• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Presonus Studio Studio Channel Preamp

Supertanker

Supertanker

Watch the dog! He is trained to bite!
Jun 23, 2005
3,352
107
CinCinNati
#1
Anybody know anything about this preamp?

I've heard it works well for bass among other things...


Invalid Link Removed

The Studio Channel is a professional channel strip combining Class A tube preamplifier, VCA-based compressor and three-band parametric equalizer perfect for the professional and project studio. Great for all types of microphones, instruments, keyboards and synths, the Studio Channel has the sonic power and flexibility to achieve any tone you can dream of – luscious in your face vocals, crystal clear acoustic guitars, fat solid bass guitar, dynamic acoustic piano, cracking snare, punchy bass, huge MPC tracks and more.

Enhance your signal path

The Studio Channel noticeably outperforms preamplifiers that are built-in to most recording interfaces and affordable mixers. Add a VCA-based compressor and studio-grade equalizer to the class A tube preamp and you get not only big fat tube tonality but also complete control of your tone and sounds. Since much of the recording process is accomplished one track at a time, you need a signal path that can deliver a variety of high quality tones and sounds, which is why the Studio Channel is the perfect tool for any studio.


Class A Tube Preamplifier

The Studio Channel has everything needed to deliver big tone. The preamplifier stage of the Studio Channel is based on the award winning BlueTube preamplifier with a high output 12AX7 vacuum tube operating on voltages double than all other preamplifiers in its class delivering high headroom and big tone. Dual control Gain and Tube Drive enables a wide range of sounds from transparent and clear to edgy and overdriven.


Full Featured VCA Compressor

The compressor in the Studio Channel is a fully variable ultra-fast and smooth VCA-based circuit with all of the controls needed for a wide range of compression settings: ratio, threshold, attack, release and gain make up. The VCA-based compressor is known for musicality as well as ultra fast attack with the ability to tame the fastest transients. From slap bass, to snare drum, to vocals, the Studio Channel’s compressor stage allows you to record as hot as needed without clipping giving you total dynamic control.


Three Band Parametric EQ

The equalizer in the Studio Channel is like a Swiss Army pocket knife, with the ability to carve out unwanted frequencies as well as tailor your tone to enhance your sound. The custom-designed amplifiers in the EQ deliver sweet-sounding gain/cut for ultra smooth highs, deep solid lows and clear midrange. The mid-band of the EQ section has variable Q for controlling the width around the center point of the selected frequency. High and low frequency bands give you the option for selecting peak/dip or shelving frequencies.
 
#3
That particular model just started shipping recently IIRC. I've had good luck with their other products (I currently use the Firestudio, Digimax FS, and the Central Station in my studio, and have had the Eureka channel strip in the past). It would be interesting to try it out as an inexpensive pre with some color.
 
#4
Supertanker said:
Anybody know anything about this preamp?

I've heard it works well for bass among other things...


Invalid Link Removed

The Studio Channel is a professional channel strip combining Class A tube preamplifier, VCA-based compressor and three-band parametric equalizer perfect for the professional and project studio. Great for all types of microphones, instruments, keyboards and synths, the Studio Channel has the sonic power and flexibility to achieve any tone you can dream of – luscious in your face vocals, crystal clear acoustic guitars, fat solid bass guitar, dynamic acoustic piano, cracking snare, punchy bass, huge MPC tracks and more.

Enhance your signal path

The Studio Channel noticeably outperforms preamplifiers that are built-in to most recording interfaces and affordable mixers. Add a VCA-based compressor and studio-grade equalizer to the class A tube preamp and you get not only big fat tube tonality but also complete control of your tone and sounds. Since much of the recording process is accomplished one track at a time, you need a signal path that can deliver a variety of high quality tones and sounds, which is why the Studio Channel is the perfect tool for any studio.


Class A Tube Preamplifier

The Studio Channel has everything needed to deliver big tone. The preamplifier stage of the Studio Channel is based on the award winning BlueTube preamplifier with a high output 12AX7 vacuum tube operating on voltages double than all other preamplifiers in its class delivering high headroom and big tone. Dual control Gain and Tube Drive enables a wide range of sounds from transparent and clear to edgy and overdriven.


Full Featured VCA Compressor

The compressor in the Studio Channel is a fully variable ultra-fast and smooth VCA-based circuit with all of the controls needed for a wide range of compression settings: ratio, threshold, attack, release and gain make up. The VCA-based compressor is known for musicality as well as ultra fast attack with the ability to tame the fastest transients. From slap bass, to snare drum, to vocals, the Studio Channel’s compressor stage allows you to record as hot as needed without clipping giving you total dynamic control.


Three Band Parametric EQ

The equalizer in the Studio Channel is like a Swiss Army pocket knife, with the ability to carve out unwanted frequencies as well as tailor your tone to enhance your sound. The custom-designed amplifiers in the EQ deliver sweet-sounding gain/cut for ultra smooth highs, deep solid lows and clear midrange. The mid-band of the EQ section has variable Q for controlling the width around the center point of the selected frequency. High and low frequency bands give you the option for selecting peak/dip or shelving frequencies.
Click to expand...

