This shootout features the ART PRO VLA compressor. I wanted to see the diferent tones I could get with various tubes. And I also wanted to see if you actually get the added benefit using expensive tubes vs. cheap tubes. I used various 12AT7 & 12AX7 tubes. The chain was ADK Hamburg>Sebatron VMP>PRO VLA>RME ADI>Pro Tools
There was no extra processing at all. The vocalist was aprox 10 inches away with the mic slightly angled down. the settings on the compressor were light (3:1 ratio) as I wanted to hear all of the nuances when changing tubes.
Hmm...That's a tough decision. They all sound quite good, and I can't pick a favorite. I think the GE_Jan is my least favorite because it just seems to have less life. The others have more of a warm "sizzle" to them which I like, but the GE is kinda cold and flat.
The Amperex for me is by far the most colorated. In a nice way. The russian sucked. The original recording was fine. The GE sounded nice just a slight wouch of warmth. The telefunken sounded transparent with a little more open sound. At the end, I would go with the Amperex because of the nice color. And go optical when looking for transparency.
Can't really pick between 3 and 4 here. I like the openness of the Telefunken and it's nice and smooth as well but I also like the Amperex Bugle Boys special mojo and the way it does it's magic on this singers vocal.
