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Presonus Studio Studio Channel Preamp

#281
Rocksolid said:
No love for the Presonus Studio Channel in almost 2 years? Really?

I finally got mine fixed and will be trying it with my QSC PLX1804 soon!
Click to expand...

I bought a second unit and racked it with a QSC 1602 & HyDrive 410 for a back-up / "bedroom" rig. I've gotten better results using the "Peak" option instead of conventional shelving with the bass & treble controls.

Riis
 
#282
Hi, guys, I've been reading this thread, and I don't recall seeing anything about extreme low end response. My current setup, Geddy Lee Jazz(BEAD), into a PV6 Mixer, into a Peavey IPR DSP 1600, into 2 Greenboy 15subs. I'm not getting much very low response, ie; when I engage the 80hz cut, there's not much difference. Do yall think the Presonus unit will be effective in bringing out the fundamentals? BTW, I'm not trying to emulate a Boom Car, but to have some presence on the very bottom, and let the harmonics do their job. Any thoughts or observations??
 
#284
I'm resurrecting my SC the way Rocksolid resurrected this thread... lol. Seriously though, I used it with a power amp for a few years and it was really snappy. Bought a new head and it kinda went by the wayside, because the head was 1/3 the weight of my pre/power setup. I was gonna get a dedicated bass preamp before I bought it, but I was starting to get into home recording and figured I could use it for that as well. I couldn't have made a better decision.

Fast forward to this week- I'm building a combo and I had an extra rack space above my head. I needed a compressor, and the SC was sitting idle... I really like the compressor section on this. Very flexible and the VU meter allows you to see what's going on.

I've used this for several other things than bass. I ran our kick mic through it for our album and also for a year during practice (we mic the kick drum and put it through the PA) and it always sounded great. I have to track some vocals in the very near future and I am excited to put it through the paces for that.

My only complaints about the unit are the lack of a noise gate and that I think the EQ section could be better. It seems like it doesn't have enough tone sculpting power; it's as if there isn't enough gain on the frequency bands. I usually find myself wishing I could turn a knob just a little bit more. I also DESPISE the wallwart... grrrr... but... otherwise I really really like it and it consider one of the best purchases I have ever made.
 
#285
runmikeyrun said:
My only complaints about the unit are the lack of a noise gate and that I think the EQ section could be better. It seems like it doesn't have enough tone sculpting power; it's as if there isn't enough gain on the frequency bands. I usually find myself wishing I could turn a knob just a little bit more. I also DESPISE the wallwart... grrrr... but... otherwise I really really like it and it consider one of the best purchases I have ever made.
Click to expand...

Where's the noise coming from that you would need a noise gate? My unit is dead quiet...no hiss, no nuthin'.

I find it strange that your EQ gains (3 total) are lacking. I can crank mine to the point where the end result is glaringly obnoxious. For that fact, I've found a little bit goes a long way....I A/B my EQ against bypass mode frequently. I do recommend running your compressor before the EQ section. Also, whenever possible, use the "Peak" function(s) especially on the bass voicing...not quite as critical on the treble. This, along with the para mid, will allow you to dial in a focused low and low-mid response over-and-above anything that can be accomplished via shelving. Here are my current settings:

*Gain 12:00
*Tube Drive 1-2:00
*80 hz HPF Off
*Comp Threshold -20
*Ratio 4:1 - 6:1
*Attack 10:00
*Release 2:00
...or use the Auto mode w/ soft knee
*Bass 80-100 hz (peak mode), +1-2 dB
*Mids Requires a boost/cut 'n sweep, bandwidth 2-3:00
*Treble 2-3 khz (peak mode), -1-2 dB

No absolutes here but a great starting point.

Riis
 
#286
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...

Yes. I have one with a Groove Tube 12ax7 in it. Crown class AB power amp into an Ashdown ABM 410h. Jazz and P-Bass. I love it. It's a very clean tube sound. Think of it like this, it's power and tube preamp and whatever type cabinet you use is gonna give you "that sound " hooked up to my Ashdown it sounds like an ABM. Hooked up to my Ampeg Heritage 8x10, it sounds like an Ampeg. I absolutely love it. The eq and compressor are nice too. Sounds good to my ears. I have a SansAmp Bass Driver that I use for grit, growl, or out right distortion. I would suggest using it with Clean power. Meaning not an amp head. I've never understood doubling up on preamps, although I'm kinda doing that with the SansAmp. It's all so individual. Find what YOU love and leave it. Then Go Play.
 
