Originally Posted by dickiefunk ➡️

I had a VTB1 and DMP3 and sold the VTB1. I even did the opamp upgrade on the VTB1!

If you're in a position to be able to buy both I'd personally get the DMP3 and the JJAudio mod for it :-

https://gearspace.com/board/new-prod...-dmp3-mod.html

Originally Posted by xfreddex ➡️

I saved up and got a True Systems P-solo insted and never looked back. Big improvment.

For a colored sound for cheap I rekommend the GAP Pre73. I have a pair in my studio and they sound awesome.

Originally Posted by Fieldstone ➡️

- What do you like better about the P-Solo?
- Are the GAPs modded or stock with the Chinese components? I've been thinking about getting myself some but was unsure if I'd need to get the mods or not.

Originally Posted by snaimpally ➡️

...One of techie friends is going to help me upgrade the op amps to the ones that Allan Hyatt reccomends...

Originally Posted by alanhyatt ➡️

Hey guys... an inexpensive upgrade for the VTB-1 would be to change the opamp on U1, U2, U5 and U6 to OPA2134PA Not hard to do if you can solder.

Personally, the VTB1 inside is very well designed. The 90V starved tube plate is a real tube plate design...we just starve the plate so we do not have to use 300V to 350V.(that costs money)

Sure we did a lot of stuff to bring it in for a price, but it has so many features on it that I do not think there is another unit that has as much in its price class.

The unit has three outputs. XLR and 1/4, which are all effected by the tube, but you can use the insert as an output which is right after the hi-pass filter and not effected by the tube. This way, you can blend all three outputs if you want.

At the end of the day, it is what it is. 50% like Vanilla, and 50% like Chocolate.

Anyway, you might want to do this upgrade as its adds another dimension to the sound of the mic. Makes it very nice.....

Originally Posted by chessparov ➡️

, so it also can serve double duty toning down
brightish and/or sssibilant voice/mic match ups. Perhaps that's a factor why

Chris

Originally Posted by chessparov ➡️

Hi Alan. I may pick up a VTB-1 soon primarily for my EV 635a to add "weight" to the
tone.

Merry XMas to you and everyone else BTW.

Chris

Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

Useful Arts Hornet!
The Color Dial

I have a VTB-1 “somewhere”.
It’s a nice Pre.
And a “Critter of it’s time”.

But Hornet has a more refined Saturation.
(Stock VTB-1 was based on Chineseum Too/Excellent pick in it’s budget range)
Chris

Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

Here are two different/but related breathing approaches.

You can hear how the first clip (Speech) is Rounder/Thicker than the other. But both useful.
The second Speaking one “Projects” more.
Chris

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly ➡️

Thanks for finding that!

I still believe the VTB-1 is a good entry-level value and makes a good ribbon mic preamp - lots of clean and quiet gain when used with the tube feature dialed out.

A nice step up from the VTB-1 is the Black Lion Audio "Auteur" ($495) it is 2ch, transformer-coupled and has a lowered measured noise floor than the AEA Ribbon Mic Preamp ($868) making it a really great ribbon mic preamp in addition to its fine performance with condensers and moving coil dynamic mics as well.

With the Auteur you get a handbuilt-in-the-USA boutique preamp with transformers for just about twice the price / channel of the VTB-1.

Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

Michael’s post here was “State of the Art” back then.

Also for FREE…
Try the MJUCjr. (Vari-Mu) Compressor Plug.
That will help.
Chris

Originally Posted by chessparov2.0 ➡️

Generally, the actual Mic makes a difference.

A Beyer M88 is one you’d probably dig.
Massive proximity effect.