River ME-1NV and although the GR is tops the VTB-1 for is a great bang for the buck.
Support:
I remain neutral as I've never needed to use support.
Overall:
I'll have it for as long as it lasts and would not hesitate to buy another one if this one broke or was stolen.
Studio Projects VTB1 Pre Customer Review
Feature:
It could have more features such like compressors, limiters... but for that price I don't complain...
Quality:
I think it's ok. No problems yet after a year. My old preamp died very soon, but this one is perfect. It all depends your personal expectations.
Value:
It's ok for that price.
Desirability:
I love the old style look of it.
Sound:
The sound is really good. No hiss noise no parasites If other people give a low rate to the sound that maybe means they ask for extra features No It doesn't have. It's just a simple preamp with a good and warm sound
Ease of Use:
Nothing hard
Support:
No idea
Overall:
Good for professional works. Strongly recommended for serious recordings. It works perfect for instruments and especially with violins. I haven't listened better sound than this for violins and classical guitars. Regarding the vocals... use it with a dynamic microphone and you will not regret it.
It could have more features such like compressors, limiters... but for that price I don't complain...
Quality:
I think it's ok. No problems yet after a year. My old preamp died very soon, but this one is perfect. It all depends your personal expectations.
Value:
It's ok for that price.
Desirability:
I love the old style look of it.
Sound:
The sound is really good. No hiss noise no parasites If other people give a low rate to the sound that maybe means they ask for extra features No It doesn't have. It's just a simple preamp with a good and warm sound
Ease of Use:
Nothing hard
Support:
No idea
Overall:
Good for professional works. Strongly recommended for serious recordings. It works perfect for instruments and especially with violins. I haven't listened better sound than this for violins and classical guitars. Regarding the vocals... use it with a dynamic microphone and you will not regret it.
"Nothing short of sweet"
Feature:
Can't beat the features in the price range... heck even out of the price range most don't come with all the features. Would like to see Studio Projects make a rack mountable stereo version someday!
Quality:
Heavily built, will have no problem lasting many years in my studio!
Value:
Like I said, you cannot beat this preamp for the price, it sounds amazing!
Desirability:
I like equipment that looks all business, no dainty designs needed. The blue LEDs glowing inside do give a neat effect.
Sound:
From ultra-clean on full solid state setting, to flavorful distortion on all tube, and anything in between! Super low noise floor across the board!
Support:
Haven't had to use it...
Overall:
I probably won't be searching for another preamp for a while, I'll just continue filling my rack with these babies!
Can't beat the features in the price range... heck even out of the price range most don't come with all the features. Would like to see Studio Projects make a rack mountable stereo version someday!
Quality:
Heavily built, will have no problem lasting many years in my studio!
Value:
Like I said, you cannot beat this preamp for the price, it sounds amazing!
Desirability:
I like equipment that looks all business, no dainty designs needed. The blue LEDs glowing inside do give a neat effect.
Sound:
From ultra-clean on full solid state setting, to flavorful distortion on all tube, and anything in between! Super low noise floor across the board!
Support:
Haven't had to use it...
Overall:
I probably won't be searching for another preamp for a while, I'll just continue filling my rack with these babies!
"My Best Sub-$100 Purchase Ever..."
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:At this price...nothing else comes close.
Quality:
Very well built. All controls are rock solid. Not the prettiest knobs and switches I have ever seen but they all look like they can take years of use without a problem.
Value:
I'd give it more than a "10" if I could. Great tone...nice features...quiet operation. Its the best under $100 piece of gear I own.
Desirability:
Its a fine tool for recording. Its a must have for home studios. I use it for mics, acoustic guitar, and its really nice as a direct box for my bass. I'll even give it an extra point for the cool blue glow from inside the box. I'm considering buying another so I can have a stereo pair of them.
Sound:
Very clean and quiet pre-amp. The variable mix of tube and solid state tone gives this box a lot flexibility.
Support:
No support issues so far.
Overall:
Having trouble with low record levels on your acoustic guitar? Is your vocal mic a little too crisp and edgy sounding? Want a fat bass tone without the bass amp? This unit solves a lot of problems at a great price. Buy and enjoy!
"Perfect for my needs."
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:Most useful feature for me is the level of gain control with both input and output controls. Second most useful is the tube blend control. A little tube goes a long way on my mics.
Quality:
Solid sturdy feel. My use will keep it by the computer almost all the time. But this thing feels like it is built well. Power cord could be heavier, though
Value:
Exellent value IMO
Desirability:
Eye appeal of the item in photos helped sell it to me.
Sound:
Main need is for voice over narration on video projects. Computer sound card has too much "white noise" at decent mic input levels so I needed a preamp to boost the mic so I could pull the mic input gain down on the sound card. This product works great for me in that role. Surprising how good it makes some cheap mics sound!
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use. Had it working and was testing various settings in minutes.
Support:
Just got it.
Overall:
It does just what I hoped it would. I'll keep it and use it, should anything happen to it I'd look to replace it with the same thing.
"Grand product, Studio Projects impresses"
Feature:
The tube is great, aprox. everything you need to make your voice sound sweet and warm.
Quality:
Great quality, the best for the price.
Value:
Great price. If you dont need more than I mic recording slot, buy this one instead than a mixer.
Desirability:
I got a mixer now because I need the slots.
Sound:
The sound quality is just beautiful. If you don't want to buy an expensive mixer just to record your voice, buy this.
Ease of Use:
Even a baby would figure this thing out.
Support:
Havent used this.
Overall:
Great thing to start with if you only need to record vocals for your tracks.
The tube is great, aprox. everything you need to make your voice sound sweet and warm.
Quality:
Great quality, the best for the price.
Value:
Great price. If you dont need more than I mic recording slot, buy this one instead than a mixer.
Desirability:
I got a mixer now because I need the slots.
Sound:
The sound quality is just beautiful. If you don't want to buy an expensive mixer just to record your voice, buy this.
Ease of Use:
Even a baby would figure this thing out.
Support:
Havent used this.
Overall:
Great thing to start with if you only need to record vocals for your tracks.
"a review"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:It's a preamp and that's all it is. There's not much to it. It's got phantom power, inputs and outputs and the tubes are pretty cool (notice the LED in the back of the chasis however...)
Quality:
Built very well and solid.
Value:
Comparatively its good.
Desirability:
I guess so
Sound:
It's probably not the best sounding piece of equipment in the world, but it sounds very nice
Ease of Use:
Very easy to use... I can't imagine why it would be hard
Support:
Never had to deal with them.
Overall:
It's a good piece of hardware
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