ART vs. PRESONUS Debate...Please Help!

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:07 pm

We're in the process of upgrading our studio, in I'm in a debate with my producer about which pre-amp to go with. We're looking for the best upgrade to get a better sound in vocals. Our style of music we've been recording has been Rap, R&B, and worship. We're upgrading our mic to a Shure KSM27. Right now we're using the pre-amp built-in our Behringer mixer. I suggested, because of all it's features, that we get the
"ART DPS II Stereo Tube Preamp with Digital Out"

but he talked to someone in a music store that was telling him to get the Presonus TUBEPre Microphone Preamp

Of course the Presonus is $150 cheaper than the ART, but I just think we wouldn't have to go through the upgrading process again any time soon if we go with the ART. And plus I heard that particular Presonus model has a britle sound, and the tube that comes with it is not quality.

What would you do? As for a budget, I would say that $250 would be the max. If you need more info please feel free to ask. I didn't want to post too much info that you wouldn't want to read all of it.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:20 pm

In this price range, it's really a toss up. Keep in mind that the ART has two channels so look at cost per channel, not total cost. Both of these items are going to get you from point A to point B, but I sincerely doubt one's going to do it much better than the other. Get the one with the best cost/features ratio you can afford.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:32 pm

poprocks nailed it. These pres aren't really upgrades; they are just something you can use if you don't have anything else.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:39 pm

But wouldn't we get a more warmer sound than the pre from the Behringer Mixer? I heard their pres are crap, and I figured any out board pre would be an audible difference. But the ART pre boast about a V3 with presets to give a warm sound. It sounded good when I read it, but my producer and I are both at a novice level with this equipment.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 5:49 pm

My advice is to save a little longer, then sell the Behringer and take the extra $200 - $250 in cash and look for something in the $400 - $500 range. Spending another $180 now on this stuff would be a waste of $ IMO.

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:31 pm

The ART Pro MPA is a much better unit than the DPII, buy one used on ebay for $250 and spend another $80 to put some really good tubes in it.

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:10 am

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:42 am

Kurt Foster wrote:

Holy crap that's funny....... Very Happy

FWIW, We used the Presonus TubePre for awhile and we thought it sounded marginally better than our mackie pres in the 1604 vlz pro board we have... although in stock form it was a toss up.

We changed the 12ax7 tube from the cheapie one that came in it to an Electro-Harmonix 12ax7 and there was a difference. More so than just with the regular tube that came with it. Please note that its not a night and day difference, but with the modification done it did smoothen out the response on our SP C1 mic and added a bit more low end. Wouldn't work like a Brick though!

Tom

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:42 am

So you're saying it'll be the best choice to go with the Presonus and swap the tube with an Electro-Harmonix 12ax7

I know you said it wouldn't be a night and day difference, but we should hear some difference between the Behringer Mixer's buit-in pres and THIS addition to the set up?

Another question: I've heard the same advice dealing with this particular pre amp, but the person went through explaining several different tubes giving you several different sounds you may be looking for. Can ya'll give some tips on tubes to get for a different sound you would look for or is it just a waste of time?

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:10 am

If you are on the strictest budget and you can't wait to buy anything more expensive, sure. You will likely end up replacing it with something that's actually good. Smile

I went to a website called www.thetubestore.com and looked up the different tubes. They are an amazing place, super fast delivery and they know what they are talking about. Plus, they are in Canada. The EH 12ax7 should be the best tube to put in it, for the price. They are pretty cheap, but sound very good.

When you use this, completely bypass your Behringer mixer... don't plug it into the chain at all. Mic to preamp to soundcard/interface. Try it out, I'll bet that you will notice a difference in sound, especially from the Behringer.

Tom

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:31 am

Not to disregard your link, but I was just curious. These tubes, in the link below, also come in gold pins. Is there a difference? The one with gold pins is $7 more, what's the deal?

http://www.pulseonline.com/ehtubes1.htm

And thanks for the replies!!! This is a real big help!!!

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:17 pm

Sorry man, I don't know enough about tubes to say what the difference is, or if it's worth the extra 7$.

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:59 pm

It's too bad that you can't stretch your budget another $150 or so .... for around $350 you could get a Groove Tubes, "The Brick", which I assure you will be a pre that you will want to keep.

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:17 pm

I heard ya'll talking about "The Brick". We're getting by with what we have now so we may be able to wait and save. You can listen if you choose, by clicking the link below. Someone is singing on the beginning of the track titled "Why Should Not Us". Maybe you can hear something we can't.
http://www.soundclick.com/pro/default.cfm?BandID=270645&content=music

Let me know what you think, or if you can even tell? I know your style of music may not be rap, but just bare with it for a minute to listen.

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 4:43 pm

Check out a 12DF7 for a replacement tube also. Lower gain (harder to clip) than a 12AX7 and much warmer sounding. I have two channels with these for lead vocals, two with the AX7's for b/u vox and instruments.

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