Studio Projects VSTB-1

[Ken Sager]

I've read a lot about these inexpensive mic pres. Anybody have experience with them they'd care to share? I'm particularly wondering how they would do with a Schertler for live application, and with large condensor mics for the studio.

Thanks for your replies,
Ken

[TonyP]

Sorry Ken, I've not used that pre, but my bandmate heard about Studio Projects mics and bought one large dia and 2 of the small dias. The small ones(I can't remember the #'s)had so little gain he had to buy a pre. He looked at the VSTB-1 and was steered away by the others on the board he heard about the Studio Projects on. Mostly because of bad tech support. Ended up getting a used PreSonus BlueTube for less than $100 off ebay. It's two channel, and it really made those 2 small dia. SP's sound wonderful. The only thing I don't like about the little units like that is there's no way to rackmount them so you really have to be careful with them because of the tubes. YMMV

[Ken Sager]

Thanks, Tony. A salesman (yeah, I know...) tried to sell me on the SP tube mic pre over a much more expensive tube pre saying it simply sounded better, and you'd have to spend more than $800 or so to get a better mic pre. I think I'll give it a try. If nothing else it'll be a cheap experiment. $129 out the door... I'll post results later.

Joy to all,
Ken

[Ken Sager]

Oh yeah, they sell a $24 rack that holds two VSTB-1s so if I like it enough to buy two I'll get the rackmount for them. Otherwise I'll just velcro them to a rackmounted shelf.

[Ken Sager]

Ok, they're the VTB-1, not VSTB-1. Sorry.

[Pete Martin]

Though I haven't used one, from what I've read on numerous audio sites they are similar to other inexpensive pres, not great. I've found that to get a really good (not great) new preamp, its usually near $1000.00 per channel.

I have a Studio Projects C1 mic and its not great, just OK. I usually prefer other mics.

[steve in tampa]

I have had great luck with a Joe Meek ThreeQ. It is a pre amp w/ 48v phantom power, optical compresser, and EQ w/ sweepable midrange. Got it for under 200. Half rack space size. Have it set up w/ an AKG C1000S mic.

[mike_c]

well actually..FMR AUDIO (the folks that came out with the awesome RNC compressor) # now makes a really great dual channel studio grade preamp (solid state) for around $500

[dr.jazz]

Generally speaking:
Yah get's what yah pays fer.
I've played with cheap mics, and cheap pre-amps, and I got cheap sound!
however, nothing sounds as bad as a cheap mic running into a cheap board pre. (Behringer, Mackie, Spirit, etc.)
Even a cheap outboard mic pre will enhance a low-end board.
Mike (the cheap #######) MacLeod