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#287
Hi Guys,

I'm bringing this old thread back, everyone still happy with the SC?

I realize with the severe affliction of GAS a lot of gear changes hands around here.
I'm thinking about picking one of these up used locally and am debating would the Eureka be any better or is there not enough difference for Bass?

I have a need for an ampless rig and want a little more than just a DI using a passive bass for context.
 
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#288
Red Planet said:
Hi Guys,

I'm bringing this old thread back, everyone still happy with the the SC?

I realize with the severe affliction of GAS a lot of gear changes hands around here.
I'm thinking about picking one of these up used locally and am debating would the Eureka be any better or is there not enough difference for Bass?

I have a need for an ampless rig and want a little more than just a DI using a passive bass for context.
Click to expand...

They're a lot of fun but could be your downfall if you're an obsessive knob tweaker. If the price is right, snag it.

Riis
 
#289
Well I'm an OCD knob tweaker until I find my sound then I leave it alone unless I need to do something for a room tweak but this would be for a total DI solution with no rig. My spinal surgeries have turned me into a no rigger if I can get by with it.

The main question I want to know, is the Eureka that much better when it comes to just using it for EB?
 
#291
I have no experience with either but I will likely snap up a Studio channel model as there are a fair number out there used for fair (cheap) prices. AFAIK, the eureka has no tube but somehow it reportedly can get some "pleasant" saturation in the solid state preamp. The eurekas seem to go for twice the used price of the studio channel it seems.
 
#292
Time to revitalize this thread!

I just ordered the PreSonus Studio Channel Tube Channel Strip.

I've been "preamp hopping" since my Sansamp RBI started acting up last year. I jumped to a BBE BMax-T. Nice unit, but the compressor is very lacking (it's a one knob fits all type). It's very subtle..almost not doing anything at lower settings, then as you turn it up, it starts pumping noticeably. The sonic maximizer section is completely useless (for me, at least) and I just leave it off, but I knew it would be this going in. The EQ section is just...ok. It does the job, I guess.

I think my dream preamp would have: tube front end, at least semi para-eq's, a fully controllable compressor (attack/release/ratio/threshold/ etc... the works), and a tuner that mutes when activated!!! My kingdom for a rack preamp with a built in tuner...even just a basic chromatic one that shows if you are a bit sharp or flat on a given note. I mean, there are units that are the size of credit cards that do this...why not put it in a preamp?! Even if you have to go with a 2RU spacing...that's 4 RU's worth of gear down to 2 RU's. Less pieces of gear to lug around that needs to have power to it...or a battery for a pedal type. Anyways...

The Presonus has 3 out of the 4 things I wanted...I'll just have to keep my korg rack tuner for now, though. So, I'll see how this thing works out. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the tube sounds. I have tried experimenting with OD pedals and the RBI and Bmax both had "gain" knobs (and wasn't all that impressed), but no actual tube driven gain. I play fingerstyle, so OD pedals just sound "buzzy" and not growly/gritty to me.

I still own an Ampeg SVT tube head, but it's really heavy and awkward....and no compression, so I had to use a pedal or a rack unit....more crap to lug...ugh! It does sound fantastic, though. So, it'll be the studio rig. I'm trying to get that "sonic weight" of the Ampeg without the "real weight of the Ampeg" and keep the grind. Also without the "tube slowness/compression" (if you know what I mean). I'm a firm believer in compression is the "magic" behind good bass sounds, but there's a difference in a tube amp's squash and a studio compressor. For one, it's not adjustable.

I can't wait to try this thing out. I found one used on Ebay for $170 and I bought an Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 for $17 to swap out the tube. I've been reading that a lot of people are saying it's well worth the small price to swap out the tube. We shall see!
 
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#295
Systolic said:
Just going to Necro Bump this thing for new opinions. Preamp shopping and looking at this along with the SVP CL, ART Pro Channel II, GED 2112, Yamaha PB1, and Ashly BP41. Can't seem to make up my mind.
Click to expand...
Used an ART Tube Channel, (not the II), absolutely loved what it could do with a Bass signal. A favorite of mine but at the same time I'm kind of a set and forget type and this thing is so flexible and can work with so many different instruments and mics it's almost worth having just for the sake of any recording you might want to do.
 

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