STOCK vs TUBE Preamps

Which sounds better? Stock preamps or tube preamps?
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[@_P_M_]

The thing newbies have to remember is that this is the age of the DAW. Everything sounds great. The differences are subtle. Recording to ADAT in the 90's or 8/16 track tape during the 80's through the equipment back then cost a fortune and didn't yield the results you can get on stock equipment today. Yet, many good recordings were made. Newbies tend to get hung up on equipment adequacy concerns. Don't worry about it. What you have is amazing. Work with it. As time goes on and your sound develops, you will figure out the small subtle things you need to give you the coloration you want.

[@djentlover]

For me the tube preamps always sound already compressed. The low end is steady and the high end raspiness of the voice is constant. That may be why tube signal is easier to mix.

[@learnerforever6933]

MASSIVE THANKS JOE !! OMG I can’t believe you did it 😁 highly appreciated 🙏🏼 This is really helpful. The tube sounds better, but the stock ones are also great and I agree they can do the job perfectly. Thanks again my friend.

[@michaeljensen1625]

Joe is awesome that way. He's so good at genuinely wanting to help his customers and seems to truly care about what they want to learn.

[@andrewryder1319]

Thank you for asking the question!

[@outrageousthoughts]

Thanks! I think you're totally right when monitoring yourself singing through a tube preamp -- there's a certain roundness and warmth that helps project "feeling", which in turn helps getting a better performance. This is so important. Can't wait to download the tracks above!

[@EmanuelFrias]

After downloading the audio files I placed them in parallel and inverted one of the track's phase and got an interesting result. Most of the difference in the high end, as mentioned in the video. After hearing the "difference" I was able to distinguish that subtle detail in the individual recordings. Great stuff!

[@Aiden-cl]

man thats so smart, it never crossed my mind. Thank you. can that be used in other comparisons

[@BeatsByEndless]

Emanuel Frias ey, that’s clever!

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

That was a great thought that you shared about how an amp makes you play differently, or a preamp makes you sing differently. I’ve experienced that, and it does make a difference.

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

You should maybe do this as a blind test, just denoting them preamp A and B , then later in the video you could reveal what is what. Our brains change how things sound based on our expectations too. Our ears are terrible measuring instruments.

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

@Wyatt Silva But not all has the power to look away :p :)

[@andrewryder1319]

I would suggest that, in this example, the effect of confirmation bias is greater than the technical difference. :-)

[@joelonsdale]

Let's not over think it - if it's so subtle you need to blind A/B to test the difference, there probably isn't enough difference to be worthwhile, unless you are a pro and can justify the cost for a 0.5% improvement it will bring to your productions. I've got an ADL700 and, to be honest, just use my standard RME preamps most of the time!

[@kehindea]

@@joelonsdale honestly there is no difference that can justify the price difference. Like with all of these type of comparisons, you cannot ever trust a comparison from someone who owns the expensive gear. They will never be unbiased. These expensive preamps are snake oil and is just a vanity exercise. People just want to justify spending ridiculous amounts for their fix. They are like drug addicts, totally lost their ability to judge the fact that they are Addicts.

[@ramencurry6672]

A good external preamp is better. Not a big difference……However, over time the small difference of improvement becomes a big difference once you get used to it…….On the other hand, If you’re producing a bunch of mediocre music and all the listeners in the audience are just listening on cheap quality speakers then I would use the cheapest gear and stock preamp.

[@kinkfloydd]

I like that you give your opinion, other reviewers will ask me to determine what is better where the majority of us will listen on less than ideal conditions, so I appreciate your opinion and that you go into detail about the differernces you hear.

[@HEATHfromOZ]

Great test! To my ears, the tube pre was brighter & more raspy in a good way, but both sounded excellent. The stock pre's really surprised me. Thanks heaps, Joe!

[@komabaloo]

Thanks Joe! Yeah, I CAN hear a difference. Like you said, subtle, but it's definitely different. I have 5 different preamps (1 tube and 4 solid state) in my rack along with the stock preamps from my interface (plus a Behringer "Vintager" 2 channel tube pre that's in another rig) and they all add a different flavour depending on the source and the project. I do have one pre specifically for bass guitar (SansAmp RBI) and it get me a real good starting point. The others all have varied mojo and flavours. Pretty familiar with them all now so I usually know before each session what will be used for what... Thanks for what you do brother!!

