Helloooo!

[voiceoverallen]

Hi folks from a new Studio Projects user! I do voiceover work and I recently purchased a VTB-1 mic pre. I'm sure you've heard all this before but I have to say I have found it to be a wonderful sounding unit :) It's extremely quiet (can't hear it at all) and the tube drive adds a very nice, warm color to my voice. Perfect for what I do.

I did make a change by taking the unmarked tube out and replacing it with a vintage 1958 Mullard 12AX7 long plate. Made a difference for the better! Much smoother and warmer than the stock tube. It's super clean on solid state too, but I like the tube sound ;)

This is a definite improvement over my previous mic pre, a Behringer VX2496. Not a bad unit, but the VTB-1 just sounds much better. Thanks to SP, I won't have to spend BIG bucks for a BIG bucks sound.

Thanks Alan and all those at SP for a great sounding piece of equipment :D and thanks to Justin for help getting on the forum (registration image problems).

Allen

[Scott Collins]

Hi voiceoverallen,

How easy or difficult was it to replace the tube? Being a tube Marshall amp user, I'm familiar with how big a difference a preamp tube can make (at least in those circuits).

Thanks!
Scott

[Alan Hyatt]

Hey voiceoverallen,

Thanks...the VTB1 is a great little box. All that for only $100.00 plus...Not bad. Glad you like it.

Scott, To change the tube in the VTB1. Here are the procedures

Remove four side panel screws (2 on each side)
Remove all 1/4" rear cap nuts and both XLR mounts screws (total 4 screws)
Slowly work off the top chassis cover and set aside

Remove all front panel control knobs (three knobs) Remover carefully...they can be tight
Remove 1/4" silver cap nut HiZ using a 7/16" Nut driver
Remove three shaft nuts using a 10mm Nut driver

Remove entire PC board from bottom chassis and set chassis aside
Turn over PC board so it is resting on a flat supported surface
Holding the tube in your right hand, and the pc board that has the tube octal socket in your left hand....
Slowly wiggle or rock the tube out of the socket making sure you support the pc board with the octal
socket in your hand firmly so it does not move. You do not want to bend or break the pc board pins
Put the new tube in supporting it the same way

Then, turn over PC board and align back into the lower portion of the chassis
Then reassemble in reverse order the entire unit the way you dissembled it

Some movement of the octal board is ok, just do not rip out the tube.

Hope this helps

[voiceoverallen]

Scott, Alan is right on with those instructions. It's not hard to do, just be careful not to fumble anything, drop the tube OR lose any screws/nuts/washers while taking them off. The tube has a tight fit so be easy taking it out and when putting the new one it (I'm sure you know this already) be sure to support the board that the socket is mounted on while firmly pushing the new tube in. After I changed it out, I let it warm up for about an hour before using it (had to cook the wife dinner!). Made a definite difference for the better :) Gotta say it again, it's VERY nice and worth MORE than what is being charged for it.

[Scott Collins]

Thanks Alan & Allen :) Great info!