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PreSonus

Description

The PreSonus TubePRE Microphone Preamp lets you add character to your signal by varying the amount of gain and tube drive. A 12AX7 tube in this single-channel mic preamp fattens your signal while dual-servo gain stages let you simultaneously output to your amp and console. Sterling specs include 10Hz-80kHz frequency response, a 94dB noise floor, and >90dB S/N ratio. Capacitor-free circuitry and wide dynamic control give you a big boost without noise. Includes 48V phantom power, phase reverse, 20dB pad, and 80Hz rumble filter. A large VU meter with a cool blue backlight keeps you informed. Balanced/unbalanced and XLR I/O give the PreSonus TubePRE flexibility. Great as a studio direct box.
PreSonus TubePRE Microphone Preamp
PreSonus TubePRE Microphone Preamp
PreSonus TubePRE Microphone Preamp

Features

  • 12AX7 and dual-servo gain stages
  • Capacitor-free gain stage for maximum fidelity and low noise
  • XLR mic and high-Z instrument inputs on back panel
  • XLR (balanced) and 1/4" (unbalanced) outputs on back panel
  • Supports dual output of signal
  • 10Hz-80kHz frequency response
  • >90dB S/N ratio
  • 94dB noise floor
  • Variable gain and tube drive
  • Gain: 3dB to +48dB
  • Tube drive: 0dB to +20dB
  • 48V phantom power
  • -20dB pad and polarity reverse
  • 80Hz rumble filter
  • Large VU meter with blue backlight
  • External wallmount power transformer
  • Rackmountable with optional adapter

Reviews

4.5

10 Reviews

0%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Built like a tank, sounds like an angel

I had just added a Behringer B1 condenser mic to my growing arsenal of podcasting tools when I realised, "Hold on, whoa. There is no way I'm going to drag my studio mixer around to record at live readings." So, I ended up stuck with a mic, but no phantom power and no guarantee that the venue would be able to provide. That is where the TubePre stepped in and made my job easier. While I couldn't be sure that the places we'd be reading at would have phantom power, I was pretty sure they'd all have power. The TubePre provides not only a warm tube sound, but also the 48v needed to bring even the most stubborn mics to life. The build quality is also quite impressive. The entire thing is encased in hard metal and has some heft to it without being "heavy". The shape is a little strange, rounded at the sides and kind of wide, but it's designed to be stacked with other Presonus equipment rather than in a traditional rack. The sound quality is excellent. The drive really adds punch to recordings and the gain can be cranked up pretty high before it starts to hiss. An LED lets you know when you're clipping and a VU meter will show you just how raucous things are getting. Overall, I'm pleased with the TubePre, even if I did buy it before the price dropped to $100. If I have any complaints its that I wish it had an on/off switch somewhere. Yanking out the power cord just feels like the wrong way to power down a preamp. The TubePre should satisfy everyone from amateurs to pros.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Useful with restrictions

The Presonus TubePre mic preamp has a good sound, and it will give anyone with a small all in one recorder a different flavor for a mic's and direct inputs, but it is not suitable for more advanced systems. The tube adds some tonal change to the signal but should not be thought of as a cheap alternative to the Solo 610 or the Presonus ADL 600. It looks cool, it's well built, it sounds good, but it lacks a power switch, the I/O's are in the back and it's underpowered for the tube to really alter the tone more than by a high end roll off and a bit of good distrotion.

Reviewed by 10 customers

  • If you know what you're doing

    5

    submitted15 years ago

    byPrepBoy

    fromMonroe, NC

    When I first got this preamp a couple years ago I didn't know how to use it. I've had it now for 2 years and it is not bad for the price. I had took it to one of my friends professional studios and hooked it up to get the full effect to see what I really got. I use a Audio-Technica AT2020 which is a alright mic, but my boy has a ST55 which is a more brighter mic. It sounded so amazing, it really had a warmth in a very bright mic. Also my audio interface is just EMU 0202, his was a EMU 1616. So me personally with this preamp it really depends on your mic, your audio interface, and the knowledge of using the preamp. I haven't even replaced the tube yet so no telling how it would sound afterward

  • TUBEPre Supreme

    5

    submitted15 years ago

    byBassfingerz

    fromNYC

    In a nutshell, There are way better Tube Preamps out there, like for example by Avalon. But those are mighty expensive. The PreSonus TUBEPre is great for those on a budget. I got one for my home studio, and it's quite awesome. I noticed my vocals were lacking power when plugging the mic straight into the interface. But now with this PreSonus, I get that warm punchy tone. I definitely recommend this to anyone

  • Perect preamp for the small home studio

    5

    submitted16 years ago

    byRuss

    fromMorrisville, NC

    I give it 5 stars because while I'm sure it doesn't compare to the high end units, for the small in home studio it is killer. The 20db pad is excellent for recording cranked guitar amps where my other preamp got overpowered. Tracking with the 80hz rolloff, you will notice a subtle clarity added to your recording. Subtle but nice. Keeping the gain low and drive high really warms up the signal, giving the effect of rolling the high's off a bit and bringing up the lower mids. Gives it a more full tone. These are all subtle effects, not in your face, but for my home studio on a budget, I am very satisfied. Very quit as well!

  • Warm little thing!

    5

    submitted16 years ago

    byJsalz

    fromBrownsville, TX

    I'm gonna be honest here. I bought this unit because i'm trying to increase the quailty of my studio sound. This unit definately added a bit of warmth to the mix. Of course, no one is really going to here a "drastic" change in their sound unless they invest in a top-quality studio preamp. But it worlks great and i do recommend it for anyone who is limited simply to the use of their mixer preamps. Keep it up, PreSonus!

  • great pre-amp for the price

    4

    submitted18 years ago

    byAlex Fishburn

    fromUpland, CA

    This preamp is a great performer for the price. You can't find something much cheaper with this, with a few exceptions. But this will truly out perform anything in this price range. This pre-amp is great for live or studio situations and adds the needed warmth that is desired. I haven't had a problem with noise as some people have said but i'm sure it is easily fixed with a noise gate. But ultimately, this pre-amp will not sound like a UA 610 SOLO or a Blue ROBBIE but it will sound way better then one hundred dollars. So it is ultimately, worth every penny.

  • Awesome

    5

    submitted19 years ago

    byKory Knabenshue

    fromAllentown, PA

    This preamp does wonders. For guitar into a solid state amp, it makes it sound like a vintage tube amp, or turn down the drive a little and it sounds silky smooth. The cool thing is you can use the XLR input with the 1/4 inch output and vice versa. You can also, use the 1/4 inch in and out at the same time as the XLR in and out. Very impressive.

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