[@kaisersoze9488]

You're absolutely right tube preamps are the best when mixing at compression you'll get a nice sibling on those vocals and warmer low end

[@joelspaulding5964]

Great video. So true regarding playing an amp vs re-amping. You really are playing each amp based on how it sounds and feels in real time. Re-amping can give some cool results and sometimes can salvage a track but definitely not the real thing.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Excellent explanation of what differences you hear Joe! The tube preamp track sounds much less exciting but it will be a lot easier to fit in a mix I think. I actually sold my tube preamp when I got the UAD Apollo four years back, and I've never missed it. I have a lot more variety with the different preamp emulations and it sounds just as good as the real thing to me. And I can just run a clean pre if I want to. So I've found that to be a good alternative. Plus I can easily put it in a back pack, which is a blessing for someone that is often on the go.

[@gabsauvage]

Your voice is incredible!!! Thank you, i can hear the difference better now :) it's subtle and it actually depends on what you want to achieve in terms of sound!

[@KristianWontroba]

Cool thing about tube pre's is that if you push 'em with a hotter signal, they typically saturate in a pleasing way. Those lovely harmonics! That's when you really hear a bigger difference.

[@JGHFunRun]

Yeah, for me if you’re not saturating tubes they are just for mah prestige. And at that point everything starts having a difference and it starts to matter which you use, stock preamps will have a harsher sound than tubes, which can still be useful despite what pretentious a-holes will tell you.

[@harleyrider9166]

@@JGHFunRun Great info and video, but it’s all subjective so why is this a sounds better vs doesn’t sound better? These comparisons are okay but it’s usually the same thing. It’s like guitar pedal shootouts. The Boss DS-1 has been revered as one of the crappiest distortion pedals around yet Kurt Cobain made hit records with that same crappy pedal. Get it?

[@JGHFunRun]

@@harleyrider9166 I didn’t say that it’s a sound better vs doesn’t, if anything I said the exact opposite

[@harleyrider9166]

@@JGHFunRun hmm ok riiiight🤔

[@harleyrider9166]

@@JGHFunRun so when you say the top end of the Eureka is shrill or plasticky that means that it’s better than the Tube preamp…hmm okay…LMAO🤣🤣

[@joesolos]

Dude thanks so much for posting this!!! That was so helpful and I can tell what your talking about!

[@EmanuelFrias]

That was good insight for this topic. Thanks Joe!

[@ZammyJ]

He hit every spot 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 this video explains everything perfect tube amp totally worth it makes your songs 5 times better

[@davidmarais1048]

First, you have a stunning voice. Second, these are lovely productions - thank you. I always found that tube preamps sound "rounder" /"cozier". But they're both excellent deliveries, (I love BOTH my tube preamps and my solid state transformer preamps) - just a matter of which tone suits the material in play.

[@retsmej]

i've learned a lot from you master Joe ! thanks again and again !

[@aurelioloza6128]

thanks, Joe for this amazing tip

[@diegomedina2359]

thank you for the audiofiles!!

[@allenalesna]

I used to get that question as well about warmth and what not. My response is simple, "it's in the performance". Back in the day, you have to play it through perfectly, or at the best way possible with the least iteration as can be. Come the peak of digital recording and everyone just got clinical about it. Punching in here and there and everywhere. At some point, the performance was put to the side. The early 2000s recordings were very prevalent of this phenomenon. Same with the overuse of autotune. It was like "fixing everything in post". I think it's now has tapered down back to performance, at least for live instrument recording. And performance and warmth is slowly coming back. Admittedly, I myself got carried away by the technology for a while. I've actually gotten rid with a lot of plugins and now record in a "tape" fashion, getting it in right the first time and limiting edits only when necessary. And that includes having the right gear and coloration with the signal going in. At the end of the day, it's about solving problems, and if you start off from the right foot, it'll be a breeze later on.

[@joelonsdale]

Great video, Joe - wonderful voice and a really useful comparison.

[@malcolmpalm]

I like tracking through my ADL 600. Great gear!

[@rotad9967]

Great video! Thanks for doing this.

[@sebastianheissel1311]

Congrats for the video! Very useful, finally a comprehensive review! Regards

[@Caged63Man]

Had a bk Butler tube driver preamp rack into a 77 Roland jazz chorus amp..and lemme tell you, it made other musicians take immediate notice!

[@closerthanabrother9703]

Nice job on the video Joe! The only thing is, a couple things: 1. The differences become much more drastic cumulatively, for instance how multiple tracks interact once recorded and stacked, and number 2, the more ridiculous the tube preamp, the larger and slower the transients become which leads to longer and taller sounding recordings because of the even order harmonic distortion, or what is perceived to be glow.

