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Topic: Tube Preamps for Pedal Steel |
Casey Saulpaugh
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 27 Aug 2024 10:51 am |
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Looking to invest in a tube preamp for recording pedal steel in the near future. Any recommendations?
Love the sound of Universal Audio’s LA-610 Mk II (great for a lot more than just pedal steel in the studio), but looking for other options at lower price points too.
Thanks, hope everyone’s doing well.
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https://playpedalsteel.com - An online resource for steel guitar. Download a FREE Pedal Steel Practice Book! |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 27 Aug 2024 11:25 am
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Sarno V8!!
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John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar |
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Brett Lanier
From:
Madison, TN
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Posted 28 Aug 2024 9:19 pm
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Haven’t tried this but it looks like it sounds good.
https://warmaudio.com/wa-mpx
At home, I’ve been recording with a Standel Custom XV (no speaker) into a Universal Audio Ox box, then into an ART Pro MPA mic pre. I think it sounds great without the ART pre, but even better with it. |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 29 Aug 2024 10:31 am
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The Sarno is amazing and is also a killer for bass, too!
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John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar
Last edited by John Macy on 4 Sep 2024 10:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 3 Sep 2024 10:29 pm
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Are you looking for a recording channel or a pre amp for your steel ?
If you are looking for a recording pre amp with tubes don’t go cheap. I would use a well priced great pre like the DAV BG1 or on the cheaper side the “really nice mic pre” is a great deal. Then go with the V8 or something like it. I personally do not like Warm Audio. They are primarily a marketing company that spends all there money on making something look like what they are copying and dealer kickbacks. Go with a craftsman who loves what they do rather than low bid Chinese labor.
There are some great deals out there but you need to get past whatever sweetwater is currently pushing.
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Bob |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 4 Sep 2024 8:03 am
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Casey,
I’ve been thinking about it. Get in touch directly if you want. There are some hidden gems out there and some work arounds that might be good depending on your situation.
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Bob |
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Casey Saulpaugh
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 6 Sep 2024 11:42 am
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Really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I’m really interested in the Sarno V8 - have always heard good things about the black box, but had never really researched any Sarno products. After y’all’s recommendations on it, really like the quality, price point, and how useful it can be in the studio for more than just pedal steel too. I’m probably leaning this route for a tube preamp.
Also had a good conversation with Bob on the phone, in which he was very helpful and thoughtful. He recommended the idea of getting a load box to use with my tube amps to essentially utilize them without having to get a tube preamp. I have an old small Fender Champ that I love the tone on, and it’d be great to utilize the tubes on these in a similar fashion and probably save some money too.
I’ve also checked out the Universal Audio Ox box before (I usually enjoy many of UA’s gear and plugins for studio) - going to look at this option too, glad you enjoy it Brett. Has anyone tried UA’s Solo/610 desktop tube preamp? Any other recommendations?
Thanks!
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https://playpedalsteel.com - An online resource for steel guitar. Download a FREE Pedal Steel Practice Book! |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 8 Sep 2024 7:12 pm
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I’m checking out a Two Notes Opus One at the moment. It’s affordable and might do the job.
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Bob |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 9 Sep 2024 10:37 am
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I just did my in ears church gig with my V8 and it was glorious as always. I got my Opus up and running and so far it is very very cool. I have a couple shows coming up that I'll try it out on. It has quite a bit of functionality and so far sounds way better than it should.
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Bob |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 11 Sep 2024 3:47 pm
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I want a V8. It has a richness to it that you don’t hear in many other pres.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 5:22 am
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
| I want a V8. It has a richness to it that you don’t hear in many other pres. |
Yes ! I just spent a couple weeks dialing in and tweaking sounds in my opus one modeling sim thing. Then I plugged the V8 in and without any processing it sounded and felt better than any of the hundreds of sims I had available. Not even close.
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Bob |
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 17 Sep 2024 5:47 am
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It’s just so good. I also track bass though that into an Avalon DI and it’s pretty magical.
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John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar |
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Casey Saulpaugh
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 18 Sep 2024 11:16 am
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The V8 is definitely at the top of my list for tube preamps…really appreciate all the feedback.
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https://playpedalsteel.com - An online resource for steel guitar. Download a FREE Pedal Steel Practice Book! |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 24 Sep 2024 8:53 am
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The Sarno Spectrum is absolutely magnificent also. I don't know how he got that reverb to sound so good. It's my go to pre for direct recording these days.
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Bob |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Sep 2024 2:03 pm
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| Bob Hoffnar wrote: |
| The Sarno Spectrum is absolutely magnificent also. I don't know how he got that reverb to sound so good. It's my go to pre for direct recording these days. |
Is that even available yet?
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 28 Sep 2024 7:36 am
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Brad has been selling them for a little while now. Shoot him a note if you want one. I think he does them in small batches and they are usually pre sold. The fidelity is on another level. A bit of a different flavor than the V8. I wouldn’t want to pick my favorite one. Both are works of art.
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Bob |
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