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Tubes or Transistors?

Glenn Taylor

Glenn Taylor

Jul 31, 2009
91
6
Raleigh North Carolina
#1
Hi guys, I started out in 1968 on a Fender BassMan then changed to a Acoustic 370 solid state in 1972 with a 18" and a svt 8-10" cabinet. That was the club and concert days. I was interested in what you guys like to use in the studio Mostly since thats all I have been doing. The syles I have been recording are folk, blues, RnB, and classic rock. Fender jazz bass,Ibanez Musician, and a 5 string YaMaha bass. What's a good studio setup? GT.:bassist::hyper::bassist:
 
#2
That's all personal preference. What kind of outboard gear are you running as part of your recording set up? How much processing do you want to do? If you want to really play around with the sound, you could get a decent DI and go ampless. What do you have for mics? That's going to play a role as well. If you want an amp, my preference would be for a tube amp, particularly an ampeg B15N, but as I said, it's all personal preference.
 
#3
Well for years I have been using a countryMan direct box Into My old Mackie D8b then out light pipe to digi in of 192 HD . I have a bass pod, pro tools hd plugins. Usually it's been direct and through an AMpeg solid state head through1/2 a svt 4 10" cabinet. I hate how even the bass pod delays the signal. I'd like to find a tube AMp or preaMp. Forgot what the hot direct boxes are for bass?
 
#4
Glenn Taylor said:
Hi guys, I started out in 1968 on a Fender BassMan then changed to a Acoustic 370 solid state in 1972 with a 18" and a svt 8-10" cabinet. That was the club and concert days. I was interested in what you guys like to use in the studio Mostly since thats all I have been doing. The syles I have been recording are folk, blues, RnB, and classic rock. Fender jazz bass,Ibanez Musician, and a 5 string YaMaha bass. What's a good studio setup? GT.:bassist::hyper::bassist:
Click to expand...

FOR LIVE something “small, lightweight, powerful and affordable” - for example, maybe a Gallien-Krueger MB500 amp into two GK NEO115-IIIs or two NEO 212-II might be something to consider. There is a lot of neat stuff out there to chose from for different preferences and budgets - so this is a good time to be a bassist. I’m sure you’ll get more recommendations - good luck.

For Studio - the above or just your bass and pick/use one of the cool pramps at the studio.
 
#5
It's all personal preference, and I've used it all, but only tubes and a big iron output transformer will do for me from here on out. There is a noticeable difference, and anyone who doesn't believe it is not listening very hard. Even on cheap recording gear like mine, I can tell the difference. Doesn't mean you'll like it better, but there is a difference, no doubt about it.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
It's all personal preference, and I've used it all, but only tubes and a big iron output transformer will do for me from here on out. There is a noticeable difference, and anyone who doesn't believe it is not listening very hard. Even on cheap recording gear like mine, I can tell the difference. Doesn't mean you'll like it better, but there is a difference, no doubt about it.
Click to expand...

especially if it a true studio setup that you will not be moving very much.

there's lots of stuff that sounds good, but those old school tube amps have something that more modern designs simply cannot match...ampeg b 15, ampeg cvt series, new fender bassmans, or, if money if no object (yeah, right...:p) Reeves new 400 watt monster


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#10
If I were looking for the be-all-end-all big ass tube tone preamp for recording only I'd be buying a Jules Monique.

If I wanted something crisp and clean and precise, there's a whole bunch of other preamps and DI's that can work that, but probably an Avalon U5.
 
#11
BurningSkies said:
If I were looking for the be-all-end-all big ass tube tone preamp for recording only I'd be buying a Jules Monique.
Click to expand...
That or a REDDI if you can live without the EQ and don't need it to drive a power amp. Best two products on the market for DI if you ask me, but the REDDI's half as much so guess what I went with? ;)

If I wanted something crisp and clean and precise, there's a whole bunch of other preamps and DI's that can work that, but probably an Avalon U5.
Click to expand...
I'd take the REDDI or Monique over the U5 for crisp and clean, too. Nothing dirty about the REDDI, just sweet clean real tube tone.
 
#12
JimmyM said:
It's all personal preference, and I've used it all, but only tubes and a big iron output transformer will do for me from here on out. There is a noticeable difference, and anyone who doesn't believe it is not listening very hard. Even on cheap recording gear like mine, I can tell the difference. Doesn't mean you'll like it better, but there is a difference, no doubt about it.
Click to expand...

+1 :bassist:
 
#13
Have to put in a plug for Trace Elliot. Models w/tube pre's. Amazing headroom and capable of much more peak power than the RMS wattage rating, simile to tube amps. And they don't distort at high volume levels as a tube power section will (unless that's what you're looking for).
 
#14
Many studios are digital now and extra tracks are cheap. Add an extra track of direct in, and later you can re-amp during mixing to change sounds if you want. It can really help if you've got too little or too much of a tone on a track. Sometimes you just don't know until everything is mixed together.
 
#15
If I'm the producer, then I'll use a cheap Peavey 8 channel mixer aux input because it throws a 10K drag on my basses. That, along with some treble cut and some bass boost, gives them a huge warm creamy sound. Poor man's LA-2A if you will.

If someone else is the producer, I just grit my teeth and obey orders.
 

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