[@dannyharpermusic]

Thanks Joe! Great Video!

[@dannylharper6889]

Thanks Joe!!

[@dinoschachten]

Thanks for the very honest, balanced and trying-to-explain-what-that-elusive-warmth-is style of reviewing! Also love your emphasis on incremental changes! In short: Your style of discussing is so pleasant, it sounds like a tube preamp :P Fun side note regarding "how it makes you play in response": My dad used to say an amp has to be played loud in real-time in the same room because of the resonance happening *between* amp and guitar. I guess it depends on the style of music, but I feel like there's a lot of truth to that over the clinical approach of sending a dead clean signal into a great amp. After all there's that thing we literally call "feedback". Before you get to that full-blown whistling and howling though, there's a point where it adds sustain and resonance similar to the way parts of acoustic instruments resonate (and differently so in different registers and different keys).

[@musician1971a]

Very informative video! Makes me think about actually saving up for a pre amp. It will have to be a good one though, cause there's so much other things on my wish list. Like a replacement for my 10 year old computer...

[@vampireromance99]

Great description and helpful vid

[@Emperor85E]

Thanks on this man , very informative and I have to agree on everything you said. I have listen it with my yamaha h5 and on krk kns 8400 headphone and got same conclusion and if I may add not just that tube version sounds better, even vibrato in performance sounds more accurate , also some letters are not so pronounced as they are with stock preamp.

[@sammytheman8994]

Great video man! I can definitely say the tube pre amp sounds richer and smoother. Kinda sucks for that much money is such a subtle difference lmao, but I will be looking into getting a tube pre amp in the future when the funds come up!

[@_JohnnySav]

Great video Joe!

[@jefftravilla]

Idk if anyone else would be interested in this, but I would really love to see a walk through of your rig from inputs through monitors. Like how you get your analog channels into your I/O interface (and what is it) and which parts of your studio are moveable vs stationary, do you output tracks to individual faders for analog mixdown or just stereo out to the monitors, do you ever use a control surface - things like that. I’m considering moving up from just a two channel interface, but the in/out of it all is kind of overwhelming.

[@CalvinRossWorld]

Thanks for the video! Might have to go invest in me a preamp now 💯💪🏽

[@Sevenator69]

CLA uses the word "excitement" all the time in relation to the sound of tracks. Even though it can be subjective, I think that's probably the best word to describe the sound with the tube pre. It's just got that 'something' and, as you say, a real tube front will almost always sound better then a tube simulation plugin.

[@smashstudios6722]

Thanks, for making me Listen!!!!

[@freyafoxmusic]

Wow thank you for doing this

[@RubenSmith]

Great video I'm loving the channel

[@karma_moths]

Excellent job Joe, nice one! Great vocal also - easy on the ears. I reckon the differences are slight but to my ears the tube pre sounds more natural. I think it would be interesting to do a comparison of two different vocal chains e.g. mic - preamp - compressor - eq - interface - original gear vs clones. I reckon the differences would be more obvious to the ear then as they would stack up through the chain. It does seem that if you want the extra quality it comes at a price most people can't afford. On the flip side, if a home recording doesn't stick out like a sore thumb to the average listener and its a good song and performance then so what. I definitely think the technology we have today is amazing compared with the past and the gap is closing.

[@brucelittle3958]

Joe, thanks for doing this and I agree with you. I do think the stock preamp also adds more mids that can conflict with other instruments and would require EQ with some of the harsher highs. The thing I notice first thing is that the tube preamp sound lends itself much more easily with other instruments and vocals due to its EQ spectrum. If you took these recordings without any compression or EQ, the tube version would just work better as is in a mix which makes it easier to use. The stock version would stick at more as a solo but add more vocals and instruments and it would require extensive EQ reduction in mids and highs and probably lows as well. You ought to add the music with thses examples "as is"! Thanks for making these videos!

[@erastone100]

Man you very talented. Thanks

[@GarthClarkson]

Thanks for your well prepared and presented work. 20 years ago there was a massive difference but in the last 10 years the solid state preamp chips have made huge leaps forward like the Bheringer Xenix in my little desk mixer and other, now standard stuff. I have an ART Tubefire 8 which is really warm and clean, or should I rather say, not as sterile. It is 15 years old and at the time was definitely worth the four figures it sold for. The firewire no longer works properly with Win 10 so I just feed its outputs into my little mixer and it is just as good. I just don't get to record 8 channels at once to disk. I wouldn't spend the money these days because the new Presonus, Behringer and even some really cheap Chinese noname brands are now so much better than they were.

