Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect

Jon Fairhurst · March 22nd, 2011, 04:20 PM

In general, a tube preamp will sound smoother than a transistor preamp. The transistor preamp will sound brighter and crisper, yet harsher.

The same might be said about ribbon mics (like tubes) vs. condenser mics (like transistors).

But these are generalizations. One could build a mushy transistor preamp or a condenser mic with a very dull sound. Or an over-hyped ribbon mic and tube preamp. Like Ty says, good beats bad.

But the generalizations can help steer you in the right direction. If you did a test and wanted something crisper, brighter and more clinical, you probably wouldn't first reach for a ribbon mic and a tube preamp.

Helen Habib · March 22nd, 2011, 07:35 PM

Interesting. The reason I asked is because my father used to build tube amps. He would wind the transformers on a machine and build the entire amp from scratch. Later on, one of my brothers joined him and one of his last items was a preamp, the last couple they sold were taken to the States for use. This went on probably all up to the year 2000. However, all around that time, a couple of guys were saying to me that tubes were the old way and everything was boards now (or something like that, they must have meant what you're calling 'solid state').

So it totally surprised me to see this thread as recent as 2004 actually recommending tube preamps. Perhaps they are more uncommon now though, as everything is digital or computerized.

Jim Andrada · March 22nd, 2011, 11:13 PM

Hi Helen

Tubes are still popular with a lot of people. I know a lot of Rock groups really love their tube amps.

When my wife and I were looking for a new CD player we settled on one that had a tube amplification section and that was just a couple of years ago.My wife was a concert pianist and always felt that CD's sounded "cold" and a bit un-musical - she loves the tube CD player.

Tubes are still being made as are tube based amplifiers, pre-amps etc. And there are a number of (usually pricey) microphones around that use tubes in their amplification circuitry.

I know Royer makes a ribbon stereo mic with tube amplification - might be too much of a good thing but I'd like to hear it one of these days.
.

Rick Reineke · March 23rd, 2011, 10:16 AM

One only has to peruse the music pro-audio equipment to see the popularity of tube pre-amps, mics, ect.

Rick Reineke · March 23rd, 2011, 10:26 AM

One only has to peruse the music pro-audio equipment to see the popularity of tube pre-amps, mics, ect. That said, I recorded a quite famous actor and renowned VO person with a U47/ Neve mic pre a while back, but in hindsight and constantly hearing it on TV, I wish I had used a (solid state) U87 or possibly 414 for his particular deep resonant voice.

Jon Fairhurst · March 23rd, 2011, 11:38 AM

Looking at Pro Audio Review, here are a couple of tube preamp reviews...
Sonic Farm Creamer Mic Preamp
TAB-Funkenwerk V78M Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp

Hey, even Rode, which makes mid-priced mics, makes tube mics. The NTK is available new for just over $500. There's also the K2 and Classic II.

Guitar tones are all about tubes. Not only do the top guitar amps use tubes, many effects devices include tubes.
Effectrode Tube Effects Pedals | Home

Tubes distort, but they do it sweetly. :)

Brian David Melnyk · March 24th, 2011, 03:24 AM

another question is: SHOULD you try and get the ' Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect'????
it is so over-used that it has become a cheesy cliche that just makes me laugh at the trailer... i always think the trailer is a parody, even if it isn't supposed to be!

Brian David Melnyk · March 24th, 2011, 03:27 AM

oh, and also:
2 inches from a TLM 49 with pop screen through a LA-610!!!

Jim Andrada · March 24th, 2011, 10:42 AM

@Brian

Good point! I was thinking the same thing, but then again, everyone is so used to the"VOG" (Voice of God) effect that you almost have to do it to have any credibility.

March 22nd, 2011, 04:20 PM	#46
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect In general, a tube preamp will sound smoother than a transistor preamp. The transistor preamp will sound brighter and crisper, yet harsher. The same might be said about ribbon mics (like tubes) vs. condenser mics (like transistors). But these are generalizations. One could build a mushy transistor preamp or a condenser mic with a very dull sound. Or an over-hyped ribbon mic and tube preamp. Like Ty says, good beats bad. But the generalizations can help steer you in the right direction. If you did a test and wanted something crisper, brighter and more clinical, you probably wouldn't first reach for a ribbon mic and a tube preamp. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 22nd, 2011, 11:13 PM	#48
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect Hi Helen Tubes are still popular with a lot of people. I know a lot of Rock groups really love their tube amps. When my wife and I were looking for a new CD player we settled on one that had a tube amplification section and that was just a couple of years ago.My wife was a concert pianist and always felt that CD's sounded "cold" and a bit un-musical - she loves the tube CD player. Tubes are still being made as are tube based amplifiers, pre-amps etc. And there are a number of (usually pricey) microphones around that use tubes in their amplification circuitry. I know Royer makes a ribbon stereo mic with tube amplification - might be too much of a good thing but I'd like to hear it one of these days. .

March 23rd, 2011, 10:16 AM	#49
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect One only has to peruse the music pro-audio equipment to see the popularity of tube pre-amps, mics, ect.

March 23rd, 2011, 10:26 AM	#50
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect One only has to peruse the music pro-audio equipment to see the popularity of tube pre-amps, mics, ect. That said, I recorded a quite famous actor and renowned VO person with a U47/ Neve mic pre a while back, but in hindsight and constantly hearing it on TV, I wish I had used a (solid state) U87 or possibly 414 for his particular deep resonant voice.

March 23rd, 2011, 11:38 AM	#51
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect Looking at Pro Audio Review, here are a couple of tube preamp reviews... Sonic Farm Creamer Mic Preamp TAB-Funkenwerk V78M Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp Hey, even Rode, which makes mid-priced mics, makes tube mics. The NTK is available new for just over $500. There's also the K2 and Classic II. Guitar tones are all about tubes. Not only do the top guitar amps use tubes, many effects devices include tubes. Effectrode Tube Effects Pedals \| Home Tubes distort, but they do it sweetly. :) __________________ Jon Fairhurst

March 22nd, 2011, 07:35 PM	#47
Helen Habib Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173	Interesting. The reason I asked is because my father used to build tube amps. He would wind the transformers on a machine and build the entire amp from scratch. Later on, one of my brothers joined him and one of his last items was a preamp, the last couple they sold were taken to the States for use. This went on probably all up to the year 2000. However, all around that time, a couple of guys were saying to me that tubes were the old way and everything was boards now (or something like that, they must have meant what you're calling 'solid state'). So it totally surprised me to see this thread as recent as 2004 actually recommending tube preamps. Perhaps they are more uncommon now though, as everything is digital or computerized.

March 24th, 2011, 03:24 AM	#52
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect another question is: SHOULD you try and get the ' Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect'???? it is so over-used that it has become a cheesy cliche that just makes me laugh at the trailer... i always think the trailer is a parody, even if it isn't supposed to be!

March 24th, 2011, 03:27 AM	#53
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect oh, and also: 2 inches from a TLM 49 with pop screen through a LA-610!!!

March 24th, 2011, 10:42 AM	#54
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Re: Rich, deep, trailer-type voice effect @Brian Good point! I was thinking the same thing, but then again, everyone is so used to the"VOG" (Voice of God) effect that you almost have to do it to have any credibility.