Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast Microphone Preamplifier
With Warm Audio's version of the classic Melcor 1731 and Jensen 918 op-amps, and 71 dB of gain on tap, this Beast lends character to any source you plug in.
$649.00
- 12 x$54.08
- 8 x$81.13
- No Credit Check6 x$108.17
- No Credit Check4 x$162.25
Overall User Ratings (based on 6 ratings)
Submitted November 27, 2015 by Jeff R in Webster, NY
"Another great product from Warm Audio!"
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Is it an API? No. Is it close? Yes, and I have heard API 312 pre-amps that don't sound like other API pre-amps. I have had this for awhile now, and I find it excellent. The price-point makes it easier to do stereo pairs, if desired. I can drive it dirty, or make it very clean. It is flexible, and easy to use. I have used it on vocals (though for my voice, I like my LA-610 MK II better), but it shines on guitar and bass. I love the sounds I get be it with my EVH 5150, my Boogie, or my Randall. It is also great with my WA76 and Sans Amp RBI if I want a fat bass sound for grimy, modern blues.
All in all, great product. Don't be scared by the price, it is far from cheap from a sound or quality standpoint. I only contacted them via email to ask a question, and they responded in less than 15 minutes. I give it four-stars for WOW factor only because I hate orange, but that's my problem.
Musical Background:
I have been playing guitar, bass and keys for over 40 years. I used to play professionally, but only write and record now.
Musical Style:
Blues trained, but my iTunes account goes from Robert Johnson to Dream Theater, Maroon 5 to Pantera, Spyro Gyra to Steve Vai. NO
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Submitted January 15, 2017 by Michael Snoody in chandler, AZ
"Warm Audio Tone Beast TB12 Preamp review by Michael Snoody"
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I bought this because I had a chance to play with one at a friends studio and I was blown away not only by how good it sounded but also the amount of features it has. For 600 dollars you get a really nice preamp and DI that has 2 separate transformers you can switch between ( Steel and Nickel ) and also 2 discrete amplifiers you can choose from( x731 and x18). Both sound great but you can tell a difference between the 2 as well. My favorite part is the gain and saturation section. You can crank the gain but turn the output if you really want to drive the preamp and it can give you some REALLY awesome sounds, especially with snare. I have quite a few quality preamps and while I will say I would still use some of my other pre's before the tone beast in certain situations if you are in the market for a quality preamp that is versatile, this is for you.
Musical Background:
I am a multi instrumentalist that plays drums, guitar, piano and sing. I also produce, engineer and mix all sorts of music!
Musical Style:
Anything and everything
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Submitted June 3, 2017 by Tod M in Northfield , VT
"Warm, Detailed and Reasonably Priced"
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I will give you my background up front so you can decide how useful this review is. I have worked in project studios for decades but never been in a top-flight facility. As a result, I have never had access to a high end mic pre, so I am comparing what I have used, which on the low to mid end of things is pretty extensive. From the built-in Makie mixer and built-in PreSonus mixer pres, to several different -$500 units like this one. So far. I am very very happy with this unit.
Sound
Clean, mildly warm (not muddy) and detailed.
Features
The level of control and variations are amazing for this price point, hell for many units twice as much.
Ease of Use
Now here's he rub. Plan to spend some time getting to know this piece of equipment if you really want to get your moneys worth. However, if you just plug it in and pick a random setting, you will be hard pressed to go too far wrong, assuming that you have your levels set. The Tone Beast makes that part pretty easy and a reasonably forgiving
Quality
Built like a brick house, and whisper quiet.
Value
Yeah, I would say that based on other mid-priced units, this thing shines about most, if not all, in terms of bang for the buck.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to deal with them
The Wow Factor
It's not sexy but here's the thing. If you want a pre-DI at this price, with these features, you are going to sacrifice fancy VUs and pretty chassis for solid workmanship and get it done sound. You can't have them both.
Musical Background:
Pro Producer, Engineer, Singer/Songwriter and mult-instrumentalist
Musical Style:
Rock, Blues, Alternative, CCM, Americana
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Submitted September 25, 2020 by Anonymous Rapper/Producer in Detroit, MI
"GET IT! NOW."
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I bough this unit to pair with my new Manley Ref C. Also to replace my Daking Mic Pre One which died due to the carelessness of the postal service! It's tough to compare the two as I never got a chance to use the Manley with the Daking, but it is definitely more versatile with all of it's different features. The sound is amazing and HUGE. With the Manley, big, detailed and clean is the sound you achieve. This pre is in the same league as the amazing Daking(rip), while being a little cheaper.The name speaks for itself, you can get so many different tones out of this baby! You can go for the crunchy, gritty sound, or a clean, airy style. I do Hip Hop vocals and like to go for a middle ground between the two. I've always been told I have a "Jay Z like voice", and adding a little bite to the mid freq. while maintaining the smooth highs is MAGIC. I like the +6db tone button also. However, with this amount of features, there is a learning curve, but never a "bad sound".The TB12 and the Manley are an amazing pair. Modern, radio ready sound right out the box! Rarely needs any EQ. I will be testing with my cheaper (but still great) Nuemann 102 for a more accurate comparison to the Daking, but I am very pleased
Musical Style:
HIP HOP!
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Submitted June 29, 2023 by Nathaniel G in Waukesha, WI
"Workhorse preamp"
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I love my TB12 Tone Beast! It's my go-to preamp for everything. The customizable vintage and modern op amps along with the various controls really allow you to dial in a plethora of sounds. I can get everything from a clean-but-weighty analog tone to totally saturated and distorted from the Tone Beast. It really lives up to its name! Oh, and I greatly appreciate the insert send and return for dynamics processing and/or EQ!
Musical Background:
Audio Engineer
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Submitted September 7, 2019 by dorian c in Miami, FL
"Awesomeness is wat defines this"
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warm audio products are very dedacated projects awesome sound the versatility of this amp is definitely the wow factor i got the tb12 as a combo included one of the mics it sounds much beter then i exspected....very resourceful an ita keep you experiment n you wont regret invest n in this
Musical Background:
music engineer/artist
Musical Style:
some of this and some of that music is like a orchestra every genre is a instrument
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