[@honkytonk2010]

Thank you for sharing your awesome video

[@michaeljensen1625]

This was fantastic (As Usual). And really timely as well. For the last few years in my studio I've been using a 2 channel interface Avid interface and an ART Voice Channel (Tube channel strip). But I've been wanting to upgrade to a larger interface. 1. This video gave me the confidence to pull the trigger on a Presonus Studio 1824 2. This video reminded me just how good stock preamps can be. That ADL 700 was awesome, but those stock preamps came pretty close. **Side Point* This week in my studio I have the pleasure of borrowing a friends LA-610. After about a week I have to say that I prefer my ART Voice Channel. Seems insane but it's true. Am I saying that the ART is better than the Universal Audio? Nope. But I'm saying that they sound very very close, and my preference is probably based on subjectivity and what I like to hear.

[@oscarestrella3512]

There's a difference alright, and the sad thing is that in music even a suttle upgrade will be really expensive.

[@markchristopher2signal2]

Oscar Estrella for me it's the monitors. Invest in a good one for mixing. Embarrassingly I was using a Maudio speakers for multimedia. Lol

[@markchristopher2signal2]

@Michael Sprague hey what ever we had to do to get some audio

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

@@markchristopher2signal2 No need to be ashamed. I mixed my first song using a gaming headset, and it didn't sound half bad. Later on I mixed a song using Logitech computer speakers. You gotta use whatever you have, no excuses

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Oh gosh my first set of monitors were maudio bx8as for years. Then I got a set of Adam Audios and was omg I wasn't hearing at least of my music and mixes lololol

[@symdega]

Thank you !

[@blazing6string]

Love it, great job. Next time would love to see you swap mic cables and repeat. Then we would have heard each mic into each preamp to really hear just the difference in the pres and no mic color. Just a thought and again great job

[@georgestefano673]

Excellent video

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

The difference is so small, and with a bit of harmonic enhancement with a plugin, it'd be indistinguishable from the real tube recordings, in a blind-test. Whenever you (anyone involved in sound) struggle to notice whether there is a difference: the difference is pretty much a waste of time and money to pursue.

[@lucianoruggieri]

I'm starting to think so too! :-))

[@Jin-Ro]

Agreed

[@jackemoberts]

This is exactly the opinion I had a year ago. But it is really not like that: In a professional/full mix, lets say 24 Channels, this subtle difference will add up. It's a little bit like tuning a car: If you just improve your engine alone, it won't have a very big impact on the performance on a racetrack. But if you improve brakes/gearbox/airflow and the Engine, it will have an overall bigger effect. But I agree to some point: You don't need a expensive preamp without transformers/tubes in the circuit, because there is really no advantage. Here is a comparison of Preamps from very cheap to very expensive: www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/praxis-lohnen-sich-teure-mic-preamps.html

[@ParadNorthProd]

Downloaded both. Invert the phase of one. Then adjust the volume of one of the tracks until the volume is the lowest. (Stock preamp needs to be lowered 2.0db.) What's left is just the differences between the two. Generally, bunch of high end (8k-12k), and some stuff around 150-250hz. But subtle differences in all frequencies.

[@armansrsa]

There is a difference and this difference becomes more apparent the more tracks you track with the tube preamps. The most noticeable thing I hear is that the tube preamp makes the recording more "up front" aaaaand, that is a pretty desireable thing when recording vocals!

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Yeah, a lot of times a vocal tracked through a tube preamp vs a stock interface preamp ends up being a lot easier to mix.

[@OfficeofthePacific]

Great video Joe! That Pre-Sonus Pre is awesome! Obviously the ADL is a little better, but the irony when it comes to all of this stuff is.... how much better? I would say usually about 10-15% I've used a Vintech x73I with an LA-2A clone forever and it is mind blowing, but I also used a Neve Portico 5017 with a Neve 542 Tape emulator, which was really good as well. The tape emulator went away when I discovered the UAD ATR-102 plugin (got me close enough.? Now I am thinking about getting the Neve Shelford that just came out a few years ago. So how much better would that be compared to the Vintech x73i/LA-2A combo? maybe 15%. Are these pre's worth that 15%... ABSOLUTELY! This is where there is indescribable magic!

[@KM-bh5gl]

What a good voice.

