Studio Projects VTB1 Microphone Preamp

by Studio Projects

Product Features

• Discrete Solid State Class A/B Design
• VariableTube Blend On Detented Pot
• Switchable Impedance between 50/200 Ohm
• 48 Volt Phantom Power

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15 x 4 x 9 inches ; 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002E3NQC
• Item model number: VTB1
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,719 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #17 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Preamps

Product Description

The new Studio Projects VTB-1 is the ultimate in low cost mic pre amplifier technology. Incorporating true class A/B switching, the VTB-1 is a totally discrete circuit. Unique to the VTB-1 is the Inch Tube Drive Inch. The Tube Drive is a variable drive to a 12AX7, that allows the user to blend as little, or as much of the Tube Drive they want. This VTB-1 allows the user the most flexibility of any mic preamplifier in it's price class. The VTB-1 allows you to go from a pristine solid state sound, to any combination of Tube Drive you choose - even hard distortion for guitars and bass. The VTB-1 is must have device as the perfect mic preamplifier for any microphone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good value;Works well with mics, guitars and bass, August 5, 2009

By 

D. Lockman (Southern California, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Studio Projects VTB1 Microphone Preamp (Electronics)

This is a budget preamp, but probably the best in the price range.

It is made to go especially well with the Studio Projects C1 mic.
But it has all-round applications, including guitar and bass as well as mics.

It's HOW you use it (with caution & restraint on vocals, somewhat
less restraint on Git & bass), that counts most of all.

Watch distortion/noise levels carefully, as with ANY preamp,
avoid extreme settings on most vocals (except special FX), & you should do well.

The tube blend "smooths-out" detail somewhat. I don't use it
on vocals much, just git & bass, where it often works well.

The fact about preamps is this:

The biggest, and cheapest, improvement in sound, with preamps in general,
is going from NO preamp to just USING a preamp.

In other words,
moving from NO preamp to say, A VTB1, used skillfully with your
modest studio cardioid condenser mic, will get you at least 50 to maybe
80% of the way to "great fidelity". (Those are my "fuzzy numbers" for illustration).

It's Getting up to 95-99% fidelity that takes the real $$$$$$$$$$$, and names
like Avalon, Neumann, Telefunken, Manley and Grace start popping up.

But the SP VTB1 gets the job done for the home recordist without big buck$,
but maybe a reasonably decent condenser mic or 2,
and the patience and focus to use 'em effectively.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good value but don't expect too much, February 26, 2009

By 

Pauly Danyl (Milwaukee, Wi USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Studio Projects VTB1 Microphone Preamp (Electronics)

You're not going to find a better preamp in this price range. That said, don't expect this to have the same effect on your recordings as a thousand dollar piece from UA or Grace. The difference between its all tube and solid state settings is subtle, but it's nice to be able to blend your choice between the two. I recorded the same vocal line through the same mic with the VTB set to the tube side of the knob, and then again without the VTB and spent the better part of an hour a/b'ing the two tracks to see the difference. There is a LITTLE more warmth in the VTB, and it shows a little bit clearer, but it's not going to blow you away. A job where the VTB really shines though, I have a Duncan performer soundhole pickup for my acoustic that has always had problems direct to PA that sounds great with this added to the signal chain

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Value, September 8, 2008

By 

ianorth (miami beach) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Studio Projects VTB1 Microphone Preamp (Electronics)

Very clean. I am using this primarily for vocals with a Shure SM7B. The tube is of questionable value, but at this price, I can't complain.
Update: After awhile I started to notice that this could be more transparent and replaced it with a Grace 101. Still this is totally acceptable for line in instruments. And if you can't afford the Grace...