Supertanker said:
No one ever use this pre?
Click to expand...

I've tried a few of their products, but not that one specifically. Their stuff is really good for the money, and you'll probably find it is as good or better and certainly more versatile than most of the bass pres out there for twice the price, with some notable exceptions.

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#5
It looks and sounds pretty nifty :)

It is pretty new, so there might not be too much out about it yet.

I've had good results with the Firepod (now FP10) and Eureka, still use them fairly often (somewhat limited space right now tho)

Still want an ACP22, but what you might want to check out is the ADL600, mmaaaaannn that looks sweet, but the price tag is significantly higher than the Studio Channel pre :(
 
#6
blondmix3 said:
That particular model just started shipping recently IIRC. I've had good luck with their other products (I currently use the Firestudio, Digimax FS, and the Central Station in my studio, and have had the Eureka channel strip in the past). It would be interesting to try it out as an inexpensive pre with some color.
Click to expand...

I think it's probably similar to the Eureka with a tube in it.

I've read nothing but good things about their products.

I'm may pull the trigger on one...
 
#7
Bassflute said:
I've tried a few of their products, but not that one specifically. Their stuff is really good for the money, and you'll probably find it is as good or better and certainly more versatile than most of the bass pres out there for twice the price, with some notable exceptions.

Cheers,
Cameron
Click to expand...

I'm thinking about the versatilty, using it for more than just bass.

Of course it would also be part of my live rig.

And the price point is killer...
 
#8
i_got_a_mohawk said:
It looks and sounds pretty nifty :)

It is pretty new, so there might not be too much out about it yet.

I've had good results with the Firepod (now FP10) and Eureka, still use them fairly often (somewhat limited space right now tho)

Still want an ACP22, but what you might want to check out is the ADL600, mmaaaaannn that looks sweet, but the price tag is significantly higher than the Studio Channel pre :(
Click to expand...

ADL600...

Hmmm...

I don't know how I would feel about dragging $2200 preamp around in my rack.

But I'm sure it would sound sweet...

Thanks
 
#14
i'm pretty bad with reviews.

overall i like the preamp as a bass pre. it lacks a few bass pre only features like ultra low and high switches. i never use those any way.

it's very clean sounding. just what i was looking for. i had been using an ashdown rpm-1 (i'm a sucker for needle vu meters). it's a lot less colored than the ashdown. it's also less creamy. that's what i was going for.

also, if you play with the eq and tube drive. you can get that aguilar 40-400-4 sound or a very ampeg svp pro sounding sound.

another neat feature is you can pre/post eq the compressor.

and the compressor is seamless presonus quality.

it sounds good to my ear going through my mesa cabinets (115 and 210 ph).

i've had alot of bass pre's, this has good sound and good features for the price.

wanna know anything specific, email me.
 
#15
PBFACTOR said:
i'm pretty bad with reviews.

overall i like the preamp as a bass pre. it lacks a few bass pre only features like ultra low and high switches. i never use those any way.

it's very clean sounding. just what i was looking for. i had been using an ashdown rpm-1 (i'm a sucker for needle vu meters). it's a lot less colored than the ashdown. it's also less creamy. that's what i was going for.

also, if you play with the eq and tube drive. you can get that aguilar 40-400-4 sound or a very ampeg svp pro sounding sound.

another neat feature is you can pre/post eq the compressor.

and the compressor is seamless presonus quality.

it sounds good to my ear going through my mesa cabinets (115 and 210 ph).

i've had alot of bass pre's, this has good sound and good features for the price.

wanna know anything specific, email me.
Click to expand...

You hit all the high points.

It's good to know you can get the Aggie and SVT tone.

I'm runnng a DB659 now, so being able to
to cop the 40-400-4 is a good thing for me.

Thanks!

I'm looking for one now, trying to find a killer price...
 
#16
I'm thinking about picking one of these up to replace my tubepre, which I love BTW. They've got them on ebay for 250 shipped. I've been Running Bass----Tubepre----EP2500----Cabinets and I have been doing all my eqing from the bass. I am hoping I can use this to eq for the room and use my onboard pre to fine tune and adjust on the fly. My only concern is I've been kind of diggin the tubepre's simplicty since switching from a V-amp pro and Bmax. But hopefully I wont be overwhelmed by this channel strip.
 
#20
This preamp has all the same features as my TL Audio 5051. I'm playing with this on my little amp into a Peavey CS800S.

The only thing I see different is 4 band Parametric EQ and this unit doesnt have an overdrive control.

I didn't buy this unit to use on bass but on ham radio. It is super sanitary and even if I crank it all the way up it doesn't distort which is a little frustrating. There's enough gain out of this to blow up the world.

This has 3 Sovtec 12AX7's in it and its sold by Musicians Friend for $1K. Obviously $299 is a lot sweeter if it does what it needs too do. BOB
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boomhowertx

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back