[@joshuamorganmusic]

There is a difference indeed. I’m in my 40’s and have some hearing loss from years of being in the music industry. I can hear a difference on my iPhone speaker and crappy earbuds. The tube kinda smooths things out, I’m guessing it’s the natural compression from the tube. It’s squishier in a way

[@erichoodmusic5810]

Great vid!

[@MelomanTheNerd]

hmmm .. the stock pre's sound good, and I feel they shine best in a live situation (as they typically do, PreSonus makes great gear!) The ADL was more open sounding and seemed to capture much more detail in the upper mids around 4-5K and was naturally more flattering to your voice. probably wouldnt have to lift the top end as much in the mix.

[@theonygard5694]

You're badass. Thank you.

[@gallo.s.chingon]

Not an engineer and I have no clue what I'm hearing. But the tube preamp sounds as though it has less of a noise floor. Thanks for this video

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Do you notice the tube preamp makes the S's & T's stand out more?

[@friedmule5403]

Also if you have several preamps with radical different sound, can you combine their sound in different ratios and get an even better custom-made sound out of it.

[@ped-away-g1396]

they will sound audibly different only when overdriven. the warmth/sweetness of tubes is just a result of sensory crosstalk from seeing the tubes glow. you hear what you see... kind of.

[@5192mark]

They are night and day different the tube preamp has a much control on the total voice and natural sounding in which is going to need less effects and compression/plugins. The other preamp was a bit loud and harsh and needing more effects and control to get it to sit well in the mix.

[@ethanedwards9136]

I really think you ought to test this again with an acoustic guitar. I think that's where a bigger difference will come out.

[@joaoverbo4927]

Part of the quality difference between these sorts of things have to do with the experience of using either piece of gear. It feels great to use a great piece of gear, but when we get down to the actual difference, its subtle. However, when these subtle differences add up, you definitely get an overall different result, although you could argue that artistic decisions matter a lot more than gear. Either way I think people will still use more expensive gear because it just feels good to have the experience of using it.

[@Wtfdawg321]

Great video! a great preamp for a reasonable price is the ART PRO MPA II, just change out the stock tubes with some better ones and you will be amazed

[@chinmeysway]

Suffer Fools how much would you recommend spending/ which ones are good? thanks

[@Wtfdawg321]

Steven Larson hey Steven, I used the genelex gold lion 12ax7 matched pair. They run about 75 bucks for the pair on amazon. They definitely made a difference, I know some folks say you can’t tell the difference on tubes but I definitely could. I use that pre on all my tracks now, here is one that it really help: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioTNgXt6rcRlqMU

[@timothy2204]

Was wondering about this! Thats for the vid! Kind of an omen to upgrade this... what kind of preamp do you recommend? A budget pre-amp... And do you recommend multiple or a single box (like the art)?

[@CLaw-tb5gg]

I only have experience of guitar amps, but the main difference I always hear between valve vs. solid state is SS often has an unpleasant fizziness and screechiness to it, a kind of nails-down-a-blackboard piercing thing going on, which valve amps don’t. I’m guessing the same holds true for mic pres.

[@andymusicstudio2485]

As for me tube sounds more smooth / round and a little bit distorted but .. I'm listening to it on my laptop now 😀

[@jgvtc559]

My focusrite 6i6 always made me drive my gain into distortion and i would have to try and eq it out impossible really got the fet head haven't looked back still haven't recorded yet but it sounds great at like 1 third volume of gain sm7b and i have that red audiobox as well i haven't used it because of the program i haven't learned studio1 yet

[@electricwhiterabbit]

Are the impedance the same on the input of each preamp? If so, that could also make them sound a little different with those mic's.

[@garyjohnson4988]

Nice vocals bro.

[@codking82]

what are you outputting the sound of your voice through so cad m179 ---> tube mic preamp--> in to audio interface ----> output loud speaker ?? monitor speaker?? PA system??

[@CLCyber]

Hi Joe, Thanks for this video. (You also got yourself another subscriber!) I was always wondering about this topic! What is your opinion on software preamps?

[@drillgirl718]

the tube adds the harmonic 2nd even order distortion to the vocals which make it more musical

[@joshuaenyart7271]

Would you ever run through the tube preamp and then into the stock preamp?

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Quality gear is also motivation for many people.

[@Ryandgeorgi]

Couldn't have done it better myself.. Except I'd take it one step further and compare how a free or cheap plugin can get us closer to the tube pre sound. Of course it'll never be the same, but there has to be a cheap way to get that tube pre sound without actually using it, right?

