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My preamp journey

Really important to have a stage tone that inspires you and hopefully others in your band. It took me a long time to really love my setup, but I haven't bought another cab since my fF's were built (what, something like 2008?) and I really love using high quality high voltage tube preamps with transfomers, etc. I haven't amp shopped since.
I so agree! The people I play for and with appreciate good sound. Bringing consistancy stage and studio isn’t theoretical. :)
It generates fun, players, gigs, sessions and musicians who just want to play. :)
Marcus Miller said it. Find your gear and get on with the music. Now that took some time but once there I knew it. :)
 
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Thanks so much for this thread . It’s great to hear alternatives to the usual BDDI v Ampeg v Tone Hammer arguments. If I’m looking for something that gives me a little dirt (not a big fan of overdrive), a more subtle breaking up of sound plus a versatile EQ. Which of the following would you go for?
Eden WDTI
Oracle
Noble
Battalion

Can you give a brief description of the character/ capabilities of these? I’m unlikely to find them to try out in a shop here in Edinburgh as our stores are dying out and the big chains only offer the usual crowd pleasers. I’ll continue my search. So far I’ve had the Eden TN, it was big and a bit noisy (could have been the European power supply into UK converter though) and didn’t quite give enough dirt. Tech 21 BDDI which I find very aggressive but also found it noisy and currently not working. I just need to solder it though. I know it’s quite versatile but I haven’t managed to get the sound in my head out of it yet.
 
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Thanks so much for this thread . It’s great to hear alternatives to the usual BDDI v Ampeg v Tone Hammer arguments. If I’m looking for something that gives me a little dirt (not a big fan of overdrive), a more subtle breaking up of sound plus a versatile EQ. Which of the following would you go for?
Eden WDTI
Oracle
Noble
Battalion

Can you give a brief description of the character/ capabilities of these? I’m unlikely to find them to try out in a shop here in Edinburgh as our stores are dying out and the big chains only offer the usual crowd pleasers. I’ll continue my search. So far I’ve had the Eden TN, it was big and a bit noisy (could have been the European power supply into UK converter though) and didn’t quite give enough dirt. Tech 21 BDDI which I find very aggressive but also found it noisy and currently not working. I just need to solder it though. I know it’s quite versatile but I haven’t managed to get the sound in my head out of it yet.

You'll find many audio samples and tube preamps reviews in this thread:
Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...
 
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Thanks so much for this thread . It’s great to hear alternatives to the usual BDDI v Ampeg v Tone Hammer arguments. If I’m looking for something that gives me a little dirt (not a big fan of overdrive), a more subtle breaking up of sound plus a versatile EQ. Which of the following would you go for?
Eden WDTI
Oracle
Noble
Battalion

Can you give a brief description of the character/ capabilities of these? I’m unlikely to find them to try out in a shop here in Edinburgh as our stores are dying out and the big chains only offer the usual crowd pleasers. I’ll continue my search. So far I’ve had the Eden TN, it was big and a bit noisy (could have been the European power supply into UK converter though) and didn’t quite give enough dirt. Tech 21 BDDI which I find very aggressive but also found it noisy and currently not working. I just need to solder it though. I know it’s quite versatile but I haven’t managed to get the sound in my head out of it yet.
I'm on vacation right now, I'll give you more info later, but the WTDI is terrible for OD, Noble is very clean sounding. The Battalion gets dirtiest, and the Oracle will get a nice OD.
 
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I've had time to mess with the Helix LT and it's a game changer. It sound fantastic, but it's also much bigger than I expected. I've started selling a few things and have gotten rid of a pedal board, but I'm gonna have to make some tough decisions around what I want to keep.
 
I made the hard decision to down size since getting the Helix LT. I ended up trading my Super 300 for the non-DI version due to the size and that I've settled on the Lightningboy TI DI. Between that and picking up the Helix, I ended up parting out one of my boards. Hate to say it, but the ValveDrive is gonna go. I love it, it's flexible, but in the end I don't need the DI and this won't fit on my other board.
 
I have Master Effects Monoblock and Thespian preamps on order, waiting for him to drop the Super 400. Also waiting for Sushibox to open up orders again, a London Underground might be in order, but a Dr. Watson is definitely in my future.
 
Also, so not preamps, but in my quest for tone I bought a few compressors. I'll post my thoughts on each. Some of these are gonna go up for sale.
 

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Also, so not preamps, but in my quest for tone I bought a few compressors. I'll post my thoughts on each. Some of these are gonna go up for sale.

I'm really interested in your thoughts. Not to derail this thread please attach a link if you create a new thread.
Compressors for me do 2 things, and mostly use them as part of a live set up (I don't do much recording). Some peak limiting just to tame the real loud bits, and also to create some punch with a slow attack time.
The only compressors I've used were the M87, the Aguilar TLC (didn't quite know what I was doing when I owned both of these) and the inbuilt compressor of the EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe. I like the preset action of the Billy, but wanting a separate unit with a bit more tweakability.
 
Yes, it would be great to have a youtube or Soundcloud comparison of SB-VT / Super 300. You should ask to the SB thread.
I posted my thoughts on the SB thread here The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

TLDR the Super 300 is more of an amp in a box while the SBVT is a preamp inspired by the SVT. Both are fantastic, but.are definitely different.
 
I'm really interested in your thoughts. Not to derail this thread please attach a link if you create a new thread.
Compressors for me do 2 things, and mostly use them as part of a live set up (I don't do much recording). Some peak limiting just to tame the real loud bits, and also to create some punch with a slow attack time.
The only compressors I've used were the M87, the Aguilar TLC (didn't quite know what I was doing when I owned both of these) and the inbuilt compressor of the EBS Billy Sheehan Deluxe. I like the preset action of the Billy, but wanting a separate unit with a bit more tweakability.
Not gonna do a new thread :) the Cali and the Stella were the keepers for me. I'm always a big fan of flexibility, and the Stella has that in spades. Really adds some meat. And the Cali .. all I can say is the hype is real. For something that big and heavy, it had better be.

I found tho that there was not a bad compressor in the lot. I liked the Keeley and the Ego a lot more than I thought I would, both are really nice, and the MXR is right up there with the Stella, just less options. Can't go wrong with any of these.
 
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I posted my thoughts on the SB thread here The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

TLDR the Super 300 is more of an amp in a box while the SBVT is a preamp inspired by the SVT. Both are fantastic, but.are definitely different.
Thanks. I actually found that review in the SB thread after I posted. Just ordered an SBVT and super excited! I’m planning on running in conjunction with my HX Stomp with an Ampeg 8x10 IR. I’ve had the ToneHammer on board for a while but was wanting more of a real tube sound. I’m hoping the SBVT will be as responsive. I really like how I can set the Tone Hammer to sound clean with fingers and get some grit when I switch to a pick. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it just sounds synthetic. I’ve never had an actual tube preamp pedal so I’m pumped!
 
Thanks. I actually found that review in the SB thread after I posted. Just ordered an SBVT and super excited! I’m planning on running in conjunction with my HX Stomp with an Ampeg 8x10 IR. I’ve had the ToneHammer on board for a while but was wanting more of a real tube sound. I’m hoping the SBVT will be as responsive. I really like how I can set the Tone Hammer to sound clean with fingers and get some grit when I switch to a pick. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it just sounds synthetic. I’ve never had an actual tube preamp pedal so I’m pumped!
Yeah, sounds like you are gonna love the SBVT.
 

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