[@Byronic19134]

Just run your vocals through an Accustica plugin and nobody will never know you didn't use an outboard NEVE pre.

[@jefftravilla]

I was thinking the same thing. I’ve been putting a “vintage eq” in Logic on every track as the first item on the channel strip if only for the harmonics. I’d be curious to hear how they stack up against the hardware they emulate (Neve, Pultec, and API)

[@elrapanda]

Im missing the configuration of your preamp cuz if you up the output and input is down you get a "cleaner" result, you need gain up the input and decrease the output to print more of the preamp characteristics, then you can get a thicker voice with the same peak level

[@mr_hppd348]

How do feel about the Presonus Studio Channel: 1-Channel Vacuum-Tube Channel Strip? Does it sound as good as the ADL 700 that is no longer available??? Do you have any recommendations for a Vocal Preamp that is still in production and somewhat budget friendly?? I love the sound you got out of the Roswell k47 and the ADL 700!!!!

[@leebuck8532]

What about tube mics? I have a tube condenser. Should I run it through a tube preamp or would that be over kill? I will experiment on my own, but just curious if I should stick with a stock pre for that specific type of mic.

[@joelglaser5657]

On point as always Joe. Thanks for another informative video!

[@canyondepths]

I have a Golden Age Vintage Pre-73 (transformers not tubes) mic preamp, that I really like, especially on acoustic guitars. It provides a lot of girth in the mids and smooths out the highs. However, if I overdo the analog effect on too many tracks (say lead vocals, BGVs, acoustics, bass) the result was a ton of mud in the mids. Now I only use subtly on lead vocals and acoustic and turn the output down to avoid that muddy buildup. ps -- To me, the tube had a more consistent response across mids and highs, whereas the stock was more mid/upper mid focused.

[@VenomousB6U6R6N]

Warmth: the vibrations coming from the speaker that move your skin causing friction producing a feeling of "warmth" perceived by the human senses; hearing, and touch/feel

[@murraypollard]

Negligible difference. Still, I invested in a 2 channel tube pre-amp; I like how I can overdrive the tubes a bit which adds more character. (subject to the song) Overall, it looks cool, and is what people expect to see.

[@theonygard5694]

There is a BIG improvement

[@timwatz2948]

How do you use a preamp with condenser microphones? Don't they need a phantom current?

[@johnngatho6520]

Interesting options: What if your record using a tube mic thru the 'stock' pre? You should still get the tube character, right? Thanks for your response!

[@davidlestrange9153]

you will get some of both pres, depending on how much work each one is doing. its ideal to use a line in on your interface that has no preamp in the way so you can get just the sound of the good external pre.

[@jerichokom7044]

Sir I have presonus studio 68 audio interface I have been using it for vocal and guitar but friends suggested me to have tube preamp vocals. Is it necessary to have tube preamp for vocal

[@Funky5.0]

excellent videos...can I use my interface preamp with external preamp to get a louder signal..Art Pro mk2..with my Presonous 18 18

[@lightafluident.9950]

Do a video on the Art Voice Channel please. I'm thinking about adding one to my studio.

[@barbaravitttucci6573]

How is the tube preamp on acoustic guitar?

[@jammer777]

Hmm, I wonder how the tube preamp would compare to my Clarett 8pre with their classic ISA preamps with the air setting. To me they sound really good and surpass most other stock preamps.

[@jimmiefarmer3022]

I have the 4pre and an ART PRO MPA II that is fed into inputs 5 and 6 on the Clarett. I record all vocals and guitars through the ART; I really like what it does to warm up the vocal and acoustics especially. And the ART isn't a true tube pre either, but I still like the sound it imparts.

[@jl1848]

Either one sounds good...very good voice! Was there any compression/eq added? Don't hear any room sound either. So those vocals are just the mics straight into the preamps in that room? Kind of amazing.

[@TomBelknapRoc]

Even over streaming, I can tell a difference. And I say that as a person whose perfectly happy with his stock preamp on his audio interface. I hear a lot more air and a lot more crispness to the plosives. My question: could you achieve something similar by putting a tube amp emulator on the recorded sound? Or even use the emulator when recording from stock preamps?

[@claudius3124]

Interesting! Downloaded the files & listened closely. To me they sound really different, the "stock pre" one being more in your face. But I think I prefer the other one because, kinda like you said, the highs sound more tamed and, to me again, more interesting... Well, at the end, I guess it's a matter of taste... ;-) Anyway... Thanks for this video and I must say I really love your voice, either way.. ;-)